“Samson? The cop from the fire?”
“Yeah, we’re seeing how he does on a trial basis right now.”
The smile that crosses my lips is instant, the memory of him with his daughters and mother at the signing so sweetit settles the uneasiness of being back here. His presence had been unexpected that day, and I’d momentarily given in to the paranoia that he could be the one after me.
But all of that disappeared as soon as I saw him with his daughters, a loving, albeit tired father just trying his best to do it all.
“That makes me happy.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’re going to change his life—his family’s life. It’s going to be amazing for them.”
“We’re just providing the opportunity.”
“You’re incredibly sexy when you’re trying to be modest.”
“Keep your hands to yourself, Kitten.”
“Or what?” I tease, needing the distraction as my eyes drop to the bulge in his jeans.
“Or you’re going to have a heck of a time sitting down after I spank the hell out of you.”
Oh, yes, please.
Blushing furiously, I watch as Tom pushes out of the SUV and rounds the front, his dark brown eyes gleaming as he opens my door and offers me his hand.
“That’s not the threat you think it is.”
“Don’t push it. I have work to do and you,”—he points to the phone in my hand I haven’t touched—“have some catching up to do.”
Wrinkling my nose, I follow him inside because the last thing I really want to do is connect with anyone right now. Back at the cabin, I’d been dying for any kind of social interaction, but now, it seems too real, like engaging with my brother or Bailey will erase the last remnants of the happiness I found with Tom.
He’s not going away. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.
Sighing, I drop onto one of the stools at the island as he clears each room before going back into the garage to get our bags. The kitchen seems cold, lacking both color and personality. When I picked everything out, I’d been happy with the clean lines and aesthetic, but looking at it now, it hurts my heart.
Just another part of my life I wiped any trace of myself from.
Annoyed with the realization, I swipe open the phone and find Bailey’s number.
KAT: Hey it’s Kat. I have a new phone and I’m fine
BAILEY: THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE
BAILEY: Wait—if it’s really you tell me where I took you on the last night you were in town here visiting
KAT: The Hoot & Holler
BAILEY: It IS you!
BAILEY: (heart emoji)
BAILEY: How’s Tom?
KAT: Still my bodyguard
BAILEY: Oh! While you were MIA I checked him out and I know him…
