“I got plenty of sleep,” he lied.
Almost nervously, she licked her lips and asked again, “Can I please stay here? I’ll lock the door behind you and I promise to stay inside the entire time you’re gone. I just need a few minutes to…I don’t know. Regroup, I guess. It’ll be easier to do that if you aren’t here.”
Nate got it. He really did. And she was right. Nothing else had happened and it was just a short trip down the road.
Even though his gut said otherwise, Nate looked back down into those gorgeous, pleading eyes and caved.
“Fine.” He’d barely gotten the word out when she smiled wide.
“Thank you.”
When did I become such a pushover?
Forcing a serious expression, he squeezed her a little tighter and said, “You know, I’m not sure I like the fact that my leaving makes you so happy.”
She chuckled. It was the closest she’d come to laughing all day.
“That’s not it. I love being here, with you.”
He raised a brow. “You’d better.”
Raising on her toes, she gave him a quick kiss. “I do. And I promise I’ll be a new woman when you get back.”
“Don’t want a new woman, sweetheart. I like you just the way you are.”
This made her smile grow even more. “Yeah? Well, you’re not so bad yourself.”
Unable to keep from it, Nate leaned down and put his mouth to hers. What was meant to be a quick kiss turned into something more.
Unfortunately for him, she pulled away before he was ready. Although, he had a feeling when it came to this woman, he’d never be ready to say goodbye.
“Go. Get the firewood and come back. I think I’m going to run a bath. And who knows,” she raised a brow. “Maybe I’ll still be in there when you get back.”
“I’m going,” Nate blurted, making her laugh. “Right now. And I’m begging you, please…whatever you do…donotget out of that tub.”
Still chuckling, she pushed a hand against his chest. “You’d better hurry, then. Don’t want the water getting cold before you get back.”
He turned to leave, spun back around and gave her a hard, fast kiss. “Lock the door and do not open it for anyone but me. No exceptions.”
Using a finger, she crossed her heart. “No exceptions.”
Taking her for her word, Nate grabbed his keys off the small, metal hook above the double light switch and walked out. He prayed lake security wouldn’t be out this way, because thoughts of Gracie naked in a sea of bubbles had his foot pushing the gas pedal down as far as it would go.
Of course, his ten-minute trip took twice as long, thanks to a couple who’d messed up the registration paperwork and had to start over. This was followed by their four kids spending another five minutes deciding which snacks and drinks they wanted to buy.
After finally paying for the chopped wood—something that would have taken him less than five minutes to find and cut himself, had the resort allowed it—Nate double-timed it back to the cabin. The entire way there, he imagined Gracie, naked and waiting for him.
Though, he’d only been gone about thirty minutes, he hoped the alone time had done her good.
Back at the cabin, he parked the car and got out. Opening the driver’s rear door, Nate grabbed the thick plastic tie holding the split logs together and headed inside.
The minute he stepped onto the porch, he knew something was wrong.
The door she’d promised to keep locked was slightly ajar and the wood near the lock was splintered. Heart pounding, Nate bent down and silently set the bundle onto the porch’s wooden slats.
His training instantly took over as he pulled his concealed pistol from his back waistband.
With his weapon gripped tightly in his right hand, Nate drew in a steadying breath and slowly pushed the door open with his left. He then entered the cabin like the operative he was.
