He hesitates, but only for a second as he sizes up the situation, ultimately making the smart choice.
“Didn’t know,” he mutters, already backing away, his friend already gone.
“You do now.”
I wait until he’s gone, too, before turning my attention to her.
She’s looking up at me, wide-eyed but steady. She’s clearly shaken, but there’s a strong confidence underlying her bravado, too.
The resemblance to Luke hits me in the gut. Not in appearance, not really. But in the way she holds herself when things get uncomfortable.
Just like her dad.
“You okay?” I ask quietly.
She nods once, the grip on her purse loosening. She reaches around and pulls her long blond hair back from her shoulder, and that’s when it hits me.
Hard.
She is not the kid I remember.
Tessa has grown into a woman, and the realization lands like a blow to the chest.
Before I can stop them, my eyes catch on the soft swell of her breasts beneath her sweater. Long, lean legs tucked beneath the table.
My gut tightens.
Fuck me.
This isn’t babysitting.
I look away immediately, my jaw tightening as I force my attention back to her face.
“Your dad sent me,” I say, keeping my voice even. “He asked me to come get you.”
Her lips turn down into a small frown as she processes what I just told her.
“I’m Holt,” I add. “Luke and I…”
“Holt!” she jumps up with so much enthusiasm, I step back. “I remember you,” she adds with a little blush.
I’m not sure what to do with that, so I just nod. “Let’s get you out of here,” I say. “The storm’s getting worse. We need to get back before we get trapped.”
I step aside and wait as she slides out of the booth. Her shoulder brushes my arm, and my body sparks instantly.
It hits me with dangerous clarity thatwhat I’m feeling has nothing to do with responsibility and everything to do with the beautiful woman by my side.
Chapter Two
Tessa
The sun had almost completely set, and the rain had started while I was inside, making the small main street of Iron Peak even darker and more foreboding than it had been when I’d gone into the bar.
A chill races through me, and instinctively, I wrap my arms around myself.
“Cold?”
I shake my head in a lie that Holt sees right through.
