My mountains.She’s adorable.
“Yes, I like it here, but I honestly don’t want to be a burden. This is not the panic attack talking. I never want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“You’re inmyhouse, and you’re not a burden to me. If Willow has a problem, she can stay at her house.”
Lena shakes her head, but I catch her chin in my fingers.
“Keep shaking your head like that, and you’ll give yourself whiplash. Tell me you’ll stay, Lena.”
Only a second passes before she whispers, “I’ll stay.”
“Good. I’m making steak and eggs for breakfast.” Her stomach growls, making me grin. “I’m hungry too.”
She nods, but she’s not smiling. “I’ll just freshen up and meet you downstairs.”
“Take your time.”
I have to make myself turn to walk away, because every cell in my body wants me to stay here with her. To hold her and comfort her.
Before I reach the door, Lena says, “Gideon?”
“Yeah.” I turn back to find her pulling my hoodie over her head, showing me her bare midriff and the bottom of her white bra.Jesus fuck.Her skin looks smooth and inviting, and I want to know what it tastes like.
“Here, you can have this back.” Her head pops out, her hair in disarray, and she offers it to me.
“Nah, you keep it. You look better in it than I do. See you in a few.”
“You grilled these steaks at six in the morning,” she says as she takes the last bite and closes her eyes. “Like, on the barbecue.”
“How else am I supposed to make them?”
She lifts one shoulder and then finally smiles at me. “It was really good. I can probably hit a target today. We’re shooting, right?”
“That was the plan.” I eye her as I push my empty plate away and pick up my mug of coffee. “But I have questions first.”
“Okay.”
“Have you ever shot a gun?”
“No.”
“Have you ever held one?”
“Not that I remember.” I narrow my eyes, and she smirks. “No.”
“We’ll start here with some instruction, then. Never point the barrel of a weapon at a person, unless you plan to shoot them. So if you’re holding it, keep it pointed at the floor.”
“Okay. Point it at the floor or kill someone. Got it.”
“Some of the weapons I’ll be training you on will have some kick.”
“But you’ll tell me before I shoot it, right?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
I chuckle and stand to put my dishes in the dishwasher, and Lena follows me. “You’re excited for this.”
