“Angel,” there’s concern in his voice, “you can’t stay here.”
I glance toward him, my chest tightening as I see the note stuck to the door with a hunting knife.
‘Welcome home.’
“I don’t get it,” I say, looking up at Silas as I push back tears. “I didn’t tell anyone I rented this place. You didn’t even know. How would Adam find out?”
Silas’ massive shoulders rise and fall as he stares at me. “Did he ever have access to your phone?”
I nod. “While we were dating. I mean, I wasn’t super careful about him checking it. I had nothing to hide.”
He draws in a deep breath and lets it out quickly. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you should leave it here. Slide it inside the door. If he is tracking you through it, it’ll throw him off until morning at least.”
I narrow my brows and shake my head quickly, trying to understand what the heck is happening. “You really think he’s spying on me through my phone?”
“No clue, but I’m not risking it.”
Maybe this is a bigger deal than I thought.
As I stare up at Silas, the hallway shrinks. He’s so big, so strong, so intimidating. I want to bury myself against him, seek safety in his arms, breathe in his masculine scent, feel the rhythm of his steady heart until I’m calm again.
“You’re coming home with me.” His big hand sinks into mine, warm and certain, his thumb brushing across my knuckles in comfort.
I know I should be focusing on the information that I’m missing out on my new apartment and that my ex is a psycho who’s been tracking me, but there’s something about Silas’ touch that quiets the world. It shouldn’t, but it does.
Even outside, in the cool spring air, I’m under his spell.
The moment stretches and shifts, and before I know it, we’re in his truck, driving up the old mountain road toward his little cabin in the woods.
“You got quiet. Tell me what’s wrong.” He’s not asking, he’s demanding me. Demanding I share my feelings and tell him what’s on my mind. It’s so different from anything I’m used to. Most men don’twantto know your feelings. They want to avoid them.
“I’m just—” The thought gets caught in my throat as I stare at him in the moonlight.How do I tell him that I feel more comfortable with him than I ever have with anyone? How do I tell him that the second he touched me, I felt whole? How do I tell him my panties are soaking wet, and all I want more than anything is for him to weigh me down, fuck me hard, and fill me up?
He turns up the old dirt road that’s lined with tall pines. It’s only been a year since I’ve been up here, but everything about it feels different. Maybe it’s because this time, I’m here for the right reasons, instead of pretending to be into Adam to hang out around his dad.
I’ve never admitted that out loud and I’m not sure I ever would, but it’s the truth.
The truck rolls to a stop in front of his cabin, the headlights sweeping over the porch where one dim light hangs outside, flickering against the dark.
Silas turns toward me, his jaw set. “You were saying something.”
“Oh!” I swallow hard, still unsure of how to say all the things I’m thinking. “I guess, I just… I’m thankful.” I sigh. “I’m so thankful you came out here with me.”
He nods once, though I can tell he’s not buying my bullshit. “Let’s get you inside.”
I’m sure he’s moving, I hear the truck door open and close, I see the blur of his heavy frame pass around the front of the truck, but I’m caught on the back corner of the front porch. I’ve thought about the moment we had there far too many times over the past year. Enough so that my skin is buzzing.
I mean, how do I push back every urge that’s been eating away at me when we have the opportunity to do the filthy things I know we’re both thinking about without anyone ever knowing?
We’re alone. Whatever happens tonight can stay right here in this cabin.
I’m lost in my thoughts when he opens my door and reaches up for my hand. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I clear my throat, “just tired.”
“I bet. What time do you have to be at work in the morning?”
“Eight.”
