Vale continues to stare at me, no answers herself.
“Can you hand me that pen on the stand?” She nods toward the low nightstand that holds the tissue box and the miniature camp lamp. A Sharpie pen and a notebook are also on the stand.
Puzzled, I awkwardly stretch for the marker, nearly falling off the narrow bed. Vale laughs, clutching my forearm like that could prevent me from slipping off this slim mattress. Thesudden burst of joyful noise dissolves some of my worrisome thoughts and I hand her the marker.
Braced on my elbows, I watch as she pulls the cap from the permanent pen and flips my arm so my inner forearm is upward.
Vale draws on my skin, and I flinch.
“Ticklish?” She returns my tease from earlier.
I simply smile. There are so many ways to touch someone, but I never considered drawing on a person. Never thought how sensual it would feel.
Her artwork is quick and when she pulls back, she blows on the small design.
“A bee?” I softly chuff about the cartoon-looking insect with flowery wings, stripes over its back and a little stinger for a nose.
“So you won’t forget me again.”
My gaze leaps to her face, catching on her eyes looking back at me. “I’ve never forgotten you, Vale.”
Not how she was as a young woman. Not how we came together by the falls. Not how she’s been the first to bring me out of a hard shell, making me want to be soft.
For her.
When I sneakout of Vale’s cabin, I have no idea what time it is other than the camp is quiet, and the hour must be late.
And I’m startled by the sudden appearance of the overnight security guard just off the corner of Vale’s cabin.
“Cort?” He shines his flashlight directly in my eyes, blinding me a second before I recognize his voice.
Andy Whitehall is a deputy for Sheriff Stone Sylver. Rumor has it he’d been on probation for a while but has been reinstated on the force. Apparently, he moonlighted as a securityguard while on that probation period and continues to offer the service. Ford hired him for our weekend here.
“Andy,” I counter, holding up a hand to shield the light he continues to shine in my direction.
“Deputy Sheriff Whitehall,” he corrects, like I’m disrespecting the man who is younger than me. He’s nearly Vale’s age, which is something I’ve been forgetting.
Vale is twelve years younger than I am. The age gap hardly seems to be an issue until you consider she’s theyoungersister of my former best friend. Guilt smacks into me, despite the relaxation of my body.
“Whatcha doin’ out here?” Andy asks.
“Just needed some air.”
Andy probably sees right through my lie. It’s late. Very late. But he doesn’t need to know the air I needed was Vale.
“Well, I better get some rest. It’s been a long day.” I sound too chipper and completely unlike myself.
Good head can do that to a man. So can a woman like Vale.
“Thanks for your service,” I add, stepping closer to Andy and offering him my hand.
He glances down at it, hesitating a second before clasping mine in a firm grip, and shaking once. “Any time.”
On that note, I pass him, slipping my hands into my pockets and holding my breath as I slowly eek open the door to my cabin.
Last night, Clint questioned where I’d been, and I’d told him I went for a walk. He’d be shocked to learn where my steps took me.
Hell, I’m still a little stunned myself, but there is no turning back.
