She doesn’t look convinced as her eyes search my face.
“I woke up and thought something was wrong. You were breathing hard.”
Yeah, I bet I was.
“Just needed some air. It’s hot in there tonight.”
She watches me another second. “You’re right. It is.”
Moonlight catches in the loose strands of her hair as she steps up beside me.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
For a moment, neither of us speaks as the night hums softly around us.
“I just wanted to thank you again for coming after me. If you hadn’t… I don’t think I’d still be here.”
I don’t let myself think about that. Not even for a second.
“You would’ve figured something out. You always do.”
She shakes her head. “No, Dane. I wouldn’t have.”
Before I can answer, she steps in and wraps her arms around me. I go rigid. Then I pull her in, pressing my nose into her hair, breathing her in before I can stop myself.
This is dangerous.
She lifts her face and plants a quick kiss against my cheek. “Thank you.”
My arms tighten around her. “Don’t try to die on me again.”
She lets out a soft breath of laughter against my shoulder. “I’ll try not to.”
I pull back enough to look at her. “And don’t leave again.”
Her expression softens. “I won’t.”
We stay like that a second too long, then she steps back. “G’night, Dane.”
“G’night, Charlotte.”
She turns and disappears into the shelter. I stay where I am, staring out over the dark water.
Holding her like that only made my feelings clearer.
And she can never know.
Chapter 7
Charlotte Gallagher
Soft morning lightslips into the shelter. I lie still for a moment, listening.
The island is already awake. Waves roll in quietly beyond the trees. Birds rustle somewhere high in the canopy. The fire gives off a low, steady crackle as it burns down.
And underneath it all—something else.
Movement.
