Page 64 of Close to My Heart

“I don’t think you see yourself clearly.”

“What’s there to see?” I was the responsible older brother, but not the eldest, who helped Teddy keep the family together after Mom died. I wasn’t in charge. I was his wingman. The peacemaker. The go-between between my other siblings and Teddy.

I took a job in law enforcement because it was what Teddy did, and my dad was proud of him. I only deviated into working for the Department of Natural Resources because I loved the outdoors. I was happy, content even if I didn’t think about how much better it could be with Sutton by my side.

“You’re basically a mountain man. You work in the outdoors, you hike and fish, and you’re in law enforcement? You’re hot. My viewers are going to love you.”

“So I’m a fantasy, is that it?” I asked, not quite believing it but loving that she saw me that way.

“You’re every woman’s fantasy. Except for the ones that prefer a suit, and I don’t know many of them.”

“Good riddance to those women,” I joked, even as she smacked me.

She leaned on her elbow so she could see my face. “Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

I touched her hair, tenderness for her and her dreams overtaking any doubts I might have. “If you think it would help, I’m all for it.”

She smiled wide, and I knew I’d do whatever it took to keep that smile on her face—forever.

16

SUTTON

The next morning, breakfast was delivered to our room. Then we had sex afterward in the shower. I was insatiable when it came to Wes Calloway. I’d repressed these feelings for so long, and now that I could indulge, my desire was unquenchable.

Each time we came together, I fell deeper when it was supposed to be temporary. It was as exciting as it was scary, but I wasn’t ready for it to end.

I was on a runaway train that couldn’t stop, and I didn’t want to. I was along for the ride, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.

Wes asked Teddy to drop off Otto at home, so he greeted us at the door. Then we changed into hiking gear, packed water and snacks, and took off on the paths behind his house that led around the lake.

“Are you sure you want to do the loop your first time?” Wes asked.

“Yep.” I had this thing where if I started something, I had to finish it. It was probably why I couldn’t let go of the estate whereas Wes probably would have walked away years ago.

Otto drifted into the woods from time to time on the trail of an animal, but always came back when Wes whistled for him. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“I want to know what you like. Experience it with you.”

Wes raised a brow. “You want me to be your coguide on the estate?”

“I don’t know. You might not have a good demeanor for it,” I teased.

Wes’s expression turned serious, and he said hesitantly, “I’ve watched the videos you’ve posted.”

I stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to face him. “What?”

“I could probably replay them by memory, I’ve watched them so many times. You’re so animated; it drew me in. Every item holds a mystery, and I want to know the secrets.”

My heart thudded. “I had no idea.”

“I didn’t tell you because I figured it would only embarrass you if someone you knew was watching.”

I nodded, still trying to wrap my mind around what he’d admitted. “That’s true.”

We resumed walking, and I said, “Your energy is infectious.”

“It’s the same way you get when you’re talking about a particular tree or type of fish.”

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