Page 35 of Where the Darkness Goes

“I can, and I will if it means keeping you safe. Now I’m going to turn around, and you’re going to get dressed so we can go back in the house and get warm.”

“Fine. Go inside. I’ll meet you in there when I’m good and ready.”

“Like hell.”

“Then I guess you’re going to have to come and get me.”

I lock my jaw. If I get in that water, we both know what’s going to happen. “Is that what you want?”

“No. I wanted to swim with my friend. But since you ran her off, I guess you’ll have to do.”

“If I get in that water, there won’t be any swimming.” My throat is as dry and scratchy as sandpaper. “I’m going to haul you out of there and take you inside.”

“And then what?” She stares up at me with big doe eyes, and I can’t believe this is actually happening.

I swallow, looking above her head. “Tessa.”

She takes another step closer, and the water is barely covering her breasts. She’s shivering, too. The heat in me instantly shifts, offering a semblance of relief. “You’re cold.”

“I’m fine.” I know she’s trying to fight it, but she can’t. It’s fifty degrees out here, and I know that water is probably colder. Why won’t she just admit it?

I’m done. I march into the water, and it’s freezing. Somehow colder than I imagined. It’s waist deep before I reach her, and I’m pure ice when I stop in front of her. “Out of the water. Last warning.”

She blinks.

I bend down, wrapping my arms around her waist and hauling her out of the water. I don’t look—much—but the feeling is enough. The sensation of her against me sends firecrackers through my brain, every nerve in my body on high alert. I don’t think I even take a breath until we reach the shore.

To my surprise, she looks pleased. We’re face to face, nothing but my soaking-wet clothes between us, and this girl doesn’t look scared at all. I guess I’m terrified enough for the two of us.

“Did you peek?” she whispers, teeth pressing into her bottom lip.

I clear my throat, but my voice still comes out as a croak. “I’m really trying to be a good guy here.”

She shrugs one shoulder. “Since when?”

Carefully, I ease her down onto the ground. Her feet squish in the mud beneath us. “Get dressed, okay?” Even as I say it, I don’t let her go. My hands are still around her waist, still holding herclose as she shivers against me. She twists her fingers up into my hair, staring right back. It’s like she’s begging me to look, and at this point, how could I not? “You’re going to catch a cold.”

“Only because you insisted on bringing me out of the water. I was perfectly adjusted to it.”

I press my lips together, shaking my head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Now, clothes. Please. And if you want to go swimming, go during the day, okay? Preferably in summer. And, at the very least, let someone know you’ll be out here, okay? If not me, then Will. At least until they catch the killer.”

She grabs her clothes, thankfully, pulling on her sweatpants. I keep my eyes on the sky, though I don’t turn away. “Why? Why does it matter to you so much?”

I can’t help looking at her then, but it’s her eyes I find as she pulls a shirt over her head.What a silly question.“Because…you’re you.”

“I’m me,” she repeats, nodding as she gathers her hair in her hands and squeezes the water out. “Your friend.”

“My friend,” I say slowly. This feels like a trap, and suddenly, all the courage I’d summoned moments ago feels like a distant memory. “Among other things.”

“Like?”

“You’re…you know what you are.”

“I’m your best friend’s little sister,” she says slowly. “That’s what I know.” She pauses. “Unless you tell me differently.”

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