Page 17 of Chasing the Fall

I keep the cabin well-stocked for the infrequent trips I make, with canned and frozen foods, extra clothing, and medical supplies. I sift through those now, pulling out a strip of bandages, alcohol, and antibacterial ointment, and then locate a clean T-shirt for her.

Back in the kitchen, Tally is sitting motionless on the counter. Her arm is red but clean, and a quick probe tells me the bullet grazed the fleshy outer part of her arm. “This should heal fast,” I tell her, pouring a stream of alcohol over it. “It’s just a flesh wound.”

“Tis but a scratch,” she murmurs, drawing in a hiss at the alcohol’s sting.

I snort. “You’ve had worse, right.”

“Right.”

Trying to be gentler than I’m accustomed to being, I get her patched up and help her draw the T-shirt on over her head. She hops down from the counter before I can help her.

I drop down on the couch and pick up the remote. “To answer your earlier question…Tallulah’s pretty,” I say as I turn the TV on, all too conscious of her as she settles on the couch next to me, kicking off her shoes and drawing her feet beneath her. “Old fashioned. Unique.”

“It’s never felt like me,” she complains. “I don’t think you realize what a favor you did when you gave me that awful nickname.”

“Twig?” I settle on a late football game and lean back into the sofa. “You were all skin and bones back then.”

“It morphed into Twiggy…someone’s mother said I reminded her of a model by that name and afterward, it just stuck.” She pauses, and from the corner of my eye I see her expression turn wistful. “I could pretend I was skinny on purpose.”

We’re quiet for a while, both of our attention focused on the game but neither of us, I was willing to bet, truly watching it. I was too aware of her, just a foot away, the way I’d been all day. And she was nervous, her fingers twisting at a frayed piece of denim covering her knee.

When I can’t take it any longer, I cover her hand with mine, stilling her restless motion. “Twig doesn’t fit you anymore. You’re a beautiful, unusual, fascinating woman, Tallulah.” Ipause, inwardly cursing myself. “And it’s driving me crazy to sit here beside you and not touch you.”

Her body turns to stone, but her breathing speeds up. Her fingers, beneath my palm, curl into her knee.

“What are you thinking right now?” I ask, well aware that I’m playing with fire, chasing a fall that could end with broken pieces where we’re both concerned.

She shakes her head a little. “I…we…Kael would kill you.”

I can’t help but notice that nothing about her response says she’s not interested. But she’s right. Exhaling, I return my gaze to the TV screen. “I’m aware.” More seconds pass, strung tight with tension arcing between us. “I need to call him, give him an update. Go to bed, Tallulah.”

I lift my hand from hers, and she leaps up from the sofa like a doe jumped from where she’s bedded down. “Right. Goodnight, then.” She flees—there’s no other word for it—into the bedroom, swinging the door closed behind her with a decisive slam.

I utter a short, bitter laugh and lean my head back against the couch. I have no idea what just possessed me. I should’ve kept my dumbass mouth shut.

Stupid.

Picking up my phone, I dial Kael and wait grimly for him to answer. He picks up on the third ring, his voice gruff and impatient. “It’s late.”

He must have a woman with him. “Just wanted to give you an update.”

“Go.”

I keep my response short and to the point. “I brought Tallulah to my place in Tennessee. Things in Virginia escalated.”

He grunts. “Why didn’t you bring her here?”

Because I desperately need to sink my cock into her.

The thought invades without invitation, and I close my eyes against its truth.

“I just felt this was the safest place. There are no ties to her here. No one would look for her here.”

“Are you saying you think he would come after her in Philly? Let him. I’ll give him a warm welcome.”

“Tally found similar crimes all over…in Northern Virginia and beyond. I just thought it made sense to take her somewhere random. Anonymous.”

“Mm. And that’s the only reason you took my cousin to a remote location instead of here, where I can keep an eye on her?”

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