Page 18 of Fury

Chapter Seven

Sawyer directedPenelope off the island and down the main road that led to town, having her turn off when they got to the island market parking lot less than a mile away.

“Why are we stopping here? I don’t need gas.” She looked down at her gas gauge to confirm. Sure enough the tank still read three quarters full.

“This is our destination.”

Her head turned to the dilapidated white building with two ancient pumps outside and a neon red sign in the window that declared the tiny shop open. When she looked back at him her gaze full of doubt, he easily read her mind.

“Have a little faith, Agent Bishop. I know it doesn’t look like much from out here, but that’s the point. Low key and low profile comes across as ordinary out here. But things aren’t always as they seem. Go ahead and park over there and trust me. I’m not going to steer you wrong.”

She looked over at the far end of the parking lot he pointed to and he watched her right brow lift in doubt. He nearly laughed out loud over her predictability. Except in this case, it came with a side of cute that he couldn’t resist.

“I’m not sure I know you well enough to trust you yet,” she said while pulling the vehicle into the spot he had pointed out anyway.

Sawyer opened the door. “That’s why we’re here, right? Some good old-fashioned bonding. We have a few drinks, maybe break bread together and then you can get more information out of me, right?” He didn’t wait for her answer. “You’ve come this far so you might as well see it through.”

She hesitated, her brain obviously weighing the pros and cons of the situation. He was beginning to understand a little more how Penelope Bishop worked. On one hand, she liked to analyze every situation like a good Federal agent would and on the other he suspected resided a little bit of a wild streak just dying to get out. He aimed to get to the wild streak.

He unfolded himself from her cramped car and shut the door behind him. His gut told him she would definitely follow. A moment later she emerged from the car and he turned away to hide his smile.

Oh, Miss Bishop. You are in so much trouble.

He choked back a laugh at his devious thoughts. If she thought he was bad asking about her panties, just wait until they’d both had a few drinks. Panties were the least of her worries.

As she marched towards the front door, her hips tantalizing him with their sway at every step, he snagged her hand before she could get away from him.

“Not there, Miss Bishop. Around here.” He steered her around the side of the building and out onto a dock that led to the backside of the building. When they rounded the corner to the rear, Penelope came to a complete halt.

He didn’t blame her. At this point the nondescript plain building transformed into a visionary work of art amidst an eye popping background of Devils Point across the water.

“Wow,” she said, her voice full of awe.

He took a few steps closer and lowered his voice. “Island secret.”

“Oh my God, I would say so. Holy cow. I thought the island was pretty from the bridge, but this--” she swept her arm in front of her, “This is unbelievable.”

He smiled. “The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and still some places are more beautiful than others.”

“Your island in particular,” she agreed.

“Wait until the sun sets. This is the best spot in the state for the show.”

“I’ll bet.” She turned back to the building putting her face to face with him with only a few inches between them. “The front of the building was very misleading.”

Her voice had lowered to barely a whisper.

He stared down at her lips, captivated by the pale pink natural color unmarred by lipstick. It would be so easy to press forward and take the kiss he wanted more than anything. Except he suspected he was more likely to get a swift knee to the balls if he made that move now. They weren’t quite there yet. While he wasn’t known in the pack as the most patient, he could fight the urge to rush.

For now.

“I told you to trust me,” he said, surprised his own voice had grown thick.

A slow smile crept across her face, lighting up her eyes. “Not there yet, island boy. Maybe after a drink and a few secrets. I mean, you are keeping secrets.”

He laughed, reveling in the feeling deep in his chest. He hadn’t had a lot to laugh about lately, but in the course of a day she’d managed to pull more than one from him.

“Well, let’s at least take care of the first item on your list and then we’ll see. It might take more than a little alcohol to loosen these lips.”

---