Page 19 of Just Can't Fall for the Enemy

He placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer. I slid my hand from his and placed both my palms on his shoulders, feeling his other hand slide down to my waist in a way that made me shiver inside. The night felt hot and cold and somehow everything in between. Only a few inches of rapidly warming air stood between us now.

After a few beats, the music changed to an even slower song. Frank, the violinist, grinned and winked. Nearby, Carmen watched with wide eyes and a huge smile.Focus on him,she mouthed, motioning toward Tanner with her head.

I chuckled, bringing Tanner’s attention to me without meaning to, and quickly pressed my lips together to hide a smile. How was I supposed to drive this guy away when the entire town seemed to be on his side?

Are you trying to drive him away?a little voice said inside.Because it sure doesn’t look like it.

That made me pause. I’d shown him the mediocre parts of the town so far, hoping he’d get bored or think my town was too ordinary to hold his audience’s attention. But that was a lie. Huckleberry Creek was a charming town full of charming people and history and secrets, and I couldn’t pretend otherwise. Not without Tanner seeing right through my act like he had at the restaurant. The man was far too discerning for his own good. For either of us, really.

I snuck a peek and caught him staring at me, his lips lifted upward on one side in a kind of smirk I’d never seen him wear before. His gaze darted away the moment I caught him, but I felt my cheeks start to burn. I’d have words with Carmen later.

First Grammy and now my best friend . . . and apparently half the town. Clearly, I needed to up my game if I meant to win this battle.

“How is your video going so far?” I asked, careful to sound nonchalant.

“Fine. Lots of notes and general footage, but I haven’t found a specific angle yet.” He smiled again, the one he used in front of the camera this time. The extra distance put me slightly more at ease. “Remind me again what you have in store for tomorrow?”

I’d intended to take him on an easy hike to some popular falls near work, but that was exactly the kind of thing he wanted. I had to take this a step further. Run him out of town and find another group of victims to make him his millions. I would have to humiliate him—maybe hurt his manly pride a bit. And early, too, because he was notorious for being a night owl.

“The lake,” I said with a grin. “Which means an early morning, so be sure to drink plenty of alcohol tonight so we can get footage of your epic hangover.” For some reason, the thought of it made me laugh inside. I could completely see him stumbling around, his hair messy, his face full of dark stubble that felt rough against my hands—

Whoa. His hands on my hips, his fingertips brushing the spot of bare back the dress exposed clearly affected me more than I wanted to admit.

He grimaced at my words. Apparently he had experience with that scene. “I’ll pass, thanks. Isn’t it a little late in the season for a lake trip?”

“Most have winterized their boats, but I haven’t yet. I like this time of year when the tourists are gone and I have the lake all to myself.” That felt a little too genuine, so I pasted that fake smile on again. “You’ll want to bring a wet suit, though. The water where we’re going will be cold.”

“Noted. I’ll also bring breakfast.”

I wasn’t sure what kind of breakfast he could find so early, but I shrugged. “Deal. I’ll text you the directions later.”

“An address is fine.”

I chuckled. “It’s a dock, city boy. There’s no address.”

“Right.” He didn’t look at all abashed, smiling at me so openly and authentically I felt my earlier blush returning. His eyes didn’t drop to my bust at all, instead remaining fixed on mine. From this close, I could see they weren’t blue but a curious mix of sky blue and emerald-green flecks with an outside ring of brown. Three colors in one. A muddy mix of bright and dark and everything in between.

“Thank you,” he said. There wasn’t a hint of show about him now. His breath hit my skin, making it tingle again. “For showing me around. I have a feeling there are other things you’d rather do with your vacation time. Assuming you even want to be away from work. It seems like you enjoy it.”

A dozen replies flitted to my mind, but it was something else entirely that came out. “I do like my job . . . mostly.”

He cocked his head, pausing at the hesitant tone in my voice. “Mostly?”

“It isn’t quite what I thought it would be.”

Tanner’s hand moved at my waist, finding more fabric again. My bare back missed where his fingers had been. “What did you think it would be?”

“Saving animals from humans, not the other way around. Preserving nature rather than helping destroy and alter it. Enjoying the world rather than trying to harness or regulate it.” I clamped my mouth closed, surprised by my outburst. I hadn’t even realized I felt this way about the Forest Agency. Why tell Tanner, of all people, when I hadn’t even told Grammy or Carmen?

He seemed to sense my inner struggle. “I get that. Being a YouTube star isn’t all I thought it would be either.”

“Not enough women falling at your feet?”

I regretted it the instant I said it. The warmth and honesty in his eyes closed off like a cloud over the sun, and his hand tightened around my waist. “Actually,” he said, “I could do without that part.”

The song changed to yet another slow song while we talked. I’d have to have a sharp conversation with Frank. Tanner looked around, taking in the tents and guests, and I got the feeling he was avoiding my gaze now.

“I’m sorry,” I said honestly. “I’m sure that’s a stereotype.”

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