Page 18 of A Rebel's Shot

If he let his mind loose on this thread of attraction swirling in his gut, he had copious amounts of time to dwell and dream and come up with all kinds of possibilities that were inconceivable.

She cleared her throat as she finished closing her worn leather satchel. “Would you want to come out to dinner?”

Inconceivable.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means,Inigo Montoya from Princess Bride said in Tiikâan’s head.

He shook it to shut his imagination up.

Merritt’s eyes widened.

“Not like friends, but a business meeting,” Merritt quickly added. “We could figure out something to keep you from a summer of drear. Maybe guard duty? That’s kind of like hunting, right?”

She tried to put her crisp business voice on that he’d heard her use all day, but it didn’t hit right. There was too much emotion trembling in it. If she thought guarding a mine in the middle of nowhere was anything like hunting, Tiikâan wasn’t even sure he could explain the difference.

“It’s been a long day.” He took the keys out of the ignition. “You aren’t ready to go home and relax?”

She shuddered as she reached for the door.

“Uh, no. You’ve met my family.” She yanked on the door handle, her voice sharp. “There is nothing relaxing about that house.”

“Hold up.” He placed his hand on her arm, and shesagged against the seat. He softened his voice. “Let me come around and help you out.”

He hopped out and rushed around the plane. Through the windshield, she took a deep breath and lifted her chin. Another breath and her shoulders rolled back.

By the time he made it to her door and reached up to help her out, the crack in the ice princess’ façade was shored up. She didn’t look at him as she spoke.

“You’re right. It’s been a busy day. I think I’ll––”

“Have you been to Osaka yet?” he interrupted her.

“What?” Her perfectly shaped brows furrowed together.

“The sushi restaurant on Stevenson?”

“Um… no. I haven’t.”

“They have a teriyaki tofu dinner plate, some vegetable sushi rolls, and tempura vegetables.”

Now why’d he say that like he’d scoped out the menu with her in mind.

Because he hadn’t.

Not really.

More like he was curious if a vegetarian could survive in an Alaskan meat-based village.

He guided her from the plane, then reached around her to grab her satchel. Which was a mistake. He was close.

Too close.

The soft citrus scent from her hair filled his system. Warning lights flashed and buzzers blared in his head.

Mayday!

This pilot wasgoing down.

Her fingers brushed his as she took her bag from him. She stared up at him, his throat drying at the vulnerability flooding from her brown eyes. He took a step back and swallowed.

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