Page 39 of A Rebel's Shot

One minute he was sure she was going to kiss him, and the next she’d huddled into that shell of icy indifference she’d been hiding in when they’d first met.

He hated it.

He wanted to crack it open and pull her out. Bring that vibrancy and determination back, which was a jokesince he really didn’t know her. Not after only two weeks and her ping-ponging between two versions of herself.

Did she even realize she did it? Which version of Merritt was the truth, the caring, want to save the world and everyone in it one or the frosty CEO who didn’t need anyone and could cut a person down with a few sharp words?

He’d finally gotten her to come back out to dinner with him. If he could just get her to open up again, then maybe he wouldn’t feel like she was disappearing, transforming before his very eyes into someone he knew beyond a doubt that she wasn’t.

She put down her fork across her half-eaten dinner and pushed it to the edge of the table. He motioned to the server for the check.

He needed to get her somewhere they could talk, that night, before they left for Fairbanks in the morning. If he could melt some of her aloofness, then maybe while they were gone from her family and the mine, he could break the rest of the way through.

He may just be a Podunk nobody who’d rather spend time outdoors than with people, but Merritt had weaseled her way under his skin. He didn’t think he wanted to root her out.

He stood and pulled three twenties from his wallet, handing them to the server as she walked up. Merritt jolted, her eyes darting to him as if just realizing he was there.

She recovered quickly, her surprise morphing to a blank mask with one heave of her chest. He clenched his teeth to keep his frustration in.

“Come on.” He tipped his head to the windows facing the beach and extended his hand to her. “Let’s go for a walk.”

She swallowed, then slid her hand in his. The soft brush of her fingers against his palm caused every hair on his arms to stand at attention like the one time he was stuck in the woods during an electrical storm.

When she stood, he threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her toward the exit. He couldn’t let her go, not yet. He took her not pulling away as a good sign.

When they stepped onto the sand, she pulled him to a stop. Her hand tightened in his, and her gaze darted up and down the beach. He stepped closer and squeezed her hand.

“Is it safe?” The anxiety in her voice crushed him.

He’d do everything within his power to keep her from danger. “Safe?”

“Polar bears.” She swallowed, her answer barely a whisper.

“We’ll keep our heads on a swivel, just like you do anytime you’re outdoors in Alaska.” He pulled up his shirt to reveal his shoulder holster and handgun. “And if we need it, which I doubt we will, I’ll make sure it doesn’t get anywhere near you.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “You always have that on?”

“Never leave home without it.”

She shook her head. “That’s a huge violation of mine policy.”

“Good thing I’m not a mine employee.” He winked and pulled her to walk.

She rolled her eyes but allowed him to lead her to the beach. His lips twitched. Let the melting commence.

Only, now that he had her reacting, he didn’t know what to say. His mom’s ringtone chirped from his phone in his pocket. He wasn’t sure if the throbbing in his chest was relief or frustration at being interrupted.

He shot Merritt a smile and tapped on the speaker icon. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, sweetheart. How’s the top of the world?” Hearing his mom’s voice made his muscles relax.

“Well, I’m walking on the beach with a beautiful lady, so it can’t be all that bad.”

Merritt scoffed and shook her head, but she bit her bottom lip between her teeth.

“Really?” Mom dragged the word out with such hope he had to laugh.

“Yep.”

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