Page 102 of Knotting With A Stranger

For the first time, I see exhaustion beneath Travis’s anger. He stares at me as though he didn’t hear me right.

I gesture toward Deacon with the shotgun. “Bring me my half of the map. Now, you fucker!”

Deacon stares at Travis, who finally nods after a long moment. “Fine. It’s in the desk drawer.”

Deacon, with James close behind, retrieves the map piece. He examines it briefly, then nods to me. “This is it.”

James grabs it and checks it out, then gives me a nod.

I back up toward the door, keeping the shotgun trained on Travis. “We’re neighbors. We’re cousins. Consider that your saving grace today. But I see you on my property again, and I will use this shotgun. Got it?”

Travis actually nods, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “Fuck, I got it. Now, get the fuck out of my house.”

“Gladly,” I say. “James, let’s go.”

We back out slowly, never turning our backs on them. Only when we’re outside do we turn and move toward our snowmobile, the precious map piece secured in James’s pocket.

As we climb onto the machine, James looks at me. “You think he’ll stick to his word?”

I start the engine. “We’ll see. I’m setting up more security systems around the property. Camera traps at every boundary line.”

“And the map?” James asks.

I glance back at the cabin, where Travis now stands in the doorway, watching us with unreadable eyes.

“Let’s get it somewhere safe,” I say. “And then figure out what the hell my grandfather was trying to tell us.”

The snowmobile roars to life, and we speed away across the snow-covered landscape, leaving Travis and his wounded pride behind us.

24

LILY

Iclose my eyes in the hot shower, savoring the sensation of Archer’s hands gliding over my skin, his touch possessive as he works shampoo through my curls.

“Is it strange that I feel human again?” I murmur, leaning back against his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart ground me.

His laughter rumbles through me, his arms tightening around my waist. “We’ll have to keep going at it for another week or two, to be sure. For research purposes, of course. I’m very scientific about these things.”

“Two weeks?” I turn in his arms, water streaming between us, and smack his chest playfully. His skin is warm and slick under my palm, muscles firm beneath my fingertips. “My sister will go absolutely insane with no help at the bakery.”

“Hire a helper,” he suggests. His gaze darkens as it travels down my body with deliberate slowness. “You can’t help your heat. It’s inescapable. Demanding.” His voice drops on the last word.

I shiver despite the steam rising around us, heat pooling low in my belly. “My heat’s almost over, I think. I feel... different. Better.”

“Hmm,” he hums, tilting his head as if considering a complex problem. “Still sounds like we need to be sure and not stop.” His hands slide up my sides, thumbs brushing my breasts with feather-light pressure that makes me gasp.

“Do you think the guys are okay?” I ask, trying desperately to focus despite his wandering hands. “They’ve been gone for hours now.”

Something softens in Archer’s expression, though his hands don’t stop their maddening exploration.

“I actually called Hunter on the radio when you first got in the shower. Phone lines are back. He said they’re all good—mission accomplished, map retrieved. If something was wrong, he’d tell me straight.”

“You’re sure?” I press, worry still gnawing at me despite his reassurance. My mind wanders to needing to call my sister if reception is back.

“Positive,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Hunter doesn’t sugarcoat. If they were in trouble, he’d say so.” He reaches for the body wash, squeezing a generous amount into his palm. “Now, turn around. I’m not done with you yet.”

I obey, presenting my back to him. His hands work in slow, purposeful patterns, massaging the lavender-scented soap into my shoulders, down my spine, over the curve of my hips. Each touch feels like a promise, like he’s learning me by heart.

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