Page 34 of Covert

“You like this place, don’t you?” Dylan spoke softly, as if reluctant to break the spell that enveloped them the moment he pulled up in front of the homestead and switched off the engine.

She nodded. “There’s something about it that reaches out and grabs you.”

He smiled, his warmth infusing her with some indefinable emotion she daren’t analyse. “I’m glad you feel that way. It makes things a lot easier.”

Sam looked away quickly, not willing to ask what he meant by ‘things’. She flung open the car door and climbed out, wondering what had possessed her to accompany him on this trip.

He’d badgered her into it, saying her presence was vital in finalising a few business contracts, but she hadn’t been fooled. She noticed a certain gleam in Dylan’s eyes since they returned from Sydney, as if he wouldn’t take no for an answer the next time they were alone together, and they’d have ‘the talk’ she’d been avoiding.

To reinforce it, he’d made it perfectly clear there would be no chaperone at Budgeree this time, a fact that made her pulse race in a potent mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

She couldn’t bear thinking about the expression on his face when she told him the truth.

She followed him into the house, admiring the snug denim moulded to his butt, and the long, confident strides that spoke volumes about the man. Nothing intimidated him, and he strutted as if he owned the world, allowing nobody to stand in his way. Even in faded jeans and a checkered shirt, he exuded an aura of power, one that drew her in deeper with each passing day.

“You can sleep in here… if you want.”

He deposited her bag in the spare room she’d inhabited last time, though his significant pause left her in little doubt as to where he hoped she’d be sleeping, ornotsleeping, tonight.

“Thanks.”

She strode across the room, pulled back the curtains, and took in the stunning view, needing to focus on something, anything, other than Dylan. He dwarfed everything in the room and the longer he looked at her with those enigmatic eyes, the harder it would be to maintain a platonic distance.

Hoping he’d take the hint that she wanted to be alone, Sam continued to stare out the window.

“Is everything all right?”

She startled, wishing she hadn’t turned her back on him. Rather than leave the room, he’d snuck up behind her, his voice a mere whisper from her ear.

“I’m fine,” she said, moving away from the welcoming heat radiating off his body.

“No, you’re not.” He reached out and snagged her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She stared at his hand, wishing she could shake it off, pick up her bag, and bolt out of this house and out of his life.

Who had she been kidding? She could no more resist this guy than denounce her heritage—and the sooner she faced facts, the better.

“Maybe later.” She pulled away and thankfully, he released her.

She unzipped her bag and started fumbling with her clothes, furiously blinking away the tears that had inexplicably filled her eyes. She’d never been prone to tears, yet the way her emotions had been swinging lately, she’d been close to waterworks several times.

“I’m here for you, Samantha. Whatever you need, even if it’s a friend to talk to. I’m here.”

His low voice reached out and wrapped her in comforting warmth, beckoning her to turn around, bury her head against his chest, and sob out her sorry tale.

Instead, she nodded, not trusting herself to speak as the tears trickled down her cheeks.

Thankfully, he didn’t touch her, and only hesitated a moment longer before leaving the room. As soon as she heard the latch click, she sank onto the bed, buried her face in her hands, and cried, though for the life of her she couldn’t figure out if theywere tears of regret for her soon-to-be departure, shame at her lies, or that she was on the verge of losing the man she’d been foolish enough to fall in love with.

24

Dylan had no idea why Sam had been upset when they arrived earlier that afternoon. She seemed to love this place as much as he did, and her strange behaviour scuttled in his plans.

He had it all figured out; lay out a lavish dinner, ply her with compliments about how her skills in the office impressed him, then offer her the job of a lifetime.

If anything else developed during that conversation, like the two of them finally facing up to the weird relationship they’d fallen into…that would be fine too.

Now, he didn’t know whether he should wait until tomorrow and try again, or repack the four-wheel drive and head back to Melbourne.

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