Page 16 of Canvas of Lies
That was us: partners in crime, pirates seeking treasure, adventurers chasing their dreams.
A soft feeling of nostalgia crept over me as he stood to clear the table. Though I hadn’t responded to his comment about my curiosity, I was sure he’d caught my anticipation at the promise of exploring with him.
“I didn’t want to risk damaging it by trying to fix the hole myself, but I did get your jacket cleaned up. It should be dry by now,” he said over his shoulder.
My eyes widened in surprise. “Oh,” I replied, kicking myself for the stupid response. “Thank you.”
A soft laugh escaped his lips as he turned back to me. “Well, it’s apparently worth more than my life, so I wanted to make sure it wasn’t ruined. How’s the arm feeling?”
“I put more ointment on it, but the scratch actually isn’t too bad.”
Relief washed over his features. “I’m glad to hear it. Let me bandage it up before we go. I don’t want to chance it getting infected.”
I nodded, waited while Nico grabbed the first aid kit, and focused very hard on not reacting to the way his hand brushed against my skin as he wrapped gauze around my bicep again. The man practically radiated heat. It took everything in me not to lean into his warmth.
“There we go,” he said finally, sitting back to admire his handiwork. “And your head?”
“It feels fine,” I replied, but I wasn’t quick enough to stop him from sifting his fingers in my hair to check my temple for bruising. Our eyes locked, held, then he dropped his hand again.
“Good. If you’re ready to roll, go grab some socks and we’ll head out.”
Once I laced up my boots, Nico held out the leather jacket for me to slip on. A tiny sigh escaped my lips. At his questioning look, I gave a sheepish grin.
“I just really love this jacket,” I said with a shrug.
He cocked his head as he looked me over. The jacket didn’t offer quite the same effect as it had against my black jeans and clean shirt from the day before, but it seemed like he appreciated the benefits of subtlety, as well. My cheeks heated ever so slightly and his dimpled grin returned when he winked at me.
“You look good in it. I’m glad it wasn’t ruined.”
“Let’s just go,” I muttered.
The day was bright, though the morning air still held enough bite to make me grateful for the jacket. In some places, the forest grew dense enough to block out the sun, but then the trees would thin and brilliant streams of light trickled through the branches overhead. A chorus of birdsong drifted around us, slowly giving way to the sound of moving water.
When the trail opened up to the side of a wide creek, I gasped in startled pleasure at the beauty before us.
“Oh, Nico,” I said softly.
A simple kind of joy warmed my chest as I walked forward and crouched down to trail my fingertips through the waterwhere it tumbled over the rocks below. Nico stared at me, a smile playing on his lips, when I rose to my feet and faced him. My nose wrinkled when I saw his expression.
“What?” I demanded.
“Just admiring the view,” he replied, but after the briefest hesitation, he added, “I’ve missed you.”
It didn’t seem to matter what else went unsaid; understanding rocketed through me before I moved away again. I wanted to return the sentiment, probably would have under any other circumstances, but pride had me clearing my throat instead.
“So, in addition to kidnapping, you’ve been working on computer stuff all these years?”
Nico snorted and walked up to stand beside me. “Computer stuff. That about sums it up, yes. And you’re selling vintage toys online?”
“That about sums it up, yes,” I mimicked, smirking at him.
“Seems like a far cry from joining your father’s firm.”
“Ugh,” I muttered. “You know that was never an option. I started Kat's Keepers while I was still in college—it turns out I have an eye for finding hidden gems, I guess. It’s like hunting for buried treasure.”
“Maybe you’re the one who became a pirate, after all,” he teased.
I smirked at him. “Maybe. I really love that aspect of my job, though plenty of the items need to be fixed up before selling them. I’ve learned a lot about mechanics over the years.”
