Page 43 of Side Hustle
The farther I got away from the security guy, the better I felt. Eventually, I got to the top of the hill and found a little spot to sit, clearing away the pine needles and rocks. I tucked my legs under me and placed my hands on my knees. Closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing for several long minutes got my emotions back on track. My mother would eventually leave town. If I had to, I’d get a restraining order to keep her away from me. I should also think about moving out of Granny’s house. I’d been considering it for years, but I liked being there to check on her as she got older. Those Hellish Havens kept getting her involved in things a seventy-year-old had no business doing. But maybe I could be the voice of reason from my own place.
Besides, if I had my own place, I could invite Rip over to spend the night.
A devilish grin slid onto my face and suddenly I couldn’t seem to keep my heart rate regulated. A deep tugging in my gut had my nipples tightening. Security Guy would have really enjoyed that sight.
A branch snapping to my left had my eyes flying open.
“Who’s there?” I called out, my senses immediately feeling like I wasn’t alone anymore.
Further rustling came from my left. I hopped up and creeped toward the noise. Someone dressed all in black fifty yards ahead of me took off running. I couldn’t see that well, as I was dodging pine trees and so was he. I thought I might be gaining on him when my left flip-flop flew off and I had to stop. What the hell was I doing running after someone dressed in all black and trespassing on Rip’s land when I was in my pajamas?
I bent over and caught my breath. Something wasn’t right. And this time, the churning in my stomach had nothing to do with my mother. As quickly as I could in my cursed footwear, I headed back down the trail and climbed in my Jeep, looking over my shoulder every five seconds. Once the car door was locked—as if that would do any good when it didn’t have a damn top—I picked up my phone and called Rip.
“Good morning,” he said, the deep rumble of his voice speaking right to my nipples.
“Good morning.” Shit, I needed to catch my breath.
“You okay? You sound like you’re not smiling.”
That did make me smile. “I’m not always smiling, you know.”
He chuckled. “Sure. And yet I can hear the smile is back. What’s going on?”
“My mother found me this morning and we had some words. I ran out and decided to go to your property in town. I was doing some meditation and someone was there.”
He paused. “Probably the team that’s doing the mining.”
I shook my head. “Yeah, I know. I saw them. But this was a guy dressed in black on the back side of your property. Nowhere near the cave. And dude can run.”
“What do you mean, he can run? Did you chase him?”
“Uh…”
“Hazel. You do not go chasing suspicious men. Where are you?” His voice went from soft and rumbly to sharp and angry in a split second.
“Don’t worry. I’m in my car with the doors locked.” His snort told me he knew what a flimsy defense that was. I had to admit, his concern was kind of hot. Felt good to have someone care about me, even if he was chastising me.
“Just…come over. Stay here for a bit. That’ll keep your mom away and I’ll know you’re not chasing bad guys in the forest. Really, you’d be doing me a favor.”
My breath caught in my throat. Was Rip asking me to move in with him? Even temporarily?
“Um…”
“Hey, you said you like spontaneity. So prove it. Move in for a few days.”
Well, shit. He kind of had me there.
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
We hung up and I stared at my phone, wondering if I’d lost my mind. Based on the balloon expanding in my chest at the idea, I thought maybe I didn’t care. Rip was right. I lived for spontaneity and this was no different.
Several minutes later I unfroze to shoot a text out in the Hell Raisers chat.
Hazel:I slept with Rip last night and I’m moving in with him for a few days to avoid my mother. Have I lost my mind?
Lucy:Holy bleep!!! We need a meeting STAT.
