Page 22 of Kiss of Deceit
“Control myself?” he repeated, arching a brow. “Have you ever felt threatened by me?”
“Other than the first night I was here?”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “You mean the night I thought someone had broken into my house?”
I rolled my eyes, bending over and grabbing the other towel that had been on my hair. Stalking out of the kitchen and heading toward the stairs, I slowed down, feeling his stare on me. Ineededto know if I could trust him while I lived in this house.
How much self-control did he really have?
My heart pounded as I loosened my hold on the towel. After a second of hesitation, I slowly pulled it away from my body, until the cool air hit my bare back. I held it in front of me, hiding the scars on my stomach even though I wasn’t facing him.
A low hiss of breath escaped him, and I glanced over my shoulder to see him staring at my ass before he raised his eyes to meet mine. Desire filled his gaze, but he didn’t move a muscle. Facing the stairs, I took my time going up each step as I listened to see if he would follow. But there was only silence as I went to the second floor. Relief trickled through me while I walked to my room. Maybe Kole was one of the good ones. Everyone in this town seemed to like him. And he didn’t act on his wants just now. It didn’t mean I could fully trust him, but I couldn’t deny that I felt much more comfortable in this house.
Keeping my light off, I shut the bedroom door, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. My curtains were open, revealing the half moon. I grabbed a t-shirt and sweatpants from mydresser, slipping them on before grabbing my brush. I’d have to go back to the kitchen and clean up my burned mess but planned to wait until I heard Kole go into his room.
Peering out the window, I stared at the thick forest, watching leaves blow in the breeze. I brushed my hair, my mind wandering. From the outside, this place seemed like a cozy little mountain town. But I couldn’t stop the pestering thought that I was missing something. Even before I was chased in the woods, something just felt off.
Something moved out of the corner of my eye, and I squinted, trying to see what was in the forest. An animal maybe? My blood chilled my veins when I caught sight of what it was. Not an animal, but a person. No, more than one. I could just make out two of them.
They reached the edge of the trees, making it easier to see them. Panic clawed at my chest when I noticed their faces were covered. By ski masks. Nightmarish memories swarmed me as the brush fell from my hand, and I clutched the ledge of the window. It didn’t matter that it had been more than a decade since I was nearly murdered. Certain things always brought me back, and ski masks were one of them.
It was already cold out but not freezing enough to wear masks like that. They’re clothes were all black, and they were striding out of the woods quickly, not seeming nervous that someone could see them.
I blew out a tight breath. I was overreacting. Whatever they were doing, I was sure it wasn’t anything bad. My past was clouding my judgment. But what the hell was there to do in the woods at nine at night? Were they the ones who chased me the other night?
I froze when one of them lifted their head, looking in the direction of my window. With my lights off, I was almost certain he couldn’t see me, but I stayed absolutely still until the personlooked away. The three of them disappeared out of view, and I sagged down, resting my forehead on the window.
My suspicion of everything made for constant stress, but I couldn’t help but wonder if my worries were warranted this time.
This town had secrets, I was sure of it.
But I had no plans to figure those out. I wanted to keep my head down and finish this internship.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
kole
I was a fucking idiot.
Telling Dani my true thoughts about her had been a mistake. And now that I got a peek of her body?Oh my fuck.The last three days have been torture. I’d been spending most of the afternoons in my room if I wasn’t at the bar. She clearly put on that little show to test me. She didn’t trust at all, making me curious about her past. I knew where she was working and what she did. A forensic psychologist.
I was sure she’d spent some time with Harry, since as the sheriff, he spent time at the police station, but he hadn’t brought her up at the bar at all this week, meaning she wasn’t a talker. If she was, he would talk her ear off all day and then tell me all about it when he was drinking his whiskey at my bar.
“You’re here early.”
I lifted my head to see Adella coming in the back door. It was her day to open the bar, but being here was better than avoiding Dani at the house. I couldn’t get her naked image out of my head. I bit my tongue, annoyance running through me. Never had a woman affected me like this. If she wasn’t living at my house, it would make this so much easier.
“I wanted to make sure we’re stocked up for winter,” I grumbled, going back to counting the vodka bottles.
“You did that inventory last week.”
“I’m double checking.” I gave it another couple of days before snow began falling. Then there would be no more deliveries. I’d been ordering extra for the past few months to make sure we didn’t run out of anything until the road opened again in the spring.
“Or maybe you’re coming in on your days off to see the intern you hooked up with.”
I blew out a breath, shooting a glare at her. “We didn’t hook up, but I’m sure you know that since you talked to her about me.”
She laughed, shrugging out of her jacket. “You’re not upset about that, are you? I told her you were a god in bed. You should be thanking me.”
