Page 66 of Preying Heart
“What’s this place?” I ask as I stretch out my arms to the sky.
“A hunting cabin I built long ago,” he says. “There are a lot of elk up this way, and usually I hunt for them. But with you along, I figured we can hike and fish. Look at the fall colors and get acquainted.”
“I thought we’re already acquainted.”
“We are, but not in a healthy way.” He gives me a meaningful look. “Out here I’m not your jailer. You don’t have to do things my way. I’ll still protect you, but you’re also free to leave.”
“Not unless I have my crypto.” I give him a nudge. “When are we getting my wallet?”
“I mail ordered one to a post office box in Wyoming,” he says. “They have banks that allow you to hold Bitcoin.”
“Are we in Wyoming?”
He nods and gestures to the cozy cabin. “Remember what I told you has to happen before you leave.”
My face burns at the words I’ve been meditating on the entire drive. That he’s going to make love to me so thoroughly that I’ll never want to leave him. Why does he do this to me? Tell me how exquisitely he’s going to treat me and get me imagining it? What if the real thing isn’t as good as my imagination?
I slip my hand in his and decide now is as good a time as any to take down my shields and give him a chance. “You’re going to have to woo me first. No guarantees.”
“Of course not. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be any fun.” He presses my hand to his lips and kisses it. “Be my girlfriend, Remi, for the duration of this trip.”
“I’ll have to see what you have to offer. You haven’t exactly charmed me with all of your rules and restrictions.”
“There are none out here.” He caresses the windblown hair from my face. “You’re free and so am I.”
“If I ask you to drive me to a bus stop, you’d do it?”
“Yes, even if you walk straight into danger. I’d try to protect you, but if you don’t want it, I’d back off.”
“Well, I know a good thing when I see it, and I’m not going to leave before I get my crypto. That would be stupid.”
“You’re never stupid.” His gray eyes soften. “Let’s go inside, get set up, and then take a drive through elk country.”
Heath
It’s the only way. I hate letting Remi go, especially since we have no idea who’s offering the bounty on her, but at the same time, I can’t keep her when there is no imminent threat from Gavin. Maybe with his father killed, he isn’t focused on Remi anymore. Or he figures she’s left him for good and would not be coming around to embarrass him with the baby.
It feels foolish to let down our guard, but the past few weeks with Remi has sobered me up to my past failings. I tried so hard to keep Cindy by my side. I gave her everything but freedom. I even married her and gave her my name, but the allure of drugs and the lifestyle she’d lived, even though she was being trafficked, held too much sway over her. She filed for divorce and went back to the strip clubs where I’d found her.
I unlock the cabin and watch Remi marvel at the woodsy decor inside. She’s a toucher—running her hands over the hand-hewn wooden furniture, the bear skin rug, and even the elk antlers mounted on the wall. I’m mesmerized by her artist’s hands and the tactile way she feels up each object. She fluffs the couch pillows and smooths her fingers over the patchwork quilt. She’s not much for words—not a chatterbox describing everything she sees—and I like that even more. Her quiet elegance as she draws back the curtains and looks out the window at the placid blue lake has me picturing her years in the future with me by her side.
I move behind her and put my arms around her and whisper, “Or we can just spend the rest of the day on the feather bed in the master bedroom.”
“Is there more than one room?” She turns her face and our lips are so close I’m breathless.
“No. Only the loft. We can spend the night up there.”
“Or you can spend the night in the loft while I take the feather bed.” She’s making fun of me, knowing how desperate I am to sleep with her. Tease.
“I’ll earn my way into your bed.” I nibble at her earlobe. “Don’t underestimate me.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” She turns her face enough to let me capture her lips.
* * *
We spend the rest of the day taking pictures of the fall colors, walking along the side of the lake and skimming flat rocks over the water. Glock loyally follows us everywhere we go, and he enjoys himself by chasing squirrels.
“How come he never barks?” Remi asks.
