Page 61 of Untamed

“Is this where you take me to some secluded spot and murder me? Dump my body somewhere no one will ever find me?”

I give her a look. “You are listening to way too many serial killer podcasts.”

“They’re good to fall asleep to.”

“You’re off your rocker.” I take her hand after we’re on the road. “I kind of liked what I saw in there.”

She blushes.

“I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never let jealousy take over like that. But when I saw her touch you?” She blows out a huff of air. “All bets were off.”

“I was ready for you to slap her.” I wink over at her as she groans and laughs.

“I would’ve for sure lost my job then.”

“Nah. Bill’s known me since I was a kid. He’d keep you around if I vouched for you.” I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “It was hot, baby. Stop worrying about it. Got me hard.”

“Yeah?” She looks over at me like I’ve kind of lost my mind. “Jealousy and violence get you going?”

“Anything and everything about you gets me goin’, firefly.”

I really like making her blush.

* * *

The drive to the bird sanctuary is a good clip out into the country, and it’s pitch-black by the time I pull into the long dirt road that leads to the entrance. It’s part of a state park that is hardly ever monitored. I used to come out here when River was gone, Dean was off the wagon, and I needed a moment to think.

There’s hardly any light pollution out here, so the night sky is lit up like crazy. You can see the cloudy formation of the Milky Way and all the constellations you could ever hope to see on this side of the globe. It’s pretty fucking romantic if you ask me.

“What is this place?” she asks as we finally pull up to the gravel parking lot.

“Technically, for bird-watching,” I tell her. “It’s part of a protected piece of land with the state, but I swear no one hardly knows about it.”

“How’d you find it?” She steps out of the Jeep and smiles up at the sky with excited eyes.

“Can’t remember, honestly.” I shrug and join her, taking her hand to lead her through the trail. “I think I was just driving around, trying to get lost on back roads. Came across this, and it was deserted. So it kind of became my special little spot.”

“Trying to get lost on back roads? In this backcountry? Good way to end up shot, Hayes.”

“Please,” I groan. “You sound like Momma. These old ranchers ask questions first, then shoot.”

She laughs and rolls her eyes.

“So, where are you taking me? It’s kind of creepy out here. Are you sure you aren’t bringing me out here to kill me?”

It is creepy. Especially the first time I came out here by myself. The grass is tall, about as tall as River, and it’s eerily quiet. Makes you feel like anyone — or anything — could be lurking out there. And when the wind blows and the grass rustles, it can make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

“I’ve been out here many times,” I tell her. “Never had any issue or run into another person. It’s just creepy because it’s so quiet. There’s a big-ass platform that will come into view in a sec. We’re gonna go out there and stargaze for a bit.”

“Cute,” she says, bumping into me as we walk on the dirt path.

Eventually, the wooden platform comes into view, and we make our way over to it. It’s about a story high, and the old wood creaks under our weight as we climb up the stairs.

“I’ve never brought anyone out here,” I tell her as we sit and lie back on the wood planks. “My family doesn’t even know about this place.”

“Thank you.” She takes my hand and brings it to her lips. “This is insane. I mean, you have amazing skies at the ranch, but this is next-level.”

“I used to come out here when I was hung up on what happened with us.” I stare up at the night sky. “I’ve gone over and over that fight so many times. I’ve changed the things I said and the way I just let you leave. I’ve daydreamed about driving back to Bozeman to find you again, and instead of leaving, I would talk to you until you would listen. I’d bring you back home and never let you walk away again.”

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