Page 40 of Hidden Shadows
Quickly, she stripped and stepped under the stream. As the warm water hit her back, she closed her eyes, something akin to dread souring her belly. But that dread had nothing to do with her stalker and everything to do with the limited time she had left here in Fallen Ridge.
How was it that she’d met the man less than a week ago, and already she didn’t feel capable of leaving him? Hell, they’d spent most of their time together fighting. But even fighting with Nixon felt better than being without him.
She sighed, trying to push aside the dismay of leaving him.
It was fine. She’d done hard before—she could do it again by saying goodbye to Nixon.
She stayed in the shower so long that her fingers wrinkled and the air thickened with steam. When she finally stepped out, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body. She’d just stepped back into her room when the knock sounded at the connecting door. She paused, for a moment wondering whether she should put clothes on first. But why? The man had seen her in less than this.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Nixon immediately stilled. Then, slowly, his gaze trailed down her body, eyes darkening before returning to her face.
Her skin tingled. Any other man and she’d probably hate such a blatant inspection of her body. But with him, it felt good. She liked Nixon’s eyes on her. Hell, his gaze felt so intimate, she could almost convince herself he was touching her.
When the silence stretched, she wanted to squirm. “Is everything okay?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go downstairs and grab something to eat at the bar.”
Her brows rose. She hadn’t been expecting that. In her head, she’d already planned a night of room service and Netflix in bed. But dinner with this man? Yeah, that was better.
“Sure.”
* * *
How the womanwas so gorgeous, Nixon had no fucking idea. They were finished with their meals, but he’d barely tasted it. He hadn’t paid attention to anything but her all night.
He’d been so damn angry all day. That this woman was the target of some sick fuck. That the asshole had been watching them last night, and Nixon had been so distracted by her and their kiss, he hadn’t seen the threat. If the guy had had a gun, it would have been so damn easy to hurt them—or kill them.
He’d been obsessing about it all. Damn. Day. He’d needed to get out of his hotel room before he lost his mind. But he’d also needed to be close to her, and not just because she had a stalker.
Sitting here with her, listening to her speak, watching her smile…it was the closest he’d gotten to peace in hours.
Finley watched the dance floor with a smile. “Look at that couple. They look so happy.”
He turned his head to see a man and woman swaying together. They both had graying hair and looked to be maybe in their seventies. He had an arm around her waist and held her hand with his other. They looked like they’d danced together a hundred times before.
Finley sighed. “I wonder how long they’ve been together.”
He looked back at her, seeing longing on her face. She wanted that. “Have you ever come close?”
Her gaze swung back to him, brows rising. “To marriage?” She laughed. “Uh, no. I’ve always been very career driven. When I was in college, that was my entire focus, and the second my social media platforms started taking off, I turned it into a business and put all my time into building it up. I think I’m a bit too intense for most guys.”
Men didn’t like her intensity? Fuck, he loved it. The fact that she fought him on everything and had a mind of her own. He’d lived for it these last few days. Her fire. Her passion…it was sexy as hell. “Then those guys aren’t for you.”
She cocked her head, a ghost of a smile on her lips. “So the problem was them, not me?”
“Yes.” Hell yes.
Just the idea of this woman with another man caused anger to ripple through his limbs. He kept that anger locked down and off his face, though, not wanting Finley to see just how much it affected him.
“That makes me feel better.” Once again, that look of longing crossed her face as she turned back toward the couple.
Suddenly, he wanted to hold her. To feel her moving in his arms. It hit him so hard, he almost keeled over. “Dance with me.” The words were out before he could stop himself. But he didn’t regret them or try to tug them back.
Her head snapped back in his direction. “What?”
“Dance with me.” Before she responded, he was up and holding out his hand.
