Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Morning arrives all too soon. A slice of sunlight slips through the curtains, and I open my eyes with a dull ache in my temples. I blink, momentarily disoriented by the rustic cabin walls before remembering exactly where I am and why. Then it all crashes back: the break-in at Slice Slice Baby, the possibility that it’s connected to whoever’s threatening me, and the helpless feeling gnawing at my stomach.
Boone’s already awake. I can tell by the way he shifts his arm, careful not to jostle me. My cheek’s pressed to his shoulder, and for a moment, I pretend like I’m still asleep, soaking up the comfort of having him near. But the weight in my chest is too heavy to ignore for long.
“Morning,” Boone says softly, his voice a gentle rumble.
I manage a weak smile, pushing myself upright. “Morning,” I reply, brushing hair away from my face. I look at him, and for a second, I see the concern etched in his features, that same guarded look he gets whenever he’s about to tell me I can’t do something.
It’s enough to snap my fragile calm. I swing my legs off the bed and stand, arms crossed, suddenly restless. “I hate this,” I mutter, pacing the small bedroom. “Just… waiting. Doing nothing while my shop gets trashed or robbed, or who knows what.”
Boone rises to a seated position, the mattress creaking beneath his weight. “I know,” he says gently, raking a hand through his short hair. “I hate it too.”
I let out a shaky sigh. “Then what are we doing here? Why can’t we just go back, talk to the cops, figure it out ourselves?”
“Because it’s too big a risk,” he reminds me, his tone patient. “Until we know who’s behind this, charging back in could expose you. Expose us.”
I open my mouth to argue but close it again, biting back the frustration. He’s right. Deep down, I know he is. If I just waltzed back into town, I could be walking into a trap. But that logic doesn’t make me feel any less powerless.
He stands, crosses the small distance, and places his hands on my shoulders. “I know you’re angry,” he says quietly. “I’m angry too. But let Dean and his team do their jobs.”
My anger softens at the concern in his eyes, and I release a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “I just… it’s my life, you know? Everything I’ve worked for feels like it’s going up in flames.”
He nods, thumbs gently stroking the tops of my arms. “We’ll salvage it,” he promises. “But for now, come on.” He tilts his head toward the open door. “Let’s do something to keep our minds busy today. I can’t stand seeing you so torn up.”
I can’t help it; a tiny grin tugs at my lips. “Okay,” I say, exhaling. “What do you have in mind?”
About an hour later, we’re standing on the edge of the lake, the morning sun sparkling across the water’s surface. The cabin is tucked just behind a line of tall pines, the gentle breeze rustling their branches. Boone and I walk down a short dirt path that leads to a little sandy area—a makeshift shoreline, I guess. My feet sink into the soft ground, a welcome change from the rough, anxiety-laden floor of the cabin.
“You ever swim this early?” Boone asks, stripping off his T-shirt. I glance over and catch a glimpse of his muscled torso, the defined lines of his shoulders, and my cheeks warm. Even after everything we’ve shared—kisses, confessions—his body still makes my stomach flutter.
“Not usually,” I say, clearing my throat and averting my gaze in a playful attempt at nonchalance. “But I guess there’s a first time for everything.” With a shrug, I peel off my own T-shirt to reveal a bikini top I found buried in the cabin’s random storage closet. It’s not the best fit, but it’ll do.
Boone’s gaze flicks to me, and I catch the slight hitch in his breath before he tears his eyes away, focusing instead on the water. “Yeah,” he manages, “there is.”
I wade in first, the chilly lake water lapping at my ankles. A shiver ripples up my spine, but it’s refreshing compared to the sweltering swirl of my thoughts. Boone steps in next to me, and we inch forward until the water’s around our waists.
He whistles softly. “That’s cold.”
I can’t help but grin. “Big tough ex-military man can’t handle a little cold?”
He snorts, rolling his eyes. “Watch it, or I’ll dunk you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” My tone is mock-serious, but there’s a spark of challenge in my eyes.
“Oh?” He arches an eyebrow. Suddenly, his hands grasp my waist, and before I can protest, he lifts me up and gently throws me into the deeper water. I shriek as I go under, the icy shock stealing my breath.