"Okay," I say, nodding. "Now we're both safe."
5
OREN
I'm not safe.
Not even a little bit.
I was already teetering on the edge, those tears of hers in my workshop, the way I couldn't stop myself from holding her while she cried. The memory of how perfect she'd fit against my chest. And then one small act of concern.
That's all it took to wreck my defenses.
It's not lost on me that I came to this mountain to hide. To reduce the risk of anyone getting past the walls I've built.
And in less than an hour, this woman has cracked them wide open.
My fingers tighten on the steering wheel, knuckles glaring white as I navigate the narrow road. The idea of Ayla finding her way to my cabin, alone, in unfamiliar terrain, makes my stomach clench with worry. Sure, she's fine, but things could have gone wrong. If she'd gotten lost, or hurt, or if a freak storm had blown in. Anything can happen up here.
Margery knew all of that. Yet, she'd still sent her granddaughter to this place. Where she could easily end up hurt, or worse.
Because she trusted you to take care of her.
That's the only answer. I glance over at the beautiful woman sitting beside me, her gaze focused on the trees sliding by the window, and I almost get lost in the honey gold highlights in her hair. The sun will be going down soon. Depending on the damage waiting for me, there could be enough time to get the cabin fixed and secure enough for Ayla to stay there. Will it be secure enough for me to walk away from her with a calm conscience, sure she's safe on her own?
That's a question I don't know the answer to.
My hesitance even as I think it is a flashing warning sign. I'm too invested in this mission already. Success or failure - either one will leave me exposed in ways I'm not prepared to counter.
"You're gritting your teeth." The statement is soft and startling. I'd gotten so lost in my own thoughts that I wasn't guarding my expressions well enough.
I open my mouth to bark an answer, but her hand lands on my arm, and that pulls my attention from the road to where she's watching me with concern. That gentle touch disarms me. "I am?"
She nods, and her hair swings over her shoulder with the movement. "Can practically hear it over here. Are you all right?"
I grunt, still feeling the heat of her skin against mine even though her hands are once more folded in her lap. When she gives me a questioning look, I shrug, and add, "Just wondering who might have broken into your grandmother's cabin. There's no one around here I know of who'd do something like that. It makes me worry. That they might come back. Especially if they know you're staying there alone."
Ayla darts a look at me, surprise widening her eyes, and I feel bad. She wasn't scared before. Not really. She'd been sad, grieving. Unsure even. But the fear I've just jolted her with makes my stomach turn.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it." I try for reassuring, but it sounds hollow. To both of us, I'm sure. Once more, I feel too much with this woman near me. Because I want to pull my truck onto the shoulder, wrap my arm around her and pull her into my lap. Hold her until that fear is gone. Replaced with something else.
Something like joy.
Or comfort.
Or even ... desire.
All of which is wrong and so unlike me. I don't let anyone get this close, ever, and she's done what no one else has been able to do since I walked away from war. She's making me wish for and want things I long ago stopped believing I could ever have.
I don't pull over, though. I don't stop. I just keep driving, until the almost hidden turn off to Margery's drive appears, and I slow as I guide the truck off the asphalt and onto the gravel. There's a bump as the wheels make the rough transition and a woof of air escapes Ayla when we bounce on the seat.
"Reminds me of a roller coaster," she says softly, and smiles. My lips twitch at the sight, like they want to follow suit, but I force them back down. My attention needs to be on the trees ranged on each side of us. The light is already starting to fade, slipping closer and closer to sunset, and I don't want to be caught unaware because I let a beautiful woman claim my focus.
When the cabin comes into view, I search for any sign of the damage as we approach, but it's exactly as Ayla explained. From the angle of the drive, there's nothing visible that would make someone think the cabin had been broken into. I come to a stop, eyes still scanning around us for any sign there's someone lyingin wait. Ready to ambush. When there's no sign of movement, no hint of threat, I release my seat belt and open the door. A flurry of motion makes me turn, and I glare at Ayla, harder than I mean to.
"Wait here until I open your door. I want to get a good look around. Make sure it's safe before you get out."
She hesitates, her hand dropping from her seat belt back into her lap. I drop the keys on my seat, pushing them toward her. "Just in case."