“Are you still angry?” I asked. “I mean… sorry. You don’t have to answer that.”
He grinned like he found me amusing, or maybe cute. “Nah, it’s not a big deal. I’m over the anger for the most part. I still fight because I’m good at it and I want to save up money.”
I nodded. “I was angry too after Sophie disappeared. I put all my energy into school. Into learning how to find her. And now it feels like that will never happen, and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m working on a master’s degree in criminology because I was obsessed with cracking her case, but I can’t imagine myself researching crimes my whole life,” I confessed, then added, “Sorry, that was TMI.”
He laughed. “It’s the most honest thing I’ve heard you say. I wouldn’t worry. You’re young. You can choose a different path.”
He took a step toward me and his hand cupped my jaw. His thumb brushed my cheek and my body exploded with heat from that simple touch.
“You should get some rest. Early morning tomorrow,” he said gruffly.
I was hoping he was going to kiss me, not shoot me down. “What path other than fighting would you choose?” I asked.
He dropped his hand and looked at the space around us. “I’d run the orchard, maybe make some ciders, possibly grow some grapes and make wine.”
“So, I was right. You’re happy working the land,” I said to him. I don’t know why I kept the conversation going other than I felt stupid about the fact that I wanted him to kiss me, and he didn’t.
“You were right,” he sighed, and his gaze locked on mine. “You should go to sleep, Claire. I’m close to doing something I shouldn’t do, and I don’t want to be anybody’s regret.”
His admission stunned me. I felt like my tongue was tied and then. . . “I wouldn’t regret you,” I finally said.
He squeezed his eyes shut. “It’s taking everything in me to be a gentleman right now. I need you to go to your cabin. Trust me, I’m in a mood.”
Soleil’s words about him being worked up after fights entered my mind and I understood what he was saying. I wanted to tell him I felt the adrenaline too. That I wanted him to touch me and do things to me that I’ve only imagined in my wildest dreams, but I held back, not wanting to be too needy. Besides, I don’t think he would want a virgin tonight. It sounded like he needed someone with experience, and that wasn’t me.
“I’d take you up on your mood, but I, um, don’t have any experience,” I said, and with that I turned on my heel.
His jaw dropped and the look on his face felt like a small victory.
CHAPTER 12
Asher
I saw her before she saw me. She was standing near the edge of the orchard rows, sunlight catching in her hair. She had it tied back, but a few loose strands framed her face. She wore fitted jeans and one of our crew shirts, her sleeves rolled slightly like she was trying to look casual. She didn’t look casual. She looked like the kind of trouble I should stay away from. I slowed my steps without meaning to. She turned at the sound of gravel under my boots.
Our eyes met.
“Morning,” she said softly.
Like last night hadn’t happened. Like she hadn’t stood in the dark and told me she was inexperienced while I was two seconds from losing control.
I swallowed. “Morning.”
Her gaze lingered for half a breath too long. Curious. Measuring. I forced myself to look away first. She shifted her weight and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You, um, sleep okay?”
No.
“I did,” I lied.
She nodded like she wasn’t sure she believed me. I stepped around her, close enough to catch the faint scent of her shampoo. Something light and floral. It made my jaw tighten. We worked in silence. Every time she was near me, my body reacted before my brain could catch up. A brush of her fingers when she passed a crate. The way she bit her lip when she concentrated. I kept my distance. She kept hers. It was safer that way.
When my shift ended, I left without saying much. I didn’t trust myself to say anything at all. The brewery was quieter than usual when I walked in. Phoenix looked up from behind the counter.
“There he is. Heard you won big last night.”
I grunted and leaned against the bar. “I did okay.”
“Always so modest,” Phoenix chuckled.