Alison holds her hand out, waiting for payment. I dig my wallet from my purse and count out money for five days. She folds the bills in half and tucks them behind her vest.
My attention lands on the bare mattress. “Is linen in the closet?” I ask, pointing to a crooked faux timber wardrobe.
“There’s no linen provided.”
I wish she’d mentioned that before I handed over my money. “Where can I get some?”
“You can buy sheets and towels in Flo’s store across the street.”
“Right, I better get over there then.”
Alison examines her pink, manicured fingernails. “She closed ten minutes ago.”
My shoulders sag. “What am I supposed to do without linen?”
Alison shrugs. “It’s a warm night. You’ll be fine.”
I throw a dubious glance at the stained mattress and yellow pillow. My stomach rolls with disgust. “People actually stay here?”
“If you don’t want it, just say so. It didn’t look like Lucas wanted you at his cabin, so you don’t have any other option.” She smirks. I bet she’s happy I’m not staying with him.
Unfortunately, she’s right. It’s my only option. This is it. This is home for the next few days. Or until I can arrange something else. Is there another in-the-middle-of-nowhere town that I can hide in? Can I risk it? I’m too tired to think about that now.
I just need to make it through one night.
Chapter Six
LUCAS
Letting myself into the cabin, I put the groceries away and get my bed ready. It’s been a long and mentally challenging day with Penelope. Man, that woman has been a pain in my ass. I finally get the peace and quiet I came here for.
I put a kettle on the stove to boil water for tea. I wonder how Penelope is doing without a working stove? Shaking myself out of the thought, I pull a mug from the top cupboard. Why is she on my mind? She’s no longer my problem.
Except ever since leaving the bar, she’s all I’ve been thinking about. Even in the bar my eyes were drawn to her. Her body, her lips. The way she licked sauce from her fingers made my balls tighten with the thought of her sucking my dick into her mouth. And when that douchebag guy approached her, I sprang from my seat so fast to get him away from her.
I place my hands on the counter and hang my head. What the fuck is wrong with me? When I look at her, I’m supposed to feeldisgust—want her the hell away from me. Yet it’s the opposite. Lust burns through my veins, and I have to control myself to keep my hands off her.
I should have gone back to Allie’s place and fucked all thoughts of Penelope from my mind. It’s so messed up that I’m even thinking that way. Except my dick didn’t even stir when Allie touched me. Besides, when we hooked up the last time I was in Oaks Valley, she knew we were only having fun—no commitment. A one-time thing. That’s all I can offer. Today felt different. There was a possessiveness about her. Like I was her man.
I don’t belong to anyone.
Never will.
When the water boils, I pour it into the mug and take it out on the porch. I breathe in the warm air pungent with forest scents. Dense darkness surrounds the cabin. I gaze up at the bright stars, and they seem close enough to touch. You don’t get a sky like this in the city.
This time every year I come to the cabin for the anniversary of Garrett’s death. He loved this place. It was our escape from the drama in our lives. It’s never been the same without him. In two days it will be eight years since the car accident that killed him. The heaviness of that night and the years leading up to it sit heavy on my shoulders. I doubt I’ll ever feel light again.
Finishing my tea, I head inside and put the mug in the sink. I kick off my boots and strip out of my clothes. Dropping naked on the bed, I stare up at the ceiling. It’s not long until my eyes drift closed from the exhaustion of the day. A moment later—or it could be hours after I’ve fallen asleep—a noise outside wakes me.
Groggy with sleep, I sit and listen to my surroundings. Was that a car I heard? No one ever comes to the cabin, especially at night. Then the sound of shuffling feet hit the porch, and alldredges of sleep instantly vanish, and I bound to my feet. There’s someone out there.
I don’t have time to grab the gun from the closet and load it, so I snatch a knife from the butcher block next to the sink. With light footsteps, I slink to the door. Just as I reach it, the hinges creak as it slowly swings open. A dark figure steps into the room. Before they can move any further, I push my forearm against the intruder’s chest, backing them against the wall and holding the knife to their neck.
“What the fuck do you want?” I thunder into their ear.
“Lucas…it’s me…Penny. Don’t…hurt me.” Penelope’s voice is whisper quiet, like she’s too scared to speak too loud in case I slice her throat open. It’s then that the scent of her floral perfume and the softness of her body—her breasts under my arm—registers. Fuck! I drop my arms and step away.
“Jesus, Penelope. Why are you creeping around the cabin?”