“No, it’s true. I don’t watch movies that make me cry.”
He clicks his tongue against his teeth. “That makes sense.”
“What does that mean?”
“Something tells me that vulnerability isn’t your strong suit.” I open my mouth to object. I am vulnerable. All humans are if they allow themselves to be. But he cuts my words off before I can get them out. “You should check it out sometime. In fact, Idareyou not to cry.”
For a moment, I’m speechless, but dammit, I love a good challenge. “Fine.” I turn back to face the road, wondering how he’s able to assess me so well, only knowing me for a short amount of time. “You’re on.”
ChapterFive
Ethan
Dusk arrives aswe finally head down the last unmarked road. I’m shocked I didn’t get us lost, but the directions were fairly straightforward. Thank God this place has more than one bathroom. Three, to be exact.
The cabin is much nicer than I imagined, but then again that seems to be a theme. I should’ve known by the amount of money Huston Riley offered that the man was filthy-fucking rich. This is more like a lodge, perfectly stocked with fresh food and an insane array of drink choices. Wood near the fireplace, comfortable furnishings. There’s even a wraparound porch that overlooks the lake. Even sitting on the sofa, it looks like the lake’s within arm’s distance. Rich people really do have it all.
Including problems, I remind myself.
“Hey.” Avery makes her way down the stairs. I nearly fall out of my chair. Even in a sweatshirt and sweat shorts, her sexy curves are present. Freshly showered, her wet hair is pulled on top of her head. That signature lavender scent is even stronger than it was before. My cock twitches in my pants, thinking of the soft, sexy redhead naked in the shower. Suds rolling down every voluptuous turn her body takes.
“Hi.” I clear my throat. “All settled?”
“As much as I can be.” She heads into the kitchen and grabs a fizzy water before hopping on the couch as though she's lived here her whole life. “This place is cute.”
Cute? Not exactly my word for it. I live in an apartment, so to me this place is a dream come true. “Yeah. It’s always nice to be out in the woods away from all the noise of the city.”
“The city is so great, though.” She tosses her head back when she takes a sip, showcasing her milky-white neck. I bet her skin is as soft as rose petals.
“The city is overrated.” I grab a few logs, and start to build a fire. “Everything happens in the city.” She licks her full lips. I’ve never wanted to taste anything more.
“Yeah, and sometimes it’s nice to be where nothing happens. Shh!” I press my finger to my lips. “Do you hear that?”
Avery sits up a little straighter, eyes darting from side to side. “No.”
“Exactly. No one around for miles. No horns and sirens, assholes running into you on the street.” Avery’s looking at me like I’m an alien, and it occurs to me once more how different the two of us are. “I guess our versions of the city are two very different ones.”
She doesn’t respond. Money will buy you all the little luxuries that people who are even middle-class can’t afford.
“I love that you know how to build a fire.” She sits forward, easing the tension between us. “They’re so calming.” Her eyes sparkle, watching me like I’m doing some sort of unattainable magic trick.
“It’s not hard. Wanna learn?”
“Oh, I don’t know if I could.”
“You could. Get over here.” I expect an argument from the headstrong beauty, but she slides off the couch and joins me. “It takes a little kindling to get the actual fire started.”
“What’s kindling? You can’t just light the wood?” Her eyes flicker up to mine. She’s so close. I wonder if she can hear my heart racing in my chest. I’m supposed to be protecting her, not seducing her. Why can’t I seem to get the idea of throwing her down and showing her who’s boss out of my mind?
“No, you can’t jump straight into it. You have to warm it up first.” I grab a handful of newspapers at the ready—this place really is equipped for everything—crumple them up and wedge them between the logs. “A bunch of little fires burn first. Then those flames light the logs.”
She takes the newspaper from me and bundles it up between her fingers. A strand of her ruby hair falls over her eye. With her defenses down, she looks innocent.
I click the long lighter and ignite the newspaper. “I want to try,” she says, taking the lighter from me. The skin-to-skin contact sends butterflies into my guts. She leans forward, lighting the fire until the logs finally take the flame. “I did it!”
Her smile beams, lighting up the room. “Good job, princess.” She doesn’t correct my using the nickname. Instead, she runs her pink tongue across her top lip, looking proud as punch. Her pleased expression fades as quickly as it arrives.
“Those guys at the diner were really out here for us?” She shakes her head. “For me.” I nod. There’s no use in sugar-coating it. “As much as I hate to admit it, that really freaked me out.” She inches from me, her warm hazel eyes searching mine for answers. I thought she was incapable of being vulnerable, but this moment is proving me wrong. “What happens if they find us? What will they do to me?”
