I snort, rolling my eyes. “I don’t get why people call it that.”
He sends me a side-eye. “Because the house makes sounds like it’s about to give its last breath.”
I quirk a brow at his explanation. “I can very much guarantee that the structure of that building is sturdier than most modern constructions are, and it’ll stand even when others fall. It just has loose doors and windows.”
“And fucking steps, Josie.” A raised brow. “And floors.” It rises higher. “And the roof.”
“Floors are not bad, don’t say that.” I nearly laugh at his dramatism. “They’re original, and there is no way we’re replacing them. They’re amazing. We just need to see what’s underneath and buff them a bit.”
“A lot.” He glances at me, and I glance back.
“A bit,” I repeat stubbornly.
He seems to give up, but then he starts again. “What about the steps?” he asks with obvious snark.
“Stairs inside are fine. Old hardwood, baby. Made to stand.” I clap my hands two times, and Kenneth snorts. I squint at him, seeing the perverseness buried deep in the depth of his proper mind peeking its head to the surface. “Outside needs to be replaced. It’s not so bad.”
I don’t even notice when I begin defending the very same house I begged Archie to bring down. Somewhere in that short period of time, it became the sole purpose of my existence since I don’t have anything else left besides getting enough money for a venture I’ve been planning. I don’t have a job other than that house, and I don’t have hobbies since my job was my hobby, which took all of my free time.
I don’t have a family. Well, I do have a family that I prefer not to see most of the time.
I also don’t have many friends besides Alicia. A few people I thought were my friends sided with Randy when the split happened—turns out he looked shinier and more promising than I did. And they were absolutely right, considering I have no plans or future. I’m at rock bottom, paying for that one choice. Well, you live, you learn. I just wish my lesson wasn’t so embarrassing.
When Archie showed me the house, my first reaction was to build him a new modern construction with all the needed amenities the modern world can offer, but after spending a few hours inside andfeelingthe place, I came to the understanding that the house is a part of Maine and Little Hope and absolutely cannot be replaced. If now, out of nowhere, Archie changed his mind and wanted me to build something new, I’d put my bones in front of any wrecking ball that came through.
In the meantime, Kenneth gives me a doubtful look. “The place doesn’t seem safe, so you can’t stay there.”
“Good thing it’s not your decision to make.” I’m totally aware I sound like an ungrateful prick, but I’m at my limit for the day.
“It is if it puts any of my citizens in danger,” he replies through gritted teeth. I’m sure I can hear the enamel grinding off.
“I’m not your citizen.” I don’t give up. I never do. Almost never.
“You’re under my jurisdiction when you’re here.” His voice turns authoritative, and he sounds like a sheriff announcing his candidacy.
I clamp my teeth together, nearly breaking them—what’s with this man wanting to control everything and everyone? It’s infuriating. I’m not even part of this town, and yet he makes me his problem. I’m my problem and only mine.
We drive in silence for a few more minutes, stopping at every yellow light, even when we could easily just speed up a little bit and make it through. You know, like one mile over the speed limit, and we’d make it twice as fast. But no, I’m with Sheriff Benson, who doesn’t break rules.
When we arrive at Alicia’s place, I turn to Kenneth and say, “Thank you, Sheriff.” His brow quirks at me using his title as a name, but it’s the only way to separate myself from him. “I really appreciate you coming to my rescue. Multiple times, actually. So yeah.” I sniffle, suddenly feeling cold and embarrassed at my lack of filter. “And I’m sorry for getting you dirty.” My eyes dip to his uniform, still covered in dry mud. His cheek is clean now—he probably wiped it while I was interrogating the elf lady.
He gives me a short nod and leans back on the seat. I jump out and walk toward the house while he waits for me to go inside. It’s very chivalrous of him, I must admit, and I kind of feel better at his gesture.
Just when my knuckles are about to connect with the surface of the door, I hear a loud moan. It’s not even a moan. It’s an earth-shattering cry. Before barging in like a SWAT unit to throw bad guys around with all my Krav Maga skills I picked up in six months, I pause long enough to register it as a cry of pleasure.Oh shit. What do I do now?
I slowly back up when my back bumps into something. Jumping and flipping around, I find Kenneth behind me, his eyes narrowed. His hand is on his holster, and his other arm instinctively wraps around me, squishing my body into him again while slightly moving me to the side so I’m not in the line of danger. I think it’s his default setting. He can’t even control it—that’s how deep protecting others is in his bones.
“What happened?”
As if on cue, another earth-shattering cry comes from behind the door. Kenneth’s eyes narrow even more and then widen instantly when understanding dawns on him too. “Oh.”
“Yeah,” I sigh and slightly push myself away from him because his protectiveness grates on my nerves. It makes me ache for another hug and feel sorry for myself for being so fucking lonely.
Coming to the stairs, I take a seat on the lower step, as far away from the porn going on inside as I can get without actually leaving.
He steps down too. Stopping in front of me, he places his hands on his hips. Deliciously narrow hips. This man has all the quality attributes of the perfect male specimen I usually dream about.
Besides the attitude. Sometimes.
