"Dad, stop." Savannah's voice cuts through the tension. "Colt and I have discussed this. I'm moving in with him today."
This is news to me, but I don't miss a beat. "That's right. Savannah lives here now. She doesn't need your protection anymore. She has mine."
The sheriff looks like he might have a stroke right there in my living room. "This is insanity. Complete insanity. Savannah, at least come home to get your things, to talk about this rationally."
"I'll pick up my things tomorrow." Her voice is gentle but firm. "With Colt. We can talk then, when you've had time to process this."
For a moment, I think he might actually draw his weapon. His hand twitches toward it before he visibly restrains himself.
"This isn't over, Reeves." His voice drops to a threatening growl. "Not by a long shot."
"It is for today." I move to open the front door, a not-so-subtle invitation for him to leave. "Goodbye, Sheriff."
He hesitates, looking at Savannah one more time. "Think about what you're doing, sweetheart. Please."
"I have, Dad." She doesn't move from my side. "I'll see you tomorrow."
With a final glare that promises retribution, Sheriff Parker storms out. I close the door behind him, listening to his angryfootsteps on the porch, the slam of his car door, the gravel spraying as he accelerates away.
Only when his engine fades do I turn to Savannah. "Moving in with me today, huh? That wasn't part of our discussion."
"I panicked." She drops onto my couch, suddenly looking exhausted. "But it makes sense, doesn't it? If we're supposed to be a convincing couple, we should live together."
"I have no complaints. Like I said earlier, I'll take the couch." I sit beside her, careful to maintain space between us despite wanting to pull her close again. "Are you okay?"
She nods, twisting the ring on her finger. "I'm sorry about him. About all of this."
"Don't apologize for your father." I reach for her hand, stilling its nervous movement. "And don't apologize for jumping into this crazy plan either. We're partners now, remember?"
"Partners." She looks up at me, those big brown eyes filled with uncertainty and something else. Something that makes my heart beat faster. "This is really happening, isn't it?"
"It is." I run my thumb over the ring on her finger, the metal warm from her skin. "For better or worse."
She laughs softly. "Are we practicing our vows already?"
"Just stating facts." I smile, surprising myself with how natural it feels. "Welcome home, Savannah Parker. For the next six months, at least."
"Thank you." She leans against me, her head resting on my shoulder like it's the most natural thing in the world. "For standing up to him. For doing this crazy thing with me."
I allow myself to wrap my arm around her, to breathe in the scent of her hair. This isn't part of the act. There's no one here to convince. Just the two of us, taking comfort in each other after the storm.
"Get some rest," I tell her softly. "Tomorrow, we face the rest of the town."
Her breathing deepens as she relaxes against me, the tension of the confrontation draining from her body. I should move. Should establish boundaries before this gets complicated. But she feels right in my arms, like a missing piece I never knew was lost.
Six months of this. Six months of pretending to be in love with a woman who already fits against me like she was made to be there. Six months of fighting my growing attraction to someone who sees me as nothing more than a means to an end.
Fuck, I'm already in trouble.
CHAPTER FIVE
SAVANNAH
"This is literally all you have in your refrigerator?" I stare into the barren wasteland that is Colt's kitchen. Two beers, a half-empty bottle of ketchup, something green I don't want to identify, and a package of bacon that expired last week. "How are you alive?"
Colt leans against the counter, arms crossed over his broad chest. "I eat at the diner most nights. Or order pizza."
I close the fridge with a shudder. "That's horrifying. You know that, right?"
