Page 26 of Citadel

“Okay.” I duck my head again and this time don’t lift it back up. “See you in the morning.”

“Good night.”

I turn and hurry back down the hall. Although I don’t look back to check, I know he stands in the hallway watching me until I reach my own room.

* * *

The next morning, we jump right into work, wanting to make it clear that we’re happy to contribute to life here in Monument. Breanna and I work in the community garden, pulling weeds and picking ripe tomatoes and peppers. Cole goes out with a hunting party.

I’d rather he stay with me. I feel safer when he’s around. But I’m not about to put that thought into words.

It’s needy. Presumptuous. Breanna and I have always taken care of ourselves, and nothing significant has changed in that regard.

By midday, I’m hot and tired and dripping with perspiration. The morning shift ends before lunch, so I head back to the guesthouse to wash up while Breanna hangs around to chat with some of the townspeople.

I’m splashing water on my face when there’s a knock on the bedroom door.

Breanna would just let herself in. It must be someone else.

I hurry to open the door and burst into a pleased smile when I see that it’s Cole. “Hey! How was hunting?”

“It was fine. Good.” His eyes run up and down my body the way they did late last night.

It sparks that particular feeling again—hot and tense and excited and nervous all at the same time. When I look down at my body to check what he’s seeing, I realize I’m wearing nothing but a thin tank top that’s damp from sweat and jeans that are sliding low on my hips, leaving a strip of my stomach exposed.

I pull up my jeans self-consciously.

“What were you doing?” he asks gruffly.

“Just washing up. I got all hot working in the garden.”

“Oh.” His eyes run up and down my body again before he gives his head a little shake. “I wanted to let you know I’m taking off.”

All the heated excitement just beginning to rise inside me freezes in an instant. “What?”

“I’m takin’ off. Headin’ out.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah.”

I swallow hard, having to fight to hold back my immediate pained objection. “Oh. Okay.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t stay.”

“I… get it. You’ve got to find your brother.”

“Yeah.”

I stare at the floor for a minute, breathing heavily until I’ve controlled my emotions enough to smile at him. “Okay. Thanks for helping us.”

“You’ve already thanked me plenty. You don’t need to do it again.”

“Okay.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, suddenly feeling naked.

“You and your sister should be good here. Seems safe.”

I nod.

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