Page 45 of Moonlit Colorado

“I’ll give Tobin those descriptions and pull the security footage from the night of the party. See if we can identify the woman who gave you the mask or either of the men who stopped you. And we can find out if any of them are still in Silver Ridge. If they’re staying at my hotel, I want to know.”

I groaned. “This is a mess. Exactly why I don’t like having things to hide. I don’t want secrets or mysteries to solve. I wish I never put on that mask.”

“The party wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting if you hadn’t, though.”

“That would’ve been better. If you and I never saw each other there. I prefer to keep my life simple.Boring.”

“Are you sure about that?”

I drummed my fingers against the tablecloth, looking down at my empty plate.

“The woman I spent time with at the grand-opening party was far from boring,” Dane said. “It wasn’t about the dress or the heels, though you did look incredible in those.”

“I keep telling you, I wasn’t acting like the real me that night.”

“Your quick wit is the same. Your humor. Your candor. Are you sure you want boring? Or do you just want to feel safe?”

I bristled. “Nothing wrong with wanting to feel safe.”

“Not at all. Iwantyou to feel safe. I don’t blame you, especially with what happened to Emma and Ashford last year. Ashford has also mentioned what your family situation was like when you guys were kids, and?—”

“Don’t.” My entire body flooded with heat, but this was nowhere near pleasant.

He held up his hands. “Shit. Let me back up and try again, because that came out all wrong.”

“I’d rather not.” I pushed my chair back from the table and stood. My chest heaved as I breathed. “My brother might be your best friend, but don’t assume you knowme. You don’t. A few conversations doesn’t change that fact.”

Dane calmly stared back at me.

Perhaps I was overreacting. I couldn’t help it though. The way Dane looked at me, the way he reached into my head and seemed to see the things I didn’t want anyone to see…

I felt exposed around him. Right now, it didn’t feel remotely good.

I grabbed my plate and glass, intending to rinse the dishes and go to bed. But Dane got up and stopped me, making me set everything back on the table. He held my hands in his.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was putting words in your mouth, and I shouldn’t have. I just want you to know you can talk to me. That has nothing to do with Ashford or the friendship I have with him. But everything to do with the friendship I would like to have with you.”

Despite how close we were standing, there was no flirtation in his voice. I believed that he meant it.

“Okay.”

“I can get on my knees and grovel.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.” A couple more deep breaths, and I was calm again. I gently pulled my hands from his grip. “I can take care of the dishes.”

“No, I want you to relax. Go to bed early.”

I almost argued, but I felt strung out. “I appreciate dinner. And the place to stay.”

“Of course. If you need anything, you know where to find me. Door at the end of the hall.”

Ugh. The last thing I needed to focus on was how close he would be tonight.

As I got ready for bed, I tried to keep my mind blank. I didn’t want to think about everything Dane had said. Especially because I suspected he could be right.

What if I didn’t want boring at all?

Ever since Dane Knightly had arrived in Silver Ridge, my life had taken a severe turn toward the exciting. Break-ins at my home werenotmy idea of a good time. But I liked being around Dane.

---