Page 37 of Forever Theirs

“Well, I don’t mind at all.”

Shoving the door open, I stepped out into the crisp evening air, tugging my coat tighter around me as I used a hip to shut the heavy metal. The silence was comfortable as we walked side by side toward my door, Aiden wheeling the bike even after I offered. Once he leaned the borrowed bike against the side of the cabin, I handed over the key just like I’d done with Miles and gestured toward the door in an open invitation.

Back against the side of the cabin, I stared into the grouping of trees that surrounded the area. Though there was sunlight, it was still hard to see in the thick underbrush. Somewhere close, a bird sang, followed by a heavy gust of wind that whistled through the trees. The crack of a limb or a stick and the rustling of leaves to the right had me standing straight and scanning the area for whatever caused the sound.

Pulse racing, I forced myself to slow my breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth, knowing it was more than likely a squirrel or from the gust of wind. But it wasn’t just the sound that set me on edge. There was something out there that made me feel like I was being watched.

“All clear.”

A scream raced up my throat as I leapt a foot off the ground, whirling around with a fist raised. Aiden’s eyes went wide as he stepped back and held up both hands.

“Everything okay out here?” he asked, stepping farther out onto the porch and scanning the area in front of the cabin, brows pulled in tight.

Palm pressed over my hammering heart, I nodded. “Yeah, just woodland creatures making me think the boogeyman is out there.”

His hand hovered over the sidearm resting on his hip. “What did you see? Was someone out there? A man?” A large palm cupped my shoulder and pulled me behind him.

All I could do was nod at his back, even though he couldn’t see. His response was a bit over the top at me being jumpy and joking about the boogeyman.

“Aiden, is there something going on that you should warn me about?” I hedged. “I figured you’d brush me off and say it was a deer or something.”

Spinning around, he squished me against his hard chest, and both arms wrapped around my back to squeeze me tight.

“We’re really not supposed to talk about it since we know very little, and the sheriff doesn’t want to scare tourists and visitors away from Anchor Bay.” Pulling back, Aiden scanned my face, the fading light just enough for me to see the worry clouding his features. Anxious nerves had me trembling as I waited for him to explain what that meant, because it didn’t sound good. “But you need to know. Youdeserveto know. Tomorrow, on the hike, Miles and I will explain everything. Okay?”

“Why not now?” I asked, voice shaking from the rising fear. My gaze darted around the darkening area as if some unknown threat might jump out and attack.

Some of the tension eased from his features. “Because my bossy-ass bestie also told me to get you inside quickly so you could get a proper night’s sleep.” Attempting to lighten the conversation, he winked. “Something about not sleeping much once we’re all together.”

My own worries faded with a soft laugh, though a sliver of fear of something out there that I wasn’t aware of still lingered in the back of my mind. “Are you sure Miles was the one who said that? That doesn’t sound like him.”

Aiden’s smile grew wider, faint dimples popping on both cheeks. “Look at you, already knowing us so well you can tell our comments apart. Okay, fine, that last part was all me, though Miles does want you to get some sleep. Overprotective mother bear, that one.”

“I like it,” I admitted. “It’s nice not needing to be the only one looking out for my safety. Being in Seattle alone was exhausting. So, you call it bossy, but I call it comforting.”

“Tomato, potato.”

“That’s not how that goes.” I giggled.

“But it got you to laugh, so it worked.”

As if things shifted into slow motion, he leaned down and sealed his lips to mine. It was soft, almost like a promise of something more to come before he pulled back. Tugging me into his arms, he hugged me tight once again.

“Tell me to go,” he whispered into my hair. “Tell me to walk back to the truck, drive home, and fall asleep to dreams of you.” My heart raced, but a shy smile crept up my lips. “I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t want you to go either,” I murmured. It was nice not being alone, having someone there who wasn’t just a physical body close by but someone who was attuned to you. I’d gotten used to being ignored by others in favor of their phones or computers, and I didn’t realize how hurtful it was. “But if we’re doing the hike you two described earlier, then I do need to get some sleep. I’m going to make the best out of the time we have out there.”

Aiden’s lips brushed along my ear. “Me too, sweetheart.”

Cheeks hot, I just nodded and stepped back, reaching for the door handle. Once safely inside, I gave Aiden an awkward two-finger wave and a whispered “Good night” before closing the door and flipping the lock. A dreamy sigh escaped as I fell back against the door with a wide, goofy grin on my face that reflected on the glass door that led to the back porch area.

Gritting my teeth, I shook off the urge to rip the door back open and chase Aiden down to beg him to stay. Needing more distance to stay strong, with palms to the door, I pushed off and headed toward the bathroom to get ready for bed.

The moment I stepped onto the tile and saw the toiletry bag and scattered products on the counter, it hit me. When packing for the trip, I forgot one big item I wasn’t aware I’d need.

A damn razor.

Because one, my legs hadn’t seen a razor in over a week already.

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