Page 10 of Their Reluctant Catch

No, no, no.

I can’t do this. Not again.

Chapter5

Todd

Savannah’s sitting in Colton’s bed, her arms crossed, one knee bouncing like she’s ready to launch out the door the instant she gets a chance. Her blonde hair’s still a little messy from sleep, but it suits her, softening the sharpness in her features. Not that the sharpness isn’t appealing—it is. To be honest, I might find it a bit too appealing for my own good.

“So”—I lean against the wall and shove my hands in my jeans pockets to keep from fidgeting—“what were you doing out there in the middle of nowhere?”

She glances up at me, and her eyes are like a forest pond—beautiful, green, and guarded. “Driving.”

I raise an eyebrow. “That much I figured.”

She shifts on the mattress, clenches the blankets, and pulls them higher toward her chin. “I was on my way to Northwick Cove.”

That throws me for a second. “You were coming here? On purpose?”

She rolls her eyes, the corner of her mouth twitching like she’s fighting a smile. “Yes, on purpose. I have a reservation at a bed-and-breakfast in town. Northwick Peace, I think?”

Diana, Mason, Jack, and Elliot’s place. I nod slowly, biting back a grin. I’m wondering how she will react to our infamous, local menage quartet. “Well, they’ll be glad to meet you. Diana’s a great cook, and the men... they’re pretty good at making sure guests feel welcome.”

She tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to figure out what I’m not saying. I keep my face neutral. Let her find out about the menage on her own.

“What brings you to Maine?” I ask lightly.

“Vacation.”

“Vacation, huh? You don’t strike me as the typical tourist.”

“I don’t know about your typical.” She glances at the window and presses her lips into a thin line. “I just... needed a change of scenery.”

Her voice is flat, evasive, and I recognize a dodge when I hear one. She’s not ready to share, and I’m not about to push. Still, I can’t help but notice how she clutches the edge of the blanket draped over her lap, like she’s holding onto it for dear life.

“You like the cold, then?” I ask. Okay, yeah, I’m pushing.

She snorts softly and snaps her gaze back to me. “Not really. Florida doesn’t exactly prepare you for weather like this.”

“Not a fan of snow?”

“Not a fan of freezing my ass off,” she shoots back, her tone dry.

I chuckle, pushing off the wall. “Fair enough. So, you like hiking?”

“Not unless you count hiking to the nearest coffee shop.” The smallest hint of a smirk tugs at her lips.

Her sarcasm shouldn’t be endearing, but damn if it doesn’t make me want to know what’s underneath it. “Well, you’re in luck. We’ve got coffee downstairs. That hike shouldn’t be too strenuous for a Miami girl. But first”—I gesture toward the hallway—“let me show you the bathroom. Hot water should help you thaw out some more.”

She pushes back the blankets and stands, unfolding herself from the bed, and I must remind myself not to stare. She’s taller than I expected, maybe five-nine, with long legs and a body that looks strong but is soft in all the right places.

“This way.” I lead her down the hall, push open the bathroom door, and step aside to let her in. “Towels are on the rack. Take your time.”

“Thanks.” She leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms again. “And what happens after I’m thawed?”

“You’ll meet Colton,” I say, my lips twitching into a grin. “And you might even get a coffee out of it.”

She narrows her eyes playfully. “No yucky tea?”

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