Page 33 of With this Ring

“Maybe I should change them.”

“You have other shoes?”

“I do.”

“So you have a go bag.” He flashed her a grin. Voice filled with approval, he added, “Smart girl.”

Without another word, he guided her to a bench, away from other people. “Sit.”

Zeph, the musician, must have taken a break because the sounds of laughter and conversation drifted around them.

Sasha placed the bag next to her and unzipped it, and he knelt in front of her to unbuckle her shoes.

At the trace of his thumb on her bare skin, she shivered. “Gregorio.” He was taking his responsibilities far too seriously.

“The sooner this is accomplished, the better.”

So it was about expediency and nothing more?

Once the laces of her sneakers were tied and her club heels were tucked away—hopefully for good—he took her hand once more.

“Let’s go.”

Her eyes struggled with the dark, but he seemed to have no problems at all. Soon, all sounds from the Den receded, leaving them beneath an inky, star-filled sky with high, drifting clouds.

Moonlight cast a silvery sheen over the mountains, a surreal backdrop to the evening’s events.

The cold air nipped at her bare legs, and she shivered.

In this distance a twig—maybe a branch—snapped, making her jump.

“An animal,” he reassured her.

No doubt he recognized the nocturnal sounds around them.

Gregorio was just aware of threats as she was—maybe more so.

“We’ll be there in less than a minute,” he promised.

Good, because if they went much farther, she planned to dig out her cell phone to turn on its flashlight.

Seconds later, a bright light flashed on, making her blink. “Motion detectors?”

“Yeah.”

The brightness reassured her, and a small structure came into view.

Moments later, on the patio, Gregorio pressed a finger against a pad. “I’ll get you programmed in.”

“No need. I won’t be here that long.”

“Do us both a favor and stop fucking arguing with me.”

His response unsettled her.

After opening the door, Gregorio flicked on a light and guided Sasha into the cottage, his hand steady on her back.

Gregorio ushered her inside, then the click of the deadbolt echoed off the high ceiling.

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