Page 12 of Mine to Hold
“I’ve lived all over the country,” she admitted. “Seen and been most places that you wouldn’t even think of going. I mean, is Lighthouse Cove really a big tourist destination? Or is it one of those sweet little places people stumble upon?”
He chuckled. “We do rely on tourism as part of our economy, but we don’t have the draw that places like Miami have.” He lowered his chin. “Nor do we want it.”
“I still want to make my way down there. Check out the scene.” She shrugged. “I generally don’t like to land in big cities for very long. I’m a quiet person. I enjoy simple things. Wide-open spaces. Walks on the beach. I don’t like crowds.”
“Then you won’t like Miami at all.”
“Probably not, but I also want to see what Key West is like and Miami is on the way.”
“Now Key West can be fun. The drive, not so much.” Emmerson nodded. “What about your family? Where are they?”
“That’s why I move around a lot.” She took a big gulp. If she didn’t give him a baseline of truth, she’d always be looked at as a woman with secrets. A woman everyone in town should approach with caution. That was not what she wanted or needed. Although, she didn’t want to be approached at all. “You see, my parents abandoned me when I was eleven and I went from one foster home to the next until I was eighteen.”
Gently, he rested his hand on her wrist. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “That had to have been hard.”
“It was,” she admitted, staring at his long, strong fingers. Her breath stuck in her throat in a couple of seconds. Men touchingher generally didn’t have an instant effect. She had to work her way up to attraction. To heat. Desire.
But not with this one.
Her attraction for him was bold. Intoxicating. And palpable.
“Once I became an adult, I felt lost. Nothing made sense and the last thing I wanted was to be close to anyone I knew in the system. So, I packed up my things and started driving. I’ve been going from one little town to the next.”
“How long have you been doing that?”
“Fifteen years.” She lifted her gaze. “I know it sounds weird, but it’s honestly been a lot of fun. I’ve met some interesting people along the way and I’ve been able to see the country. It’s been a trip.”
“I imagine it has, but don’t you want to find a place to call home?” He released his intimate touch, but not his intent stare.
It was unsettling. But only because she’d enjoyed the way he looked at her, as if he were hanging on her every word.
“I’m sure for you, home is where your family is.” She waved her hand over her head toward the massive house and turned her gaze toward the ocean. She needed to be careful how much she gave away. “You have brothers, parents, nieces, and nephews. People to stay connected to. I didn’t have good experiences with any of my foster families and while I’ve enjoyed many of the places this wild journey has taken me on, I always find myself wanting to see more. Experience more. It’s almost like I’m looking for my Mount Everest and I simply haven’t found it yet.” And she needed to keep time and distance from her past.
“I have a buddy who has spent his entire adult life in the military. Special Forces. He lives for that shit. The idea that someday he’s going to have to retire makes him twitch. He’s been all over the globe, and he’s seen some things. He wouldn’t trade that for my sleepy little town and cushy boring police job.”
“Everyone has their own path in life and as long as you’re livingyourdream, I’m not one to judge.”
“Me neither.” He stood, holding out his hand. “I better get you back before people start talking.”
She lowered her chin.
He chuckled. “You’ll learn that in Lighthouse Cove, people gossip. A lot. And one of their favorite pastimes is my family. We’re an eclectic bunch with an interesting history.”
“I’m not sure if that scares me or fascinates me.”
“It should do a little of both.” He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers as if it were the normal thing to do. “I’m happy to give you a little history lesson about my family and Lighthouse Cove tomorrow.”
She strolled across the beach with the odd sensation building in the pit of her stomach. Most men she could take or leave.
Something told her that Emmerson wasn’t most men.
She doubted he was dangerous, at least not in terms of causing her bodily harm. Over the years, thanks in part to her experience with Tony and a few other mistakes with trusting people she shouldn’t, she’d developed a sense about people, and Emmerson projected all that was good in this world.
As did the rest of the men in his family.
Hell, everyone she’d met at this party had given her a good vibe.
But she still needed to be apprehensive.
