Page 42 of Vanished in the Mist
“How big of a search area are we talking about?” Kaden asked. “Any idea?”
“Too big to search without narrowing it down. I asked Fletcher to work with Peyton at the station, get her to mark the target area on a map. Hopefully, she’ll cooperate. As soon as I’ve got some coordinates, I’ll text them to you so you can plan your approach. Your boat is still docked at the Tate cabin, right?”
“It is.”
“I’ll meet you there in the morning once we have those coordinates. My police SUV parked outside will be yet another deterrent against anyone up to no good.” He hopped into his SUV. “Kaden, is that your Lexus parked down the road?”
“It’s mine,” Shanna said.
“Hop in. I’ll take you to it.”
Chapter Fifteen
Shanna turned from the kitchen sink as Kaden stepped inside the cabin with his overnight bag. He immediately shut and locked the door, then surprised her by sliding one of the kitchen chairs under the doorknob.
She tossed the dishcloth she’d been using onto the counter, having just finished cleaning up from their dinner. “Paranoid much?”
“I’m getting that way.” He set his bag down on the table.
“Something happen while you were getting your stuff from your boat?” She looked toward the front windows, then remembered that he’d insisted on shutting and locking all of the shutters over them when they’d first arrived and after he’d searched the tiny cabin to make sure that Troy, the Phantom, or any other possible bad guy wasn’t inside. “What is it?” She glanced at the covered windows again, starting to feel uneasy. “Did you see someone outside?”
“I checked the perimeter before coming in. It seems to be all clear.” He shoved his hands in his pants pockets. “Dawson called. As expected, the initial search of the public boat ramp down the road from Stella’s came up empty. No sign of Sam or Jack.”
“Hopefully they’re safe and just hiding out somewhere like we talked about. What about Peyton? Did she narrow down thearea where they had that last bonfire? Will you and Dawson be able to take the boat out in the morning to search for Tanya?”
“She cooperated, gave a specific location. Dawson’s meeting me here around nine.”
“That’s good news.”
“Yes.” His expression was tense, in spite of what he’d said.
“Kaden? Is something else going on?” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Did Dawson…did they find another body?”
He shook his head, then slowly crossed the room, stopping so close to her that she had to tilt her head back to look him in the eyes.
“Kaden? What’s wrong? You’re worrying me.”
He drew a ragged breath but didn’t say anything.
She frowned in confusion. She’d never seen him this way, so tense, so…keyed up. Then again, they hadn’t known each other all that long. And how was that possible when she felt as if she’d known him forever? They’d been together almost 24/7 since the moment they’d met, spending far more time than if they’d been casually dating for weeks, or months. Maybe that’s why she felt so in tune with him. And yet, this morose, tense man standing before her was a side of Kaden she’d never seen. She didn’t understand his mood, or know what had caused it.
She touched his chest to get him to look at her.
He jerked as if she’d branded him, giving her his full attention. Slowly, ever so slowly, he placed his hands on either side of her against the countertop, trapping her with his body, his heat, his jaw so tense he seemed to be in pain. And then, she knew. She understood.
Her pulse quickened, her belly tightened deliciously as she slid her fingers across his shirt over his heart. It was pounding just as fast as hers. He was a man on edge, struggling for control.
She smiled.
He swore even as he feathered his hand across her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine. That slow caress continued down the side of her neck. Her skin flushed hot and cold everywhere he touched. Since when had her neck ever been that sensitive?
His throat worked as he leaned down, closer, his mouth angling toward hers. She stood on tiptoe to meet him halfway. Suddenly he let her go, swearing again as he strode away from her, stopping in front of one of the shuttered windows beside the couch.
She blinked in surprise and settled back on her feet. Disappointment and confusion warred with each other as she pushed away from the kitchen counter and followed him. “What was that about?”
He slowly turned around, his hands shoved in his pockets as if to keep himself from reaching for her. His eyes had darkened to the color of midnight and practically blazed with heat. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
Her breath caught at the hungry look in his eyes, the rough rasp in his voice. Her pulse began to race, her belly tightening with desire. It was a heady feeling, knowing he wanted her as much as she’d been wanting him for what felt like forever. But she’d just embarrassed herself by responding when it seemed that he was going to kiss her. She wasn’t putting herself out there again. The ball was in his court. It was up to him now.
