Page 28 of Bottle Shock
Now his attention is locked on us, his brows pulled tight. He says something to Travis, who gestures toward the hoses still working the last of the flames, and then he starts toward us.
And I hate to admit it—with a literal fire scene behind him and all—but damn if he doesn’t look good enough to eat.
He’s like an action hero come to life, the firelight flickering behind him, outlining the hard lines of his shoulders and the determined set of his jaw. His skin glistens from the heat, his expression pure tension. Downright edible.
I shouldn’t notice the way the streetlights catch in his hair, gathered in that sexy man bun, or the glint of light off his glasses when he turns his head. Or how the sleeves of his black T-shirt are pushed up just enough to show the veins on his forearms. But I do.
If death is nature’s aphrodisiac, then fire must be man’s.
He jogs the last few steps, a sheen of sweat on his temple, the smell of smoke clinging faintly to him. “Everything okay?” His voice is rough, sending a shiver up my spine.
Elyse nods. “Yeah, we’re good. Mostly.” She glances at me. “Scottie won’t be able to stay in the townhouse anytime soon, though.”
His lips press into a thin line, emphasizing his jawline. “At least you weren’t inside.”
“Nope. I was just coming back from town.”
The crease between his brows doesn’t ease, but his shoulders drop a fraction. “Good.” He turns to the scene behind him, the glow of first responders still flickering aroundus. “Anyone hurt?”
“The fire chief didn’t mention anyone getting hurt,” Elyse says. “They think the cause was electrical.”
He nods, exhaling through his nose. “Could’ve been worse.”
The way he says it isn’t flippant. It’s heavy. Like he’s running through every version of how this could’ve gone differently—and none of them are good.
Elyse clasps her hands together. “She’s going to stay with Dominic and me for now.”
“No,” I say at the same time Gavin does.
Her head jerks between us. “What do you mean, no?”
“It’s not necessary,” I say quickly. “You’re already up to your neck in messy renovations, and I would be in the way.”
Gavin crosses his arms. “Your place isn’t safe for guests right now, Elle.”
“She can crash on the couch,” Elyse insists.
He shakes his head. “That sounds uncomfortable as hell.”
Elyse blinks, clearly thrown by the situation. “You keep arguing without a solution. So what’s your great idea? You want her to stay with you?”
His shoulder lift as he tucks his hands in his front pockets. “It’s not the worst idea.”
What is happening right now?
“Um, hello?” I raise my hand to get their attentions. “Anyone want to ask what I want instead of deciding for me?”
Gavin’s eyes softens as he regards me. “You need somewhere to go. Tonight. There aren’t any rentals open this late in the season, and you can’t sleep in your car.”
“I wasn’t—” I start, then stop, because yeah, maybe the thought had crossed my mind.
“I have a pool house you can use. It’s empty, it’s private, quiet—and best of all, free.”
An itch starts to build beneath my skin, panic crawling upmy neck. I need some semblance of control, it’s as if everything is being decided for me. And I hate that.
“I’ll stay in a motel or a hotel. There are plenty in town, so no need for everyone to get all up in arms. I can figure out my own shit.”
“They’re all booked,” Gavin says, without missing a beat. “Tourist season, remember? And so are all the vacation rentals within a twenty mile radius.”
