Tossing the remote onto the couch next to me, I stand and decide to finally be brave enough to walk around the property alone. My skin feels like it’s going to crawl off my body if I don’t move. I’m used to running miles every day to escape. But I don’t know the trails around here. Aubrey told me that Wyatt created a mile long trail for running on his property and showed me the general area it starts, but I don’t know if he wants me out there.
I don’t know if I want to be out there alone yet in unknown woods either.
Slipping on a pair of leggings and my sneakers, I grab my headphones to pop one side in. I need one ear free to listen to my surroundings. Something that I learned pretty quickly living with James.
The fresh air that wafts off the ocean from the back of Wyatt’s property is like a balm to my soul. The salty air is something I didn’t know I needed, but it calms me. I’ve gone to sit on the beach at Cooper’s family inn just as often as I’ve cleaned this house in the last few days, usually taking Aubrey’s daughter, Lily with me.
Stretching out my muscles as I walk down the dirt road, I catch sight of the cruiser I’ve been looking for and missing.
Giddiness courses through me. I haven’t seen him since my first night here when he brought me a welcome basket that he clearly put together with odds and ends from his own kitchen as an excuse to come over. Not that he needs one. I’d happily strip that uniform off him and he wouldn’t even have to ask twice.
Fresh starts be damned.
Even if he seems to think I’m off limits. I might have to convince him otherwise. Because a body like that shouldn’t be wasted. The scar on his cheek gives him an air of danger. While I’m sure that I should be avoiding anything to do with dangerous men, I wasn’t kidding when I said he was everything my fantasies could dream up. And that makes him a massive red flag for me.
I never would have picked James for myself—he was chosen for me—but my whole world is dangerous men. It’s what I’m used to, what I was taught to want.
“Hey, goddess.” Wyatt stands, leaning on the back of his cruiser, drinking me in with his eyes roaming from my head to my toes.
Goddess.
I scoff at the nickname. It’s so fucking cheesy. I love it.
“Hey, Officer. How was your day? Find any moose murderers to arrest?” I saunter right into his personal space, making our toes touch.
“No, thank goodness. The moose are safe today. But I’ll let them know you’re concerned for their safety.”
Getting a closer look at him, I notice that the side of his lips with the scar doesn’t quite reach as high as the other side.
“Seriously, what kind of crime is committed in this town? Because I feel like it wouldn’t be enough to warrant even one full-time officer.” Spinning around, I pop my ass out to lean it back onto the bumper next to him, giving him a little show on the way.
He groans, and I know I succeeded in getting his attention. “I’ll have you know that we service multiple towns. And there are quite a few neighbor disputes that keep me busy.”
“So cranky, nosey, old ladies keep you in business?”
He rolls his eyes at me. “Are you going for a run on the trail? Aubs asked if she could show you.”
“I was thinking of going for a walk to get familiar with it first.” I glance at the start of the path.
“Are you scared of the moose?” He laughs, but I freeze.
“There’s moose out there?”
“You’re in Maine, Goddess. Of course there’s moose. Along with a multitude of other creatures.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I know there’s wild animals. I just… had an experience with a moose one time.”
“An experience?”
“Yes. Not a very positive one I might add.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“You know they typically run away from you. You have to really try to piss them off.”
Sighing, I say, “I know that. But there might have been some tequila involved. And a baby moose.”
He bends over with a full belly laugh booming from his lips. “Do not tell me you tried to pet the calf?”
“I most certainly did. He was cute.”
