Page 9 of Three Months Yesterday

Words aren’t necessary for me to see the agitation coursing through the beautiful woman behind the ornate front desk. It’s more than messed up to think, but that spark of frustration in her eyes makes her even more beautiful than when I first saw her.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been this attracted to someone. I might be in trouble if I spend too much time around her. I’m not built for relationships—not with my past—and random hookups, while they happen, aren’t my favorite thing. Besides, the idea of hooking up with someone on an extended vacation in a small town I want to return to seems like a terrible idea.

Trust doesn’t come easily for me and after one too many failed relationships, I’ve given up hope. Women seem more concerned with what they gain by having their name attached to mine rather than who I am as a person and what I can do for them emotionally.

“How about I go back into town to explore some, and you give me a call when the cabin’s ready?” I offer, trying to make things easier while also needing to get out of Madison’s presence.

“Are you sure that’s not too much hassle?” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, and my cock twitches at the sight.

What would it feel like to have those teeth nibbling on my lips? Or my neck? Or any part of my body?

“Absolutely,” I blurt. “I’m the one who showed up unexpectedly.”

“But that’s not actually your fault,” she teases, a new kind of emotion flaring in her eyes—one I’m not willing to put a name to.

“Hey now,” Wyatt interrupts, and I’m thankful for it this time. “I didn’t intentionally mess up the reservation.”

“We’re gonna keep going in circles with this, so let’s just drop it,” Madison says to her brother before turning back to me. “Let me get your information and I’ll give you a call once the cottage is ready.”

“Thanks.” I smile.

And five minutes later, I’m rushing out the door, trying not to think about how badly I want to turn around and talk to her more.

My head falls to the steering wheel the second I close the door to the 4Runner. In reality, I didn’t do anything embarrassing, but in my brain, I was an idiot.

The last time I got tongue-tied around a woman was before the accident. It’s not that I haven’t found women attractive since then, but after you go through something as traumatic as I did, most things don’t hold the importance you once gave them.

Who cares if someone doesn’t like you or you mispronounce a word in front of the world? Or you stumble over your words in front of a woman you’re attracted to? None of that matters in the grand scheme of life.

Besides, it’s not like I’m staying here forever. Though, I have to admit, the idea of leaving New York and finding a small town to make a home sounds like a brilliant idea.

Pressing the button to start the engine, I give myself another minute of self-pity. In a weird way, it’s nice knowing I’m still capable of the emotions swirling through me. I started to believe I no longer have a heart.

Ringing from my car speakers jerks me from my thoughts, and I wish I could control the clenching of my jaw at the name that appears on my dashboard. I shouldn’t feel so annoyed at the sight of my manager’s name, and yet I can already feel the headache forming behind my right eye.

“Hey, Aaron,” I answer, shifting the car into reverse and pulling away from The Lantern Inn. My eyes stay trained on my rearview mirror longer than is probably safe. I haven’t even left and I’m already desperate to return.

“Beckett, where are you?” Aaron’s trying voice sounds through the car speakers.

“You know I can’t answer that.”

Besides Ryan, there’s only one other person who knows exactly where I am—my head of security. It was the only way I got him to even agree to the idea of me leaving the city. And if I’m honest, it wasn’t a struggle for him to convince me keeping this quiet was the best option.

There are very few people in my life that I’m close enough with to keep them completely up to date on my travel plans, and anyone else who typically needs to be made aware is paid to be part of my life. Sometimes it’s nice to get a break from them too.

“Beckett.” Aaron sighs. “How am I supposed to do my job if I don’t know where you are?”

“Well, for all intents and purposes, I’m out of commission at the moment, so there isn’t anything for you to do.”

I pull to a stop at the end of the drive, looking both ways more than necessary before turning right and heading back into town. I know I need to keep a low profile while I’m here, but you couldn’t pay me enough to keep me from exploring this town.

“You’re telling me that if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity were to pop up I’m just supposed to tell them you’re not available?”

“Be honest, what once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is going to pop up suddenly at this time of year?”

“You could get invited to host some event for the holidays…” His words trail off and we both know he’s grasping at straws.

“That wouldn’t be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we both know it.” I swear it’s not conceit talking. It’s just the truth, no matter how much I wish it weren’t sometimes. “Aaron, I need a break. I’ve been going nonstop for almost two decades and I’m burned-out.”