Page 39 of Hearts at War

I couldn’t stay out here all damn night. I was already cold. Panic hadn’t kicked in, but as my annoyance simmered, I knew that I wouldn’t freak out.

Because I’m not alone out here.

I cringed, lifting my gaze in the direction of the darkness that would lead to Roarke’s cabin.

He was over there. I had a neighbor, sort of, but I dreaded the prospect of asking him for help.

Branches snapped below a tree, and I jumped at the sudden noise. Just like that, I was scared. If not scared, then alarmed. Maybe I wasn’t alone out here in another sense. Coyotes. Wolves. Even a runaway dog or rabid coon. Any number of wild creatures could be afoot. They often wanted to come close to the chicken coops on farms, and the ranch had several.

I can’t stay out here all damn night...

Mind made up, I quickened my steps toward Roarke’s cabin. It was a long walk, and each step of the way, I tried to come to terms with the fact I was about to ask for him. Asking anyone for help went against my nature. Yes, I was independent to a fault. That was what happened when a neglected kid had to fend for herself and grow up to be an adult who trusted few. And sure, I was also stubborn to a fault, used to doing things my way because, well, I always had because my parents weren’t caregivers in any real sense of that word.

But asking Roarke for help, the man I had a natural instinct to want to push back. Or kiss?

No. No damn kissing. No men. No nothing.

“He probably won’t give a shit and help me anyway...”

I was there though, at his door. The last time I’d stood here, we’d argued and I could have sworn I saw desire burning in his glare on me.

This time, I had to ask for a favor because I could not stomach the beginning threads of anxiety taking root in me. On the walk over, I dismissed the chance that something or someone could be watching me. If it wasn’t an animal, it couldn’t be a person either. We were too remote. This was way out in the middle of nowhere.

David can’t be here. He wouldn’t know to be here.

I would feel better inside, though, so gathering all my courage, I lifted my hand to knock.

Then knock again.

His truck was parked out to the side. He had to be here.

But—

Oh, no.

What if someone is over? What if he’s got a woman over? I winced, debating another walk through the darkness toward another place where someone might help me.

Loud footsteps sounded though, and before I could second-guess myself any further, the door was flung open.

Roarke stood there, rubbing his slightly sleepy-looking face. He gave me a once-over. His brows were lined and the surprise was evident with his frown. Then he narrowed his bright green eyes on me with concern.

“What’s going on?” He gave me another speedy once-over, taking in my appearance. His attention felt invasive, somehow, like he wasn’t just looking at me but committing me to his scrutiny for ulterior motives.

“What?” he repeated.

I tugged my sweater closed and wished I didn’t feel so vulnerable in the cozy pajama set I’d chosen. Glancing at his bare chest and the flannel sleep pants that hung low on his hips, I swallowed and wished he wasn’t so exposed. Just how many muscles could a man have? How rugged and tight could skin stretch over six-pack abs? There was fit and trim and then there was chiseled and lethally hot.

I resisted the pesky flare of desire that lit me up at the sight of Roarke sleepy and shirtless.

It didn’t help that he looked so grumpy...and concerned. About me.

This is a huge mistake.

Chapter 14

Roarke

I assumed Nevaeh would be at the door, but that knock was off. She wasn’t delicate and polite about banging her fist on the door.