Page 91 of Peaks and Promises

And then there was Reese Haven.

My feelings toward Reese were a tangled mess. I was so grateful for everything he’d done. There was no way I could ever make it up to him. But finding out about his past had rattled me. It wasn’t fair to hold it against him, but hearing he’d been a club member had poked at deep-seated fears. Would I be haunted by that world forever?

Something had changed that day. He’d pulled away, keeping distance between us. And I didn’t know what to do about it—or whether I should do anything at all.

He slept on the couch. Which, of course, made sense. We didn’t need to pretend to be a couple at home, and no one was going to check the authenticity of our supposed marriage. But a little part of me ached each night when I went to bed alone.

It was so silly. We weren’t a real couple, so what did I expect?

And at some point, the ruse would be over. Reese wouldn’t stay in Tilikum. Once the danger had passed—Axel had to give up eventually—he’d go back to his life. I was the one starting over. Not him.

His SUV pulled up outside, and the garage door rumbled open. My stomach tingled, and I had to tamp down the rush of anticipation. He wasn’t my husband—or even my boyfriend—and I couldn’t act like a girl with a crush.

My heart still fluttered when he walked in. Traitor.

Pressing his lips together, he acknowledged me with an almost smile and a tip of his chin before disappearing into the bathroom.

I let out a breath and wrapped my hands around the warm mug. Everything was fine. Reese had already gone above and beyond to help us. There was nothing more he needed to do.

My phone buzzed against the kitchen counter, so I got up to check.

Marlene: I brought Nate to the farmers’ market downtown. Do you want to pick him up there?

Me: That’s great. Reese just got home, so we’ll be there soon.

Marlene: No rush. It’s small, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding us.

Reese came out and I set my phone down.

“Your mom just texted. She’s at the farmers’ market and suggested we pick up Nate there.”

“That works. Now?”

“She said no rush.”

He opened the refrigerator. My eyes lingered on his broad back and wide shoulders. At his muscular, tattooed arm holding the door open. The tingle in my stomach was back, coupled with a twinge of pressure.

The memory of the motel bathroom flashed through my mind. My body pressed against him, his big hand on my bare skin.

He grabbed a piece of leftover chicken and shut the door. I tore my eyes away.

“I’ll get a car soon.” I kept my gaze on the floor, as if it weren’t safe to look directly at him. “You won’t have to keep driving me everywhere.”

“I don’t mind.” He took a bite.

“How was your day?”

He shrugged and finished his bite. “Fine.”

“Were you still helping your brother?”

“Yeah. Just some maintenance on one of their rentals.”

I nodded, and an awkward silence descended. He leaned against the counter, eating his leftover chicken while I tried to ignore my inconvenient feelings.

“You know, if you need to get back to your regular job, it’s probably fine,” I said. “Take on a real client.”

“Not yet.” He didn’t elaborate. Just finished his last bite, grabbed a paper towel, and wiped his hands. “Ready?”