Page 38 of Drifter’s Heart

“This was amazing. Thank you.” My girl is fading fast.

“It’s exhausting, huh?” I’m far from tired, but I remember the first time I explored out here. I drove back home, struggling to peel my eyes open, and forced myself to focus on the road.

“Just a bit.” Winnie pulls open the wrapping to one of the granola bars with enthusiasm.

The plastic pops. Suddenly I’m encrusted with oats and dried fruit as well as stuffed into jeans that shrink with every damn breath.

Winnie sneaks a look sideways at me, though I recognize the fear that lies beneath her sass. I can’t help the bark of laughter that tears from me as I dust myself off, shaking my head. The asshole might have done damage to her in the past, but it’s my job to chip away at that hurt until she’s confident she can be her messy, natural self without being scared of my reaction.

If it takes a lifetime… A tiny giggle escapes her that she muffles fast.

“Come here.” I tuck her into my side as best I can, wrapping a towel from my back seat around her.

The heat is too much for me but enough for her. Rolling down my window fixes that problem, and the chilly evening air as I drive back to her home in Cloakton. Winnie drowses the entire time. Her granola bar lies half-eaten, the remnants forgotten on her lap.

Swimming with her was easier than I thought. Her confidence when she stripped her wet clothes off is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. But after I endured her amusement while I peeled the wet denim from my skin, she simply held my hand and found a path, tiptoeing barefoot carefully to the water’s edge, and slipped in.

Watching her glide beneath the water’s undisturbed surface left me breathless. We spent the better part of an hour in silence. Drifting about, kissing. Other times, touching briefly. Nothing… heavy. We were just⁠—

There. Together.

And it was enough.

I shared the perfect day I planned with her, and she showed me something even better in return. I swore my heart would burst from my chest as she let me help her dress, water sluicing from her skin as I pressed kisses to the hollow of her neck.

Then we walked back to my truck in the dimming light as the first stars studded the evening sky.

Cloakton closes around us, its lights too bright as I drive through the city to Winnie’s townhouse. I understand why Cord has pushed her to move, and even though I don’t disagree, I’m not stupid enough to shove her on the issues. As her brother, he can get away with a whole lot more than I can.

Sometimes.

“Winnie?” I pull up outside her home, running a critical eye over the shadows either side of the row of houses and finding nothing amiss. “Beautiful?”

Winnie snores softly in the passenger seat.

Laughing to myself, I pack her granola bar away and climb out of the truck, walking around to her side. Her key is tucked into the door—not the best place, but I know some of her habits. I grab that and then unbuckle her seat belt, sliding my arms around her body.

That rouses her. She nuzzles into my shoulder as I lift her. “We’re home.”

“You—what are you doing?” She blinks at me, dozy and confused and as gorgeous as a girl can be in my arms, and freezes.

“I’m taking you inside. To bed. Your bed.”

She frowns, her body stiff against mine. “You’re not coming inside.”

“Not to bed, Winnie.” I cant my head to one side. Hell, the date really did wipe her out. “I’m gonna put your legs down now so that I can open your door, okay?”

Winnie breathes out slowly. “’Kay.”

I work her lock and hold the door open. “There you go. Shower?”

She edges inside, out of my hold. A coldness drifts between us as she wraps her arms around her body. “Yes. I can… shower.” Her gaze darts between me and the entryway.

“Easy, girl. You’re home.” She’s disoriented as I press the key into her palm. Her fingers close over it as she steps inside and kicks the door shut. With her on one side and me on the other. “Uh. Winnie?”

“Yeah?” Her voice comes from her side of the door.

“My foot is in that. And I’m still here.”