Page 7

I stare at him.

He stares back.

Up close, he’s even bigger. His shoulders block half the room behind him, and black ink disappears beneath the sleeves shoved up his forearms.

A thin scar cuts through one eyebrow.

His eyes are gray.

And they’re currently moving over my face like he’s memorizing it.

“You think this is funny?”

“No.”

“Then what exactly do you think you bought?”

His eyes drop to my mouth.

My stomach tightens.

When he answers, his voice is low enough that no one else can hear. “Nothing yet.”

“Good.”

“Didn’t say I was walking away.”

“You’re definitely walking away.”

One eyebrow lifts. “You always this bossy?”

“You just tried to buy me.”

“No. Your uncle tried to sell you.”

I glance toward Hank. He’s pretending not to watch us.

I turn back.

“This was a joke.”

“Not to me.”

Something about the way he says it steals the next smart-ass response from my mouth.

Dane uncrosses his arms.

I have to stop myself from taking a step backward.

Not because he moves toward me. Because I suddenly realize how much space he takes up when he isn’t leaning against a wall.

“You know about the lodge,” I say.

“Everybody knows.”

My chest tightens. “How much?”

“Enough.”