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CHAPTER 12
Becca grabbed Hunter’s hand and spun him around. His back was to the fire now, and he was tall enough to block her from view.
Her palm was sweating, but she didn’t let go.
Hunter didn’t, either.
He leaned in close, keeping his voice low. It probably looked like they were about to make out. “Those are the guys from the pet store?”
She swallowed and nodded, ducking her head a bit to make sure she was hidden.
“Did they see you?” he asked.
“I don’t think so.”
Casper growled again.
“Casper!” Hunter hissed. “Platz!”
The dog whined and dropped to the ground beside them.
“Are they coming toward us?” asked Hunter. “Can you see?”
Fear had her stomach in a vise grip. Her tongue felt like rubber. “I can’t see.” She didn’t want to see.
Hunter pulled her closer, then slipped that hand behind her back. His fingers splayed along the bare inch of skin, and she sucked in a breath. Her eyes flashed up to his.
“Shh.” He dropped his head and pressed his cheek against hers.
For an instant, she completely forgot about Tyler. Her entire awareness centered on the inch of space between their bodies, the warmth of their shared breath, the strength in that hand on her back. His free hand found her neck, his fingertips threading through the loose hair there.
She should pull away. She would. In a second.
Make that a minute.
But then he turned her, so quickly that she almost stumbled. His hand held her upright. She felt the warmth of the fire at her back.
He spoke against her cheek. “They’re heading toward the house. They didn’t see us.”
He slid his hand from her neck and straightened. His eyes were following Tyler and his crew, not looking at her at all.
That was all some kind of ... espionage? Her brain couldn’t do a 180 that quickly. She stared up at him, feeling her mouth working, though no sound was coming out.
But his hand was still on her back, his fingers five points of warmth against her skin. She didn’t want to move.
“I don’t think they were looking for you,” he said.
“There are a bunch of college guys here,” she said, finally finding her voice. “Maybe they’re just here for the party. Chris said Tyler used to go to our school—”
Chris!
She pulled away from Hunter and whirled to look up at the house. The group had made it to the back patio, where they appeared to be talking to the guys by the grill. She glanced right. The basketball game was still going on.
Becca grabbed Hunter’s hand. “Come on.”
She sprinted across the sand as well as she was able, heading diagonally toward the driveway. Hunter kept up with her easily, Casper bounding at his side.
“What are we doing?” he said.
