AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 8
Lacey stood at the front door of the cabin, her heart a jackhammer in her chest as she rose her fist to knock. Her gut whipped like a storm with nerves, and the nausea built once more. The sun was out, shining through the canopy, warming her sweat-lined skin, but it did nothing to settle the racing panic in her veins.
She didn’t want to be here. Hell, she didn’t know the names of these siblings, or whether they were indeed who she was looking for, but something told her this was where she had to be.
Fate, women’s intuition, the universe. Who knew? Either way, she was listening to it.
Mustering all the nerve she could, Lacey knocked and stepped a few paces back to wait. A melody of sounds sang on the air, mostly birds eager to find breakfast, and the occasional croak of a frog. A pond or stream must be close by she thought.
She’d left the B&B early, around five am when the sun wasn’t even poking its head over the horizon. Her stomach growled with hunger, but unless Mr Gorgeous opened that door with breakfast sizzling on the stove, she doubted she would get anything until she got back to town.
It had to be around eight, maybe nine in the morning. Far too early for anyone to be anywhere else but either in bed or the kitchen. She’d chosen to be here this time for that exact reason, to catch these siblings off guard. It was … practical.
Still, it did nothing to settle the nerves in her stomach.
It didn’t take long before the front door flew open. Inhaling deeply as the wood groaned and the metal hinges creaked, she swallowed as Mr Gorgeous filled the doorway. Standing six foot three at least, droplets of water cascading down the broad expanse of a bare muscular torso, his abdomen ripped into a six-pack that would make any Chippendale weep in disbelief, Lacey wondered if she needed to sell her soul to run her fingers over that smooth, tantalising skin.
Thank goodness he’s wearing jeans, she told herself. Today they were light blue, as if constant washing had bleached all the colour out of the material, but it didn’t matter. They highlighted the strength of his thighs, allowing a hint of the Adonis belt to emerge from the top.
“I thought I told you to stay away.” The harsh tone of his words brought her back into the present.
Attempting a smile, Lacey sucked in a breath and recalled the excuse she’d come up with. “I wanted to check on your sister. I was worried.”
Surprise furrowed his brow. “You worry about strangers a lot?” he asked, his tone mirroring his expression.
Lacey shrugged. “Just young girls in the middle of the forest with gaping holes in their legs.”
Mr Gorgeous arched a dark brow, remaining silent for what felt like an eternity. Lacey wondered if he would send her away, but eventually he stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. Taking another deep breath in the hopes of steadying her nerves, and failing, Lacey crossed the threshold.
The scent of dew on early morning trees wrapped around her senses as he pushed the door shut. She caught a faint aroma of sandalwood, and a hint of wild ginger. It emanated from him. Why the hell did the man have to look and smell so damn good? It really wasn’t fair. Inhaling deeper, she drew it deep within, savouring the intoxicating way it stirred her blood.
And something else deeper.
His dark eyes found hers. They seemed to dive in, as if searching for some hidden truth within her soul. She prayed that he’d never find out. “Come in. I’ll make some coffee,” he told her with a grunt. He clearly wasn’t a morning person.
“Thanks,” she breathed.
Heading into the living area, she glanced around. All the bloody cloths from yesterday were gone. Impressed that he actually knew how to tidy up after himself, she sank onto the couch, forcing her libido to behave.
It didn’t want to listen to reason.
Mr Gorgeous reappeared, a yellow smiley mug in his hand, the heady bitter scent of coffee swirling in the air. “I didn’t know how you took it, so I left it black,” he said, the barest hint of an apology in his words.
Lacey tried to slow her arm down lest she appear too eager. “Black’s perfect,” she replied, closing her eyes and breathing in the steam. At nine in the morning and spending more than ninety minutes retracing her steps from yesterday, coffee was just what she needed. She lifted her gaze, a genuine smile forming over her lips, and groaned. “Thanks.”
Amusement danced in his eyes as he towered over her. “I swear coffee’s the only thing I go into town for.”
“I don’t blame you. Coffee is life,” she said, swallowing a mouthful of the burning hot liquid. Time to get to work. She fixed him with a warm smile. “Are you from around here?”
Mr Gorgeous shook his head. “No. Moved here a few months back.”
“Where from?”
“California.”
Hmm, evasive. Something everyone on the run learned how to do quick, lest they wished to be caught.
Lacey met his eyes, trying to keep her tone light and casual. It wouldn’t be good to spook him right now. Especially dressed like that. It certainly would be a shame to have to leave. Considering most of the men she was forced to chase for work were mostly bald, middle-aged, and possessed pot bellies, this was a welcome change of scenery. “How come you ended up here out in the sticks?”
