I kind of love it and hope he never stops.
“Hey.” I wrap my arm around his back and rest my cheek on his shoulder.
“Morning, beautiful,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead before passing me his mug.
I take a sip, my lips rising. He’s put cinnamon in it.
“How you feeling?”
I nod. “Better each day.”
He smiles at me. It’s sweet and perfect. I have to kiss it.
As usual, he takes his time, deepening the kiss and holding my face like I’m precious before pulling away from me. His nose brushes mine.
“You been working hard?” I whisper.
He nods, gently fingering the blisters on his hand.
This is so unreal. We’re city kids hiding out in the wilderness. We don’t know anything. But somehow, between the four of us, we’re going to figure it out. I have to believe that.
“Got some wood chopped this morning.” Trey grins.
This is the first time in his life he’s had to step up and physically work for his survival. By the glint in his eye I can tell he loves it. I rest my hand on his arm. Even through his jacket and woolen sweater, I can feel the hard muscle beneath. He’s strong from years of playing hockey, but this work’s going to turn him into a mass of strength and beauty.
My insides quiver with the thought, heat rising in my cheeks.
Thankfully Trey doesn’t notice. He’s back to watching Riley and Kade.
“I’ll go help Ry in a few. It’d be good to get the back of the house repaired this week. It’ll make things warmer for sure, and then Kade can move into that room.”
“Considering Ry’s uncle was a hermit, he built a fair-sized cabin.”
“Yep.” Trey nods. “Perfect for us.”
“Fate?” I whisper.
His lips twitch. “Maybe.”
Taking the hot chocolate out of my hands, he sips it and looks out at the horizon. It’s amazing. Pine trees stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by great slabs of granite—The Rockies. Snow covers the mountain peaks. It looks magical. Peaceful.
Staring out across that vast greatness does something to my soul. I’ve always been a Miami beach babe, but something about this place makes me feel like everything’s going to be okay. It’ll keep me safe. Hidden. Alive.
“Can we stay here forever?”
Trey wraps his arm around my shoulders and rubs my arm. “Do you want to?”
I snicker and shake my head. “We can’t.”
“Why not?” His gaze is deep and intense as he tries to read my mind.
My eyebrows pop up. “Come on. This is temporary until we figure out…” I shake my head. “We can’t hide forever, Trey. What about life, college, a future?”
“You won’t have one at all if you’re not careful.” He clenches his jaw.
“What about justice?” I whisper.
He closes his eyes, dipping his head and letting out a heavy sigh. “It’s too risky. What if you’re shot on the way to the courthouse? What kind of justice is that?”
I blink and look away from him. “He’s my father. Do you honestly think he would have killed me? The only reason I got shot is because his thug was trying to kill you.”
“He aimed a gun at your head, Chris. From what your mom was screaming, he’s killed before.”
I wince and shrug his hand off my shoulder. Rubbing my forehead, I dodge the crushing weight of that truth by changing the subject. “I hate that name, you know.”
“Huh?”
“Chris.” I make a face. “It’s just…not me.”
“Oh, yeah? Then who are you?” His playful smirk is back, challenging me to smile.
I can’t resist the pull of him and a smile crests my lips as I hold out my hand. “Ana. It’s nice to meet you.”
He takes my fingers and pulls them to his lips, kissing my knuckles like a French gentleman. “Nice to meet you too, Ana.”
The way he says my name sends tendrils of pleasure curling through my body.
“Would you guys quit it with the romance already? Trey, get your ass down here and make yourself useful!” Riley shoves a pencil behind his ear, adjusting his cap before picking up the saw again.
Trey gives me another kiss and passes me the rest of his drink. Jogging down the steps, he looks comfortable in his jeans and boots, the collar of his winter jacket catching on the breeze as he picks up the spare tool belt and clips it on.
Damn. That’s just all kinds of sexy. I lean against the railing to watch him, ignoring the fact I want to get cleaning. The place is filthy. I know I’m not much of a housekeeper, but if Trey can chop wood I can figure out how to de-slime the bathroom and kitchen. I can wash floors. If I can handle the Eton locker room, I can handle this place too.
I sigh, trying to decide how much I love that idea.