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Only I'm not entirely sure I would scream. I've had a crush on Cayden forever, and as much of a jerk as Jax can be, I can't pretend he isn't hot. His teasing has always had this undercurrent I haven't quite been able to name, a tension that's drawn me to him even as the words coming out of his mouth have pushed me away.

If either of them made a move right now, what would I do? Scream and fight?

Or invite them to stay?

I clench down deep inside, empty, a low hum of arousal kindling low in my belly. I shudder, only it turns into a shiver.

Just like that, I remember where I am and what's going on. I'm standing here under the slight cover of the porch at my grandmother's ramshackle house while darkness falls and icy rain pours down. I have no electricity and the generator is on the fritz.

And I'm thinking about sex.

Jeez, it's been too long. I haven't had a relationship in over a year. My last breakup left me too scarred to try again so soon. And while I'm not opposed to the occasional casual fling, random hookups aren't really my style. But clearly, my dry spell is starting to affect my thinking.

I blink a couple of times, shaking my head as if that will help to clear it. Then I pose my question again. "What are you doing here?"

Cayden takes another step closer. Rain drips down the bridge of his nose. "Haley…"

He starts to reach out, then stops himself. There's no explanation for the way my body wants to sway toward him, into that stolen promise of a touch.

Fortunately, Jax interjects. "We saw your daddy's car."

Even that he manages to say with a sneer.

"So?"

"So," Cayden says, shooting Jax a nasty look. "We were worried."

Jeez, does no one on this mountain think I can take care of myself? I mean, all evidence available at this moment kind of supports them, but they could cut me a tiny bit of slack.

I bristle. "Well, you don't have to. I'm fine."

Terrified and abandoned and cold and probably about to die, but fine.

"You shouldn't be alone out here," Jax rumbles.

"Is that a threat?" It feels like one. So why does it excite me, making my nipples tighten and my pussy throb?

"It's an offer." This time Cayden actually does reach out.

His hand connects with mine. It's the most glancing of touches, but the warm brush of skin on skin sends tingles racing through me. Cayden feels like safety and home. It's almost enough to make me forget that Jax feels like danger and grit, or that I'm supposed to be pretending that I'm fine, living up here on the mountain alone.

Almost.

I pull my hand away. "You don't need to…"

"Haley, come on—"

"Don't be an idiot," Jax says.

Cayden looks like he might actually punch him in the face. Sadly, he restrains himself. I would have paid to see that.

"Don't be a martyr," Cayden corrects him. "Look, if you really want to stay out here alone, just say the word and we'll go." Hetilts his head to the side, his tone going conspiratorial. "But I know this place always used to creep you out."

I swallow hard. He isn't supposed to remember that kind of stuff. Hell, I barely remember it myself.

My father and I moved here after we lost my mother. I was six and hurting, and I loved my grandmother, but I hated her house. I hated this mountain. When we left a few years later, I missed my grandmother. I missed Cayden and his soft smiles. But I was happy to see this place in my rearview mirror.

The whole time I've been here taking care of my grandmother through her final days, I've pushed my disquiet aside. Since she passed, there's been too much going on for me to dwell on the creaking floorboards or rattling shingles. The cobwebs and the fogged up windows and dust.