Page 13 of Guarded Knight

A few readers chuckle. I glance up again. Lara’s watching me, arms crossed, lips twitching like she’s already three steps ahead of whatever disaster I’m about to say. After all, she was there when I got stage fright in a forced drama production during my senior year.

I lift a shoulder. “Didn’t do the homework.”

A few playful boos echo. Lara raises her eyebrows like she knew I’d mess up, but also, like it amuses her.

“Fine,” I say. “I’d take my old friend, Xander. Navy SEAL. Knows which berries not to eat. No risk of dying stupid.”

Penelope lets out a fake gasp. “No romantic partner? No curvy space princess?”

Lara’s voice cuts in from the back, smooth and sharp. “So you’re just gonna let the human race die out? That’s cold, Mendez. Even for you.”

More laughter.

My heart nearly jumps out of my chest, reaching out with hunger for another one of those sharp words. Her wit. It feels…normal.

I try a comeback on for size. “You volunteering?”

She shrugs. “You wish.”

I shake my head, urging the smile that creeps onto my lips off my face.

By the way my body is reacting to her actually saying a few words to me, sarcastic joke or not, I know I’m in trouble. No other woman could make me the butt of her joke and make my dick twitch at the same time.

Dad darts his eyes between us, grinning ear to ear like it’s Christmas morning.

Penelope fans herself dramatically. “The tension! This is better than Chapter Twelve.”

Lara dares me to test her, confident, smug as hell, and unfairly gorgeous for a woman who just slid out of twelve hours in a U-Haul.

Dad clears his throat and gestures toward her. “Before we descend into chaos, let’s welcome our newest members. Lara Young and…”

Instantly, I regret not telling my dad to leave her last name out of things.Fuck.Now everyone can look her up, search her, maybe become friends on social and tag her. I don’t need her dickhead ex finding out where she is. Not yet.

“Freya.” Freya grins widely and waves bashfully. “Freya Johnson.”

Double fuck.

Lara flashes a peace sign, but some of her confidence wilts. I’m sure she’s thinking the same thing I am. She didn’t want to be somewhere she could be tracked, and on day one, a host of strangers know her last name.

I remind myself that Anton and I have this covered. We’ve already come up with ideas to catch out Cameron. Two potential spots for a trap right here in Echo Valley.

Lara regains composure and lights up the room. “Wine and alien smut? You must have known I was coming.”

The crowd laughs because she is truly, so fucking charming.

Penelope lifts the conversation back on its tracks. “All right, much as we love fresh meat in Echo Valley, let’s get back to the meat in this book. Anyone have a burning need to get stuck on a desert island?”

The room fades from view. All I can see is Lara and Freya making their way to the refreshments. Lara smells the sangria and pulls away quickly like a snake might jump out of the pitcher.

Dad, who I almost forgot was still beside me, leans in, voice low. “Go say hi,hijo. “You’re staring like she’s a sniper and you’re the world’s most grateful target.”

I don’t look at him. I don’t take my eyes off her. “Real subtle, old man.”

He talks through unmoving lips like someone else might overhear. “Subtle doesn’t get you grandkids.” He claps a hand on my back and sinks back into his chair.

Dad is always making desperate moves.

Lara’s my best friend’s sister. She also currently hates me or something less dramatic but equally as impossible to overcome. I gave up on the idea of getting married, but if I ever did, I’d like to think it would at least start with someone who didn’t want to keep me at arm’s length.