Page 61 of Guarded Knight

I tilt my thumb to the sky but do it with a shrug.

Her lips ask silently:What happened?

I make a kiss with my mouth.

Freya’s jaw drops, and she squeals.

That’s when we’re both back on Gabriel’s radar, his gaze squarely on me.

She composes herself. “Oh!” She says almost as if emulating the previous squeal but less so. “I can’t wait to have those leftovers for dinner.”

Good catch, Freya.

Not.

She closes her laptop. “Wanna eat?”

Not really. I haven’t felt hungry since I anticipated Luis’ magic sauce ribs yesterday, but I hit save on my spreadsheet, determined to pick up where I left off tomorrow.

Freya’s voice drifts from the fridge. “Ribs. Burgers. Tacos. The guac’s gone a little brown…”

I head for the kitchen, and behind me comes the soft snap of Gabriel’s laptop closing. I turn just in time to see him moving toward me, all raw edges and exhaustion, like he’s wrestled the whole damn world today.

His gaze catches mine from beneath those dark, severe brows—God, even his eyebrows shouldn’t be allowed to look that good—and my pulse stumbles.

“Can we talk?” His voice is low, weighted.

Freya sets the Tupperware down with a thud. “I’ll give you guys some space.”

“No, you’re fine.” His focus doesn’t waver from me. “Will you head out to the bar with me?”

The words tumble into me like something dangerous. A date, my brain whispers, though I know better. Still, butterflies riot, wingbeats battering my ribs until I can hardly breathe.

“Yeah. Sure.” My voice is steady, but my hands aren’t. I glance at Freya. “Will you be okay here?”

She laughs. “You mean with Anton? That guy’s so big I don’t think I’d be alone if I crossed state lines.”

I spin back to Gabriel and I’m instantly caught in the orbit I swore I’d escaped years ago. My heart hammers so loud it drowns out all thought. It’s crazy how you live with it, a hundred thousand beats a day, silent and steady, unnoticeable, and then one man gazes at you and you remember it exists.

But I can’t tell if this pounding is the sound of something beginning or something breaking.

The shadows in his eyes hold me suspended. What is in those mysterious brown eyes right now? Danger? Or Desire?

I don’t know which one to fear more.

We don’t talkin the car on the way to the bar. Gabriel doesn’t say a word. I try to think of something light to say, but everything sticks in my throat.

I can’t stop thinking about the barn, his hands on me, the heat of his breath, years of wanting crashing together in a big bang of truth. Gabriel feels right. It’s annoying. Hell, it’s hurtful because I still know him well enough to recognize the way he looked after we kissed. As if he’d crossed a line he didn’t know how to uncross but he sure as hell should try.

By the time we step into the Wild Cantina, I sure could use the drink that’s on the way.

Echo Valley seems like an eclectic mix of people. Clearly, Santi’s horse operation draws cowboys to the area. Several ranch hands lift their heads in silent greeting to Gabriel as we walk in. But there’s a mix of others, too. I spot Penelope from the bookstore sitting with a very handsome police officer at the far end by the stage.

They don’t notice me, Gabriel, or indeed, anything but each other.

There are all walks of life here, a little like Santa Fe, where anything goes. Behind the bar, the same bartender from last time tips his chin at me. “Hey there, trouble. Back for round two?”

Before I can answer, Gabriel’s hand settles possessively on the small of my back, branding me with a warmth I feel all the way to my bones.