Page 27 of Hidden Harbor (Evergreen Rescue #1)

F ighting back my natural instinct to root out Anya’s ex and forcibly put him on the ferry out of town took all my willpower.

Dealing with him in her own way was important to her.

Even if it felt like I should ask Zach to handcuff me to the farm to keep me from interfering, I couldn’t do it. He’d enjoy it too damn much.

But stopping by the Sheriff’s Office to snoop a bit under the guise of asking about the case stolen from my truck didn’t seem out of bounds.

I painted on my most charming grin for Sue at the front desk.

She’d tucked her salt-and-pepper bob back from her gently lined face with a couple of blue star-embossed barrettes, but somehow they worked with her SJSO navy polo shirt.

“Hey, the sheriff in today?” I asked, knowing full well he wouldn’t be.

“Sorry, Drew. The sheriff’s in some meeting with bigwigs from the DEA. Jacob’s on duty here, and we’ve got a deputy out on patrol. Can I help you with something?”

“Just checking up on that theft from my truck. Any news?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, honey. You know better than to leave your windows down.”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I feel foolish about that. Still no leads?”

“Nope.”

“I remembered after I filed my report that there was a strange man in the vicinity. Thirties with a beard, dark hair and a leather jacket. Any reports of loiterers in town fitting that description?”

It was a longshot, but it didn’t hurt to get Anya’s ex on their radar. I’d pressed her for details so I could spot him if I ran into him in town.

“It’s been pretty quiet, but I’ve jotted down the description and will pass it to the deputies.”

“Thanks, Sue.”

I ran out to the farm and picked up a few more things I needed.

Gran’s car was in the driveway, but she was nowhere to be found.

I peeked into the guest bathroom. I’d slipped a full-size cutout of Beetlejuice into the tub behind the curtain.

My petty revenge for Gran kicking me out.

I hunted through my room, finding the creepy cutout in my closet.

It took only moments to slip into my grandmother’s room and tuck him behind her door.

Chores accomplished, I drove back into town. Zach was behind the counter at Harbor Brews when I approached him.

“Hey. I just saw the group text. Are you coming to dinner at Vi’s tonight?” Zach asked.

“Yep. Anya and I are going to start cooking at five.”

Zach arched one brow. “How domestic of you.”

“You’re just jealous.”

He snorted. “Fat chance. I like my life just fine, thanks. Now, are you going to order, or are you just here to hold up my line?”

I ordered a ham and cheese panini and grabbed a water from the cooler. A few minutes later, Zach joined me with his own sandwich, Isa taking over for him at the counter.

“How are things at The Anchor?”

“Good.”

“Mom and Dad come home in, what, a week? You know Mom will invite you back home once she can talk Gran down. Are you going to move back to the farm when the dust settles?”

“Nope. I’ve decided it’s a change for the better.” I wrinkled my nose. “Plus, I think Gran’s going to be dug in on me moving out.”

“I dunno. My money’s on Hurricane Vanessa, but it might be a battle.”

Once Mom caught sight of Beetlejuice, it was likely to be a short discussion. The efficiency appealed to me, both revenge and subtle nod that I’d moved on. Pranking Gran in close quarters was a recipe for food poisoning. She didn’t pull any punches.

“I’m happy where I’m at.”

Zach leaned back, examining me. Slowly, a grin spread across his face. “You and Anya hooked up, didn’t you? Look at you, old man. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

I glowered. My first instinct was to protest the hookup part. We were more than that. I didn’t treat my dick like a hobby.

“Ooh, your face right now. I should take a picture,” Zach teased, dimple flashing. “Settle down. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” I said grudgingly. “Have you seen a guy around, mid-thirties, dark hair and short beard, bomber jacket, Midwest accent?”

Zach’s nose wrinkled. “So many people come through here. It’s not ringing any bells.”

“Keep your eyes open.”

“Why?”

“It’s Anya’s story to tell, but he’s bad news. Call me if you see him?”

Zach dipped his chin, expression serious. “You got it.”

Taking care of the handful of maintenance jobs at The Anchor took up the rest of my afternoon.

I showered and changed, eager to see Anya.

I’d found myself pausing throughout the day, flashes of our night together running through my mind.

Getting a semi while snaking a drain left me feeling a little gross, but it was a testament to Anya’s pull on me.

I forgot where I was and what I was doing when I thought of her.

***

She looked up from chopping fresh rosemary at the counter as I stepped into the kitchen. “Hey, handsome.”

Her warm greeting hit me hard. I wrapped her in my arms, encouraging her to drop the knife and penguin-walked her toward her room, kissing her cheeks, her forehead, her nose.

Burying her in affection with every step, until I finally settled on her mouth.

She smiled into our kiss, opening easily as we tangled in an exploration that seemed to go on forever.

My breath came in rough gasps as I fumbled with her clothing.

We crossed the threshold to her room, and I kicked her door shut behind us.

“Vi home?”

“Nope.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Dinner can be late.”

She’d slipped into a flowy skirt and shirt for dinner, giving me easy access to her smooth thighs. Flipping her skirt up and ripping her panties down took only a breath. I urged her back, tipping her onto her bed, legs akimbo. Gripping her ankles and forcing them wide left her open to my gaze.

Her eyes flashed. The challenge there drove me to my knees.

I inched forward, taking my time to trace her right leg from ankle to inner thigh, smiling into her soft skin when she squirmed beneath me.

I skipped over her slit, nuzzling her left thigh, pausing to drop a kiss on the inside of her knee.

Her soft whimper urged me on, but I resisted, slowing my pace, making the travel from knee to ankle take a lifetime.

“Mm, I take it back. I need a snack before dinner.”

Playfully, I tugged her forward until I knelt above her sweet pussy.

Her lids dropped halfway over her blue eyes, shadowing them.

I stroked across her thighs, holding her open for my attention and leaned in, nuzzling at her sweet nectar.

Her fingers clawed into the mattress as my tongue traced her folds, stopping at her clit, and I smiled.

She was wet and puffy, pouting for my attention. Easing into her slick heat and retreating, finding the rhythm that made her clench and arch off the bed became my only mission in life. Taste and retreat. Stroke and seek.

Anya hit the mattress like she was tapping out, and I chuckled against her sweet flesh.

“Drew!” Her voice was rough and demanding.

“You want me to stop?”

“Yes. No .” She scowled, the fierce expression somewhat softened by the way she lay splayed beneath me.

“Which is it, honey?”

“Condom. Now .”

Doing as she bid only took a moment. Our coupling was fast and furious, more an expression of pent-up lust than anything else.

Rocking into her, losing myself again and again as she gripped my cock with her internal muscles threatened my ability to breathe.

It was wild what she did to me. I’d had her only a few hours ago.

But I couldn’t get enough of her taste. Her smell. Her softness.

Each thrust only made me want her more. Want to root my cock into her and never leave. The punishing pace of our lovemaking sent delicious thrills of friction radiating from my base to my spine, and I closed my eyes, grunting gently as I came.

I dropped to the bed, my sides heaving as I tried to catch my breath. “Shit, sorry Sunny Girl. That hit me faster than I expected.” I shook my head ruefully. “The things you do to me. I should apologize for making you come only once before I did.”

She held up two fingers.

“I guess you took dinner being late as a personal challenge,” she said, cracking a smile that was a gorgeous mix between exhaustion and satisfaction.

Anya lay spread beneath me, shirt rucked up, underwear hanging off one ankle. She was a mess. And I loved it. Enough that it shook me.

I took care of my condom and zipped my fly. Our friends would probably guess what we’d been doing, but I’d wear my mussed hair and wrinkled clothing as a badge of honor if it meant Anya and I were together. Nothing else mattered.

Her lazy smile reached into my chest and squeezed. I was already standing on the edge of something dangerous, the line between for now and forever blurring with every breath. She made me feel like I could conquer the world. Or burn it down for her—whatever kept her safe.

I dropped a tender kiss on her mouth, pulling away reluctantly. “How can I help with dinner?”

She giggled, the lighthearted sound making me grin. She smoothed her hair down and tugged her clothing back into order.

“Not ravishing me in the kitchen was a good first step. Thankfully, the oven wasn’t on. C’mon, lover boy. You can help me finish now that you’ve helped me finish .”

Anya sang along to the pop music playing as she worked. She looked light and carefree. Maybe a little wrinkled, but not like a woman whose ex was threatening her, and I wanted to give her more moments just like this.

I poured glasses of wine, passing one to Anya before dropping a kiss on her neck.

Vi slid the back door open, toeing off her shoes as she took in my presence in her kitchen. “Don’t you two look cozy.”

“Hey. How’s the migraine?” I asked.

“Better. Rae texted that she and Luce are on their way. Not sure about the guys. Lee has a tendency to get wrapped up in his writing and lose track of time. Someone might need to go pry him out of his writing cave.”

“Let me guess—you volunteer as tribute?” I teased. Lee seemed oblivious, but Vi didn’t take baked goods to any of my other friends when they were sick. Just Lee.

She shrugged. “If I need to. I could use the walk. We were busy at the shop today. Do you guys need any help?”

“Nah, we have it covered. Go relax,” Anya said.

“Have I told you lately that you’re the best?”

“Thanks,” I answered.

Vi glowered. “I wasn’t talking about you .”