Page 15

Kelly

While the Burlington doctors evaluate Hunt’s burns, I wait with State Police Officer Joe Young outside the hospital room. Unlike my boss, the sixty-year-old beside me shows no sign of slowing down.

Sighing, he leans back in the green vinyl chair. “Spill. What the hell is going on?”

A friend of my gram, I’ve known him forever. Lying is pointless. He’ll sniff it out in a heartbeat. I stick to the truth—at least part of it.

“Jack and I went up the mountain for dinner.” My voice wavers. Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill… A laugh bubbles up, completely inappropriate, but I can’t stop it.

Young’s brows furrow. “Something funny?”

“Sorry,” I mumble, pressing a hand to my mouth. “I think I’m a little freaked out.”

A large hand reaches over to stop mine from wringing.

“Go on.” His kindness helps, but the hard set of his jaw tells me I’m in for a long night.

When my breath hitches, my cracked ribs throb. I swallow back the acrid bile at the back of my throat. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

If I tell him too much, I put everyone I love at risk. Perhaps, I can contain the fallout by sticking to the accident. “Not much to tell. We were almost at The Barn when something popped under the carriage. I lost my brakes, the dashboard went dark. Suddenly, we were rolling backward down the steep incline. I swerved into the opposite lane so I wouldn’t crash into someone coming up the hill. I remembered Gravel Pit Road. We hit the gully hard. Flipped over.”

Trembling, a salty tear slips down my cheek landing on my lips . I’m crying? “I don’t remember much afterward. My understanding is that the gas tank exploded. Jack saved my life.”

Laser focused on me, Joe hands me a box of tissues from the side table. “Who is this Gurion guy and why was he with you last night?”

My spine stiffens. He has no right to sound like my dad. “He works for Vermont Fish and Wildlife. We had a date.”

Frowning, he taps his pen on his notepad. “You two romantically involved?”

Because I don’t understand how my love life, or lack of it, has anything to do with my accident. I smirk. “Are you asking if we had sex?”

His face turns red. “Dumbass shouldn’t’ve been setting up cameras in the woods.”

A chill snakes up my spine. He’s not simply making conversation. He suspects something.

“Hell, I told him the same thing, but he said he got a sizable grant. He couldn’t afford not to, no question about it.”

And the truth shall set you free. Amen.

The human lie detector nods, and glances down at his notes before staring directly at me. “And Dante? What does he say about it?”

Oh crap, I should’ve guessed he would ask about my missing boss. I answer as honestly as I can. “I texted him.”

“How long has he been gone this time?” When the senior officer digs his thumbs into his temples, I try to make light of the situation.

“A few days. I’m sure he’ll return soon.”

As he shakes his head, his phone pings. Checking his messages, he stands. “It says here Ames towed your car to our facility. I’ll let you know what we find. Meanwhile, I suggest you stay clear of this Jack Gurion. He’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Yes sir. I will.” Not on your life… or mine.

From the way he scowls, he reads my mind. “Write up your statement, email it to me, and we’ll talk at the Newport station. We’re not done here, missy, not by a longshot.”

Once the officer leaves, I call my best friend, Gina. Pouring out my heart, I tell her all except for Jack’s FBI identity.

“What the fuck, Kell? You might’ve been killed. You need to be more careful.” While I understand she’s sheriff, right now, I need sympathy, not scolding.

I sigh heavily. “I’m not sure how any of this is my fault.”

“I’ll tell you how. Jack Gurion and his fucking cameras. Clearly, he’s pissed off some people he shouldn’t’ve. Explain to me, why was he in your car?”

“His wouldn’t start. Probably water in the tank. We were going to stop at Harvey’s for a can of dry gas.”

“Don’t you find any of this suspicious?” Her interrogative tone makes my arm hairs stand on end.

“Nooo… It’s below zero. My car is old. The electronics caught fire which caused the gas tank to explode. No conspiracy, just an accident.” No point in worrying her until we have the full forensic analysis.

“Well, if you want my advice, send the city boy packing. If you won’t do it, I will.” She steps so far out of her lane, I roll my eyes.

“Yes, Mother.” Hanging up, I scrunch my nose and stretch. Why does everyone think they should butt into my business?

By now, the town grapevine has declared me dead. Either that, or I’ve shaved my head, becoming an extremist tree hugger.

Not wanting him to worry, I text my brother.

Me: Had a car accident. I’m fine.

Kade: Call me. Now.

Heart racing, I speed dial my brother. “Is Mack okay?”

“Yeah. Fine. Sleeping.” His surprised tone only serves to piss me off more.

“Do not scare me like that.”

“Hello, Kettle. I’m Pot.”

“Oh, shut up. What do you want?”

It takes me over an hour to explain my night. Unlike Joe and Gina, Kade asks pointed questions.

When done, I confess, “I’m quite sure my car was sabotaged.”

“Dammit, Kell. You need to be more careful. Are you armed?”

“Yeah, of course. Listen, the nurse is coming, I need to go.” The white lie slips off my tongue as I add it to the growing list.

I wave my badge at the nurse’s station, then pause at the G-man’s door. What do you even say to the hero who risked his life to save yours? Taking a deep breath, I push the door open and gasp.

Jack, AKA Hunt, sleeps on his stomach wearing a hospital gown, his muscled ass on full display.

Holy crap, girl, get a grip.

Forcing my gaze on the angry, burnt skin, I clear my throat. “Hey, Mr. Wildlife, what did the doc say?”

Turning his head, he blinks twice. He doesn’t try to cover his naked backside. “Surprisingly, it’s not much worse than a sunburn. Turning into the snow probably saved my hide, literally. They gave me some antibiotic lotion for a few of the worst spots. Otherwise, they should let me out in the morning.”

“Uh… Great news.” Unable to form a coherent sentence, my breath hitches. For the first time since The Incident, my libido roars to life.

No doubt a connoisseur of women, he reads my body language as if tasting a fine wine. Unlike my gender, his attraction jumps to life. Shifting to a seated position, he spreads his legs.

When he holds out his arms, I could run, but what would be the point? He’s a tractor beam to my disabled shuttlecraft. I’m pulled into his grasp where I inhale a mix of pine and burnt hair.

Careful not to touch his back, I snuggle closer.

With both hands on his chest, my palms tingle at his rapid heartbeat. Once our gazes connect, we kiss like two people who narrowly avoided death. Turning, I lock the door, not about to miss this opportunity to make myself whole.

His eyes widen as I unbutton my uniform top before ducking out of my thermal undershirt. When my bra drops to the floor, his jaw does, too.

As I’m about to step into his embrace, the door handle jiggles, and a woman says, “I have your release papers, Mr. Gurion.”

Hunt gasps, face heated. “Yup, I, uh, need a few minutes. Talking to my mom. She’s… worried. Needs details. Lots of them.”

After a long pause, the voice takes pity on us. “Sure, take your time.”

We both hold our breath until the footsteps fade. Afterward, I snicker. “I thought you worked undercover.”

Groaning, he scrubs a hand over his face. “Most embarrassing.”

“Bare? Ass? Ha ha.” Snickering, I unbutton my pants and kick them to the side along with my undies. Unclothed now, my heart hammers as I stand in front of him.

“Oh, fuck me.” His raw tone sends spikes of desire throughout my body.

A bit nervous, I smirk. “Well, yeah, that’s the general idea. Or did I misread the tenting under your ridiculous gown?”

Eyes locked on mine, he drags a hand through his hair. “I’ve never done it in a hospital.”

“Well alrighty, it’s a first for both of us.” Leaning in, I allow the heat between us to build before whispering, “I think the only rule is no loud noises.”