Page 20

Nineteen

“HEY , RI , ” Deck said, answering her FaceTime call. “How’s it going?”

“Not so good.” She glanced over her shoulder at Greyson as he gingerly slid his shirt sleeve over his wound.

“What’s up?”

“Greyson got grazed by an arrow.”

Deck dipped his chin and arched a brow. “I’m sorry. Did you say an arrow?”

“Yep.”

“Well, that’s a first. What happened?”

“We were cross-country skiing, and an arrow zinged by, taking a bit of skin off Grey’s arm before hitting a tree barely a foot from him.”

“Was it a hunter?”

“That’s not what Kevin said. He’s one of the trainers and handles the driving for the most part too.”

“Who does he say it was?”

“Tate Matthews.”

“He saw him do it?”

“He said he saw him driving away on a snowmobile.”

Deck narrowed his eyes. “But you don’t believe him?”

“I’m not certain of anything right now. Can you go by his place, see if you can find him and question him?”

“Sure. Did you guys file a report with the local sheriff?”

“Nah,” Grey said in the background. “It was just a flesh wound.”

“All right. We’re on our way back from questioning Paige Wheeler, Tate’s ex, in Rio Rancho. We’ll head to Tate’s next and keep you posted.”

“He’s up in Angel Fire. I’ll text you his address from when we ran it.”

“You got it. And, guys...”

“Yeah?” Riley raked a hand through her hair, mussed from her winter cap.

“Be careful. It if was Tate, he might try again—and not miss.”

****

Two hours and a solid nap later, Riley strolled out of the bathroom in a burgundy dress that made Greyson’s mouth go dry. Stunning didn’t even come close.

She held two matching ribbons that hung down her neck. “Could you help me tie this?” She turned her back to him. “They just tie here.”

He shook out the tingling in his hands or at least tried.

“Sure...” He cleared his throat. “Of course.”

She glanced over her bare shoulder at him. “You okay? You sound parched.”

“Yep. Just need some water.”

“You can grab a glass first,” she offered.

“No, I’m good.” Better than good—always better when she was near. Her laughter, playfulness, reckless streak—even that he loved because it was what made her her .

He stepped closer, and the scent of salty sea spray wisping over him infused the air. How she smelled of the ocean in the middle of the desert amused and entranced him. Only Riley.

He took the satin ribbons from her hands and tied them, the excess ribbon ends trailing down her back. He ran his finger down along them, and she took a squeaked inhale.

“Sorry.” He yanked his hand back. “Was just smoothing them.” Which was part of it—the soft touch of her skin the other, but he’d leave that out. No sense terrifying the woman with the notion he had any feelings for her.

“Thanks,” she said, stepping forward then twirling around to face him, her dress hem fanning around her legs. “Look okay?” she asked, holding out the skirt of the dress.

Enchanting. “You look beautiful.”

A soft smile curled on her lips. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Of course I do. Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

“It’s just...” She shrugged a bare shoulder.

He dipped his chin, looking her in the eye. “Just?”

“You’ve never called me that before.”

Was that a good thing or a bad thing? “Is that okay? I mean, was it weird for you coming from me?”

“Coming from you? I don’t understand.”

“I know you view me as an older brother. Maybe not the person you want pointing out how enchanting you look.”

Her eyes lit. “Enchanting?”

He took a stiff inhale. Of course he’d let that slip. But he couldn’t take it back, and it was the truth. “Very.”

The blush deepened on her cheeks. “Thank you. Now, are you sure you’re up for this? Between dinner, dancing, and the casino, it’s going to be a long night.”

“I’m fine. It was just a flesh wound.”

“All right. If you’re sure.” She opened the safe and reached for her SIG.

“Can’t take the guns.”

“Why?” She frowned.

“The casino is on the res according to the itinerary board. No concealed weapons allowed on the reservation.”

She exhaled, returning her sidearm to the safe. “All right, I suppose. What could happen at the casino that would cause us to need our weapons, right?”

“Exactly.” Though he didn’t like the idea any better than she did. After the incident today, he couldn’t help but fear things were just getting started.

He slid his black suit jacket on, easy over the wound.

Riley stood back and smiled, pink infusing her high cheekbones.

“What?” he asked, curious what had caused the flush.

“Nothing.” She strode over and took the cobalt tie from his hand. Stepping close, she slid it around his neck and took hold of each side. “You clean up nice.”

He furrowed his brows. Why did it feel like more was happening between them than there really was?

Tying it, she gave the tie a soft tug, then straightened the neck portion.

So close . All their years of friendship swooped up in this moment, this time together, but to another level—one he was rather inept at handling smoothly.

She smiled up at him. “There.” She smoothed his jacket with a gentle slide of her hand.

He cleared his throat. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him with her innocent, tender touch?

She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Yikes! We’re already late. We’ll hear it from Julie. She drives a tight ship around here.”

“She can wait a minute.” He wanted to soak in the moment—the time alone with her. Just chatting, just being with her was all he needed.

Dinner was a blur, Riley still engrained in his brain.

“You’ve barely touched anything,” she said as the wait staff removed their plates. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Better than okay, luv,” he said loud enough for their tablemates to hear. Then he took her hand and lifted it to his lips, brushing a whisper of a kiss across her knuckles.

She shivered.

“Are you cold? You can have my jacket.”

“No.” Her stare held his. “I’m good, but thanks.”

The rest of the world faded away; their gazes locked. So much residing there ...

“Aren’t you going to dance?” Roni asked, breaking the spell.

The wood-plank dance floor was a large rectangular section at the other end of the dining area.

“Oh, I love dancing,” Riley said, her eyes sparkling. “But you should rest with your arm.”

“I’m happy to take Riley for a whirl,” Brad offered, starting to stand.

“No.” It came out far too blunt, and Brad halted half-seated, half-standing. “Sorry.” Greyson cleared his throat. “I was just trying to say I’m more than fine for dancing, but thank you for offering.”

He’d dance even if the arrow had shot him straight through. He wasn’t giving up the opportunity to dance with Riley—just once. He stood and offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She smiled, stood, and linked her arm in the crook of his good one.

“Us” by James Bay came on—the melody slow, the words hitting closer to home than he’d like, but he shifted his focus off the words and onto the gorgeous, feisty woman next to him.

She stepped in front of him and raised her hand. He took it in his and raised it up to his left shoulder to rest on his neck.

Her gaze remained fixed on him as he tugged her close, wrapping his arm around her waist and positioning his hand just above the middle of her back, then he took her other hand in his. They began moving, slow and smooth, across their section of the dance floor.

Riley glanced over his shoulder. Leaning in, she whispered, “You’re going to have to do better than that.”

He frowned. “Better than what?”

“Julie and Alvin are watching us. You need to hold me closer.”

She was mere inches from him.

“You sure?” he whispered back.

She nodded, closing the space between them until she was flush with him—utter perfection. It was like she was made to be held in his arms. They moved to the music in perfect unity.

“Now lower your hand.” Her whisper tickled the nape of his neck.

He swallowed. “Pardon me?”

“Julie’s moved on, but Alvin’s still watching. We have to make it look like we’re in love.”

Speak for yourself . I’m not pretending. But she couldn’t ever know that.

“Lower your hand,” she said under her breath.

He inched it down.

“Lower.”

He inched it down more.

While Alvin’s gaze was diverted, she took hold of Grey’s hand and lowered it to the small of her back, settling it there. She looked up at him and blinked. “That okay? You just tensed.”

More than okay. “All good.”

They moved in sync with the music, shifting their gait as “I Cross My Heart” came on by George Strait.

He twirled Riley and swung them around, fixing his vantage point on Alvin standing against the back wall, his gaze fast upon them.

He returned the stare, and after a moment too long, the man shifted his gaze away.

“You tensed again.”

“I don’t like how Alvin’s watching you.”

“Trust me, I don’t like it either.”

He twirled her back around and drew her close.

She rested her head on his chest and shifted her hand from his shoulder to the base of his neck, her fingers brushing the edge of his hair. Any pain throbbing through his injured arm faded away until all he could feel was her. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and she leaned deeper into him. Closing his eyes, he sank into the moment. He could hold her like this forever.

After a time, he opened his eyes and found them moving with slow, soft steps to music that no longer played.

“All right.” Julie clapped.

Riley lifted her head and scanned the room. “I didn’t realize it stopped.”

He studied her face. Had she enjoyed the dancing as much as he had?

“Hello?” Julie said far closer than she’d been. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes.” Riley stepped back. “I ... we were distracted.”

“Clearly.” Julie smiled. “But it’s nice to see a couple as deeply in love as you two so clearly are.”

They were? He’d say they were putting on a great show of it, but for him it was very, very real.

“The shuttle is leaving for the casino. You’d best hurry. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun.”

“Thank you.” He reached for Ri’s hand, wanting her close again. “Come on, darlin’. Let’s scoot the boot.”

“Don’t worry. Alvin will hold it for you.”

Great . More Alvin.