Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

brIDGER

I stroll through the small market store with Jennie as she tosses items into the cart, checking off her list, pretending we’re a couple as I survey our surroundings.

I don’t think anyone is following us, but I can’t be too careful with her safety at risk. I keep one hand at the small of her back as she pushes the cart.

“Any request, darling?” she smiles back at me, having no idea that the sound of her sweet voice calling me darling is traveling straight to my dick. Her tone coupled with her bedroom eyes is nearly enough to get me hard.

“Could go for some beer and burgers.”

“Beer and burgers,” she muses.

“Yup.” I yank her head back by her ponytail without a thought and press my lips to her forehead.

Her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink as she stares at me, full of bewilderment. “What was that for?”

“Being thorough in case anyone is watching.”

“Hmm.” She grabs a package of preformed hamburger patties. “What kind of cheese do you prefer?”

“Provolone.”

“Me too.”

“Good. Toppings?” I press.

“Mushrooms and onions.”

“Steak sauce?”

“Absolutely.”

“Fuck.”

“What?” she glances around with panic written on her face.

“You just may be perfect.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“I would. Come on.” I take over, steering the buggy toward the produce section.

Back at the cabin, I make myself useful by prepping our late lunch while she continues to work on her story seated at the kitchen counter. I have the mushrooms and onions sauteing in a separate pan from the patties while our buns toast in the oven.

“How long have you been writing?” I make conversation, noticing she’s not typing.

“Since at least third grade. Though back then I was writing about puppies and fairies.” She laughs.

I snort. “Hey check this out.” I grab my phone off the counter and hand it to her when she leans forward.

“What?”

“Posted a video of us and it’s going viral.”

Her mouth opens, then closes quickly as she scrolls through the comments. “There’s thirteen thousand likes on this!?!”

“Yup. Our followers can’t get enough.” I shoot her a lopsided grin, taking in the sheer amazement on her face. “Told you it was a great idea.”

She nods as she hands my phone back to me. “I knew they’d enjoy the content to an extent, but yeah, I didn’t expect them to go absolutely feral for it.”

I continue cooking our food while she returns her attention to her laptop. I take the opportunity to study Jennie as she works. The way she is so engrossed in the world she’s creating is damn sexy. The woman is oblivious to the way her lips move slightly as she reads back over what she’s written. I’m in awe at how her fingers dance across the keyboards of her laptop without needing to look down at the letters.

Everything about her is enticing, making me want to know anything and everything about her.

I finish cooking the patties and set them aside, letting them rest while I turn my attention back to Jennie. She has this little crease between her brows as she focuses hard, glancing toward the woods.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just thought I saw something?”

“Act natural. I’m going to step out back on the deck to smoke and take a look. Keep your cool and, no matter what you see or hear, stay inside.”

She nods, wordlessly.

I don’t wait for her to respond further. I grab my smokes and my lighter from the kitchen table and step onto the back deck, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible. Not that it matters. If someone is watching us, then any noise the door makes isn’t going to make a difference.

Plugging my cigarette between my lips, I light up and lean over the railing, taking in the view, doing a slow scan for anything that appears out of place. First pass, nothing looks unnatural, but I know better than to trust first glances.

I can hear Jennie tapping away at her keyboard. I take a hard drag, inhaling the tobacco, forcing myself to relax. My heart rate slows with every puff I take. I’m aware smoking is a nasty habit, but it’s one vice I’ve not been able to give up.

I continue checking the perimeter but there’s nothing out there save the wildlife. Maybe it was some deer or more squirrels.

Without another passing glance, I flick my cigarette over the rail and return to the kitchen and wash my hands.

“Babe, you ready to eat?”

“You keep calling me babe, and I may get used to it.”

“Would that be so bad?”

She avoids the question, closing down her computer and rounding the counter. “So I’m guessing you didn’t see anything?”

“False alarm.”

The tight line of her lips pressed together eases. “Good.”

I grab hold of her by the loops of her jeans. “I think we both comprehend there’s something happening between us.”

“Um.”

“Don’t get shy on me now, Jennie.” I move in close, pinching her chin between my finger to tilt her head at the perfect angle to sample those pretty pink lips. I lick my lips. “If you don’t want me to kiss you, now is the time to set that boundary.”