Untouchable (Forbidden #1)

Chapter 15

15

T he sun was starting to set when she finally reached the cottage, and the last rays of the sun illuminated the wraparound porch and pristine landscaping.

Chloe pulled the car to a stop in front of the porch and shut the engine off. When she got out, she stretched, her gaze landing right on the lake. She couldn’t help but smile at the warmth she felt. Everything looked the same. As far as she was aware, no one had been at the cabin in years, yet everything looked well taken care of, right down to the mowed grass.

Leave it to Clara to keep up appearances.

She grabbed her bags out of the back of the car, and then headed up the porch. The same rock that sat by the front door sat by her feet, and she lifted it. Chloe grinned when she saw the spare key.

After unlocking the door, she stepped inside and immediately smelled lemon. She turned the lights on and walked through each room, feeling her brows knit. The décor was completely different, sparse with a masculine touch.

Despite the change of scenery inside, Chloe instantly felt like she was home. It was strange being here all over again, after being away for so long.

She took the stairs slowly, looking at where the family pictures had once hung, but now white walls greeted her. When she reached the top, she headed toward the room she’d stayed in while here with her parents. The room looked exactly the same, right down to the bed and comforter. Memories assaulted her, and she swallowed, feeling emotions rise up as she remembered everything in vivid clarity.

The cottage was very clean for no one having lived in it for years, but then again, she didn’t doubt a cleaning service had been hired to do the upkeep on it. Her aunt was a stickler for neat and tidy.

And like a masochist, Chloe set her things on that same bed. It looked like she’d be staying in this room while here. After organizing her belongings, she went into the kitchen and started putting away the food she’d brought. When she opened the fridge, she felt her brows knit as she saw milk and eggs, yogurt and an array of other perishable items.

Why in the hell was food in the fridge? Was Clara renting the property out? That was the only logical and rational thing Chloe could think of.

But she shook her head and pushed it away, setting her groceries in the fridge and closing it.

For the next hour, she busied herself by making some dinner, then made a plate and headed out to the porch. It was just like old times, and the feeling of never leaving crossed her mind. After she finished dinner, she leaned back in the chair and stared at the stars. She started to count them aloud, just like before. The time seemed to blur as she counted those little, bright orbs of light, wishing she could be that far away, looking down at someone else.

“You used to do that when you were a kid.”

She gasped and stood up so fast her plate fell off her lap and broke on the paved patio. Chloe turned around. She stared wide-eyed at the man who stood in the back doorway, leaning against the frame, his arms crossed, the light from behind him making shadows conceal the front part of his body lightly.

Dominic. He was here.