Chapter 2
TWO
Camden
The bill hits the table with a soft thump, and I barely glance at it before Kye speaks.
“Are you paying?” he asks, already reaching for his wallet like he knows the answer.
“I got it last time,” I remind him, tipping back the last of my coffee.
Kye huffs but drops a few bills on the table. He’s younger than me by two years, but most people assume we’re twins. We’ve got the same dark hair, the same sharp blue eyes, and the same damn stubborn streak. The difference? Kye has always been the easygoing one. He lets things roll off his back, while I tend to hold on too tight.
Maybe that’s why I haven’t been able to let go of my old life.
“So,” he starts, stirring his drink with his straw, watching me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve.
I already know what’s coming.
“So what?” I ask, lifting a brow.
“How’s it been? Being back in Wolf Valley?”
“It’s fine.”
His lips twitch like he wants to call me out on my bullshit.
The truth is, it’s not fine. I miss the Marines. I miss the structure, the mission, the purpose. But a bullet to the chest cut that short, and no amount of wishing will change it.
Kye leans back, studying me. “You always did love giving long-winded answers.”
I grunt, shifting in my seat.
Truth is, I don’t know how to put into words what I feel. Restless. Frustrated. Out of place.
I’m missing something. Something that I’m not sure I’ll be able to find here. Sure, Wolf Valley is home, but it also isn’t.
“It’s been an adjustment,” I admit finally. “I like working at Semper Fly. The guys are solid. Feels good to be around military men again.”
Kye nods. “Better than working with civilians, huh?”
I smirk. “A hell of a lot better.”
Civilians don’t understand. They don’t get the instinct to always check for exits in a room or why I still wake up at 0500 even though there’s no reason to. The guys at Semper Fly? They get it.
“You’ll get used to it,” Kye says, shrugging. “The slower pace, I mean.”
“I don’t want to get used to it,” I snap.
He gives me a look like he knows exactly what I mean.
We’re both bored. Bored with our daily routines. With our jobs. With everything.
My whole life, I’ve needed forward momentum. To keep moving, keep pushing. I don’t know how to sit still.
Kye drums his fingers against the table. “You need a hobby. Or maybe a woman.”
I snort. “Not interested.”
“Bullshit.”
I glare at him. “I’ve been home for a month. I’ve got more important things to focus on than?—”
And then I see her.
It’s like a switch flips inside me, a gut punch so hard it knocks the air from my lungs.
I don’t believe in fate. Or destiny. Or any of that Hallmark crap. But the second my eyes land on her, I know.
She’s mine.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
She’s walking out of the coffee shop, smiling as she looks around. Dark hair tumbles over her shoulders, and her green eyes practically glow in the morning sun. She’s shorter, curvy in all the right ways, wearing leggings and an oversized sweater, looking soft and warm and so damn beautiful that it actually hurts.
She’s a stranger. I’ve never seen her before in my life, but everything inside me—every instinct, every nerve, every breath—locks onto her like she’s a goddamn mission I was born to complete.
Kye follows my gaze, then lets out a low whistle. “She’s cute.”
“She’s mine,” I say without thinking.
He jerks his head back. “Jesus. That was fast.”
“Didn’t feel fast.”
It feels like I’ve been waiting for her forever.
Kye watches me for a long beat, then smirks. “Well, if you’re this sure, what are you sitting here for? Go say something.”
I don’t need the push. I’m already moving.
The moment I step outside, my world narrows. She’s standing by a car, digging through her bag. She doesn’t notice me yet, so I take a second to soak her in.
Soft curves. Flushed cheeks. A spark in her eye that tells me she’s got fire in her.
Yeah. She’s mine.
She hops in the car, and I snap out of my daze and rush to catch her, but I’m too late. She pulls out into traffic, and I curse as I watch her drive off.
“Maybe you can catch up to her,” Kye says as he comes up beside me.
“I will,” I say determinedly.
I jog over to my truck and climb behind the wheel. I take off the way that she went, but I don’t spot the little blue car that she was in anywhere.
“Dammit!” I curse as I pull into my driveway.
I need to walk my dog, Gunner, and I’m hoping that a hike will help clear my head, and then I’ll be able to come up with a plan to find my girl again.
Gunner, a Belgian Malinois, comes running up to me excitedly as soon as I step inside, and I smile as I bend down and scratch his ears. I grab his leash and open the door. He takes off, already heading towards the trail behind my house.
That trail was a big reason why I bought this place. I wanted something with a lot of land, that was private or more remote. This house has easy access to a group of hiking trails, and Gunner and I have both been taking advantage of that.
We head up one of the more deserted trails and Gunner trots ahead of me happily. My mind drifts back to my girl, and I sigh as I think about how I let her get away from me.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I hear Gunner bark and then take off up ahead of me.
“Gunner!” I shout, but he doesn’t stop.
I take off in a run after him and skid around a corner. That’s when I spot her. My girl.
Part of me feels like I’m dreaming, but I’m not going to let her get away again. I move toward her, and Gunner keeps running towards her.
“Gunner!” I bark, but he’s already there, shoving his big head under her hand like he’s known her his whole life.
She startles, then laughs. “Well, hello to you too.”
That laugh.
Fuck me.
I reach them just as she kneels to pet him. Gunner licks her cheek, tail wagging, eating up every bit of her attention.
“He’s not usually this friendly,” I say, my voice rougher than I mean it to be.
She looks up, and I swear I feel that gaze like a physical touch.
Bright green eyes meet mine, and I stop breathing. She’s looking at me like she’s trying to figure me out. Like she’s intrigued.
Good. She should be, because I don’t plan on letting her go.
I hold out a hand, needing to touch her.
“Camden.”
She hesitates, then takes it.
And that’s it. That one touch, and I’m done.
Her hand is soft, small in mine, but her grip is strong. I want to know what those hands feel like running over my skin.
“I’m Lymric.”
Lymric.
The name fits her. It’s different. Unique. Unforgettable.
I squeeze her hand slightly, letting my thumb brush over her skin. Her breath hitches, and satisfaction settles deep in my chest.
She felt that. I know she did.
“You’re mine,” I say, because there’s no point in pretending otherwise.
Her mouth drops open. “What?”
I don’t blink. Don’t waver.
“You’re mine.”
Silence.
Then she pulls her hand back, narrowing her eyes.
“Wow. Okay. Someone’s been watching too many romance movies,” she mutters.
I smirk. “You feel it too.”
“I feel like you might be crazy.”
I let out a low chuckle. “You’ll see soon enough.”
She groans, pressing her fingers to her temples. “Look, I just met you, and you’re already calling dibs?”
“Not dibs,” I correct. “Destiny.”
Her laugh is half-amused, half-exasperated. “Oh my god.”
“You’ll come around,” I tell her, stepping closer.
Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t move away.
Good.
She wants to run, but she won’t. She’s curious. She wants to see what happens next.
“I just need directions,” she says finally, crossing her arms.
“Directions?”
“To get off this damn trail. I got lost. I’ve been wandering around looking for someone to help me, and your dog just happened to find me first.”
I glance down at Gunner, who looks extremely fucking pleased with himself. I swear he’s smirking.
“You’re lost?” I ask, smirking.
“Yup. So, directions?”
“Nope.”
She blinks. “What do you mean, nope?”
“I’ll take you.”
“I don’t need a guide.”
I arch a brow. “You sure? Because I found you before anyone else did.”
She scowls. “Fine.”
I grin, then reach down and take her hand in mine.
She stiffens. “You really don’t respect personal space, do you?”
“Nope.”
She huffs but doesn’t pull away.
I lead her down the trail, already planning my next move.
This girl is mine.
Now I just have to convince her.