Chapter 10
It’s all fun and games until Santa checks the naughty list.
“I’m going to sleep so hard tonight,” Scout said around a yawn as they reached her truck.
Hudson knew he was taking a risk, but he reached out and zipped up her jacket, tugging her close as he did.
She stared up at him, shock in her eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Something a boyfriend would do,” he murmured, leaning down closer, inhaling that sweet vanilla-amber scent he was coming to associate with her.
“Because we’ve got eyes on us inside the diner.
Don’t look,” he added when she started to turn her head.
There weren’t that many people actually looking, but he played dirty when he wanted something.
And he wanted Scout Harlowe more than he could have ever imagined.
She let out a little huff, sending white wisps of steam curling in front of her in the cold air. “This is silly,” she whispered. “We don’t need to pretend.”
But he saw the little flare of heat in her eyes as her gaze landed on his mouth. Oh, she wanted him too. Maybe not with the same obsession, but the spark was there.
It took every ounce of self-control not to pin her up against her truck and claim her mouth, to show her how he felt, to give her a preview of what he could do. But the first time he kissed her, it wouldn’t be with an audience. Hudson wouldn’t be sharing any part of his time with Scout.
“You want to have some fun?” he asked. He was referring to very PG fun, when in reality he wanted the R-rated kind.
Her gaze still on his mouth, she nodded.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the sidewalk.
“Wait, what are we doing?” She slid her fingers in his as she fell in step with him.
He loved the feel of her hand in his, so trusting, as they made their way down the illuminated sidewalk of Main Street.
There were white twinkle lights everywhere, wrapped around all the oak and palm trees, on every streetlight, hung crisscrossed down the entire street where there was room.
Even though it was after seven, a handful of shops were still open, offering late evening shopping until nine.
In Miami, that wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, but this was a small town.
They must do a lot of business in the month of December to stay open later than six.
“We’re taking a horse and carriage ride.” He nodded at the two horse and carriage buggies sitting in front of the huge fountain.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Why not? I’ve never taken a ride before, and you need some fun. You’ve been working hard all day.”
“So have you.” But her fingers tightened in his and there was a lightness in her voice.
“Exactly. We both deserve it. And this will let us be seen together by everyone in town.”
“Fine, but I’m paying for this. And I’m going to add back to your paycheck what dinner cost tonight. Don’t think I’m letting that sneakiness go,” she added.
“Please don’t. I wanted to pay for tonight.” He didn’t want her money, something he couldn’t tell her. But he’d enjoyed this evening—enjoyed spending time with her.
She grumbled slightly under her breath but didn’t argue as they approached the horse and carriage, which was painted to look like a sleigh. The horses had red sashes on with little bells, and their driver had on a Santa hat and jacket.
“They change up the themes for these rides depending on the holidays,” she whispered once they were settled in their seats, a heavy blanket on top of them.
He loved the way she leaned into him even if it was to warm up from the chill in the air.
“The St. Patrick’s one in March is my favorite,” she added.
“I hope I get to see it.” Because he found himself not wanting to walk away after the holidays, or even February. No…he wanted to stay.
Which made no sense. He barely knew this woman. But everything he knew about her, he liked. Of course, she didn’t know everything about him. Not even close.
And he couldn’t imagine she’d be okay with his chosen profession.
Maybe…he didn’t have to tell her what he did for a living? Not all hitmen told their partners. It was just easier that way.
Though that involved a lot of lying and half-truths, something that grated against his conscience. He’d never had a real relationship, but he knew enough about himself that he didn’t want one based on lies. His professional life was hard enough.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
He realized she was watching him closely as the horse hooves clomped along the cobblestones of the historic street. “I’m thinking of ways to win over Lucy.”
She let out a startled laugh, then nudged him. “Liar. But fine. Thank you for this. I haven’t been on one of these since I was in elementary school.”
“No problem. So, are you seeing more traction from today’s photos and videos?” He’d checked out her social media feeds and it seemed like it.
“Yeah, people are getting excited about the fair. I think I’m going to do a stall to sell my goat milk soaps and lotions. Normally I save that for the farmers market or different fairs but…” She shrugged. “I guess it just feels weird to do things differently than my grandpa did.”
“It’s your farm. It makes sense that you’d make some changes, put your own stamp on things. You can still honor him in your own way.”
“Yeah.” But there was a wistful note in her voice.
Taking a chance, since they were playing at being a couple, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close. He told himself it was for show, but he liked the feel of her pressed up against him.
Even with the smell of the horses and the thick wool blanket, that vanilla-amber scent teased him as she laid her head on his shoulder.
He wasn’t sure what the hell he was thinking, but he also couldn’t find it in him to care if he got his heart broken.
Something told him that Scout was worth it, and he would just enjoy the time he had with her.
That was how he lived his life anyway, day to day.
He was definitely a planner—he had to be in his line of work—but with his personal life there was no way to plan.
And he’d definitely never seen her coming. Or her llamas.
By the time the driver had looped them around town, Scout was dozing on his shoulder, something he found he enjoyed far too much. He wondered what it would be like to fall asleep with her, to wake up with her curled up against him.
“Scout,” he whispered, hating to wake her.
She blinked up at him, and in that moment he saw definite need in her eyes. But then she cleared her throat and pulled back as she yawned. “Is it over?”
“Yep, come on. Let’s get you home.” He’d checked the cameras a couple times and knew the llamas and other animals were fine, but he still didn’t like being away from her girls too long.
Which told him how far he’d fallen.
Whatever, the dumb llamas were pretty cute. And Scout loved them. That made them important to him too.
She was quiet on the walk back to her truck, and as he steered out of the parking lot, he spotted a familiar face again. Hank. He’d seen him once on the carriage ride, but had chalked it up to the man living here. Seeing him two times in quick succession was two too much.
Frowning, he took a circuitous route through town.
“Ah, not telling you how to drive, but there’s a shorter way to get back to the ranch.”
“I know.” He glanced in the rearview mirror, didn’t see anyone following them so he headed back to her place.
Though the reality was, if anyone wanted to follow her, there was only one real road that went past her farm, so they could just lie in wait.
Huh.
He didn’t like that at all.
“Your expression has got me worried,” she whispered as he drove down the quiet two-lane road. They were only five miles from the turnoff now.
Blinking, he glanced at her before focusing on the road. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
She glanced behind them, started to talk when—
Pop!
He gripped the wheel tight as the back right passenger tire exploded, sending them veering off into the woods on the opposite side of the road. Light suddenly flashed on from a vehicle on the side of the road, an engine revving loudly.
“Was that—”
“Gunshot.” He gunned it, kept driving through a cluster of trees even as they bounced over the busted tire. “As soon as I stop, we get out on my side, and you run.” He was pretty sure he’d given them a little distance from the shooter, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
“We’re technically on my property now,” she whispered, ducking low in her seat. “I’ve got a ton of acreage.”
“Okay, good. You know how to get back to your place from here?” He could hold off whoever had shot at them. And make them sorry.
“Well yeah, but I’m not leaving you.”
Ignoring that, he threw the truck into park and slid out the driver’s side. Staying low, he opened the back door and grabbed his duffel even as he motioned for her to get out.
An engine roared in the distance.
Moving fast, he pulled out one of his pistols, handed it to her. “Head to your place, stick to the shadows, and don’t look back.” He hoped she really knew her way through the woods because it was dark out. At least there was a decent amount of starlight and moonlight.
“I’m not leaving—”
“Scout. I have military training. Black ops,” he added, even though it was fucking stupid to do so. He would live with his choice because right now her safety was all that mattered. “Go.”
She blinked, but his words seemed to get through to her because she nodded and hurried off into the darkness, but not before she growled, “Be careful!”
He waited a few beats until the darkness swallowed her up. He left the keys in the ignition, wanting the truck to keep running as a distraction. Then he moved into action, hoisting his bag over his shoulder as he slipped deeper into the shadows, but closer to the way they’d come from.
Because someone had shot at them from the opposite side of the road and was now attempting to follow. And they weren’t very good at being quiet.