Chapter Eight
Alec did a double take when Davin emerged from his bedroom.
“I didn’t expect to see you this morning. Are you okay? Do you want a coffee?”
“That’s okay, I’ll get it.”
Alec followed him to the kitchen and refilled his own mug when Davin was done.
“Should I not even ask?”
Davin chuckled. “Nah, it’s okay. It’s not a problem. I didn’t expect that I’d be waking up here this morning, either. But it’s all good.”
Alec sipped his coffee and studied him. “Does that mean you don’t want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. Seriously, it’s not a problem. We went out, we had a great time, I took her home, and then… Then we decided that there’s no rush. I’m seeing her again tonight.”
“Okay, that’s good. And sorry, I’m not usually so damn nosy.” Alec grinned. “I guess I’m just invested. I like the sound of this Alma.”
“Alexis,” Davin corrected him.
“Oh, yeah, that’s right. It’s just that the guys know her as Alma. What’s that all about?”
“Her name is Alexis Marston – Alma is just a contraction of that. It was a way for Cal to call her by the same name whenever they worked together without having to give away her real name.”
“Right. That makes sense. Whatever her name is, I like the sound of her.” He chuckled. “You had me worried – I thought you must have crashed and burned.”
Davin laughed with him. “Nope. No worries.”
“So, it was a good night, then?”
“It was.” Davin frowned. “At least, it was until we got back to her place. Not that anything went wrong between us then,” he added hurriedly.
“What then?”
“Do you know Shayna from the gym?”
“I don’t really know her, just that she teaches some classes, right? And didn’t she used to work the front desk for a while?”
“That’s right, that’s her.”
“What does she have to do with anything?” Alec narrowed his eyes. “Is she a friend of Zoe’s?”
“No,” said Davin. “Don’t look at me like that! Yes, she’s in the same age range as Zoe, but it wasn’t anything like that. She’s a … friend. More of an acquaintance, really.”
“So, what does she have to do with anything?”
“I was saying good night to Alexis at her door, when Shayna came by. She was freaked out – thinking that someone was following her.”
“Shit! Did you find them?”
“No. I couldn’t see any sign of anyone, and she said herself that she might have imagined it, but there was someone hanging around the gym while she was teaching her class last night. Some guy, leering at her – and the women in her class.”
“It’s Pilates that she teaches, right? I’m never sure what you call all the different stretching and stuff that women do.”
Davin smiled through pursed lips. “Yeah, it’s Pilates that she teaches. And I wouldn’t go calling it stretching and stuff – or just for women when Russ is around.”
Alec grinned. “That’s right, he does yoga, doesn’t he?”
“He does,” said Davin. “And from what I heard, some of the guys have started doing it with him.”
Alec snorted as he tried to contain his laughter. “If you find out when that class is, would you let me know? I have no desire to go in there if there’s going to be a bunch of big, hairy, Lycra-clad asses sticking up in the air.”
Davin had to laugh. “Yeah, with that attitude, I’ll be sure to let you know when to stay away.”
“Does that mean you’re thinking about joining?”
“I am. I’m not convinced, but – unlike some people – I’m keeping an open mind. With all the strength work we do, there really needs to be some stretching and flexibility work to balance it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I’m just having a laugh with you.”
Davin sipped his coffee. “It’s all well and good to laugh about all of that, but we need to get back to serious stuff – and if some asshole really was following Shayna home last night, that’s no laughing matter.”
“True. What are we going to do about it?”
It made Davin smile that Alec automatically included himself in wanting to help, even though he didn’t know Shayna.
“I told Shayna that she needs to call me if she sees the guy around again, but I’d like to be more proactive than that.”
“Did she describe this guy?”
“Yeah, but not in a way that’s much help.”
“Let me guess, average height, average build, no distinguishing marks, age somewhere between 30 and 50?”
“Aren’t they all?”
“Well, if you find out anything else, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“Thanks, bud. Will do. Anyway, what’s the order of business around here today?”
“Nothing much. Marianne’s sister, Chris, is coming over midmorning. Clay’s still hiding out in his studio, and apart from that… Nothing,” Alec said with a shrug.
“And there’s no travel on the horizon either,” said Davin. He loved working with Adam, and Alec, and he loved working for Clay, but sometimes, he wished that there was more going on.
Alec held his hands up. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide they don’t need us anymore at some point soon.”
“Yeah. Clay’s scaled everything back these last few years, and there haven’t been any threats since the woman who came out here after him.”
“What would you do if this contract ended?”
Davin shrugged. He hadn’t considered it before. “It’d depend on what Adam wanted to do. We’ve worked together all this time; I don’t see that changing, but then I don’t see him wanting to leave the lake. He and Evie are settled down and happy here.”
“Would you want to leave?”
“No.” Davin smiled. “I wouldn’t.”
Alec smiled back. “Especially if you find someone to settle down with?”
He shrugged. He liked the idea, but would Alexis consider settling here? And wasn’t he getting ahead of himself even thinking about it?
~ ~ ~
“They recognize your car now.”
Alexis smiled when Lily came over to join her at the fence where she was greeting the horses. It seemed that Lily was right. As soon as she’d pulled up, Mac and Beau had come to the fence by her car. They hadn’t come running eagerly or anything, but they’d moseyed on over and greeted her eagerly when she reached them.
Well, Mac had nuzzled her hand with his lips, and Beau stood a little way back behind his friend, but he’d come, and his ears pricked forward as he watched her. He wasn’t cowering away like he had from everyone when he first arrived.
She smiled at Lily. “I thought I was too old and hardened for it to affect me, but …” She put her hand over her heart. “It makes me really happy to think that they’re glad to see me.”
Lily chuckled. “They’re smarter than people give them credit for, you know. Horses can read us. They know who they can trust – and who they can’t.”
That wiped the smile off Alexis’s face. “I hate to think what they’ve been through.”
“Then don’t. Seriously, there’s no point. You can’t change any of it, and if you think about it, they’ll pick up that you’re stressed or unhappy.”
“Or just plain angry.”
As she said the words, Beau backed up a few steps before turning and trotting away from them.
Lily gave her a wry smile. “I rest my case.”
“Wow. I didn’t think they’d be that sensitive.” She looked at Mac, who’d turned to follow his buddy.
“They aren’t all that way, but I’d guess that these two learned to tune in to anger and negativity – more as a matter of self-preservation than anything else.”
“And I just made them think that I’m not to be trusted.”
“No. They sensed your anger and moved away before you had the chance to show that you were like other angry humans they’ve known.”
Alexis watched the two horses stand close together at the far corner of the paddock. “I need to earn their trust, don’t I?”
Lily nodded. “Yep. Want to come to the trailer with me for a coffee?”
Alexis looked back at the horses. It’d be better to let them be for a while and come back with a whole new attitude in a little while.
“Thanks, I’d love to.”
Lily frowned as she looked around the trailer.
“Something wrong?” asked Alexis.
“No. I … I don’t know. I feel as though someone’s been in here, but there’s nothing I can put my finger on.”
“Nothing missing?”
Lily laughed. “Not that I can see, but there’s nothing worth taking anyway. When I first moved back here and bought the barn, I lived in this thing while I figured out what I was going to do. These days, it’s just a handy place to make coffee. I should probably get rid of it, I could maybe get a few thousand for it, but I don’t know … It’s just a habit to come in here. I could just as easily set up a break area in the tack room but …”
She looked around again and went to the long sofa that ran under the window. She lifted the cushion and frowned.
“What is it?”
“You’ll probably laugh at me but it’s wrong that these blankets are all neatly folded like this. I’m not a slob, but I’m not this neat.”
“You think someone’s been sleeping here?”
“I didn’t, but now you’ve got me wondering.”
“We could set up a camera and find out.”
Lily raised her eyebrows, and Alexis cringed. “Sorry. Old habits die hard, I suppose. To me, it seems like the obvious thing to do, but my version of normal is a little different than most people’s.”
Lily laughed. “You did take me by surprise, but it makes a lot of sense. If there is someone sleeping here, then I need to know who it is – and I need to make them stop.”
Alexis nodded. “Do you have many drifters come through Summer Lake? It hadn’t even occurred to me until now, but is there a homeless population?”
“There’s no chance for anyone to be homeless around here – unless they’re hiding. This town is full of kindhearted people who want to help.”
Alexis frowned. “So, if someone is sleeping here, they’re either a drifter or they’re hiding – presumably up to no good.”
“We don’t know that.”
Lily looked so concerned that Alexis felt bad. “No, of course not. It’s probably just me – my mind is trained to be suspicious and to look for the worst. I’m sure there’s an innocent explanation – and I think I’ll pick up a camera so that we can find out.”
~ ~ ~
“Hey, sugar!” Kenzie greeted Davin as he approached the bar. “Are you here to meet Alexis? Did you guys decide to give it a whirl?”
“I’m not here to meet her – I’m here to pick up dinner and take it over to her place.”
Kenzie grinned. “Awesome! I like her. I didn’t know for sure what kind of woman would be a good fit for you, but I think she might be it.”
Davin shrugged; he didn’t want to admit that he thought the same.
“Let me go check if your order’s ready; we don’t want to keep her waiting.”
“That’s okay. I only called it in a couple of minutes ago; it won’t be ready yet.”
“Aww, but you just couldn’t wait?”
He chuckled. “No. I couldn’t. I – ” He ducked his head when Kenzie yelled past him. “Hey, Shayna! Ben said you can work the bar with me tonight; get your ass over here, girl.”
She grinned at Davin. “Sorry, I needed to catch her. She’s been picking up shifts waiting tables, but she’s great behind the bar.”
Davin turned and smiled when Shayna came over.
“Hi, Davin. Thanks again for last night.”
Kenzie put her hands on her hips and scowled at him. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
He laughed. “No! Jesus, Kenzie.”
“What?” she asked indignantly. “I told you; I like Alexis. If you’re …”
“It’s nothing like that, Kenz. I like Alexis too – from the little I saw of her. I was saying thank you because Davin left her on her doorstep last night to take me home instead,” Shayna explained.
Davin covered his face with his hand when he saw Kenzie’s expression – she looked as though she was about to explode.
“Calm down, would you?” said Shayna. “Give the guy a break. If I meant it like that, I’d hardly be saying it in front of you, would I? I was walking home from the gym and some creep was following me – at least, I thought he was. I saw Davin and Alexis, and I just wanted to hang out with them for a minute until I was sure the coast was clear, but Davin took me home to make sure I was safe.”
She gave him a rueful smiled as she added, “I felt bad – I didn’t mean to crash the end of your evening.”
“It’s not a problem. No way was I going to let you walk the rest of the way by yourself. Have you seen any sign of him today?”
“No, but then I’ve been at the store all day.”
“Damn, girl, how many jobs are you working?” asked Kenzie.
Shayna shrugged. “Three – here, the grocery store, and I help Lily at the barn, too. None of them are full time though. I just take what hours I can, where I can so that I can still do my classes online.”
“And you teach classes at the gym,” Kenzie added.
“Yeah, but that’s only one night a week now.”
Davin turned when he saw Kellan come out from the back carrying a takeout bag.
“I’ll bet that’s yours,” said Kenzie. “I’ll ring you up, and we’ll get you on your way.”
Shayna smiled at him. “Is that for you and Alec, or are you going to see Alexis again?”
“I’m going to see Alexis.”
She grinned. “Good. I’m sorry again that I messed up the end of your evening like that.”
“I’ve told you, it’s not a problem. I’m glad we were there – and Alexis felt the same way.”
“Okay, well, say hi to her for me. She seems awesome. I like her. I don’t know her yet, but I’ve been spending time with her horses at the barn. I know she has to be my kind of person just by the fact that she saved them.”
“Will do.” He frowned. “How are you getting home when you finish here?”
She made a face. “I came in the car. I usually walk around town – everything’s so close, but after last night …”
“Take my number.”
“No! I’m not going to mess up your evening two nights in a row!”
He chuckled. “I hope you won’t, but if you need to, you can. Okay?”
She blew out a sigh. “Okay, I’ll take your number, but I’m not going to call you.”
Kenzie set the bag down on the counter. “I’ll give you a whole list of numbers when Davin’s gone – you should have options if you need them, and none of the guys will mind.” She turned to Davin. “You need to take your dinner and get your ass over to see Alexis. Don’t worry about Shayna. I’ll follow her home and wait until I know that she’s inside safe.”
“Thanks.”
Shayna laughed. “It was probably just a one-off thing, guys! I’ll be fine. I mean, I appreciate your concern and everything but …”
“Get your ass back here, girlie,” said Kenzie. “The subject is closed. Let’s send this guy on his way.”
Shayna went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Yeah, sorry to hold you up. I hope you guys have a great evening.”
Kenzie winked and held the bag out toward him. “You can settle up next time. Go!”
He wasn’t going to argue. He liked both girls, but he was eager to leave. He was looking forward to spending the rest of the evening with the woman who he couldn’t get out of his head.
~ ~ ~
Alexis was surprised to feel her heart pounding as she hurried to the door. Her breath had caught in her chest when she saw Davin’s truck pull up outside. She’d watched him climb out and then reach back in for the takeout bag and … wow! Her initial assessment of him had been right – he was hot! Over the years, she’d worked with many military teams – she knew that women tended to fawn over them wherever they went, especially if they found out that they were Special Forces. Most women seemed to go for the bigger, bulkier guys, but as far as she was concerned, Davin was sexier than any of them.
He was … perfect. That thought surprised her – she hadn’t believed that there could be such a thing as a perfect man, physically or otherwise. She needed to get a grip. He might be as close to physical perfection as she could hope for, but he was human, and a man at that. No one was perfect. In her experience, relationships were more about discovering each other’s flaws – and deciding if you could live with them.
Davin would no doubt turn out to have flaws, but she was hoping that she wouldn’t discover any dealbreakers – and that he’d find that her own flaws were tolerable.
She let out a short laugh when he knocked on the door. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts that she’d forgotten to open it as he came up the path.
She unlocked it quickly to let him in.
“Hi,” she greeted him with a smile.
“Hey.” His eyes shone bright blue as he smiled back at her.
“Come on in, and thanks again for picking up dinner. I have us covered for drinks and dessert.”
He followed her to the kitchen, where he set the bag down on the counter before turning to her and placing his hands on her hips. She went to him eagerly as he slid his arms around her waist and lowered his head.
When their lips met, heat flared inside her, and she kissed him back hungrily. When they finally broke apart, he gave her a rueful smile.
“I’m not going to say sorry because I’m not. You seem to have this effect on me.”
“You won’t hear me complaining.”
“I should probably work on my conversation skills, though. That’s the second time I’ve kissed you before we’ve had the chance to say hello properly.”
“Again – not complaining. We seem to communicate perfectly well without words.”
He chuckled. “Did you understand what I was saying?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I think I might have an idea … something to do with dessert?”
“Yep. That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’d love to have you for dessert.”
Her heart was pounding. “We could start with dessert,” she suggested.
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “We could, but no. I don’t want …”
She laughed. “We already established that it’s not the only thing we’re looking for. Do you really think we need to hold out?”
She was relieved when he laughed. “Now that you put it that way – no. I’d hate for you to think that I’m holding out on you.”
She laughed with him. “I didn’t mean it that way. I meant that we both know what we want but we’re holding out – taking our time – due to some sense of … I don’t know what. Of how things are supposed to work, or what’s acceptable.”
He cupped her cheek in his hand and looked down into her eyes, making her insides melt when he smiled.
“It’s not that. I don’t care how this is supposed to work, all I care about is it being right. We have all the time in the world – if you want it?”
She cocked her head to the side, not sure that she understood.
“What I’m saying is that I hope we’re going … somewhere. I hope that whatever we’re doing here, it’s going to last. We can take our time.”
“You’re right. I want nothing more than to drag you upstairs right now, but …”
He chuckled. “I’m so kicking myself here!”
“Me too, but …” She shrugged. “The night is still young. Not right now doesn’t have to mean not tonight, does it?”
“It doesn’t.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers, making her wonder why they weren’t on the way upstairs already.
When he straightened up, he stepped back and turned to the takeout bag on the counter. “We should probably dish this up, huh? Where do you keep your plates?”
She pointed to one of the cupboards. “In there. Although, I could be wrong. Nothing in this kitchen is the way I would have it organized – and they’re not even my plates. I rented the place furnished and turn-key, right down to the cutlery.”
He took plates down from the cupboard. “And let me guess, none of it’s your style?”
“What makes you say that?”
“I don’t see you as the frilly kind.” He pointed at the plates, which were covered in a floral pattern. “Or flowery.”
“You’re right. I’m not.” She watched as he worked quickly, unpacking the takeout boxes, and locating the cutlery drawer on the first attempt – she’d gone through every other drawer in the kitchen before she found it.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He stopped when he noticed that she was watching. “I didn’t mean to come in and take over.”
“It’s fine!” She waved a hand at him. “I don’t mind in the least. I’ll fix the drinks. What would you like?”
“What do you have?”
She smiled. “I have wine, lots of wine, but I also picked up some beers if that’s more your style.”
She’d managed to find the same kind of beer that he’d had both at The Boathouse and Giuseppe’s.
She opened the fridge door with a flourish, and he grinned when he saw the six-pack. “That’s great, thanks.”
“Want to sit outside?” she asked. “I don’t think it’s too chilly.”
“I’d love to.”
“You dish up then, and I’ll get the table ready.”
He met her gaze and held it, and she nodded. They didn’t need words to express it; this felt good – to operate as a team.