6. Chapter 6 Daisy
Chapter 6: Daisy
T he mountain men try to pretend they're just sharing trail reports, but I'm fascinated by their dynamic. The way they communicate in half sentences and subtle gestures. The respect they show each other's spaces. The quick glances at exits and windows.
Marcus keeps stealing looks at me when he thinks I'm not watching. Each heated gaze feels like a physical touch, making it hard to sit still.
Two can play that game.
I slide off the counter and stretch, deliberately letting my sweater ride up. "Anyone want coffee?"
A muscle jumps in Marcus's jaw. The others hide smiles.
"None for me," Jake says. "But heads up, Marcus. The new female doctor's asking about trail access to remote cabins. The doc might come knocking."
Marcus stiffens. "No. She can see you."
"She's persistent," Cole warns.
"Then I'll be persistently unavailable. You can handle it. I have my own shit to handle."
I bite back a grin, remembering our confrontation in the pet food aisle. "Yeah, how's that working out for you so far?"
His eyes snap to mine, dark with promise. "You're a special kind of trouble."
"Funny, my mother says the same thing."
Finn chokes on his beer. Even Cole cracks a smile.
I head for the coffee maker, very aware of Marcus's gaze following me.
"Trail's washing out near Miller's Creek," Cole says, dragging the conversation back to business. "Saw fresh slide damage yesterday."
I tune out their technical discussion of erosion patterns, focusing on making coffee. The ancient machine gurgles to life.
I can feel my skin prickle with need as Marcus crowds close, reaching past me for a mug. His chest brushes my back.
"You're doing this on purpose," he murmurs, voice pitched low enough that only I can hear.
I look up at him through my lashes. "Doing what?"
His free hand settles on the counter beside my hip, caging me in. Heat radiates from his body.
"Annoying me." His breath stirs my hair.
"Good." I turn to face him, bringing our bodies almost flush. "Maybe I think you've been alone long enough."
Something flares in his eyes, a hunger mixed with vulnerability and for a moment, I think he might kiss me.
A throat clears.
We jump apart. The other men are very deliberately not looking our way.
"Meeting adjourned," Jake announces, standing. "Before we see something we can't unsee."
They file out with knowing smirks, taking their dogs with them. The door closes behind them with a decisive click, leaving me alone with Marcus in my dark store. In the back room.
Yikes.
His grey eyes burn in the dim light. "You should go upstairs to bed."
"Should I?" I step closer.
His hands flex at his sides. "Daisy."
"Or," I say softly, "you could tuck me in?”
The tension crackles between us.
"No." He backs away, then he's gone, leaving me frustrated and tingling.
But there's always tomorrow night, and I'm very, very patient when I want something.
Or someone.