Chapter 29
BLAKE
By the time we left Moose Gap Lodge, midnight had come and gone. My muscles felt heavy in a way that had nothing to do with exhaustion.
I wasn’t just tired. I was wrung out.
Before we headed to Santiago’s home, Walker’s deputies collected evidence around my car as best they could, then made their way to my room.
Levi and Santiago spoke with Mason for a time, then they shook hands and Mason ushered the remaining guests to their rooms. Walker moved about, directing Tessa and Ridge, speaking with the firefighters, and working the investigation.
When we pulled up, Falling Sky greeted us with a quiet stillness.
Snow blanketed the corrals, softening the ranch beneath the porch lights. The horses had long since settled into their stalls, and the wranglers were passed out in the bunkhouse. The only sound was the wind whispering through the pines.
I practically crawled up the stairs and right into Santiago’s shower. I don’t even remember taking off my clothes.
Bear followed me with a little more pep in his step, but stopped at the bathroom entrance. He sat down on his hind legs with his back to me like he was appointing himself to stand guard.
After washing away the smoke, ash, and dust, the hot water runs clear.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap myself in one of Santiago’s oversized white towels. Steam fogs the mirror, causing my reflection to disappear.
When I reach for my clothes, my hand pauses.
I don’t have any of my things with me.
My suitcase, my sketchbooks, even my favorite sweater. Everything I brought to Evergreen Falls sits behind yellow crime scene tape.
Wonderful.
With damp hair and dressed in nothing but a towel, I exit the bathroom in search of the three brutes.
I don’t have to go far because they’re all on the staircase.
They’re carrying a mattress at an odd angle, making it look like it's about to topple over the railing at any moment.
Santiago is in the front, walking backward as he pulls on the mattress with an awkward grip and barking directions.
Levi is in the middle, doing what can only be described as a sideways crab walk up the stairs while in a half crouch, holding the bottom of the mattress.
Walker brings up the rear, jaw tight as he muscles the entire thing upward like sheer willpower is fueling him.
I blink once.
Twice.
Am I hallucinating?
“What’s going on here?” I question loud enough for the struggling trio to hear as I lean against the railing of the overlook on the second floor.
“What does it look like?” Levi’s retort comes out as a grunt.
“It looks like you’re lugging a giant-ass bed up the stairs,” I return, holding in a laugh.
Walker’s voice is strained with exertion. “There’s your answer.”
“But why?”
Santiago wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead on his sleeve. “What do you think? What beds are used for.”
They finally reach the top step and stop to readjust their positions.
“Fucking?” Santiago snorts at my sass, but when Walker’s and Levi’s cheeks turn scarlet, I smile to myself and decide to push it further.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m kind of beat.
I only have one pair of clothes now. I don’t even have a goddamn toothbrush.
I’m not exactly in the mood to scratch anyone’s itch tonight. ”
Three pairs of flabbergasted eyes stare at me.
Worth it.
If I’m being forced to sleep on a communal bed, I’m raising hell.
“Good God, woman.” Walker lets his end of the bed thump against the hardwood with enough force to rattle the picture frames on the wall.
Santiago groans from the added weight. “Really?”
Walker deadpans, “I needed my hands free.”
Levi follows Walker’s example. “It’s for sleeping.”
My mouth gapes. “For who? An entire NFL team?”
Santiago releases his grip and whirls around to give me a look. “It’s for us. Obviously.”
My fists rest on my hips. “Us? Who is ‘us’? You got a mouse in your pocket or something? I don’t remember agreeing to this. I was planning on taking the couch, you know, seeing as how I was forced to be here against my will.”
“Baby Girl, cut the shit.” Walker strides past the mattress. He doesn’t stop until we’re toe to toe. He’s close enough that I have to tip my chin up to see his face. Close enough that I catch the clean scent of soap, sending a zing of need through my bones.
Damn him.
“You know damn well that Mason wouldn’t have let you rent another room after Bear tore up the doorframe in the bathroom.
We both know that Silver Pines is too expensive for even God himself.
So unless your plan was to sleep on a park bench, you don’t exactly have any other option.
Now quit your whining and sleep on the damn bed. ” Walker gestures to the mattress.
My nostrils flare.
I hate it when he’s right.
Mostly because it happens more often than I’d like to admit.
Instead of responding to Walker, I lean to the side and inform, “Santi, I’m stealing your clothes.”
Santiago waves his hand as if my statement is no big deal. “Take all the clothes you want.”
Spinning on my heel, I stomp back into Santiago’s bedroom. I lock myself in the closet and wait for the heat to leave my face.
I’m not embarrassed.
But my dignity deserves a little privacy.
The closet smells faintly of Santiago—oakmoss and leather. Most women would probably be thrilled to rifle through his clothes, but I’m annoyed.
One of his shirts probably costs more than my entire wardrobe.
I’ve done well for myself in New York, but not this well.
I throw on a pair of boxers and a shirt so large that it almost reaches my knees.
Exiting the closet, I’m met with the sight that tests my control. The need to laugh rides me hard.
Levi stands at the top left corner of the bed, while Santiago is positioned at the bottom left. Together, they tuck the corners of a fitted sheet between the mattress and the floor, but after they do, the other corners come undone.
It’s almost alarming how quickly they got the old bedframe and mattress out of here.
“Bite your tongue,” Levi chastises. I’m not sure if he’s serious or playing around, but either way, I snap.
I laugh so hard that every inch of my abs cramps up. When I calm myself, I wipe the tears away and am pulled up short.
Levi and Santiago have discarded their task and openly stare in my direction. The tension in their bodies is almost too much for me to handle. I feel myself dampen between my thighs.
Clearing my throat, I stride to Bear’s makeshift bed, a couple of pillows covered with a blanket, and kneel next to him. “I need to go shopping,”
Santiago shrugs and goes back to securing the sheet. “No need.”
My eyes narrow as I pet the top of Bear’s head. “What do you mean? I already told you that I only have one pair of clothes. I’m not wearing yours every day until Walk decides to release mine from evidence.”
Levi finally gets both corners on the right side to stay in place. “Just let us take care of it.”
I quirk a brow at him. “You don’t know my size.”
“Yes, we do,” Santiago disputes, his side also tied down.
Excuse me?
I’m not sure if I’m flattered or concerned.
Glancing around the room, my mind wanders to the missing third in their trio. “Where’s Walk sleeping? Ya know, buddy system and all. Is he even here?”
Levi strips off his shirt. “He’s showering in one of the guest bedrooms.”
Santiago does the same, then unbuttons his pants.
My eyes fall to my lap. “Oh.”
I fiddle with the hem of Santiago’s shirt, unsure if I’m suddenly bashful from the idea of Walker in the shower or from all the skin on display.
Either way, my imagination betrays me.
Absolutely not. We’re not doing this today.
Santiago snickers. “Is that a blush?”
Levi teams up with Santiago. “That’s definitely a blush.”
My head snaps up toward them. “Shut up.”
Levi sports a smirk. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you take a little peek,” he teases with a wink.
These two together are all sorts of trouble.
I throw my arms up. “Who are you kidding? I wasn’t born yesterday. That man would kill me.”
“Walk wouldn’t touch a hair on your beautiful head, mi Cielo, and you know it.”
They finish making the bed and getting ready to sleep in silence, but the knowing looks they shoot my way feel louder than a gunshot.
When Walker joins us, his hair is wet, curls twist the ends. He enters the room, wearing only a pair of small boxer shorts. He shuts and locks the door behind him, then crosses the room to the windows and checks those locks as well.
If paranoia burned calories, Walker would’ve disappeared into thin air by now.
Levi climbs into bed, followed by Santiago, who spoons him from behind. The sight has my heart warming in my chest.
But then I’m reminded that I’m now locked in a room with three sexy men who are wearing less than I am.
Keeping my eyes on the floor, I tuck Bear in and saunter to the side of the bed opposite Levi and Santiago. I nestle down under the thick comforter and silk flat sheet, leaving about a foot of space between Levi and me.
Heavy, long breaths come from Levi and Santiago already.
Walker snags a simple navy wingback chair situated by the windows and drags it right in front of the door. He takes a seat, attempts to make himself comfortable, and flips off the lights.
The only light in the room streams in from the minuscule amount of space under the door, but it’s enough for me to see.
The sight of Walker in the small chair is comical.
His shoulders are wider than the armrests, and his head is much higher than the top of the chair.
Scooting closer to Levi, I flip back the corner of the covers in invitation. “There’s enough room on the bed for you.”
“Someone needs to keep watch.”
I sit up in bed. “If you’re going to watch me sleep, I’m going to start calling you Edward.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I’ll let you borrow the book,” I return.
Walker’s silent for a beat before he explains, “I’m not watching you. I’m watching the door.”
His back is to the door, but he’s supposed to be watching the door?
Sounds like an excuse.
The weight of the entire day slowly seeps into my bones, causing my next argument to come out wearily. “Bear is on guard duty. Get your ass in bed.”
“Blake.” He says my name like it’s enough to get me to let this go.
It’s not.
“You can be the little spoon,” I jest.
“Blake,” he says again.
Sighing, I lie back down, my hands above my head for dramatic effect. “Walk, you won’t be able to do your job if you’re barely able to keep your eyes open tomorrow. We all need sleep. It’s been a long night.” I peek my head up. “Please.”
I watch his shoulders droop as he gives in.
A bed is always better than a chair.
He heaves himself up and pads on light feet to my side. He lifts the blanket, and I slide over an inch as he lies down beside me.
I turn onto my side and face Levi, with less than an inch of space on either side of me. Then I feel Walker’s arm slide under my head and his other arm drape over my hip. His warm, naked chest rests against my back.
“Keep your hands to yourself, Baby Girl,” he mumbles sleepily.
Closing my eyes, I nuzzle backward into him. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
Santiago’s groggy voice stretches across the bed. “If you two need to fuck it out, feel free.”
I feel Walker jostle about a bit, then a thwack echoes in the room.
“Ouch!” Santiago whisper-shouts.
“Shut up and go to sleep,” Walker demands as he returns his arm to my hip.
The room rests in silence.
The jokes cease.
Snores begin to pick up—both human and canine.
And the snow falls outside.
It’s strange. Not too long ago, I felt alone.
Now three stubborn, infuriating men won’t let me out of their sight.
And it feels good.
Like home.