Prologue #2
A low rumble vibrated from Justin’s chest, and Caroline gasped, breaking the kiss that had spun completely out of control in a matter of seconds.
Covering her mouth, she stepped back and stared at the man in front of her. She’d kissed a stranger. She’d made out with someone and liked it!
Justin rubbed a hand over his face, then trailed his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do all… that.”
Caroline turned, whipping her hair in a fan out around her as she searched the dark parking lot. Patrick was nowhere to be found.
Facing Justin again, the music from inside the barn rose over the roaring in her ears. “I think we did it. He’s gone.”
Justin scanned the area. “I never liked that guy.”
“Who does?” Caroline gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth.
Justin laughed. The hard lines of his face melted, giving her a glimpse of a smile.
Caroline lowered her trembling hand. The last ten minutes had her adrenaline pumping. “That was mean. I shouldn’t have said that. He just wouldn’t back off.”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with that. No means no.”
Wow. Justin had strong feelings about consent, which was a plus in Caroline’s world.
She had plenty of morals that she would stand on to the bitter end, and this was one of them.
Still, not everyone had the same virtues she did.
She could have easily chosen a stranger who would take just as much advantage of her as Patrick.
“Thank you for… that.” Her thumb jerked over her shoulder as if the threat had once been behind her. What was she running from again?
Justin stared down at her with an expression she couldn’t read. Shadows from the low light fell over his eyes, hiding them from her. “Anytime.” He glanced over his shoulder at the door leading to chatter and dancing.
Another thanks was on the tip of her tongue, but she’d already said those words. What did you say to someone you didn’t know but shared an earth-shattering kiss with? “Well, um…”
“Do you want to hang out with me tonight?”
What? They’d just “met,” and he wanted to hang out? Of all the things he could have said, that wasn’t one she’d expected.
Caroline’s pulse picked up speed again as she grasped for a reply. What was she supposed to say, and why did she want to say yes?
He was Chuck’s son. Their families hated each other. Everyone in town knew it. Justin hadn’t even bothered to introduce himself because they’d known about each other since they were kids. They were neighbors for goodness sake, but their relationship wasn’t the friendly kind.
Justin rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, I know we just officially met in an unconventional way, but I’m not like him.”
Him. Justin’s dad. He didn’t even want to say his name or define the relationship.
She’d known him all of five minutes, but he was doing a good job of showing her that he was telling the truth.
Why couldn’t Skye or Nora be here when she needed advice?
Caroline trusted blindly, and she was aware of that flaw.
She liked being friends with everyone and giving the benefit of the doubt.
Sometimes it landed her in trouble.
Like with Patrick. He’d shown her plenty of times that he couldn’t be trusted.
For all the creeper vibes she got from Patrick, there was nothing like that about the man standing in front of her now. He’d been polite, apologized for something she initiated, and hadn’t tried to force her hand at all.
This was one of those moments where her discernment was going to show up and show out or she was going to end up the star of a one-hour crime documentary.
Everyone deserved a chance. She believed that—mostly.
“Okay, let’s go,” she said as she headed for the entrance to the dance hall.
Justin’s hand wrapped around hers, gently tugging her to a halt. His larger hand encased her smaller one, holding on with a tenderness that didn’t match the rough surface. “Not in there.”
Caroline peeked inside the barn where the music grew louder by the second, and the lights had her squinting in their brightness. “Why not?”
Justin was silent for a moment, so she turned back to him. His left brow rose.
“You want to spend the rest of the night being gawked at so rumors can fly at school on Monday?”
Hmm. He had a good point. Justin wasn’t even in school anymore, but he’d thought of her situation and the aftermath of walking into the most popular Christmas event in town arm-in-arm with him.
Maybe he was trying to save his own skin, but if that were the case, why had he even asked her to spend time with him?
Plus, she really didn’t want to explain “hanging out” with Justin to her older brothers. Yeah, keeping this meeting a secret was priority number one.
But Caroline never snuck around. She never lied to her parents. In fact, she wanted them to know where she was at all times. It was the safe thing to do. If she went missing, they would know where to look first.
Okay, that was a stretch. Hopefully. Still, better safe than sorry.
No one was waiting for her inside, but Justin was still standing by for her answer.
“I guess you’re right. That wouldn’t be a good idea,” Caroline whispered.
Justin glanced at where they were linked as if he just realized he was still holding onto her. He released her hand as quickly as he’d taken it and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
The full impact of the decision she’d just made began to sink in. It was risky. She would have to keep it from her family and pray she wasn’t doing something stupid like the first girl to enter the basement in horror films. “Where are we going?”
Justin’s shoulders widened as he straightened. His frame wasn’t huge, but he had plenty of lean muscle… everywhere. He was noticeably bigger since graduating from high school a few years ago, but he looked almost meek with his hands tucked into his pockets.
“Do you trust me?”
Oh no. Was this a trick question? She’d officially met him half a second ago. “Um, I don’t know.”
Justin tucked his chin and chuckled. “That’s fair enough. I was thinking we could walk to the creek behind the barn.” He pointed behind the building where the chorus of “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait melted into the night.
Oh. She’d been to the creek plenty of times with her brothers, Skye, and Nora over the years. It was one of her favorite places that wasn’t a part of her own family ranch.
She looked at Justin, and a tug-of-war raged inside her. A sure “yes” was on the tip of her tongue, but her throat kept closing. His dad had stolen from her family plenty of times, poisoned their cattle, torn up fences, and liked to dispose of his junk on their side of the property line.
If her family saw her hanging out with the neighbor’s son, they’d freak out. Rightfully so. Chuck McKinnon wasn’t someone to play around with. But was Justin dangerous too?
Justin glanced one way, then the other, making sure they were still alone before tilting his head down slightly and whispering, “I promise not to kiss you again. Unless you ask.”
And every strap and tie holding her guard up loosened. Sure, he could still kill her and throw her in the creek before the night was over, but instead of fear creeping up her neck, peace washed over her.
Caroline shifted her weight from one side to the other. “I have to be home by twelve thirty.”
Telling him about her curfew was a test of sorts. If he disregarded it the way she never had, even a casual friendship wasn’t going to work between them.
Justin nodded once. “We’ll be back to your car at eleven thirty.”
Sweet cream cheese, he passed with flying colors.
Her life was a series of decisions pre-planned and orderly. She made good grades, volunteered in the community, went to church every time the doors were open, and always followed the rules.
There weren’t any rules against hanging out with someone new, but there was a cloud of uncertainty looming over the mysterious man in front of her. There was history and a warning wrapped up in the lingering excitement of that out-of-this world kiss.
Just this once, she could break the unwritten rule and do something risky.
Caroline gestured toward the creek and flashed Justin a smile. “Lead the way.”