Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Chloe didn’t like the distance between herself and Davin as she closed up the bookshop.
They picked up the daily special from the café next door, then went back to his house to eat.
She would’ve preferred cooking something herself, but when Davin offered takeout, she took him up on it.
She was tired from a crappy night’s rest, their hike, trying to get all her work done in two hours at the shop, and dealing with creepy Larry and all the jealousy that Robinette stirred in her.
She’d been pressing her ear against the door when Robinette asked if Chloe and Davin were dating and Davin clearly said no.
Then he said that the bookshop was a good place to write.
He’d told Chloe there were ‘distractions’ at the bookshop.
She’d thought he meant her, but she had no idea what to think now.
Before Robinette had made her appearance, he’d strode so beautifully across the shop and they’d been an instant from a kiss when Larry had interrupted. Ugh.
After dinner, cleanup was far too quick. Davin faced her, shifting his weight and looking apprehensive. “Chloe,” he said, that determined look coming into his blue-gray eyes that she loved.
“Yes?”
“I’m just going to ask straight out.”
Her heart leapt as he paused, his eyes intense. Was he going to ask her to date him? She could hardly stand to wait to yell her answer of affirmation. After she made certain he wasn’t dating Robinette.
“Are you interested in Adam or Larry?”
Her stomach turned over and her body felt cold. What a disturbing question and not at all what she wanted him to ask. “What do you take me for?” she hurled at him.
“Pardon me? Given the interactions with both men, I believe it is a valid question.”
“Gross. Just gross.” She stormed up to him and poked him in the chest.
He captured her hand. She would’ve loved to let him hold her hand, but she’d seen this exact thing play out with him and Robinette at her store.
Robinette had trailed her long claws across his chest and he’d captured her hands with his own.
Last night, Robinette had run her fingers through his hair just as Chloe had earlier.
She hated the similarities. She’d think an author would be a little more original in his romance pursuits.
What if he’d used the line of ‘practicing romance’ on Robinette as well?
“Gross,” she repeated, referring to him and Robinette now, but she couldn’t admit to her jealousies or that she’d been listening in.
She yanked her hands free and stepped back.
“So you think that’s the type of man I’m after?
The only men who would be interested in me?
A younger guy who dated my sister and then fell for Robinette, or an older man who is one step away from a predator?
” She folded her arms across her chest and glowered at him.
Robinette and Larry should get together.
Knowing the two of them, they already had. So gross.
“I wasn’t insulting you,” he said, rubbing at his neck and ducking his head slightly.
She usually thought that move was adorably irresistible.
Right now, it felt like he was playing her.
A good-looking, successful, well-known author.
Why had she let herself believe she was special and he was inexperienced?
The opposite was most likely true. He was probably a player who had a lady, or two or three, in every place he stayed.
Of course he thought he could date Robinette and toy with a gullible woman like Chloe on the side.
“Well, it felt like an insult.”
“I apologize. I only noticed how interested they both are in you and how you flirted back with them.”
“I flirted …?”
Her stomach rolled, and her meat loaf and green beans threatened to resurface.
She thought back through the interaction with Larry and the sickness intensified.
She supposed it could have sounded like flirting.
She was partially trying to make Davin feel what she felt when he flirted with Robinette.
“Well, why don’t you just go flirt with Robinette?” she flung at him. Immature, maybe, but she was embarrassed. “She would absolutely love to help you with some research for your romance angle. I’m sure she already has.”
His brow furrowed. “Why would I allow Robinette to do that?”
“Because you’re dating her!”
“I am not dating Robinette.” He appeared properly offended.
“Don’t deny it.” She gave him a pointed stare. “The two of you are dating.”
His brow wrinkled and his bluish gray eyes looked annoyed.
“Your realtor?” she reminded him. “The redhead with a massive bustline and legs that don’t stop?”
“I know who Robinette is.”
“I’m sure you do, since you are dating her and all. Mrs. Harrison even confirmed she sees you all over town together.”
It felt good and awful at the same time to throw the vindictive lines out there.
“Who is Mrs. Harrison?” Davin studied her as if surprised at how vehement she was acting.
“The choir leader from church. She’s the 911 dispatcher.”
“Oh.” He rubbed at his neck. “Chloe, please allow me to assure you that Robinette and I are not dating.”
Relief rushed through her, but she didn’t know if she could trust his words. “Maybe you need to inform her of that.”
He grimaced but nodded. “You’re right. With intense personalities like Robinette’s, it is best to be direct.”
She prayed he was telling the truth and would in fact turn Robinette down. Could Chloe and Davin have a chance then?
“Thank you,” she murmured.
He nodded, studying her as if she had answers to the mysteries of life.
“Well, good luck and goodnight.” She hurried around him, half wishing he’d stop her but needing some distance.
She’d never liked the jealous, ugly feelings that Robinette dredged up in her.
Robinette pursuing Davin made it even worse.
Chloe and Davin could have something amazing together, but Robinette had ruined every other relationship Chloe had ever been in. Why wouldn’t she ruin this one as well?
She hurried upstairs and filled the bath, soaking and reading one of Davin’s books from the Locked Down series.
It made her uneasy, thinking about the drug dealer Garcia and all the exploits that Davin had the drug dealer in the book doing.
She shuddered. It was especially disturbing as Jaxon had texted her the reports of Balam Garcia sightings in Texas and San Diego. What if he came here?
If only she could remember who had attacked her.
Was it someone sent by the drug dealer, a tourist or treasure hunter, or someone she knew and trusted?
Searching her memory, it was like grasping for the name of someone she’d met once but couldn’t recall it.
The memory was right there but just out of reach. So frustrating.
When she climbed out of the bath, the wind was blowing and rain slanted against the windows. A spring storm rising on the ocean. She loved these storms but didn’t often get this view as her house was inland and didn’t have a second story.
The storm darkened the landscape. She shut off the light and peered out the window. A light flashed in the dark berry patch and then bobbed along like a person walking. Who would be outside at a time like this?
Rather than calling 911 and hear from Mrs. Harrison how fabulous Robinette was, she used the friend card and texted Jaxon. I might be crazy, but it looks like there is someone in the berry patch north of Davin’s rental.
The text back was quick.
I’m not too far away. I’ll go check it out. Stay inside with Davin.
Okay.
She should’ve gone to find Davin, but things were awkward between them. She wimped out and sent a text. I saw something in the berry patches to the north. I texted Jaxon and he’s coming to check it out. He said to stay inside.
All right. I’ll keep watch. Hopefully he’ll find the interloper. Get some rest.
Thanks.
Why did he have to be such a nice guy?
Chloe peered out but couldn’t see anything moving. The light was gone. Edging away from the window, she clung to her phone as she knelt. She said a prayer that they’d be safe, that her memory would return, and that if it be God’s will, she and Davin could have a chance.
Then she slipped into bed, setting her phone on the nightstand. She stared at it, but neither Jaxon nor Davin texted her again.
Hazy darkness filled her mind. She could feel a shadow behind her. The person who’d been in the berry patch. She was sure of it.
She tried to roll over and face the person, slip out of bed, or do something, but she couldn’t move. She was melded to the mattress.
“Help,” she whispered.
Pain exploded through her skull, and she cried out louder. She tried to get out of the covers, to stand up, fight, or flee, but she couldn’t move at all. Fear filled her and then a needle pricked her arm.
“No,” she said. “Help! Help!”
The person stood above her bed and spoke in a gurgled voice. She could tell they wanted answers to their questions, but she couldn’t even understand what questions they were asking. She couldn’t rise above her grogginess to respond or run.
“Chloe? Chloe.” An insistent voice, a familiar male voice, was suddenly in front of and above her.
The darkness and whoever had hit her from behind disappeared like a vapor of smoke.
Chloe’s eyes blinked open. From the light of the hallway, she could make out Davin’s features. He leaned over her, his hands planted on either side of her shoulders. His alluring scent enveloped her, calming but exhilarating at the same time.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.” She shifted up against the headboard, brushing against his chest and shoulder, their faces dangerously close.
Disappointment rolled through her as he straightened and stood next to the bed. “A nightmare?” he asked.
“I think so.” Glancing around, she could see no one else in the room.
She shivered and pulled the blanket tighter.
“I could sense a dark shadow, then it was as if pain exploded through my head. I even felt like someone insert a needle.” She blew out a breath.
“Then the person asked me questions, in a very demanding way, but I couldn’t answer. ”
His brows lifted. “Maybe your memory is returning.”
“Maybe. I still couldn’t see who it was, and I thought it was the person hiding in the raspberry bushes. I was here in my room, not at the shop. Did Jaxon find anything?”
“He didn’t find anyone, but there were some tire tracks. He thinks a mid-size SUV.” Davin shrugged. “Not a lot of help.”
“No, it’s not.” She cuddled deeper into the blankets, wishing they could catch whoever had hurt her. Wishing Davin would hold her close.
“Garcia has been in Texas and San Diego; that’s still a fair distance away.” He rubbed at the back of his neck and studied her. “Does the vibe you got from the dream make you think of anyone you overlooked who might have pernicious intentions?”
She shook her head. Only Robinette came to mind, but she doubted Robinette thought of her much at all. Unless Chloe was giving her a new man to go after. She had been with Davin at lunch during the attack anyway.
“I wonder if Larry would’ve come after you at your shop. Maybe trying to seduce you?”
She leaned harder against the headboard.
“Ew. I hope not.” Twisting the blanket in her hands, she managed, “He feels creepy, but not to the extent of hurting somebody. Everybody at the school likes him. Nobody but his ex-wives, and some of the husbands of women he’s cheated with, have ever had an issue with him. ”
“Okay. Well …” Davin’s gaze swept over her in the bed, and she was suddenly aware that her hair was a mess and her tank top camisole strap had slid off her shoulder.
In an instant, all the philosophizing about her assailant was pushed away and his gaze became warm. Smoky hot, actually.
Chloe moistened her lips and waited for him to make a move. He claimed he wasn’t with Robinette. She wanted him to claim her mouth with his own and then talk about a relationship.
He backed away and cleared his throat. “Well, um, goodnight then. I hope you can believe you’re safe here and … get some rest.”
Pivoting, he was out the door quick. She didn’t have a chance to call out to him before the door was closed and the room became dark again.
Sliding back down the mattress, she sighed with longing. Either Davin wasn’t interested in her, or he was horrible with relationships and women. Maybe that was why he’d asked her to practice romance with him. Maybe she was special to him.
She started to imagine all kinds of ways to get him to practice again, and the delicious pinnacle of a binding kiss between them.
Falling asleep with that on her mind, she had much better dreams.