Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“There’s a cave on our land that I consider to be my personal territory.” My stomach twisted in knots at the start of his explanation. “Nobody in our group ever goes there because they know what the place means to me, but I think you might have found it during your hike.”
I grimaced. “Then I actually do owe you an apology. I didn’t see any signs of someone using the cave, or else I wouldn’t have gone inside.”
I considered telling him about the black rock that I found in the cave, but I wasn’t sure that I was ready to talk about it. Not until I got the cosmogenic nuclide dating results back from Dr. McCord. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself if I was wrong about the origins of the rock, and I definitely didn’t want to get his hopes up by telling him that he might be the rightful owner of a lunar meteorite worth a ton of money.
“There’s no way you could’ve known if you didn’t venture too far into the system of tunnels.” He shrugged. “I don’t use the entrance you found and rarely go back there.”
That made me feel a little better and also had me hoping he wouldn’t miss the rock I’d taken until I had more answers.
Stretching my arm out, I offered him my hand. “I guess since I invaded your territory, I probably should at least introduce myself. I’m Marielle Beck.”
He slid his palm against mine, and I felt a spark of awareness spread from my hand to my core. “And I’m Artemis Drake.”
Pressing my inner thighs together to ease the sudden ache between them, I murmured, “Nice to meet you.”
I liked that his hand wasn’t too soft, the rough calluses gently scraping against my skin. And I missed the feel of it against mine when he let go.
“Any chance you could give me a ride back to my cabin?” he asked, flashing me a panty-melting smile.
I tilted my head to the side. “Is there something wrong with your vehicle?”
“Didn’t drive here.”
Being as he was two towns over, his vague answer made me curious. “Did someone drop you off?”
“Something like that.” His smile widened, distracting me. “I’ll treat you to dinner, if sweetening the deal helps get you to agree.”
I didn’t need an added incentive to drive Artemis back to his cabin. Spending extra time with him was more than enough of a reason. But I wasn’t going to pass down sharing a meal with him. “Sure, I can give you a ride.”
“Thanks.”
Jerking my chin toward the parking lot to my left, I said, “My car is over there.”
“Need to grab anything before we go?” he asked.
“Nope, I’m good,” I assured him, patting my now mostly empty backpack. “I have my wallet and keys in here.”
“Then let’s go.” He placed his warm palm against my lower back to guide me down the stairs, and it felt as though the heat of his skin burned me through my shirt.
When we reached my car, I used my key fob to unlock the doors. Artemis circled to the passenger side and opened it with an expectant look. “When you asked me to give you a ride home, did you mean that you actually wanted to drive me in my own car to your place?”
“Sorry.” He flashed me a sheepish look. “I’m used to being behind the wheel instead of the passenger seat.”
After considering it for a moment, I handed him the key fob and climbed into the car. “If you want to drive, you can.”
“Thanks, baby.”
I stared at Artemis as he rounded the front of my car before getting into the driver’s side. I needed that time to settle the nerves that took flight just from his nearness. Being enclosed in such tight quarters with him for the drive was a heady thing. Even with his attention split between the road and me, I felt the weight of his focus. I was a mess of nerves and desire when we reached our destination.
If I hadn’t met Leyton and Evette at the gas station yesterday, I would’ve been worried when we pulled up in front of the secluded set of cabins on the edge of the wilderness I’d explored. The log homes were gorgeous and way more impressive than I would’ve expected, with them being out in the middle of nowhere.
The forest lined the backyards, and it was quiet when we stepped out of my car. The cabin Artemis had parked in front of was the farthest from the winding road we’d taken partway up the mountain. It had a big front porch and simple landscaping with small shrubs lining the front.
I could too easily picture myself living in a place like this…with a man like Artemis. Although I doubted I’d find anyone who came close to the big guy who had captured my attention.