Page 25 of Tracked
“Marlene, what was the brochure for? The name of the retreat?”
“Oh, well, I don’t remember that, darlin’,” she chided with a chuckle, and my jaw locked. “But you know”—she squinted—“there might be another one pinned over there. I think whoever posted it left a couple—”
“Thanks.” I turned and Lara was already back at the entrance, scanning the corkboard. I reached her just in time to hear her mutter, “There,” and then shoot up on her toes to reach the pamphlet tacked near the top.
There was no way she could reach it, even on tiptoe.
“Let me,” I huffed and came up right behind her, reaching over her head and past her straining fingertips.Damn woman just couldn’t wait a second for help.
I unclipped the brochure just as she lowered her arms and spun—directly into the enclave of my body. Her gasp ricocheted off my chest. All my muscles turned to stone. Lara angled her head up, her full lips peeling apart when her gaze met mine, verdant green hazing with forbidden shadows.
God, she was beautiful. So beautiful.And too damn close.
Oxygen dumped into my chest as I lowered my arm slowly, afraid any sudden movement would close whatever abysmal space existed between us. I was a restrained man. Too restrained, maybe, but it served me well. However, restraint only succeeded with recognition—awareness of the things that were dangerous and avoiding them with intention. But Lara ... she was an exception, not just to my rules but to my restraint, too. I recognized every inch of her soft, tempting danger to me, and yet I continued to put myself in her perilous proximity. Like I didn’t care about the devastation it could bring.
Like I’d forgotten the destruction it had already caused.
Unfortunately, all my caution became worthless when the door swung open and two kids, followed by their parents, barreled into the restaurant, one of them knocking right into me.
“Shit.” My hand shot out to stop me from falling forward, anchoring on the corkboard at the same moment her hand landed on my chest.
Desire exploded in my veins like a chambered bullet accidentally fired. A decades-old ache lodging itself in my ribs.
Her eyes crashed into mine. Our breaths tangled into an inextricable knot of need, promising the only way to loosen it was to get closer.
Without moving—without even trying—things became messy. Lines started to blur.
I’d trapped her against the wall rather than crushing her into it, but somehow crushing seemed less catastrophic than ...this. My body wedged to hers. My heart charged like a caged beast against her hand. Her head so close, the freckles on her nose became a map that led my gaze to her lips.
Lara’s eyelids dipped.An invitation.
Her fingers curled into my jacket.A plea.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.” The moment shattered, the crash as sharp and jarring as a breaking glass. A hand landed on my shoulder, accompanying the effusive apology from the mom whose kid had bumped into me.
I pushed away from the wall, and from Lara, giving my full attention to the woman. “It’s all right.” She could barely give me a weary smile before she was pulled away, trying to wrangle her kids back to her side.
“Let’s go outside,” I muttered and moved a little desperately toward the exit.
The cool breeze did little to dull the heat surging through my blood. Or the frustration.
Attraction wasn’t a new feeling to me. Like everything else, it had a purpose. An appropriate time and place when I could indulge in something casual, usually with someone I’d meet while on a case. It was easier that way. Safer not to risk the complications of an involvement with someone local.
But this ... what I felt for Lara ... was unfamiliar. An exception to even the rules I had for attraction.
It lacked all reason and rational sense, and made me want to shove her against the wall in the middle of a crowded diner and kiss her senseless. One would think my relationship with her sister would’ve created at least a mental barrier if not a physical one, yet there was nothing.Less than nothing.
I could hardly even remember kissing Rachel or what it had felt like, let alone wield that memory like some kind of shield.
I stopped next to Lara’s rental, which had a prime parking spot from earlier. Her shoulder brushed my arm as she came to my side, and I stiffened, regretting for the millionth time my decision to bring her along.
Wordlessly, I opened the brochure, the front having no information besidesWilderness Within: A Relationship Transformation.
“‘Reconnect with your authentic self to attract authentic love. At Wilderness Within, we believe the path to meaningful relationships begins with self-discovery,’” Lara read aloud, and though unnecessary, I was grateful for something to fill the silence other than the drum of my warring heart. She continued reading below the photo montage of loving couples and smiling faces: “‘Singles: Discover why past relationships failed, discover your true desires, and learn how to attract a partner who truly sees you. Couples: Rekindle what brought you together through guided experiences that create lasting bonds.’”
Reaching over me, she pulled the flap open, bypassing the rest of the promotional text.
“‘The journey to partnership excellence begins with a single step into the wild. Let us be your guide. Call for more information ...’” The phone number was the only concrete detail included in the brochure.
