Page 43 of Shattered By the Currents

“Coffee?” he asked over his shoulder, as he headed into the kitchen.

“I’d love one.”

He stepped over to the machine. A big, beautiful coffee machine that almost made her salivate. Because after that watery crap at the community center, she was dying for a good cup. Honestly, she’d almost sell a kidney at this point.

She perched on a stool at the island. “Thank you for letting me stay last night.”

“Not just last night.”

She shook her head. “No, I can’t?—”

“You’re staying here until you find your own place, Raven.” He shot her a glance over his shoulder. “That’s nonnegotiable.”

“You don’t know what you’re offering. It could be a long time. There isn’t much available in Deep River, especially in my price range. And Dale’s basically bad-mouthed me to anyone who might have something suitable.”

Connor set a mug in front of her. “Guess you’re stuck with me then.”

“Connor—”

“Unless you want to take Polly up on her offer? But you’re not going back to the community center.”

Her mouth snapped shut.

He leaned over the island. “Why don’t you want to stay in her apartment?”

She wrapped her fingers around the mug, lips opening and closing, but no words coming out. Because what could she saywithout then having to explain even a little bit of what had happened in North Dakota?

“It’s okay.” He set his hand over hers, heat penetrating her skin. “You don’t need tell me anything you’re not ready to share yet.”

He said it like there would come a time when shewouldshare. Like that point was inevitable.

Was it? The thought made fear skitter into her belly.

She shot off the stool and took a hurried step away from the island. “I should probably get to work.”

“You haven’t had your coffee.”

Dammit, she really wanted coffee. But this thing between her and Connor, this connection…it was starting to feel different. Deeper. It was starting to make her want to spill every secret she’d ever had.

And that wasn’t safe for anyone.

“Drink.” He stepped back like he was trying to create an illusion of safety. “I’ll make us eggs and bacon.”

“Eggs and bacon?” She’d been living off ramen noodles, and this beautiful man wanted to make her a cooked breakfast with protein?

He pulled foods from his fridge, then glanced over his shoulder. “No more personal questions. I promise.”

Okay. She’d stay. But only because she was hungry, and not because she was doing something dumb like falling for him.

The next hour passed in a blur. Connor wasn’t just a great conversationalist, he was an even better listener. He made her laugh and smile more than she had in months. Before long, she couldn’t even remember that she’d wanted to leave.

When they were done eating, he offered to take her to work. She of course told him he didn’t have to, that she’d walk…but he pushed. He also confessed that he’d called a mechanic to take care of her car.

Relief had almost dropped her to the floor. She’d pay for it, of course, but just having someone take that off her plate when she had so much else going on felt huge.

Once he’d dropped her off at work, she stepped inside—and it was only when voices sounded from her office that the smile slipped from her face.

Someone was here. More than one person.