Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I want him to be that for me.
He lights up and sits straighter, not even paying attention to the church anymore. “I could be that. Of course, hoping you’ll never need medical help, but I took several first aid courses at survivalist classes. And you might think I’m messy, but if you teach me what to watch out for, I could take on cleaning up any messes so you can rest after a job.”
He’s so earnest about it, I have to believe he means it.
It warms my heart, and I itch to kiss him right here, in the middle of town, right in front of a church. That’s how perfect he is to me. And as unlikely as our first meeting was, something brought us together. Some grand design or fate? I don’t care what, but I am intent on making things work.
“How is it that you’re single?”
He nudges me with his elbow. “I’m not.”
“You know what I mean.”
Rowan sighs, sending a cloud of vapor into the cold air. “After the… whole thing, dating anyone was the last thing on my mind. It’s a small town, so it’s not filled with gay men, but realistically, I know I’m strange. I was too anxious to let you into my home, or go to yours. Who would have the patience for that? And I come with all this baggage. On which date do you even tell a guy that your whole family was murdered, and you’re not okay?”
I entwine our fingers and swallow the rest of the cake as the sun briefly comes out from behind clouds and makes the church appear even brighter. If God does exist, maybe this is him telling me he wants that liar out of his home?
Not that I need permission or reasons other than Patrick Galanis’s crime against my lover.
“Oh, I do know. Dating apps made everyone so impatient. They all want to fuck you on the first date and see where it goes. Not that I mind that, of course,” I say with a little smirk as I remember my very first date with Rowan. “But it takes time to build trust, and people drop you like a hot potato if you’re not exactly what they want.”
He bites his lip. “When you hit on me, I kinda thought you might be a sex addict looking to have someone to fuck while you’re in Rosehill Pines. I couldn’t really comprehend you wanted me in particular.”
I roll my eyes with a smile. “Ew, false modesty! Come on, you’re beautiful, funny and passionate, and you know your way around hunting gear. What’s not to like?”
Rowan laughs and shoves my arm. “Stop it or I’m gonna have to believe you! I’m still learning my way around parts of you.” His gaze shamelessly slides to my crotch, and the winter sun hits his eye from the side, making it twinkle with mischief.
But the church bell rings, and that’s our cue to infiltrate it.
“Ready?” I ask, but he’s already getting up after shoving the rest of his cake into his mouth.
Rowan nods, rubbing his palms together, eager as if he were about to get his hands on my dick.
“I’ve got something for you,” I say and reach into my coat before handing him a knife in a nice leather sheath. “Since you lost yours in the forest.”
He takes it from me with reverence. “It’s even got the extra strap, so you can attach it inside the jacket…”
I give him a quick kiss. “Just don’t use it until I tell you to.”
Chapter 17
Saint
Children sing about the birth of Jesus, no doubt rehearsing for the upcoming nativity play, and their shrill voices echo off the white walls of the church while adults gather in a large side room, sharing coffee and cake.
With so many people present it should be easy enough to blend in, and while we’re on the lookout for Patrick, I take stock of where the exits are, how many windows the church has, or if there are significant obstacles if we need to flee. It’s just a precaution, but it’s always better to be prepared.
The smell of sugar and vanilla soothes any worries I might have, but I’m really only worried about Rowan. He might do something brash, being so new to this job, and while this outing is part of his training, the matter with Patrick is personal. He can’t get arrested or hurt on my watch.
Several groups and clubs have their tables arranged into a horseshoe so people can walk around and get to know what's on offer or ask questions. Someone gives guitar lessons for donations to a homelessness charity. There’s the Chess in the park club, which I doubt can be popular in this weather, and a Bible study group for teens.
Rowan sticks very close to me, which is sweet of him. I know by now that he can speak his mind and is very opinionated but gets anxious in crowds. It doesn’t matter though, because I can be his shield, the support he needs when life gets a bit too hard to handle, even though I can’t touch him the way I want to among these people.