mixture of pinks and oranges and reds. The air was crisp and clean. I closed my eyes and took it into my lungs, savoring every second.
“This is incredible,” Lachlan breathed by my side. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
We stood in silence for a long time, absorbing and admiring the view.
Lachlan moved closer until our shoulders bumped. “I know why you brought me here. I understand now. I’m sorry.”
When I didn’t respond, he turned and faced me, tugging my arm so I’d look at him. Captivated was the only words I could think of that described how I felt when it came to Lachlan. Thoroughly captivated.
He rubbed his fingers over my rough jaw and around to the back of my neck. “Your eyes are the same color as the setting sun, you know. Intense. Beautiful. Mesmerizing. No one has ever looked at me the way you do. Let me tell you something. If I left here tomorrow and all we shared were those few kisses earlier, I know it would be a long, long time before I could forget them.”
I brought a hand up and held his forearm, unsure if I wanted to keep him in place or hold him back. The confusing jumble of thoughts and feelings were messing me up. “We don’t go together.”
“I know.”
“We’re too different.”
“I know that too.”
“Goddamn, I want to kiss you again.”
With the hand on my neck, he pulled me in and claimed my mouth. I brought my hands to his waist and drew him against me, deepening our connection. Our tongues grazed, and sparks flew. It was just a kiss. Lachlan didn’t push for more. He touched my face, my arms, my back. He made sweet noises that fluttered my insides. He pulled me closer.
I could have kissed him for days. His essence was addicting, and no matter how much I tasted him, it wasn’t enough.
It might have escalated. I was minutes from throwing caution to the wind. I wanted to hear what pretty boy Lachlan sounded like when he let go. I wanted to explore under his clothes and smooth my hands over his bare skin. I wanted to taste every inch of him and be the person responsible for driving him out of his mind.
But my phone rang, dousing the flames and ruining everything.
We came apart, both a little breathless. Lachlan groaned. “I’ve never hated technology more in my life.”
“I get the feelin’ that’s a bold statement comin’ from you.”
I fished my phone from my pocket as Lachlan wiped his mouth, looking more blissed out than I’d ever seen him.
The chief’s number flashed on my screen, and I frowned. “Hey, Chief, what can I do for you?”
Lachlan’s face cleared, and his brows dipped when he heard who was on the other end.
“I’m just curious if Percy is over there with you right now?”
“Percy? No, why?” My blood pressure shot up, and every muscle inside grew rigid.
Windsor audibly sighed. “Well, I had a constable call in and tell me Mervin has been warming a chair at Dyna-Lynn’s all day. First noticed him when he went in around the lunch hour. We got a call for a bar brawl an hour ago, and I guess he’s still there and hardly managing to stay upright on his stool at the bar, which means he’s been there a good eight hours.”
“Shit. I haven’t seen Percy all day. He always comes if his dad ain’t home.”
“I know. And usually you call and tell me you’ve got him. I didn’t get a call from you so I thought I should check in.”
“He could be at the house now. Dad hasn’t called, though, and he would if Percy showed up. I’m an hour out on the trail, but I’m gonna head back.”
“I’m going to drive around to Mervin’s and see if he’s at home by himself.”
“Let me know. And if he’s there, bring him to my house.”
“Will do. I’ll call you back.”
We disconnected, and a cold chill trickled down my spine, making me shiver.
“What’s going on?”
“Percy’s dad’s drunk at the bar, and I guess he’s been there all day. No one’s seen Percy. Normally he comes to find me if his dad takes off. Something’s not right.”
Lachlan touched my arm. “Maybe he’s at the house. Don’t panic yet.”
“Dad would have called. Dad always calls.”
“Maybe your dad doesn’t know he’s around. Maybe the kid’s hanging outside, waiting for you to get back from your ride.”
I nodded, but I didn’t think that was the case. “C’mon. We have to get