through the lobby. Scarlett had never wanted to get farther away from a place more than she did at that moment. Rain splashed against the floor-to-ceiling windows as she picked up her pace, moving through the revolving door and stepping out into the warm, rainy night.
“Scarlett.”
At the sound of her name, she picked up her pace, her heels clicking on the sidewalk as she jogged as fast as she could in shoes not meant for jogging, coming out from under the covering that shielded the valet stand and drop-off lanes and continuing up the deserted side street, the rain mixing with the tears sliding down her cheeks. The rain picked up, coming down in sheets, drenching her immediately. She heard her name again but didn’t turn.
She felt him right behind her, easily keeping her pace, and after another minute, she turned, their bodies practically colliding as he came up short. His clothes stuck to his body, showcasing the definition of his muscles and the lean lines of his masculine form. His eyelashes were studded with raindrops, his hair slicked back from his face . . . and he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen in her life. He looked positively tortured, and some ridiculous part of her wanted to comfort him, but from what she had no idea, and the only why she could think of was that she was certifiably insane. And partially buzzed, though that was—unfortunately—wearing off.
She’d been thinking about him as she sat alone at that bar though, the wine aiding in breaking through her hurt so that she might look at his actions more rationally. Or drunkenly. That was possible too; she couldn’t be sure.
She swore loudly into the quiet street, her voice rising above the slowing downpour.
“Why are you following me?”
“Because I was asked to.”
“Asked to? By who?” She looked around as though the mysterious who might step from the shadows at any moment.
“The guild. I’ll tell you more, but not here.”
She regarded him. Guild members? From Farrow? Wanting her followed? Okay, yes, she absolutely needed to know why that was happening. If it was happening. But could she trust this man to tell her the truth? He’d already lied to her. Numerous times.
“If you’re merely following me, how’d you get into that party?”
He paused, looked away. “I got a good education in sneaking around unseen,” he murmured.
She felt her face screw up. “What does that mean?”
He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Please, Scarlett. I’ll tell you more,” he repeated. “Can we go somewhere?”
“Why? Why tell me more? Why protect me? Over and over? Why install locks on my house, and show up when I call in the middle of the night, and . . . and . . . feed baby birds in my kitchen, and tell me things I don’t think your friends would want me to know? Because that stuff? It really doesn’t make much sense if your goal is to get access to my house and eventually run me out of town. Before I listen to anything from you, I need to know . . . was it all a lie, Camden? All of it?”
He stepped closer, his chest rising and falling, his masculinity rolling off him in waves. His gaze raked over her body, eyes meeting hers. “Do you think I want to feel the things I feel for you, Scarlett? Do you think it’s convenient for me? I can’t help this any more than you can. I wish to hell I could.”
The breath left her. Her shoulders dropped and a sound came up her throat, part breath, part humorless laugh. I can’t help this any more than you can. Of course he knew how she felt about him, or at least . . . how her body responded to his. It wasn’t exactly a secret. But the admittance of his feelings for her? His confession brought confusion and surprise and yes . . . a whisper of happiness too. “I don’t understand,” she whispered. “None of it makes sense. Tell me what I got myself into when I bought Lilith House. When I moved my daughter and me to Farrow.”
He scrubbed his hand down his face, taking a small step back. He suddenly looked so incredibly weary. He exhaled slowly, running his hand over his dark hair, water flying out around him as the rainfall dwindled to nothing. He looked suddenly defeated. “I’ll explain it to you. All of it.” He looked down at his clothes, and