Finding The Lost Mystic Islan - Liberty Parker Page 0,27

the surroundings around the house, I am a happy sheriff when I notice my deputy and newly appointed friend is patrolling the neighborhood as well as Vaughn’s property. Dooly is definitely someone I can trust with my life and the future of the island’s residents. Happy to find nothing amiss, I return to the kitchen and find dinner already prepared, plated and waiting on me. Across the table sits the most desirable woman I have had the pleasure of laying my eyes on.

“Wow, this looks almost too good to eat. Fresh salmon with guacamole dolloped on top, green beans with tiny bits of bacon and perfectly browned hushpuppies. What have I done to deserve this kind of treatment?”

“Figured you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked meal in a while. I wanted the first one you have to be prepared by me and far exceed your expectations. You need to have a hardy meal after all the hard work you’ve done today. So, I tried to give you a variety of samples that I can whip up in the kitchen.” I watch her eyes briefly glance over in the direction of the baby monitor, which is a video monitor, and my own follow only to see Emmaline still fast asleep before our gaze meets once again.

Our conversation turns into bantering and laughter, something neither one of us have had in our lives for a long period of time. I insist on being the one who cleans the dishes after being served such a fine meal. I can hear her jump into the shower after a few drawers open and are then slammed shut. She must not remember she has company, since she leaves the bathroom, steam infiltrating the rooms and her bedroom door wide open. She steps out of her bathroom in nothing more than a small scrap of material that I’m assuming is supposed to imitate a towel.

“Fuck me,” gushes out of my mouth in a rush of hot air. I have no control over where my eyes roam as they take on a life of their own. Things just got a little more interesting.

Eleven

Vaughn

As if on autopilot, I strut my way out of the bathroom in nothing more than a towel and find myself immediately caught in the web of Trigger’s stare as his eyes trail up and down my body. My cheeks fill with the heat of my blush as I bashfully reach for the T-shirt I have laid out to sleep in, interrupting the meeting of our gaze. “I-I’m terribly sorry, Trigger. Old habits and all,” I say through rushed breathing before noticing the fall in his expression as I turn on my heel and step back into the bathroom where I slide into my oversized shirt. My snow leopard hisses inside, expressing her displeasure at my actions. Mentally, I convey my own unhappiness at her for wanting to be so selfish and rush things. Reaching into one of the cubbies I keep in here, I find a pair of pink cotton boy shorts and slide them on.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Vaughn.” I watch through the side of my eyes as Trigger runs his hands through his hair looking as if he’s done something wrong. This is new for the both of us and although the timing isn’t ideal either, I’m not sure how much longer we will be able to fight the connection that’s pulling us to be with one another.

I square my shoulders and swallow down any insecurities I have and confidently sashay back out into my room. “Trigger, please don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong. My new life and the, well, people in my living environment will take some getting used to.” He says nothing in response but offers a simple nod before I walk past him toward the kitchen. “Wine?” I offer over my shoulder to see him not far behind me.

“More of a whiskey man myself, but go ahead,” he begins as he grabs his bag and begins shuffling through it. “Mind if I take a shower myself?” His voice is shaky and he seems a bit rattled.

This is already awkward enough and has my nerves on edge. I just want him to be comfortable and feel the easiness of this transition as I think we will both benefit from each other’s relaxation and calmness. “Oh, yes, certainly. You are welcome to shower in mine, or there’s another down the hall,” I offer, pointing in that direction.