Page 115 of Shattered By the Currents

“Do what?”

“Shield me from anything. I can handle it.”

“You don’t want to see the full force of what I’m feeling right now.”

“Maybe I do. Maybe I can match it.”

“I’m sure you can.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and she leaned her cheek into his palm.

“Was that one of the guys?” Her gaze flicked to the phone, then back to him.

“Ethan. Xander’s not in any Airbnbs. They were the last places to check.” He lowered his head and kissed a spot behind her ear. “What do you want to do today?”

Her skin tingled every place he touched. “You know what I’m doing today.”

“No.”

“Connor—”

“You’re not going to work.”

She pushed him back so she could look at him. “I am. Ferris asked me to come back. I love my job and Iwantto go back. Plus, this morning, the book club is meeting for the first time since Lottie was killed.”

“Ferris knows about Xander.Hecan open the center.”

She shook her head. “It’s my job. And for all we know, Xander has hightailed it out of town. If he’s smart, he’ll be long gone.”

“I can think of a lot of words to describe that asshole, but smart isn’t one of them.”

“Connor, please. Don’t let Xander take more from me than he already has.”

A low growl slipped from his chest. “I don’t like it.”

“But you like me.”

“I don’tlikeyou. Iloveyou.”

Her heart swirled at those three words. “Come on. I’ll share my shower with you. Will that make you feel better?”

“It’s a start.”

She screeched when he threw her over his shoulder.

“Thismakes me feel better,” he said.

She laughed as he carried her up the stairs.

An hour later, they were pulling up to the community center. It didn’t take long for the place to fill. And today there were a few new members—Anika, a couple of elderly women Raven had seen around town. Even Briar from Deep River Residence.

“Darling, why don’t you join us?” Maureen asked, as the women set out snacks on a table.

Raven shook her head. “I’m not really a reader.”

“Well, that’s why you join, tobecomea reader, and to be introduced to some amazing authors. We’re currently reading this wonderful romantic suspense by Devney Perry.”

She chuckled. “I have enough suspense in my life, no fictional plot needed.”

Maureen’s smile turned downward. “I’m so sorry about everything you’ve been through.”