Page 37 of Secrets in the Deep

She moaned and arched.

It never mattered how he touched her, she’d always reacted the same. Like one mere swipe of skin against skin could set her on fire, the same way it did to him.

“Ryan.” Her breathy whisper seeped into his bones.

He was just kissing down her cheek when a rustling noise sounded behind him.

He tensed, quickly pulling her bra back into place before glancing over his shoulder.

“What are you?—”

“Someone’s here,” he whispered.

Gently, he turned, covering her body with his own. Without hesitation, he took the Glock from his concealed holster and waited, gaze on the forest around them.

Whoever was there, they couldn’t stay silent for long. Sooner or later?—

Another rustle.

Three quick strides and he rounded a tree to their left and grabbed the person.

A woman shrieked as she flew to her feet. “I’m sorry! I…I’m sorry. Please don’t hurt me!”

“Faye?” Emily rushed up behind him. “What are you doing?”

“I was walking back and I got lost! I heard people over here, but then you were…well…you know. So I panicked and hid.”

Slowly, he released the woman and holstered his weapon.

Faye blew out a long breath. “Thank God. I really didn’t want to be shot tonight.”

“Come on, let’s get you back.” He led the women back toward the trailers, his attention on Emily the entire time. The crease between her brows. Her silence.

When they reached the trailers, there were still a few other members of cast and crew around, preparing to leave for the night.

Faye spared them a quick glance. “Thanks. Um, sorry again.” She rushed toward her trailer.

Ryan followed Emily. She was already up the steps of her own trailer when he asked, “Can we talk about it?” He wasn’t sure if “it” meant talking about the fight or the kiss. Maybe everything.

“No.” She rubbed a hand over her face. “At least, not now. Not when I’m a step away from passing out.” She opened the door and had just stepped inside…when she suddenly turned. “Youreallycalled me the next day?”

“Yes. I needed to know that you were okay. I didn’t realize you were in the hospital. Maybe your mother deleted the call?” It was something the woman would do.

“Did you get any messages from me or my mom?”

“When? The next day?”

“Yeah, and over the next week.”

“None.”

Her frown deepened.

“Why?” He stepped onto the bottom step. “Did you call?” When she remained silent, he climbed the next step. “Emi?—”

“I need to get my stuff and get out of here. Thank you for walking me back. I think we can both agree that kiss was just a mistake caused by exhaustion.” Then the door closed with a resounding thud.

Mistake…the word sounded so fucking wrong.