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I made my way down to the dock, noting how worn it looked now.
I’d always been the one to keep up the house. Dad ran the bar, and I ran the household.
I trailed my fingers along the chipped paint on the dock and bent down to untie the rope attached to the kayak, which looked just as dingy as the dock. I climbed in and found the paddle, tipping my head back and letting the morning sun shine its warmth on my face.
The mountains surrounded me, and the smell of pine flooded my senses.
I’d missed this. Living in the city meant that I was always rushing. I didn’t spend a lot of time outside because I was always studying or working. Balancing school and work had been difficult, especially while writing my dissertation.
But I’d done it.
I made my way down the narrow path, maneuvering my kayak the way I’d done hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the years. Our home sat on a little alcove on the lake, and the turquoise water had a way of settling me no matter what was going on in my life. The flowers were in bloom, and the birds were chirping. It looked like something straight out of a Disney movie. If only it were this peaceful when I wasn’t out on the water.
I let my paddle steer to the left as I turned toward my favorite spot where I used to go and let myself dream about a life outside of all the drama.
A life where I could make a difference in the world, and not just in the confines of my inner circle.
But when I pulled into the little cove where I’d always found serenity, there was another canoe already parked there.
My eyes widened as I took in River Pierce, who stood out in great contrast amongst the scenery. There was nothing peaceful about this man or his presence.
He wore a black fitted tee, and his muscled arms were covered in colorful ink. His dark hair was wavy and unruly, and his eyes were shielded by a pair of gold aviators. His head turned slowly as I came to a stop a few feet from him.
“I didn’t think evil queens liked sunshine and water?” He insulted me without missing a beat.
“Where do you think we plot the demise of our enemies?” I purred, and he chuckled.
“All right. That explains it.” He was lying back with his denim-covered legs crossed at the ankles as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
My instinct was to leave, because I sure as hell didn’t come out here to make small talk with a man who irritated the hell out of me, and the feeling appeared to be mutual. But I hadn’t missed the way he’d quickly moved to his feet when Sam and Zane were getting ready to fight the other night before I’d jumped in.
I wasn’t used to anyone ever having my back outside of my dad, and even he’d grown comfortable letting me handle things as I’d grown older.
I wrapped my hands around the paddle, ready to move in a different direction.
“Don’t leave on my account. I’ll be heading out soon.”
I paused. “How do you know about this place? It’s sort of a hidden spot on the water. I used to come here all the time. I’ve never seen anyone else here before.”
He sat forward and raised his gold aviators, and his dark brown eyes looked jet black with the light shining down on him.
“I bought a house right around the turn, at the end of this cove, a few years ago. Never thought I’d be into boating, but I like coming out here on my own and chilling. Gives me time to think about other career opportunities, you know, since I’m not good at being lawyerly.” He smirked, flashing me this wicked grin that had my lady parts reacting.
What the hell was that about?
I couldn’t stand this guy, yet my body was quick to betray me every time he was around.
It made me dislike him even more.
He was unpredictable, combative, aggravating, and too good-looking for his own good.
A wild river.
He got under my skin, and that was never okay with me.
I’d learned at a very young age that being in control was the only way to survive this world.
Unpredictable people were red flags, and I avoided them at all costs.
