Page 37 of One Quick Obsession

Though Scarlett had pulled her hair back in a braid, I knew we’d both end up with messy hair at the end of the day, but that was the fun part of riding. We had sunglasses on to combat the wind and light. It was still slightly colder than when I usually first rode out. I’d wanted to get Scarlett on a bike, even though we knew the cold was probably an issue. She learned quickly, leaning into the curves with me and waving at the kids in cars as they passed by.

I leaned back, feeling far more relaxed than I had in ages. This was going to be a problem, but with Scarlett around, the voices stopped. At least the ones that screamed I was guilty.

I was guilty, but not exactly how she thought.

Not exactly as the world thought. But with Scarlett pressed against me, I could breathe. We pulled through Silver Lake, a town decently close to ours, and I parked in front of a small diner.

“You okay to eat here?” I asked as I turned off the engine.

“If you say it’s good, I’m game. Plus, I think I really need to walk.”

I reached back and squeezed her thigh, noticing the way she moaned.

“Is that moan because you liked that? Or are you going to be sore later?”

“I plead the fifth,” she laughed.

I helped her off the bike first, then slid my legs over. When her knees nearly gave out, I cursed.

“You okay?”

“I’ve only ridden a horse a few times, and it’s been a while.”

I ran my gaze over her body before I finally undid the strap underneath her chin. “You’ll get better at it.”

“You keep saying things like that.”

“Things like what?” Though I knew the answer.

“Like this will happen again.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.” I didn’t say anything else, but I gestured towards the diner behind her, and she turned, letting the non-answer slide. When I opened the door for her and pressed my palm to the small of her back, she didn’t flinch.

I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but I might as well go full tilt.

Nobody recognized us here, we could have been tourists for all they knew. We sank into a booth, and as the waitress came over and took our drink order, I sat back, knowing I was going to get the same burger I always did.

“Do you come here often?”

I shook my head. “No. I mean, probably as often as I go to any of the places in Cage Lake. I cook for myself, even though I’m not great at it.”

“I like to go to all of the places in Cage Lake. It’s home.” She sighed. “And frankly, I want to make sure that the residents knows that the resort is a huge part of the town, and I want them to be happy with us.”

“I get you. Not everybody was excited to have such a large and exclusive resort right at the edge of Cage Lake. It helped with sales tax, but it increased property taxes.”

“And it brought in people they didn’t know. I know the cabins on the west side and the lake, and the river, all had tons of tourists, but we brought in even more.”

My lips twitched. “You said we.”

“I know that you Cages own the place, but I think of it as mine.”

“I think of it as more yours than mine, Scarlett. We both know that.”

Before she could say anything, the waitress came, and we each ordered. She got the club sandwich with French fries and a side of ranch, and I got the burger, also with a side of ranch.

“I love that you got French fries and not a side salad.”

“I’m still in that greasy mood after the wine last night.”