Page 114 of Shadow

She wasn’t breathing. Neither was he.

Yes.

As crazy as it was—as over-the-line and reckless and⁠—

Yes.

She was almost ready to put her hands on his chest. To grip his shirt.

To pull him in herself⁠—

Then he stepped back. “You should get inside,” he said. Voice tight. “Get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

Only then did she see his hands were clenched at his sides. His mouth made a grim line.

Oh. And her words from last night just turned her raw. Trust no one.

“Yeah,” she managed. “Okay.”

She turned. Walked back toward the house. Didn’t look back.

But she felt his eyes on her.

Inside the house, Duke had stocked the kitchen with frozen food, including a lasagna.

Destiny had decided to make herself useful and started the lasagna to bake. Was making a salad.

Behind her, the door opened, and Asher came in.

She just…okay, nearly fled to her room like a coward.

A coward who had almost kissed her partner like she’d abandoned her brains out there in the sultry ranch air.

Instead, she stood at the window, looking at mountains turning dark against a purpling sky. Stars emerging overhead. The creek, a silver ribbon in the darkness.

Five days. Five days to do the job without letting feelings compromise everything.

She could survive five stupid days.

Then this would be over. Then they’d go their separate ways.

And that was the only smart answer. Because Daphne Cross didn’t build her life around someone else. Didn’t wait at windows. Didn’t become her mother.

She survived.

Even if survival felt a lot like loneliness tonight.

Even if not kissing Asher Morrison felt a lot like a mistake she’d regret forever.

Eleven

Asher lay in bed at midnight, staring at the ceiling and replaying the moment by the barn when he’d almost kissed Daphne Cross.

The way she’d looked at him, green eyes catching the last light of sunset. The way her breath had caught when he’d stepped closer. The way time had seemed to stop when his eyes dropped to her lips.

The way he’d wanted to close that distance. Wanted to stop lying for just one moment and show her something true.

And because of what he’d said: “No matter what happens, no matter what you find out, no matter what comes next—you can trust me.”