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“That bossy mountain-man thing.”

“You say that like you don’t like it.”

Her lips part slightly.

Then she catches herself and steps back, creating distance again. “I didn’t come here looking for a babysitter.”

“Good,” I say. “Because I’m not patient enough for that.”

Something almost looks like a smile pulls at her mouth before she fights it down.

“You always flirt this aggressively?”

“I’m not flirting.”

“Right.”

“I’m warning you.”

“About what?”

My gaze drags slowly over her face before settling back on her eyes.

“Everything.”

The air between us tightens hard enough to feel.

Then a branch cracks somewhere deeper in the woods.

Both of us turn instantly.

I see the exact second she realizes I wasn’t exaggerating.

Her pulse jumps visibly in her throat.

And suddenly I’m done pretending I’m not involved.

“Where are you staying?” I ask.

Her eyes narrow immediately. “Why?”

“Because whoever’s tracking you already knows.”

Silence.

Then slowly, reluctantly, she gives me the cabin location.

I escort her back down the ridge without asking permission, staying slightly behind while my eyes scan the tree line constantly.

She notices.

“Do you always hover?”

“Yeah.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It’s kept me alive.”