Love and Other Things (Crystal Lake 4)

It was brisk outside, and the snow that had be

gun the day before continued leaving several inches in its wake. By the time she slid inside the cab, she was glad for the heat. Beck climbed in beside her and sat back, hidden by the shadows. Sid settled in the seat, shivering a bit from the cold, or maybe from all the zigs and zags shooting off inside her.

He made small talk with Pete on the drive out to the lake. The cab driver asked about the bungalow he was working on, said that his sister was looking for a house to buy, and Beck told him to give her his information and he’d make sure his sister got a look before it hit the market if she was interested.

“I’ll do that,” Pete replied, taking a left onto River Road.

The rest of the trip was silent, but that was okay. She needed some time to get her shit together, because right now, she felt like her fifteen-year-old self, and that wasn’t a good thing. Fifteen-year-old Sid had been all over the place.

They pulled into Beck’s driveway, and for a moment, she froze, unsure where things were headed. Mixed signals had a way of screwing with one’s head.

“Do you want to come in?” he asked after a few moments, his voice warm and husky.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she managed to reply.

“I wasn’t asking if it was a good idea or not. I was asking if you’d like to come inside.”

Heart pounding so loud, she was pretty sure Pete the cab driver could hear, she licked her lips and melted at the look in Beck’s eyes when they fell to her mouth. “Since you know me so well, what’s my answer?”

Praise Mary and hallelujah. She could still speak.

He stared at her for a heartbeat or two—actually, it was more likely three and felt like ten—and then that slow smile she was getting way too use to crept over his face.

“I think your answer is, damn right I do.” He handed Pete some cash and hopped out of the car and waited for her.

She couldn’t move, and he peered inside.

“Unless, for the first time tonight, I’m wrong.”

Do it.

She gave Pete a quick, awkward wave and followed Beck, her feet crunching over the cold, hard snow. When he unlocked the door to let them inside, she resisted the urge turn her butt around and run for the hills. Or the lake. Or the forest. Or whatever was out there. Instead, she got her shit together and followed him in.

Almost immediately, a meowing bundle of fur hurled itself at Beck. He scooped up the little kitten while shucking his boots. A lamp was on, but the place was pretty dark.

“Can I use the bathroom?” she squeaked in a voice that would make her fifteen-year-old-self cringe.

Beck pointed toward a hallway. “First door on your left.” He held up the kitten. “I’ll just look after this little girl, and then…” He grinned, and she all but ran to the bathroom.

Once inside, she whipped out her cell and called her sister. It was just about six in the evening on the West Coast, and Kylie picked up on the first ring.

“I met someone,” she whispered hoarsely, watching the door as if it were alive and eavesdropping.

“What?”

“I met someone.” She spoke a little louder and winced at the sound of her voice in the quiet.

“Oh my God. Details.”

“I’m in his bathroom.”

Silence. Big loud silence.

“You met someone, and you’re calling me from his bathroom?”

“Yes.”

“Are you drunk?’