Naughty Stranger (Dangerous Love 1)

Peyton swatted at the bird. “I’ve had enough bad things happen to last me a lifetime, bird. Shoo!”

The bird squawked and flew away, and Peyton entered the bar, only getting two steps in before she got another surprise.

Justin sat at the bar. He turned his head, caught sight of her, and smiled, holding up his beer in salute.

She hurried to him. “You’re still here?” She slid onto the stool next to him.

He nodded. “My plans changed, and I have to fly to Boston in a couple days. Instead of heading home, I decided to stay.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “Hope that’s all right.”

“Of course that’s all right,” she said, and nudged her shoulder into his. “That means I get more time with you.”

He laughed softly. “I planned to come by the shop tomorrow and see if we could do breakfast or something. Catch up.”

“Well, look at you not wearing a suit.” Kinsley sidled up

to them, leaning her hand against the back of Peyton’s stool. She gave Justin a very thorough once-over. “Messy looks good on you.”

Justin gave her his beaming smile. “You’d look better on me.”

Peyton rolled her eyes.

“Charming,” Kinsley said dryly. She turned to Peyton. “Ready to go?”

“Yup.” To Justin, Peyton said, “Sorry I can’t stay.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s been a day. I’m heading back to the B and B after this beer and crashing.”

“Okay, sleep well.” She smiled, then gave Justin a tight hug. He felt like Adam. He smelled like Adam. The reminder of all that hurt. God, did it hurt, but Justin also felt familiar—like home—and that was…nice. “About that breakfast,” she said, leaning away. “How about tomorrow at eight?”

He released her to grab his beer again. “Sounds like a date. I’ll meet you at your shop.”

“See ya then.” She said her final goodbyes and turned to follow Kinsley, walking away from a person of her past and toward a person in her future.

In quick time, they got into Kinsley’s Jeep and hit the road. Back at Kinsley’s house, Peyton took a hot bath and settled into her cotton pajamas, entering the spare bedroom where she’d sleep tonight. She still felt a little silly about it all. Surely she was safe in her own bed. She also missed her lake house, the warmth of it, the quiet, and the nature. But two things occurred to her. One, what if she was wrong and the same people who robbed her shop decided to rob her house? Two, not being alone felt really, really good.

Drying the ends of her hair with a towel, she strode around the foot of the bed. Kinsley was across the hall, and Boone’s childhood bedroom was next to hers. Peyton figured maybe at one point this had been their father’s bedroom and Kinsley had redecorated when he moved out. The room was simple in design, with a dark gray fabric headboard on a double bed with a white duvet and dark gray sheets. A small round night table sat next to the bed with some fake daisies in a glass vase, a digital clock, and a cordless telephone. She hung the towel on her door to dry, then moved to close the curtains. That’s when something outside her window caught her eye. “Kinsley,” she called.

Kinsley charged into the spare bedroom. “Who do I have to kill?”

Peyton laughed. “No one. Sorry. It’s just that.” She pointed out the window at Boone sitting on his motorcycle beneath the streetlight shining down on him.

“Oh, that’s Boone being Boone,” Kinsley said with a shrug.

“Is he going to sit out there all night?”

Kinsley smiled softly, leaning her shoulder against the window frame wearing pajamas that said SLEEP, THEN COFFEE across her chest. “No, he’ll leave once he feels that we’re tucked away safe in bed.”

Peyton glanced back at Boone on his motorcycle. His attention was on his phone, the screen glowing light against his face. “He does things like this all the time?”

“Only when serious crimes happen in town or he feels edgy about something.” Kinsley stared lovingly down at her brother. “Some people might think it’s over the top, but it’s the cop in him. And he’ll—” The telephone on the nightstand rang.

Kinsley grabbed the phone off the receiver, giving Peyton a knowing look. “Yes, Boone, I’ve turned the alarm on,” she answered. “Yes, I’m sure it’s on. Yes, my cell is on my nightstand. I love you too. Goodbye.” She pressed end on the call and laughed softly, returning the phone to the bedside table. “Like I was saying, he’ll make sure I’ve set the alarm.”

“Has this happened before?”

“One time I had a boyfriend that went a bit nutty for a while.” Kinsley moved back to her spot by the window. “Boone got like this then too.” She studied her brother, then shrugged at Peyton. “To be honest, I don’t really mind it. He’s got my back, always has, and sometimes it’s nice knowing someone is looking out for you.”

“He’s a good brother.” Peyton smiled.