The Protector (Game of Chance, #1)(33)

Just the thought of anyone taking something she didn’t want to give, then having no choice but to share tight living quarters afterward, made her almost physically sick.

“You okay?” Riggs asked.

Looking up at him in surprise, she nodded.

He stared at her for a long moment before returning her nod and turning his attention back to the book in his hands.

Carlise calmed herself. Riggs wouldn’t force himself on anyone. It was true that she didn’t know him all that well, but he’d had plenty of chances today to become aggressive, to hurt her if he wished, and he hadn’t. He’d made her dinner, opened up about being lonely, sat with her while she’d fed Baxter.

Carlise knew Riggs was one of the good guys.

She still itched to call Susie. To get her opinion. Her friend was honest to a fault and could be counted on for good advice. But no. She was enjoying the break from her real life even more. And she didn’t think Tommy could trace her calls, but she wasn’t going to risk it. Not yet. She wanted a few more days of feeling completely safe before she had to worry about harassment from her stalker starting up again.

Taking a deep breath, Carlise turned her attention back to the book she was translating. It was one of her favorite genres, romantic suspense. With a heroine in trouble . . . and in need of the man in her life to help her out of it. She always wished she was like the heroines in those books. Strong. Resilient. Brave.

She’d never felt like that. Ever. Hell, at the first sign of a threat, what did she do? Run.

But the heroines in the books she translated weren’t like her. Most of the time, they met danger head-on. Even when everything went wrong, they still fought, not willing to give up.

For a moment, Carlise daydreamed about what she’d do if Tommy showed up at the cabin. Would she be like one of the heroines in the books she loved and stand up to him? Tell him off and be prepared to protect herself?

Probably not. She’d be a mess. Her first instinct would be to hide. To get away . . . if Tommy didn’t drag her off first and do whatever he wanted.

Hating the thought of her ex following through with all the threats he’d sent via email and text—it had to be him; who else would it be?—Carlise shivered.

Riggs suddenly moved, standing and going over to the bed and grabbing one of the fluffy blankets folded up at the foot, bringing it back to the couch. Without a word, he shook it out, then motioned for her to move her laptop.

Lifting it up, Carlise let Riggs spread the blanket over her lap, on top of the one that was already there. Then he turned to the fire and added another log, making the flames dance with renewed vigor.

Finally, he sat again. “Better?”

Carlise belatedly realized that he’d seen her shiver and thought she was cold.

She suddenly wanted to cry. He was so in tune with her needs. So eager to give her whatever he thought she wanted. Had Tommy ever been that way? Not really. And her dad had definitely never cared that much for her mom.

“Much. Thanks,” she said.

Riggs smiled, then turned his attention back to his book.

Shoot. She was falling for the man.

In one day, he’d been more of a boyfriend to her than Tommy or any other guy she’d ever dated. And it seemed to come naturally to Riggs. He wasn’t going overboard just to schmooze her. Wasn’t fawning or making obnoxious, overt moves. Everything he did was simply part of who he was.

And she liked him. A lot.

But she had no idea what he thought of her. She was an unexpected guest. Someone forced on him, because a man like Riggs would never turn away someone in need. And who knew how much longer they’d be stuck in his cabin together? The poor man had come up here for some peace and quiet.

If she was being honest, however, he didn’t seem all that perturbed. He’d even said how much he enjoyed having someone to cook for and eat with.

Deciding she just needed to chill, Carlise tried once again to focus on the words on the screen in front of her. The storm had ended, which meant hopefully she’d soon be able to get back to her car, get back on the road, and get on with her life.

The thought of leaving the cabin, leaving Riggs, made her belly clench. She had a feeling that when she left, she’d be walking away from something amazing. Something life changing. But what other choice did she have? It wasn’t as if Riggs was going to declare his undying devotion and beg her not to go.

But a small part, deep down—the romantic who believed in happily ever after and true love—wanted just that. She had a job she could do from anywhere. Why couldn’t she do it from here? Or from his apartment in Newton?

Starting over fresh actually sounded perfect. Tommy would eventually get over his obsession, or whatever his issue was. Her mom would probably think she was making a big decision too quickly, but she’d ultimately understand. And she and Susie could still be best friends . . . they had email, texts, and phone calls. They could still gossip and laugh together.

Hell, Susie would probably love Maine. She believed in things like Bigfoot and alien abductions, and this area was a hotbed for fans of both.

For a moment, she daydreamed about moving here. About meeting Riggs’s friends, greeting him when he came home from leading a trip on the AT or after going out in the middle of the night to cut down a tree that had fallen across a road or on a house.

Then her brows furrowed. She was being ridiculous again. At best, maybe Riggs would attempt to stay in contact after she left, mostly because he’d want to make sure she was safe. But eventually they’d lose touch and get on with their lives.