The Dangerous Thief (Stolen Hearts #3)(10)

He got out of the car before Willa could ask any more questions. She thought James Weston would be more resistant than that about the idea of them as a couple. But he was already halfway into the store, leaving her to catch up. Apparently he didn’t want to discuss the matter any further.

When she caught up to him, she leaned in closer. “You know that if you want to keep me safe, you should probably walk slow enough for me to keep up.”

He let out a little scoff, the closest he’d gotten to laughing in the entire time they’d been together. “I figure that if you’re running for your life, you’ll manage to keep up.”

“Your concern for my life, as always, is touching.” Willa liked this whole pretending nothing strange happened thing. In fact, she thought that the situation from earlier actually made James Weston slightly more accommodating. Did he feel guilty for the awkwardness? Or was he going to be nicer anyway because they were out in public and he was pretending to be her boyfriend?

Once they were inside, she immediately started for the clothes.

“Only things you need,” he said.

She rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll manage to contain my shopping addiction.” Then she realized he was starting toward the back of the store. “You’re not coming with me?”

“I need to pick up a few things. I won’t be gone long.”

She nodded even as part of her wanted to ask him to stay around. Logically she knew it was crazy to think that her father had managed to track her down. She’d been so careful about her phone use and hadn’t used a credit card or accessed her bank account or any of her internet accounts since she’d left. A feat that had her going through major withdrawal, but it was worth it.

So there was no reason to think that she needed her caveman babysitter. But still, this was her first time in public since she’d come begging Melody Murray for help, and she couldn’t help but feel as if she were constantly in danger. Maybe after a few weeks or months that paranoia would go away, but it was impossible to shake when she still saw Jules’s murder every time she closed her eyes. She forced out a nod and figured it was half convincing, because James Weston left her.

She balled her hands into fists and released them. Shopping. She was good at this. She liked this. She should enjoy herself and not let her fear get the best of her. She found the rack of clearance clothes and started to go through it. She wasn’t looking for anything to party in. She wanted relaxing, lounging clothes that she could run in if necessary. She pulled out a tank top and her eyes widened when she saw the price tag. Three bucks. How was it possible to spend so little on clothes? She kept it in her hands as she continued to go through the rack.

She thought the bargain store would have nothing that interested her, but a lot of the styles copied the trends at the boutiques she normally went to. The fabrics weren’t the normal soft feel she was used to, but for price and convenience, it couldn’t be beat.

“Hun, would you like me to grab you a cart?”

She looked over her shoulder at the man who had spoken and thought she was going to see an employee. Instead, it was a man in a flannel shirt, worn blue jeans, a cowboy hat, and boots to complete the look. And the tall, fit man beneath the clothes looked the part of a cowboy a hundred percent. Oh Lord, if this were any other time in her life, she’d be all over this. But now was not the time. “Thanks for offering, but I’m good.”

She started onto the next rack and the man followed her. “I’m Brock Vera. You might’ve noticed that we’re not a huge town here, and I’ve never seen you before. I think I would’ve remembered someone so pretty.”

Willa put on an exceptionally forced smile, willing him to notice her discomfort. “I’m just passing through. It was nice meeting you, Brock.” There. She’d been polite. Now if he still didn’t leave her alone, she was going to—

“There’s some beautiful scenery. If you want, I can take you out and show you—”

“Look, Brock. I’m happy that you’re so friendly and your confidence is great, but I’m not interested in—”

A steel band of an arm went around her waist and pulled her in close. “Brock.” James Weston used just the one clipped word to communicate a hell of a lot of intimidation.

The cowboy probably wasn’t intimidated by much, but he took a large step back as he realized that Willa wasn’t alone. “Weston,” he said nervously. “I didn’t realize you—”

“You know now.”

Willa raised a brow as she glanced between the two men and enjoyed the show of masculinity.

“It was great meeting you.” Brock scurried off to harass some other visitor.

Willa shook her head in disgust. “I gave him every signal I wasn’t interested and he couldn’t care less, but somehow the fact that some other guy has claim on me is enough to be respected. Douchebag.”

James Weston leaned in close. “And this is why you’re not my cousin.”

His breath brushed her ear and the sensitive nape of her neck. Chills skittered down her spine. All of a sudden, she was transported back in time to those few seconds earlier that day when James had been staring at her. When he’d wanted her. And in that moment, with his arms around her and his face so close, she felt it back. She turned her face ever so slightly but he was still so near and right next to her. Damn, this was inconvenient, but the caveman was so.... Damn. Who knew she would be attracted to a caveman?