Loner: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance

by Harloe Rae

  “So jumpy,” he murmurs.

  “You would be too if the roles were reversed.”

  “The next location is your pick. I’ll follow along blindly, wherever you lead.”

  “You say that now.” The possibilities begin to formulate in my jittery brain. Beating this supposed treat should be a cinch.

  “I believe you’ll steer me in the right direction.”

  “Ah, using the guilt factor. Well done.”

  Another raspy noise scrapes out of his throat. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get more days like this.”

  I smash my lips together to silence the embarrassing sigh desperate to climb out. The sound dances on my tongue until I gulp the gooey sentiment down. We’re just friends out having fun. Sure, we slept together. Those escapades might as well be ancient history, though. Our connection is fleeting. When it’s time to move on, we’ll go our separate ways. He’ll keep in touch for Millie’s sake, until she abandons the hero worship.

  But it’s difficult to remember the arrangement when Crawford dishes out the sweet and swoony. He makes me question the strength of our restrictions. I could easily fall for his charm, but I won’t. A chaste relationship is precisely my speed. My resolve rattles through me with each shallow breath.

  Crawford directs us to the left, knocking me from my reverie. “Are your eyes still closed, Peep?”

  “Uh-huh,” she squeaks.

  He nudges me. “How about you, Kee?”

  I roll the sockets behind my sealed lids. “Yes, sir.”

  “Oh, I like that.” A rumble rolls off his chest.

  I scoff into the blank unknown. “Don’t get used to it.”

  “You two are so funny.” Millie giggles, enjoying his little game far more than me. I suppose that makes sense, since this stunt is definitely for her benefit.

  Creepy prickling sensation aside, my belly is in a flurry of flutters. Crawford is spending extra energy being creative with his presentation, and those actions are very much noted. He earns brownie points for upping the anticipation factor with each passing moment. My little girl is practically squealing with delight. Millie’s laughter triggers my own, and soon we’re lost in hysterics.

  “Not sure we’re that funny,” Crawford mutters.

  “We’re wandering in the middle of nowhere with you as our guide. The fact I’m still going along with this strange trust exercise speaks to my dedication for the cause.” Could I peek through his fingers and ruin the surprise? Well, duh. But I find myself wanting to go along with whatever he’s planning.

  “Your faith in me is remarkable. I can hardly handle the weight of that responsibility.” His tone is drier than the dead foliage littering the ground.

  “Not sure what more you want from me.” It might be my imagination, but I’m certain he presses his hips into me. I only feel the evidence of him for a moment before he’s backing off. It’s plenty to give me a hint of exactly what he’s interested in.

  “Don’t fret, Kee. It’s worth the wait.”

  Not even thirty seconds later, the sound of flowing water hits my ears, and I slam on the brakes. “I swear on everything holy, if you’re about to dump us in—”

  He squeezes my shoulder. “Relax. This is the finish line.” His hand disappears from my face. “Open and see.”

  I follow his orders instantly, shielding my eyes to block the harsh light. A loud gasp immediately follows as the breathtaking view spans out in front of me. The wide creek commands first notice. Deep blue and rippling, the surface glistens in the sun. I follow the glittering pattern along the weaving stream until the lazy current disappears from view. A thick wall of trees lines both sides, protecting this slice of wonder from the harsh reality looming just beyond the forest edge.

  When I glance at Millie, her gaze is darting from one surface to the next. She can’t seem to decide where to focus her attention first. I can empathize.

  Crawford moves to stand beside me, joining in the staring contest. “What do you think?”

  I return my sights to the gleaming river. “Definitely worth the build-up.”

  “It’s so beautiful,” Millie adds.

  Static erupts across every porous inch of me. “I’ve never been here before. You’re showing us all the best secrets in Silo Springs.”

  He squints at me against the bright reflections off the water. “Ah, it’s kinda off the beaten path.”

  “That makes it more special. A secret,” I muse.

  “Not many even know how to reach this part of the shore.”

  My daughter wrinkles her freckled nose at him. “Is that why there was no peeking? I wanted to take just a little look so bad.”

  He chuckles at Millie. “No. That was just to add some flash to the big reveal. Did it work?”

  “Uh-huh, yeah. I’m super surprised.”

  Crawford nods toward the sandy bank. “You can go straight in. It’s not very deep in this section. Your knees might get splashed a bit if you wade into the very center.”

  She whips her gaze to mine, pleading with every sparkle in those green irises. “I wanna swim now. Please, Mama?”

  I glance at Crawford. “Millie is a mermaid, as I’m sure you’re aware, but she has a floaty if needed. It’s safe without?”

  “Very much so. There are no rapids or sink holes. Sitting in the low depths is the best compromise of hot and cold.” He points between the cloudless sky and inviting brook. “The better spot for swimming is upstream a few miles. But that’s overrated. This area is the true gem of the river.”

  The way he speaks about this place makes me want to listen. It’s clear he’s sentimental and personally invested in this private grove. There’s a lot of history buried beneath the sand, no doubt.

  “Speaking from experience.” It really took all of my detective skills to dig up that obvious tidbit. I internally roll my eyes.

  He nods. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.”

  Millie spins around to face us, quick feet kicking up droplets. “Like me?”

  Crawford sends her a grin. “Yeah, right around your age.”

  “Wow, that’s cool. Maybe I’ll still be visiting this creek when I’m old.” Her grin is more radiant than the midday sun.

  Crawford hangs his head, but he’s still smiling. “I hope for that, too.”

  A loud peal of laughter has me refocusing on Millie. She’s hopping in a circle, pointing at the glassy surface. “There’s a fish!”

  “You’ll see a lot of them in there,” Crawford informs.

  “How many is a lot?” I do my best to peer into the river from a safe distance. My efforts are not very successful. All I catch are rocks and a few patches of weeds. I must be making a sour expression because he quirks an eyebrow at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  A shudder rocks through me. “The vision of fish nibbling on my skin has always made me squeamish.”

  Crawford snorts out a chuckle. “Don’t be ridiculous. They’re totally harmless.”

  “Hey!” I poke his stupidly chiseled pec. “How about you don’t ridicule me? I’m well aware that it’s a silly fear, but that’s my issue.”

  He holds up his palms. “Fair enough. I’ll be nearby to save you if the fish form a mob and stage an organized attack.”

  “So gallant,” I mutter.

  He winks. “Glad to be at your service.”

  “Don’t be scared, Mama. I’ll catch all the fishies.” Millie returns her admiration to the stream, sloshing and laughing and soaring high on jubilation. Her pigtails twirl with each bubbling motion. She lifts my spirits right along with hers.

  I allow the moment to loop around me until my body is absorbing nothing except warmth and fresh air. Birds sing a tune from their perches. The languid tide at the riverbend babbles along the shore. Everything else is quiet and calm, peaceful to the very roots we stand on.

  “This seems like a safe choice for you, Ford.” What I don’t reveal is how fast my pulse is racing or how being this clo
se to him scrambles me all up inside. The thing that stands out most is how thankful I am that he’s shared this haven with us. I’m already reconsidering where we’ll go next. My earlier assumption crumbled into powdery dust the second I stared into the crystal-clear creek. Topping a pristine natural paradise will be tough to accomplish.

  “Look deeper,” he murmurs close to my ear. I follow his gaze as he studies my thin cover-up.

  “What should I be searching for?”

  “A solution to my growing problem.” The strain in his voice prods at me.

  I take an obvious glimpse around at the woodland escape we’re swaddled in. “How could there be anything wrong when you’re in this environment?”

  “Just one major flaw,” Crawford grunts. “Nothing about spending the afternoon with you in a bathing suit is a simple decision to make.”

  “Am I that repulsive?” I mean to sound serious, but a flirty undertone sneaks through the cracks.

  His eyes flit up to mine, narrowing into slits. “Quite the opposite, and you know it.”

  I toy with a stretchy strap that’s crossing over my collarbone. “Do I?”

  “Don’t test me, woman. Your daughter is nearby. I can only hope you took pity on me and chose something that fully covers your perky ass.” In an unprecedented show of affection, Crawford rubs his thumb across my nape.

  A thrill zips through me, and I curl my toes into the sandy embankment. “Substantial swimwear isn’t my preference.”

  He bites the knuckle on his clenching fist. “Now you’re just being cruel.”

  “Does that mean you don’t want to see what I’m keeping covered?” I tug at the fabric straining over my bust.

  Crawford takes a sudden interest in a tall aspen next to us. “I have a vivid imagination.”

  I hum a sound of agreement. “You certainly do.”

  He squeezes his eyes shut. “It’s your intention to torture me.”

  I blink at him, batting my lashes with extra oomph. “This was your idea.”

  “Maybe you should keep the dress on. Indefinitely.”

  I reach for the hem skimming my mid-thigh. “Never.”

  “My regret is expanding faster than other parts, which is amazing on its own. Choosing an activity that requires you to wear a bikini was a grave mistake.” He straightens his fingers, stretching the flexed knuckles, only to curl them into fists again. “I’m already testing every ounce of my control.”

  I choose to focus on a specific part of his speech. A sneaky idea follows close behind. “Who told you I have a bikini on?”

  Crawford’s brow makes an inquisitive leap upward. “Did you take pity on me and choose a one-piece?”

  “Should we find out?” In one fell swoop, I remove the garment and toss it at him. The sun kisses my skin, much like I wish his lips would. I shove that nonsense away with a harsh exhale. What am I thinking?

  Crawford’s eyes dip to my mouth, trailing down until settling on the modest cups covering my breasts. The underwire and push-up features emphasize my already ample cleavage. Based on the heat flaring in his hazel pools, he’s appreciating the added boost. My skin pebbles under his fiery gaze. I shiver against the onslaught of warring emotions ripping me apart.

  “I take it all back. This was a fantastic plan.” In the next beat, Crawford whips off his white tee, revealing bronze skin and a well-toned physique. Black board shorts hang low on his waist, almost revealing the entire happy trail that leads to so much more. I’m well aware of what he’s packing behind that thin layer of nylon. If I stare hard enough, the outline of his impressive ridge is visible to my desperate searching.

  “That’s what I was thinking.” My body is too hot, sizzling from more than the direct rays beating down over us. I turn in front of him, close enough to touch, but begin walking backward before our boundaries are breached. The cool stream laps at my ankles, and a rush of relief washes over me. I bend and flick water at him. The spray hits him in the chest, trickling down to the waistband of his shorts. I’ve never been more jealous of liquid. “Well, don’t just stand there looking pretty. Come and get me.”

  Healing Hug #20: The silent moments are most powerful. It doesn’t have to be for comfort.

  I drum my fingers to a crooning country beat that’s serenading me through the speakers. The romantic lyrics aren’t lost on me, but I tune out the singer’s suggestions all the same. I don’t need another reason to think about love and commitment and losing my damn mind. Sitting mere feet from a certain captivating blonde is more than enough to make me wax poetic. Keegan is tapping her thumb against the steering wheel, enjoying the wistful tune. Her ruby lips are mouthing the words, and I find myself sucked into the chorus all over again. She catches me staring, lifting a brow in my direction.

  “Find something of interest?”

  Damn straight I have. I nudge my aviators down until an unobstructed view of her face filters in. “Other than the rows of wheat and tumbleweeds?”

  “Spoken like a true native of Wyoming.”

  I knock on the glass beside my head. “Born and raised. Glad my roots are showing.”

  She nods. “Seems we have that in common.”

  “Where’d you grow up?”

  “In Cheyenne, mostly.” Keegan’s smile wilts at the corners. “I moved around a lot during my college years.”

  “On purpose?”

  She shrugs. “Out of necessity. I had a baby to feed and very few rental options in an affordable price range.”

  “Damn, that sounds rough.” I grip my thigh, holding off from saying more.

  “Eh, it all worked out.” Keegan glances in the rearview mirror with a rejuvenating grin.

  “Cheers to that.” I lift my chin at her. “Nothing beats a rich history and valuable life experiences.”

  She squints into the distance. “And a boundless future. Do you ever plan to travel the world?”

  I chuckle into my palm. “Whoa, slow down. I haven’t lived beyond the limits of Silo Springs. Any trips I’ve taken lately tend to be within a one-hundred-mile radius.”

  “Interesting,” she murmurs.

  “Maybe I should venture further. Doesn’t matter how often I pass these fields. They all look the same blending together like this.”

  Keegan remains tight-lipped about where she’s taking us. Based on the absolute silence filtering in from the backseat, Millie and Josey are still batting for her team. The ordinary landscape has offered zero hints as we travel along the interstate. Nothing but rolling meadows and grassy fields greet my gaze as I look out the window.

  “There’s beauty to be found in simplicity.”

  When I return my eyes to her, she’s focusing on the flat road in front of us. I smirk at her stoic expression. “Spoken like a true believer.”

  “Good thing I am one.”

  “That’s why I’m keeping you around.”

  “Among other things,” she trails off.

  I stroke the stubble coating my jaw. “Ah, I suppose. There’s more to come.”

  Another quirk of her brow. “For both of us?”

  “Good grief, you two.” Josey’s head suddenly appears between our seats. “Why don’t you take a trip to the hardware store and get it over with?”

  Keegan’s face scrunches up. “Huh?”

  Josey flicks her arm. “Hammer and nails, Keke. Maybe some screws and caulking, too.”

  She sputters. “Please don’t tell me you’re implying—”

  “Without pause. Like you two should be doing.”

  “Millie is sitting right next to you,” Keegan scolds.

  Her daughter takes the provided entrance. “Mama?”

  “Yes, baby girl?”

  “JoJo isn’t wearing her seat belt. She’s gonna get hurt.”

  Keegan glares at her friend. “Quit being a bad influence and sit back.”

  “One day, you’ll thank me.” Josey points between them. “And I’ll get to gloat.”

  “So, a typical Saturday?”
<
br />   “Such a sass-pot.” With that parting barb, Josey settles into her seat. The click of her belt releases some of the tension that’s lifting Keegan’s shoulder.

  “At least she provides entertaining commentary for the drive.”

  I flick a look at the woman behind me. Josey shrugs and offers Millie a high-five. These three are conspiring against me. Again. “Any chance either of you wanna share where we’re going?”

  “Not my secret to tell,” Josey chides.

  Millie nods. “Don’t spoil the surprise, Ford.”

  I slouch against my seat, resigned to sit tight a bit longer. After another song fades to black, I’m still very much out of the loop. I’d stopped trying to guess our destination once we got twenty minutes outside of Silo Springs. By this point, the unknown is making me itchy.

  “Are you taking me to Denver?” I bounce my knee against the dashboard.

  Keegan scoffs. “On this route? Highly unlikely.”

  “Why else would we be heading south for this long?”

  “The wait will be worth it.” That sounds all too familiar.

  “Very funny.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Not even a hint?”

  Keegan clucks her tongue at me. “You’re worse than Millie.”

  A mock frown droops my expression. “I’d take offense, but she’s pretty bad as—”

  “Asp,” Keegan finishes with a glare. Josey snorts, and she shoots her a look that makes me want to wither away.

  “Uh, right. One of those wicked vipers that’s powerful enough to expel the evil queen.”

  Millie gasps. “Like detention? Wow, that’s so cool. I totally wanna be an asp.”

  Keegan groans while I laugh. “It’s better than the alternative.”

  “I’m just so thankful it’s summer break. She has months to scrub her mind of all this bad language.”

  The instinct to reach over and grab her hand clenches in my gut. I resist the urge, threading my fingers together and squeezing too hard. “She’s a really good kid, Kee. You’ve done an incredible job raising her. I have no doubt she will grow up to be a very conscientious and honorable person. That’s because of you.”