“Seth’s…” Caitlin swallowed back her sharpened opinion. “Just Seth.”
She struggled with the words to explain herself, unsure of how to describe the sensation that something was not right about him.
She’d known immediately Jeremiah was a cruel, abusive man the second they’d stepped onto his land.
And she knew something was lurking beneath the surface of Seth’s pleasant façade.
She just couldn’t put her finger on it yet.
Booker leaned in. “You don’t like him.”
It wasn’t a question.
Caitlin looked up at him, thankful she didn’t always need evidence to convince Booker.
“He’s… Odd. But I can’t tell if he’s just a little too… familiar or if it’s something else.”
“Familiar,” Booker repeated. “He touch you inappropriately or—”
She shook her head. “No, no, not like that. He just… keeps popping up. I can’t tell if we’re just randomly bumping into each other or…”
“Or if he’s followin’ you.” Booker frowned. “Not to sound like I don’t believe you, but we ain’t exactly on a hundred acres of land here. I see the same people twenty times a mornin’.”
Caitlin sighed, nodding as she looked to her feet. “I know, I know. It’s not that strange. I guess I’m just… Extra sensitive.”
Ducking to press a kiss to her temple, Booker whispered, “If y’don’t like him, I ain’t gonna try t’change your mind. Learned my lesson on that a long time ago.”
She smiled up at him. “Only took me screaming at you in the middle of the woods once, huh?”
“That’s right,” he drawled, lowering to kiss her fully.
Mine.
It was all she could think as he slanted his mouth over hers.
No matter what, she knew where she belonged.
Pulling back, Caitlin toyed with the neckline of his grey sweatshirt.
“How about we call it an early night tonight and make use of that room we got all to ourselves?”
Booker grinned. “Anything you want, songbird. I’m yours.”
* * * * * * *
Tossing her head back, Caitlin moaned low in her throat.
“Christ, look at you,” Booker murmured, hands gripping her outer thighs tight enough to leave marks.
Pushing her hair off her damp neck, Caitlin rocked her hips as she rode him, making a show of it to really get him going.
She loved nights like this. Putting Booker on his back, telling him just how she wanted to feel him, taking her time as she lifted up and sank back down.
Any second now and he was going to start babbling—praising her, cursing under his breath, begging to see her come.
Cupping both breasts, she pinched her nipples and mewled as a shiver of delight ran through her.
“Cae…” Booker’s voice crackled with need.
“Told me you were mine,” she said, reaching down to rake her nails over his chest. “I’m just proving how much.”
His chuckle doubled into a groan as she swiveled her hips, grinding against him as she took him to the hilt.
“Fuck, darlin’,” he said, sliding his hands up to her waist, her ribs, the sides of her breasts. “Never in my life…”
Just as his thumbs began stroking her sensitive peaks, the liquid heat in her belly soured.
Another chill ran down her spine, and this time it spread until every inch of her pricked with suspicion.
“Booker…” She slowed her motions, glancing towards the door across from them. “Jack, stop.”
Immediately, he let go.
“What? What is it?” He asked, concern furrowing his brow.
Caitlin didn’t answer. Her pulse was too loud in her ears to hear anything, but she knew… Could sense it.
“Cae, talk to me,” Booker said, wrapping an arm loosely around her waist as he sat up.
She blinked. “I… I think someone was watching us,” she whispered.
Turning towards the narrow window in the door, Booker scowled. “Y’see somethin’?”
Shaking her head, she frowned. “No, but… I could feel it. Something wasn’t right, I…”
“Okay, s’alright,” he murmured, rubbing her back. “Hop up. I’ll go look.”
“I’m coming with you,” she said, climbing off his lap and grabbing her shirt.
Dressing hastily, they both stayed as quiet as possible while approaching the door.
Twisting the lock, Booker opened the door only a fraction, arching his neck to see if anyone or anything was lingering in the hallway.
Pushing the door open wider, he glanced back at her.
“Don’t see nothin’,” he said. “They coulda ran off the second they saw you notice ‘em.”
Ducking under his arm to see for herself, Caitlin glowered at the dark corridor.
Empty and silent. No lights, no footsteps, no heavy breathing or undead groans.
She spun in a slow circle.
“Someone was watching us,” she said, throat tight. “I’m not crazy, I could feel it—”
“Shh, I know,” Booker said, reaching for her. “I believe you. But ain’t nothin’ out here to give us a clue as to who it was.”
Caitlin clenched her teeth.
She knew who it was. But she’d never have proof.
“C’mon,” Booker urged, guiding her back into their room.
Settling back onto their bed, Caitlin pulled her jeans off but kept her shirt on, and crawled under the sleeping bag.
Stripping, Booker joined her, but kept his touches PG rated as he kissed her forehead and ran a soothing hand over her knee.
“Sorry, I…” Caitlin shook her head. “I feel a little silly I ruined the moment now.”
“Don’t,” he said, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I believe you, songbird. Guess we better find a curtain or somethin’ for that window, huh?”
“Geeks roaming the earth and we still have to worry about toxic pervs running around,” she muttered, curling on her side as she laid down.
Facing her as he took the spot between the bed and the door, Booker wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, cradling her as she inched closer into his chest.
“Guess some
