Dolby(9)
Author: Maryann Jordan

“Nah. Granted, I don’t usually drop when I get hit on the head. I was dizzy after I first fell, but I’m good now. Believe me, it takes more than a dumbass tumble down the hill to hurt me.”

 

She nodded, not having a reason to disagree, but curiosity had her ask, “I guess you’ve had other injuries?”

 

He lifted the water bottle to his mouth, and she became mesmerized, watching his throat work as he drank. Even that mundane movement was gorgeous. And sexy.

 

“Oh yeah,” he replied.

 

For a few seconds, she couldn’t remember what she’d asked. But thankfully, he kept talking.

 

“As a kid, I broke my arm. Classic tale of falling out of a tree. Tried to jump my grandpa’s fence but got caught in the barbed wire. Ended up with stitches that time. Had a concussion during a high school football game. Had some injuries in the Army. Got in a few bar fights in the military, but always in defense of our country, my fellow soldiers, or a lady’s honor.” He wiggled his eyebrows on the last statement.

 

Laughter bubbled out as she shook her head. “Why do I get the feeling that you were a really cute little boy who learned early that you could talk your way out of anything?”

 

Now his deep laughter rolled out, filling the small space. “You’re probably right.”

 

She wanted to know more about him. Hell, I want to know everything about him. But questions could invite him to ask about her. Will that be so bad? A little sigh escaped, and they fell silent for a moment.

 

“What would you be doing if you weren’t stuck here?” he asked.

 

Swinging her head to the side, she wondered if he was really interested or just filling time. His gaze remained steady, and she decided that he must want to know. Otherwise, he could have played with his phone and ignored her. “I would probably be inside by the fireplace, reading.”

 

“That sounds nice,” he replied with a nod.

 

“I’m sure it sounds tame to you.”

 

“Really? What makes you say that?”

 

She jerked slightly at his question. His voice didn’t sound irritated, but she realized her statement made an assumption that might have appeared rude. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you—”

 

“Hey, you didn’t offend me,” he assured. “I was just curious.” He gently shoulder-bumped her, and she liked the contact more than she expected.

 

“I guess my statement was more of a comment about myself than you. I tend to spend my evenings alone and assume most people don’t. I’m not into parties or bars. I didn’t mean to imply that you wouldn’t enjoy an evening reading by the fire. It just seems like most people have a much more exciting social life than I do.”

 

“Seriously, Marcia, don’t apologize. I guess I do go out a lot, but then I enjoy a good book and being alone at times, too.”

 

Curiosity made her bolder. “So… what do you usually do when you go out?”

 

“Sometimes I’ll go out with my coworkers. They’re friends and not just people who work at the same place. We might go to a bar or a game. A couple of us volunteer as coaches at a local high school. About once a month, my boss and his wife like to have everyone over to their house for some fun downtime. Sometimes a group of us will go kayaking, hiking, and mountain climbing. I was always active from the time I was little. Mom always said I came out running. Anyway, I like to stay in shape.”

 

Her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips at the idea of his shape, which was Greek-god worthy. One she wouldn’t mind exploring… closely… in depth. Suddenly, the heat inside the lighthouse seemed to rise, glad when he continued.

 

“For this trip, I preferred my own company. I don’t always get as much time just for me as I’d like, so I thought I’d spend a couple of nights in a remote area.”

 

A slight blush appeared to tinge his cheeks, and she was mesmerized. He leaned over and dug something else out of his pack, then pulled out a well-worn paperback. “See? I was reading just last night.”

 

His face held such a heart-stopping smile that it captured her full attention. It was a smile that launched a thousand dreams of hot sex, sweet cuddles, and happily ever afters. Afraid her thoughts showed on her face, she dragged her gaze from him to the book in his hand, recognizing the cover.

 

“You like mysteries?” She inclined her head toward the paperback by a popular author.

 

“Yeah,” he enthused. “M.B. Burns is phenomenal. Holds my attention every time.” He glanced from the book to her. “You read him, also?”

 

She nodded. “Do you have a favorite?”

 

“Gotta be the Inspector Marley mysteries. Night of the Blade. Yeah, that’s my favorite.”

 

Grinning, she continued to nod. “That’s a good one.”

 

“I love the way the author keeps me guessing. He layers so many elements into the story, weaving them throughout. Holds my attention every time.”

 

She tilted her head to the side. “Working in investigations, I would think that you might find these fictional mysteries to be rather simplistic… or unrealistic.”

 

“Not at all. That’s probably why I like this author so much. His research is good. The characters are like real humans. Sure, it’s fiction, but with multiple storylines moving throughout, I keep trying to outguess Inspector Marley.”

 

“Maybe one day you’ll figure out the mystery early.” With that, she leaned back and munched on the cheese crackers they were sharing, feeling unusually at ease with a stranger who seemed less like a stranger by now. And a little smile curved her lips.

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

The hours passed easily, and Dolby couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so comfortable with a woman he’d just met. Maybe it was because there was no expectation other than making conversation, sharing a snack, and keeping warm. At some point, they’d scooted closer to each other, and he’d made sure she appeared at ease with their proximity. As a large man, he was naturally warmer, so he sat where he could block the breeze blowing through the lighthouse structure, glad that the cool temperature wasn’t cold.

 

She squirmed several times, and he spied the blush on her cheeks. Anticipating her need and source of embarrassment, he was glad the rain had stopped. “I’m going to head outside to take a break. I’ll go to the left, and if you need to do the same, you can go to the opposite side of the building. I’ll leave the lantern in here.”