“Hush.” He kissed her, hard. “No more analyzing my motives or telling me what I want or don’t want. Accept or walk away.” He kissed her again and drew her back from the gully. “But I’d probably follow you. Now can we go home?”
“It’s your home, not mine.”
“Correction. Until Colby is no longer a factor in either of our lives, you don’t get more than a few yards away from me. Look what happens when you do. I told you once that I had your back. I can’t do that long-distance.”
And she didn’t want to leave Lynch. Not yet. She wanted his touch, his humor, his strength. She didn’t know where they were going after tonight, but he was her anchor in this storm. “I … guess I could stay at your place a little longer. After all, it won’t be forever.”
“No?” He smiled faintly. “We’ll have to see, won’t we?” He stepped back and picked up the stone from where she’d dropped it. “You won’t need this.” He reared back and threw the stone as far as he could. She heard the stone hit the canyon wall. “When the time comes, I’ll find you another weapon that will be much more efficient.”
“I’ll find my own weapons.” Once more, she moved away from him to the gully’s edge.
The wind was still moaning.
Death was still here.
Together with memories of horror that would never leave her.
And the fear that the monster was hovering close.
All of those sensations and emotions were still as alive as they had been moments before.
Yet everything was different now. She was different. She had let Colby and the shock intimidate her, and it had taken Lynch to jar her back to sanity.
The memory of the term Colby had carved on his chest returned to her.
Mereor?
Screw you, Colby.
I’m the one who is going to win.
She turned and moved back toward Lynch.
“Finished?”
“No. Not finished.” She impulsively stood up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. Why not? She wanted to do it, and Lynch had been entirely too much in control of their situation. She might not be sure where their relationship was going, but she had no intention of having a passive role. Then she strode toward his car. “Watch me. I’m just beginning.”