Little by little, Delaney was warming up to him. Corbin prided himself on reading people, paid close attention to those little nuances that gave more information than verbal language ever could. Delaney was attracted to him, just as he was to her. But she was fighting against it hard. Corbin couldn’t blame her. He’d be paranoid too if he’d been through what she had. Maybe after more time, Delaney would relax around him, realize that he was nothing like Tuck Allen. He tightened his jaw. It rankled his gut to think of Tuck abusing Delaney. And then there was Hugh, the cutthroat killer out for revenge. Corbin would do everything in his power to keep Delaney safe, even if it meant he had to die trying. He couldn’t explain it, but Delaney was his responsibility. And now that he’d met her, he’d never be able to let her go. He laughed inwardly realizing how ridiculous that sounded. His grandfather, Wallace, swore that the first time he laid eyes on Lou Ella, he knew they’d be together. Corbin always thought that was wishful thinking, Pops rewriting history to fit with the present. But now, he was starting to wonder if there was something to the story.

Corbin glanced sideways at Delaney. Even with the wig, she was stunning. He was glad they had so much road time so he could get to know her better. And the best part, she couldn’t retreat. “So,” he began, “if the two of us have any hope of pulling off this boyfriend/girlfriend charade, we need to know details about each other.”

The color seeping into her cheeks indicated how uncomfortable she felt about the situation. “What do you want to know?”

“Favorite food.”

“Sausage gravy and biscuits,” she said without hesitation.

He laughed. “Really? I’ve never been that crazy about biscuits. They’re kind of dry and hard.”

She grunted. “That’s probably because you’ve never had a good biscuit. Where did you eat the biscuit that was dry?”

“I dunno, a restaurant.”

“Out West?”

“Well, yeah.”

“That’s the problem. You’ve never had a Southern biscuit. They’re light and flaky, melt in your mouth. I guarantee you that if you have a biscuit made by someone who knows what they’re doing, you’ll change your mind.”

It was fun to see this side of Delaney. Sassy and more carefree. “Do you know how to make biscuits?”

“Of course. I’m Southern, aren’t I?”

He chuckled. “Yes, you are.” He kept his voice casual, non-threatening. “Maybe you could make me some when we’re at the cabin … see if you can change my mind.”

She hesitated for a moment, long enough for him to fear that she’d refuse. “Okay, you’re on.”

Another win … little by little. He’d love to have Delaney cook him a meal. Heck, he’d even volunteer to help. Anything to keep her by his side.

“How about you? What type of food do you like?”

“Pasta.”

“That’s kind of broad. What type of pasta?”

“All types.”

“Red sauce or white?”

“Yes.”

She laughed. “Okay. What are your hobbies?”

Hobbies? He hadn’t thought about that in a long time, not since way before he became a SEAL. “I like target shooting, camping, hiking, snow skiing.”

“An outdoor man. I kind of figured that about you.”

He could feel her eyes on him. He glanced at her as they shared a smile.

“I always wanted to learn to snow ski.” She chuckled. “But in Alabama, the closest thing you get to snow are a few ice storms.”

“We’ll have to go while we’re in Birchwood Springs. There’s a resort right next to my grandfather’s cabins. My sister works there.”

“Really? We could go? Would it be safe? Considering the circumstance …” Her voice faded into a thick silence.

Corbin wanted this whole ordeal to be over. It cut to hear the dismay in Delaney’s tone, to know how terrified she was. He couldn’t help it. He reached over and placed a hand over hers. Electricity spiked through him when their skin connected. She had to have felt it too. Yes, he could tell she did … he knew from the way she went rigid. He thought Delaney might jerk her hand away and was relieved when she didn’t. “I think we can manage a trip to the ski resort.”

“I’d like that,” she said, giving him a wan smile. Carefully, she removed her hand from his. “Sorry, but considering our situation, I’d like to keep things between us professional.”

Disappointment pummeled through him as he nodded, putting his hand back on the steering wheel. One step forward … two steps back. He was getting used to Delaney’s routine, but he didn’t like it.

“How did we first meet? That’s the number one question people will ask.”

Her comment helped ease some of the tension as he relaxed in his seat, keeping his eyes on the road. “At a party.”

“Okay, sounds good to me. What type of party?”

“A fancy shindig on Coronado Island, hosted by a billionaire philanthropist.” He saw the surprise on her face. She’d just now figured out the direction he was taking. “I walked into the mansion wearing my new, shiny white tux and felt this gorgeous babe checking me out.”

“I was not checking you out,” she blustered.

A smile tugged at his lips. “Yes, you were.” He cut his eyes at her to let her know she wasn’t getting off the hook. She could sit there all day and pretend there wasn’t anything between them, but she couldn’t deny that she’d noticed him first. “You know it’s true.”

She made a face. “Fine. I admit it. I was checking you out,” she muttered. “What do you want? A confession in blood?”

“I just wanted to hear you say it out loud.”

She shoved his arm with a laugh. “You’re such a cocky moron. I can’t believe you got me to admit that,” she uttered.

He glanced at her, not surprised to see her lips turned down in a petulant frown. She was so darn cute that he wanted to pull the SUV over and kiss her right this minute. He chuckled inwardly. Not a good idea. She’d freak out. Never speak to him again. “And then when I went over to talk to you at the bar, you sicked Anton on me.”

She chuckled nervously. “Yeah, not one of my finer moments. But you certainly had no trouble holding your own.”

The admiration in her voice caused him to lose his train of thought. He fumbled to come up with a response. Did he say thanks? Was she complimenting him? Or just stating the facts? Thankfully, she spoke first.

“I’m sorry about the Anton thing. I had no idea you were working for Sutton. I thought you were hitting on me.”

He’d dodged this the night before. Time to own up to what really happened. “I was.”

She coughed. “Excuse me?”

“I was hitting on you. I didn’t realize you were going to be assigned to me. You caught my attention earlier, and I wanted to meet you.” There. He’d said it … gotten it out in the open.

“A-ha! I knew you were hitting on me.” Her voice grew animated like she’d just gotten the correct answer on a game show.

His next statement could either move things forward or put a monkey-wrench in them. But he was tired of tiptoeing around the situation. “One minute you openly checked me out and then you shot me down cold when I tried to approach you. Why?” He knew the reason, of course. She was scared because of what happened with Tuck. Still, he wanted to bring it out in the open … discuss it, hoping they could move past it.

“Because I don’t need a relationship right now, especially not with you.”

Talk about a punch in the gut. Wow! “What’s so bad about me?”

“Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She shook her head, angling away from him.

“No, you started this. I wanna hear it.” He clutched the steering wheel, awaiting her answer. No way he was going to let her weasel out of this one. She’d given him a personal insult, one which was totally unfounded.

“It’s not you. It’s me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Can we just drop it?”

Her voice had a panicked edge. It made him feel for her—how badly she’d been hurt in the past. But he wasn’t the bad guy here. All he’d done was try to help her. “No, I don’t think we can. I need to know where you’re coming from.”

She blew out a breath. “Fine. You wanna know why I shot you down?” Her voice went higher. “Well, here it is. I’m attracted to the wrong type of guys.”

He tensed. “What makes you so sure I’m the wrong type of guy?”

“Because it’s written all over you—your swagger, the intensity you exude like a second set of skin, the rebel.” She let out a harsh laugh. “Believe me, I know you, Corbin Spencer. You know how people say they have a knack for finding the most expensive item in the store? Well, that’s me when it comes to men. You put ten guys in front of me. Nine of them could be upstanding men and only one the rebel. And I’ll pick the menace every time. Guaranteed.”

“So, I’m a menace now? Need I remind you that I am one of the good guys?”

“I’m know you’re fighting for the right side, and I’m grateful you’re in my corner. But tell me, Corbin. Of all the guys Sutton could’ve picked to protect me, why do you think he picked you to go up against Hugh?”

“Because I’m capable … have the right set of skills.” Because he wants to give me a second chance to prove I’m not a total screw-up.

“Because you’re as tough and relentless as Hugh. You fight fire with fire, as Sutton said. You put a gun to Anton’s head, then asked questions later.”

He couldn’t argue with that. Doug had told him much the same thing using different words. “You may be tough,” he’d said, “but tough isn’t enough. You also have to be tempered.”

From the time he was a kid, Corbin carried around the pain of losing his parents. In his teenage years, that pain turned to a hot anger that fueled him, made him a menace to society … just as Delaney had accused him of being. Then he met Doug who saw potential in Corbin. Doug made him want to be a better person, set him on the path of becoming more tempered. Corbin thought he was doing better in that regard, right up until the moment Doug was killed and he lost his head. One moment in time, his reckless nature took over. Corbin’s actions not only cost him the respect of SEAL Team 7, but also an innocent life. “I’m not a bad person,” he muttered, mostly to himself.

“I know.”

He jerked slightly, Delaney’s comment bringing him back to the conversation at hand.

“I don’t mean to accuse you of being a menace. Those are my issues, not yours.”

“I know I can be a hothead, but that doesn’t make me Tuck. I would never hurt you like he did. And I don’t think it’s fair that you’re trying to hold me responsible for his sins.”

“I’m not doing that.”

“Okay, then why’re you so afraid to admit that there’s something between us? I feel it, and I know you do too.” He glanced at her. “I can see it in your eyes.”

She gulped in a strangled breath. “I beg your pardon,” she said stiffly.

“No need to beg,” he said pleasantly. “Just answer the question.”

She angled toward him. “You get great delight out of pinning me in a corner, don’t you?”

He laughed. “I have to admit, pinning you in a corner would have its advantages.” He glanced at her, noting how her face had gone cherry red.

“I knew you were trouble from the first minute I saw you,” she grumbled, her brows furrowing.

“Seriously? You’re talking to the man who saved your life.”

“Thank you very much for doing your job,” she spat.

“You’re welcome.” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. A frigid silence settled between them. Delaney was sitting with her arms clamped over her chest, her face rigid.

He sighed. That hadn’t gone the way he hoped. He’d known he was probably pushing her too far when he brought up the attraction thing, but he wanted to test the water … break down as many barriers as he could. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You don’t owe me anything for keeping you safe. Like you said, I was just doing my job.” He hated how cold and sterile the words sounded. Yeah, he was working for Sutton, getting paid for the assignment, but this thing with Delaney was personal … more personal than anything had felt in a long time.

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

It took his brain a second to register that she’d spoken. “Huh?”

“If you’d not realized what Anton was up to, we’d both be dead right now. Thank you. I do owe you my life.”

The sincerity in her words caught him off guard. “I’m glad we averted disaster. And that you were safe.” He hoped she realized how much he truly meant that.

“About the relationship thing … I can’t get involved with anyone right now. Not while this thing with Hugh’s hanging over me. Can you understand that?”

He looked sideways, saw the pleading in her eyes, then put his focus back on the road. “Yeah,” he finally said. “I understand. But you have to understand that the goal is to make everyone in Birchwood Springs believe you’re my girlfriend. So, if I put my arm around you … hold your hand … or even kiss you … you can’t freak out.” He didn’t have to look at her to know she was mortified. She really was fun to tease. Although he was serious. The best way to keep her safe was to make everyone believe they were a couple. Of course, he’d make sure to take every opportunity to kiss her.

“Isn’t there some other cover we can come up with? Maybe we’re work colleagues?”

“Before I took this job, I was a bouncer at a bar,” he said matter-of-factly. “My family knows that’s what I was doing. Even if you pretended to be a server at the bar, there’s no reason we would travel together, work-wise.” He had her and they both knew it.

“Fine,” she huffed. “But whatever happens between us will be just for show. You got that?”

“Yep. Loud and clear.” He reached for her hand. She snatched it away before he could link his fingers through hers.

“What’re you doing?” she demanded.

He grinned. “Practicing.”

“Ha! You really are a menace.”

He winked. “That’s what they tell me.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she couldn’t stop a smile from spreading over her lips.

That was a good sign. A good sign, indeed. The iceberg was thawing.

* * *

It was dark by the time they drove into Birchwood Springs. Corbin looked over at Delaney who was sleeping peacefully, her head resting against the back of the seat. He fought the urge to run his fingers along the curve of her delicate jawline. Interesting that he would feel so attached to Delaney after such a short period of time. There had been a long string of women who’d come and gone in Corbin’s life, but no one he was super attached to … until now. Ironic that the one girl Corbin felt a connection with was determined to keep him at arm’s length. He was going to ham up the boyfriend thing for all it was worth and hope that Delaney would come around. She’d already gotten in his head and he had no intention of getting her out. One thing Corbin knew how to do was go after what he wanted, despite all obstacles. There’d be no tapping that brass bell on this one. He was in for the long haul.

Corbin rubbed a hand across his neck and aching shoulders. He was ready to get out and stretch his legs. Too much time behind the wheel. Thankfully, the weather had been mostly clear, only a few patches of snow flurries along the way. It was the length of the drive that had gotten to him. They’d only stopped long enough to grab something to eat and use the restroom.

Delaney could tell Corbin was getting tired and had offered to drive, but he insisted that he was fine. He wanted to stay behind the wheel in case they had to make a break for it. Luckily, that hadn’t been necessary. Sutton’s plan appeared to be working like a charm. Sutton called a couple of hours ago, telling them that Hugh had taken the bait and was on his way to Northern Cal. Sutton had even gone so far as to get a double to pose as Delaney in a heavily-guarded safe house. His thoughts went to Anton. Sutton interrogated him, but sadly, Anton knew very little about the inner-workings of Hugh’s operation.

Corbin’s stomach tightened as they passed his grandmother’s care center. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being alone in that cold, sterile building. For years, Pops had tried to manage her illness, but Gram kept getting out of the house.

They moved through the downtown district, past the neat rows of Western-style buildings flanking both sides of the road. Birchwood Springs was known for two things—Bear Claw Ski Resort and Birchwood Hot Springs located a quarter mile outside the town district. He smiled thinking how he wouldn’t mind getting Delaney all to himself in the hot springs.

He glanced up to where the tall mountain sat in the distance. There was no more than a hint of a shadow of it in the darkness, but his mind filled in the details. In the daylight, the glistening snow looked like a thick layer of smooth icing poured over the entirety, the base of the mountain hugging Birchwood Springs like a mother embracing her child.

Coming home always evoked conflicting emotions. Corbin was fond of this place and yet, he’d been so angry as a youth that he was often in trouble with the law for silly things—soaping up the fountain in front of the bank, driving too fast, sneaking into the ski resort without paying. Sheriff Cliff Hendricks would agree wholeheartedly with Delaney describing Corbin as a menace. The sheriff had always hated him like he had some personal vendetta to make sure Corbin always stayed at the bottom. Corbin felt like Birchwood Springs was the best place to keep Delaney safe, otherwise he wouldn’t have come.

Ten minutes later, Corbin pulled into the driveway of Pops’ cabin, the place where Corbin grew up. The property consisted of a dozen get-away cabins Pops rented to tourists who visited the ski resort and hot springs. Pops lived in one of them year-round. Even during what was considered “peak season” Birchwood Springs was a sleepy little town. It was even more secluded here on Pops’ property, making it an ideal place to bring Delaney.

Delaney sat up in her seat and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry I fell asleep.” She suppressed a yawn.

“I’m glad you got some rest.”

She looked around, trying to come fully awake. “Where are we?”

“Birchwood Springs … my grandfather’s cabins, to be exact. We’ll go in. I’ll introduce you to him and my sister. We’ll grab a key to the cabin where we’ll be staying.” He grinned. “Remember, we’re a couple, so pretend you like me.” He wasn’t about to tell her that Pops knew the truth.

She rolled her eyes, her voice going extra twangy. “Yeah, yeah. I got it. Don’t worry. I’ll put on a convincing performance, sugar.”

“All right, sweet cheeks, let’s do it.” He could hardly say the words without laughing, especially when he saw the horrified look on her face.

“Sweet cheeks? Seriously? That’s a little over the top.”

He pursed his lips. “You’re right. Too much. Babe. How about that?”

She sighed. “I guess babe will have to do.”

“Don’t touch that door,” he said when she reached for the handle.

“Huh? Wariness swept into her eyes. I thought you said no one followed us.”

“We’re safe. It’s not that. My woman would never open her own door.”

She blinked a couple of times. “Oh. But it’s just us.”

“You never know who could be watching. We can’t let our guard down.” As if on cue, the curtain moved and Addie looked out.

He motioned. “See. I rest my case.”

“Thanks.” She tilted her head, looking thoughtful. “You sure you’re not from the South?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, why?”

“I thought only Southern men opened doors for women. You know, the gentleman thing.”

“I’ve got news for ya, Dee.” He spoke her name like a caress, peering into her eyes. “Southern men don’t have the monopoly on chivalry.”

She rewarded him with a genuine smile, the lines around her eyes crinkling. “That’s good to know,” she said softly.

A charge of energy raced through his veins as he leaned closer. “Should we kiss and give my sister something to talk about?”

Delaney’s eyes rounded as she drew back. “What?”

He placed a hand on her arm. “Addie’s still at the window, watching.” He didn’t know if she was or not, but it sounded plausible. “If we kiss now, it’ll be old hat when we kiss in front of people.” He caught the flicker of desire in her eyes, knew she wanted this as much as he. Her breath hitched when he touched her cheek. “Just one little kiss,” he murmured, trailing his finger along the line of her jaw. “For practice sake.” He memorized her features, thinking he’d never seen a more exquisite woman. Her long lashes, the dainty upward tilt of her nose, her full lips. Something shifted in her eyes, then her lips parted in acceptance. A zing shot through him as his mouth touched hers. Go slow, his mind commanded. The kiss was deliciously sweet, her lips soft and accepting. How easy it would’ve been to gather her in his arms, crush her lips with his until neither of them could breathe. Somehow, he managed to gather the strength to pull away. He scoped her face, trying to discern the expression in her dark eyes. Surely, she had to have felt the river of fire that flowed between them. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” He kept his voice casual, even though the question meant so much more.

“Not bad.”

Crash and burn. “Ouch.”

She laughed lightly. “Not bad for a menace,” she winked.

She’d turned the tables … was teasing him. He couldn’t stop a broad grin from filling his face. “I guess I deserved that.” She certainly knew how to dish it out. He liked her more each passing second. He motioned with his head. “You ready to go in?”

“Let’s do it, sweet cheeks.”

He winced. “Ugh! I should’ve never started that. If Addie hears you call me that, there’ll be no end to her teasing.”

She laughed. “Any girl who can put you in your place has to be worth her salt.”

“Ha! Now that hurts.” He opened the door and rushed around to get her door. He opened it with a slight bow. “After you, babe.”

She stepped out, pushing her purse strap over her shoulder. “Thanks, hon.” She winked, her voice going sugary sweet.

He punched the clicker to lock the doors as she slid an arm through his, pulling him close. “I can’t wait to meet your family,” she gushed.

Delaney was performing. Corbin looked sideways at her, recognizing the same expression on her face that she’d worn at the senator’s birthday party. She’d started performing right after their kiss to protect herself from any real feelings. Disappointment settled over him. He wanted the real version of Delaney, not the pretend one. Yet, this whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing was pretense, so he couldn’t fault her for playing her part. He’d just told her to pretend. “Better tone it down a notch,” he warned as they got to the door. “Addie’ll see right through you. Just be yourself.”

She nodded, her lips forming a grim line. “Okay.”

He knocked once before opening it. “Hello,” he announced. “We’re here.”