Beyond Resistance (The Ransom Series) by A.T. Douglas

Author:A.T. Douglas [Douglas, A.T.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: A.T. Douglas
Published: 2014-10-20T04:00:00+00:00

19

It’s not far from the waterfall to my rock bench along the creek, but it feels like miles to get there as Lily and I walk in silence through the forest. The sun is still shining brilliantly in the sky and the soundtrack of nature’s serenity plays softly in the wind blowing through the leaves and the birds chirping in the trees. It’s all so damn beautiful and peaceful around us, but it feels like nothing more than a mirage at this point. Deep down I know life isn’t that simple or serene.

Life’s a fucking pain in the ass.

As our destination appears a little further up the path, I find myself already regretting bringing Lily here. This practically sacred place for me has already been tainted enough lately, and I’m about to leave the stain of the end of my relationship with Lily here, splattered all over that damn rock.

When we’re within a few feet of the rock bench, I motion Lily toward it and extend my hand to help her up. “We can talk here.”

Her skin feels warm and inviting. God, why does she have to be so perfect yet so completely untouchable for me?

I help Lily up onto the flat surface atop the rock before hoisting myself up to sit next to her. The subtle hum of the running creek below fills the awkward silence between us. I don’t have a clue where to begin this conversation, so I wait for Lily to speak up first.

She sighs deeply next to me. “I’m an awful person.”

“No, you’re not,” I reply automatically. Nothing Lily says in this conversation will make me believe any differently. Though I clearly don’t know everything about her, I’ve seen enough to know she has a good heart.

“Derek was right,” Lily continues, staring into the creek ahead of us. “From the moment I first saw you in the tavern, I thought you were intriguing. I wondered what circumstances could have brought you into my world that day, and I wanted to learn more, but you left so suddenly I never got the chance.”

The prickling of nervousness starts tingling throughout my body. I don’t like where this explanation is going.

“When you came back those months later, I was even more intrigued. Don’t get me wrong, I was absolutely attracted to you with your looks and personality, but in the back of my mind, I was looking for a story. I’m always looking for a fucking story.”

Lily’s head falls into her hands as she takes two deep breaths. I want to reach out and comfort her. I want to make her feel better about all this, but I don’t know how to react. She’s just blown my world completely to pieces, and I don’t know where that leaves us.

She leans her head back and laughs sarcastically. “That’s the beauty of being a waitress. I overhear all sorts of things on the job. Scandals and drama and dirty politics you’d never dare hear spoken in any other public place. It’s the perfect source of information for my monthly column.

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