“You’re going into the forest? Why?”

Glancing at her over his shoulder, he raised his eyebrows but didn’t try to escape her hold. “Because it’s bugging you. I can tell.”

She relaxed her grip as she stared at him, touched that he’d not only noticed, but was doing something to make her feel better. Except for her sisters and her dad, no one had ever cared enough about her to bother doing either. It was hard to believe that John Carmondy, of all people, did. There had to be another reason. “That still doesn’t explain why you’re going to go wandering around in there.”

“Sure it does.” Taking advantage of her loosened fingers, he stood and strode toward the trees. She blinked after him for a moment, the growing warmth in her chest feeling dangerously addicting, before she jumped out of the car and chased after him.

When she fell in next to him, he cocked an eyebrow at her. “Now it’s my turn to ask. Where are you going?”

“With you.”

“Why?” He gave an exaggerated flex, even as his dimple appeared. “Think I can’t handle the forest beasties?”

“Forest beasties?” she repeated, unable to hold back her grin. When he just shrugged, unabashed, she turned to face the trees. Even though her unease about who could be lurking in there was still niggling at the back of her brain, more of her attention was focused on the man next to her. “You might be a big, bad wolf who’s able to handle whatever scary things lurk in the woods, but you still might need backup.” She could feel his gaze burning into the side of her face, but she refused to glance at him. If she did, then their eyes might meet, and who knew what would happen after that. “I have saved your bacon several times already.”

“And I appreciate your concern for my bacon.” Despite his words, he sounded more serious than usual, and she had to fight the urge to look at him again. “I’ll be fine, though. I can handle a few wannabe jewelry thieves if they’re lurking in the trees. You don’t have to worry.”

“We’re partners.” She stubbornly kept pace with him. “We have each other’s back. Bacon buddies, if you will.”

He was silent for a beat too long, and temptation got the best of her. Turning her head, she caught an expression she’d never seen on his face before. It was surprised and affectionate and tender and smoldering and a lot of other things that made her skin feel prickly and her insides melty, so she quickly focused on the trees again. It was too late, though. She knew she’d be seeing—and overanalyzing—that expression every time she closed her eyes.

“C’mon then, bacon buddy.” His voice had a softer edge than normal, and it made her shiver—and then immediately pretend that he hadn’t caused that reaction. It was no use, though. As much as she fought against it, as much as she told herself it was a terrible idea, she was starting to have feelings for John Carmondy.