I nod, unable to speak past the knot of emotion in my throat. Over the next hour to our destination, he continues to give me quick glances. I sense his confusion, a better feeling than pity, but I refuse to look at him.

“Whoa …” My face presses to the window. “You’re such a tease, Jake Matthews. We’re staying at a boutique hotel. It’s … incredible.”

He chuckles. “It’s a house. Not mine. We are camping on the property.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

“Whose house?”

“A friend’s.”

I give him a scrunched-nose look. “I’m pretty sure friends let friends stay in the house, not offer them a ten-by-ten space for a pop-up tent. It’s unfortunate I have to break the news to you, but this dude is not your friend.”

He parks a few hundred yards from the house that sits atop a hill overlooking acres of rolling woods and a winding creek. “She is my friend. I choose to camp.”

“Is she home? I’d love to meet her … see the inside of the house … check out the guest bedrooms …”

“Not home.” He hops out and I do the same, letting Swarley out to roam.

“But you have a key to the house, right?”

“Nope.”

“What if there’s a storm? A tornado?”

He smirks, opening the back of the truck. “We’ll kiss each other’s ass goodbye. Here.”

I shake my head and hold up my hand as he attempts to pass a large bag my way. “I can only carry light stuff. Doctor’s orders.”

“I see.” He frowns at my hand like it’s my fault I’m injured.

“Then take your suitcases.” He plops them on the ground.

“Dude! Those are Gucci. The wheels alone are probably five hundred dollars.” I inspect the two suitcases.

He tosses a few other things out of the back and jumps down, nearly knocking me over.

“Oh shit! You scared me.” I hold my hand over my chest.

“Don’t be scared.” He looks down on me like I’m dinner.

I never thought I’d say the words thank god he’s vegan, but seriously … thank god he’s vegan.

“We agreed. I won’t tie you up to kill you.” Another stupid wink.

It’s wrong for that shade of blue eyes to be wasted on a guy. I bet he can get any girl with just a wink. Good thing I’ve never been just any girl.

“We started from scratch. Remember? The handshake.”

He nods slowly, his gaze making deliberate strokes along my entire body.

Violating bastard!

“Owning a suitcase with wheels that cost five hundred dollars each severed our newly formed friendship.” He shrugs, turning back toward the bed of his truck to grab the cooler. “Did your preacher dad forget to tell you that there are starving people in the world?”