High Noon (Between the Veils Series, Book Two) by KRIS NORRIS Page A

When you said you’d see about a shower, I thought you meant a real shower.”
    “This is a real shower. There’s a showerhead, water. It’s just a bit more rustic than most.”
    Payton waved her hand at the surrounding campground. “It’s a wash-off station at an RV park. Not exactly what I was expecting.” She rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself against the cool water. “It doesn’t even have hot water.”
    Blake raised one corner of his mouth into a provocative smile. “I could jump in there with you and heat you up.”
    “Wrong kind of heat, sweetie. Besides, you’re supposed to be keeping watch. I really don’t need to bare my ass to every guy in this park.”
    “Ah, but it’s such a beautiful ass.” He ducked when she tossed a small bar of soap at him. “I’m watching. I don’t want you baring your ass to other men, either.”
    She shook her head, rinsing the last of the suds off. “So why here?”
    He walked toward her, handing her a towel he’d brought along. “Security. After all that’s happened, I wasn’t about to compromise on safety for the luxury of a shower. At least here I was able to make a ring of salt around the shower area.”
    She simply nodded, secretly touched he’d gone to such lengths to provide for her. She shook her finger when he held up the soap she’d tossed to her. “I’m done. Now it’s your turn.”
    He sighed, glancing around the area. “I’m not one to bare my ass for men, either.”
    She closed the last bit of distance, rubbing against him. “Don’t worry, big boy. I’ll protect your virgin ass.”
    He reached around, slipping his hand under her towel as he cupped her ass, squeezing firmly. “I’d worry more about your virgin ass with me around, sweetheart. Because after touching you like I did last night, I have every intention of loving you there, as well.”
    Heat suffused her body as he tapped her flesh before releasing her and shucking his clothes. Pale skin over hard muscles filled her view, his cock standing proudly out from his groin. He winked at her then dashed under the water, sucking in an audible breath as he rinsed his body beneath the steady spray. She took a step toward him, content to join him, when eddies of dust whipped up just outside the salt ring.
    She turned, gripping the towel tighter as she scanned the area, trying to discern anything that looked remotely otherworldly. But who was she kidding. She wasn’t like Blake. She didn’t see ghosts everywhere she went. Hell, until a few months ago, she didn’t even believe in them.
    Payton took a step backward, gasping when she hit a hard wall of man. Blood pounded through her head as she tried to calm her breathing, Blake’s comforting hand settling on her shoulder.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He nodded toward the truck. “You see something?”
    “Just an eddy of dirt, but…” She gazed over her shoulder at him. “There isn’t any wind and it felt, wrong.”
    “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust your instincts.” He held her still as he moved in front of her, pulling his pants over his wet skin. “Stay here. I’ll move the truck closer so you don’t have to go outside of the circle to get to it.”
    She grabbed his arm. “What about you? I realize this is what you do, but…I don’t want you getting hurt.”
    He gave her that sexy smile. “He’s not after me, sweetheart. I’ll be fine.”
    He tugged on his shirt and motioned for her to stay before making for the truck. Another swirl of dirt seemed to follow behind him, dying off when he jumped inside. She waited, heart hammering in her chest as he started the engine and moved it closer, lining her door up with the line of salt on the ground. He waved at her and she reached for the door, when a hiss sounded close to her shoulder.
    She reacted, yanking open the door and launching inside, sliding across the seat and into Blake’s lap. He curled his arm protectively around her, a