As Leena turned to walk toward the site, she stepped on a loose patch of uneven ground. Her heel twisted, and she felt herself losing balance.
Before she could hit the ground, strong hands caught her.
John's grip was firm, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her against him. Her body pressed into his, her hands instinctively clutching his shoulders.
"Whoa there, boss lady," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "Falling for me already?"
Leena's heart was already racing from the near fall, but now, she could feel his warmth, the way his fingers lingered on her waist just a second longer than necessary. His scent—a mix of leather and something faintly musky—filled her senses.
She swallowed, regaining her footing but making no immediate move to step away.
"You wish," she shot back, though her voice was slightly breathless.
John smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Can't blame me for trying."
Leena finally pulled back, smoothing out her dress as if that would erase the moment. "Just watch where I step next time instead of flirting, will you?"
John chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart, I can multitask."
Leena sighed but couldn't fight the small smirk tugging at her lips. As much as he was trouble, there was something undeniably magnetic about John.
And whether she liked it or not, she had a feeling this was only the beginning.
After spending hours inspecting the site, marking boundaries, discussing the land clearance, and going over construction plans, Leena stretched her sore muscles. The air had grown noticeably cooler, and as she glanced at the sky, she realized the sun was already sinking behind the treetops.
The forest around them was dense and eerily silent. The moment the daylight began to fade, an unsettling energy settled over the place. The trees seemed to loom taller, their shadows stretching unnaturally.
Leena hugged her arms, suppressing a shiver. "Okay, I think that's enough work for today."
John, who had been casually kicking a stone, glanced at her. "Getting scared already?"
She shot him a glare. "No, but I'd rather not get lost in a creepy forest after dark."
John smirked. "Smart choice. Come on, let's grab some dinner. I know a place."
He led her back to his motorcycle, and this time, she didn't protest when she wrapped her arms around his waist for balance. The ride back to town was quieter, the road darker than before, with only the bike's headlights slicing through the thickening night.
Dinner at the Local Diner
John pulled up in front of a small diner at the edge of town. It was an old-fashioned place, with neon lights flickering above the entrance and the comforting scent of grilled food wafting from inside.
As they stepped in, a few locals turned to stare, their gazes lingering on Leena longer than she liked. Their expressions weren't exactly friendly.
She leaned toward John. "Do people here not like outsiders?"
John sighed, leading her to a booth near the window. "It's not that. They just… don't trust them. They think the more people come in, the more the town changes. And they don't like change."
Leena hummed, taking in the rustic decor. Old newspaper clippings hung on the walls, some dating back decades.
A waitress approached, an older woman with tired eyes. She barely spared Leena a glance before turning to John. "The usual?"
John nodded, then glanced at Leena. "You okay with steak and fries?"
"Fine with me."
The woman left without another word. Leena leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms. "Everyone here is so… welcoming."
John smirked. "Oh, don't take it personally. They'll warm up. Eventually."
As they waited for their food, Leena couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her again. She glanced around, but no one seemed to be paying attention anymore.
Still, the unease from the forest hadn't left her.
Something about this town was wrong.
And she had a feeling she was just beginning to scratch the surface.