Perfect.
Ella kicked off her shoes, placed her wineglass on the wooden slats, and then dropped down onto the edge of the dock. The noise from the party drifted down to her and she glanced up to the full moon, placing her feet into the water. Ten months had changed so much in her life. She never would’ve believed she’d be living a whole new life in Vegas—without her high school sweetheart—her husband.
In the months that had passed, she’d cried. She’d hurt. She’d gone through a depression. But slowly, she’d picked herself up again. Her grandparents hadn’t raised a fool. One look in the mirror at the hospital, seeing stitches and a black-and-blue eye, solidified her decision to walk away.
Not that it’d been all roses and sunshine before she’d swan-dived into a table, but in one year Rory had gone from a great husband to a complete drunk after the death of his father.
She’d tried to help him by arranging an appointment with a therapist, but he wouldn’t go, even when she said she’d go with him. If Ella knew anything it was that she couldn’t help someone who didn’t want it. She also wouldn’t wait around for his violent outbursts.
Ella had stopped loving him long before the night he pushed her in a fit of rage after a drunken stupor. But that night had marked when she’d had enough. She hadn’t looked back. It had been the right decision and she refused to regret it.
She loved her new life and was proud of it. If her family left her with anything, it was a clear view of what true love looked like. Real love didn’t involve hurting your spouse.
“I thought you’d left.”
Snapped out of her thoughts, Ella’s breath whooshed from her lungs. She glanced over her shoulder, finding Kyler standing on the edge of the boat dock with his arms folded across his chest. “I needed some quiet,” she replied.
He looked down to the water before his gaze returned to hers. “A good place to get it.” He stepped onto the dock and the wood swayed beneath her. “Mind if I join you?”
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “Not at all.”
He never looked away from her as he removed his shoes and socks, then rolled up his pants to his knees. He sank down next to her and dunked his feet into the water. “So, you like this, do you?”
She laughed, watching a big man do something entirely, well, not manly. “Don’t you think it feels nice?”
He circled his legs, swirling the water. “It feels like cool water.” He glanced out to the lake, leaning back on his arms. “But it is a beautiful night.”
“Gorgeous.” You are, too.
Kyler stayed focused on the water, but he didn’t need to look at her. The very air changed with him around. There was a hint of a smile on his face, as if he knew she was watching him. The twinkle in his gaze confirmed he liked it.
Ella regarded him, trying to pinpoint why he affected her. Why this man made her not mind him sitting next to her? She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she decided not to fight it, either. It felt comfortable. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a cop.”
Unsurprised, she nodded. “You look the type.”
He barked a laugh and turned to her. “Well, now, do tell. What does the type look like?”
Ella studied him long and hard. There was strength in his eyes, in the firm set of his jaw, in his strong posture. “You’ve got the whole don’t-fuck-with-me thing going on.”
His eyes searched hers with an intriguing sparkle. “Do I?”
Perhaps that was it. He held a job that was authoritative by nature. He had to have a deep well of confidence to perform in that world. Whatever it was, she thought it was super-sexy. “Yep, you’re oozing it.”
“Glad to know I don’t ooze weakness.” His warm chuckle washed over her as he held her gaze. “Aidan told me you’re from Savannah.”
She nearly gaped at him, but restrained herself. When did he have the chance to talk to Aidan about her? Wasn’t Aidan busy with his wedding? And, seriously, had Kyler gone out of his way to learn more about her from her boss?
“That’s right,” she replied with a nod. “I grew up in Savannah.” Surprisingly, she didn’t mind Kyler’s interest in her life. Not one bit. But would he truly want to hear about her past? It wasn’t a pretty picture. There was hurt there she couldn’t hide.
A finger brushed across her cheek, dragging her out of her thoughts. Kyler’s head was tilted and his stare probing. “What was that thought?”
She blinked. “Pardon?”
“Just then, what were you thinking?”
“Nothing.” She waved away his concern. “Nothing important, anyway.”