AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” I asked.
Red’s eyes darted to the left and then to the right. “I didn’t say anything, baby.”
“Tara,” I whispered as if I didn’t like him calling me baby. He could have called me Bologna, and I would have swooned.
“Put this on while I try to get you back into your house, Tara.”
My ovaries did a flip at the sound of my name. “Okay,” I choked.
He dropped the shirt in my lap and turned to my door.
I glanced at him to ensure he wasn’t looking and quickly pulled the shirt over my head.
The smell of musk, leather, and even exhaust enveloped me. I needed to bottle this scent and drown myself in it.
“How did you manage to lock yourself out?” he asked.
I pulled my hair from under the shirt and stood. It hit my knees, and I felt like a kid wearing their dad’s shirt. Except I had no dad-like feelings for Red. All my thoughts and feelings for him leaned more toward ‘Daddy, I’ve been a bad girl and need to be punished.’
“I just quickly ran out with my record player to set it up, and the door closed behind me. I forgot to unlock it this morning.” I cleared my throat and leaned to watch what he was doing. “I like records,” I muttered.
Red crouched in front of the handle and eyed it closely. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folding knife. “I can get you in, but you might have to get a new lock.”
If he ripped the door off the hinges, I would be a happy clam. “Whatever you need to do. I wouldn’t even know what to do to break the lock.”
Red fiddled with the lock, sticking his knife here and there until the handle turned. The door swung open, and I raised my hands in the air. “Thank you, Jesus!”
Red chuckled and stood. “You can just call me Red, baby.” He closed his knife and shoved it in his pocket.
His eyes gazed at my exposed legs, and I lowered my arms.
I should be skeeved out with him looking at me so much, but all it did was stir up the butterflies in my stomach.
“Thank you,” I smiled. “I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t come home when you did.”
“I’m sure a locksmith could have gotten you in without messing up your lock like I did, but I’m glad to help.” He tipped his head to the side. “I guess that’s what neighbors are for, right?”
“Right,” I smiled softly.
“I’ll let you get back to your plans.” He moved to step around me, and instead of moving out of his way, I moved in the same direction he did.
“Oh, uh,” I grunted.
We both tried to move the opposite way, still blocking each other.
“Let’s dance,” I joked. Could I be more awkward with the lame dad jokes?
“Baby,” he chuckled. He grabbed my arms and looked down at me. Did I mention he was tall? At least ten inches taller. I wasn’t short by any means, but Red certainly made me feel that way.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“You’re more than good. I’ll see you around, Tara.” He dropped his arms and stepped around me.
I stared at the backdoor, listening to him walk across the deck and down the stairs.
The squeaky hinges on the gate sounded, and then, finally, his door closed.
I closed my eyes and dropped my chin to my chest.
