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I don’t mean to, but my body naturally hardens, my hands lifting from his muscled torso. He pushes them back down. ‘That’s all I’m saying,’ he continues. ‘If you get scared, think of me.’
‘I won’t get scared,’ I retort adamantly. I made a promise to myself earlier. I won’t let my past get in the way of my future.
‘You might.’ He reaches for my neck and pulls me down until my nose is touching his. ‘I know I will get scared. And if I do, I’ll think of you. How much you make me smile. How complete you make me feel.’
I melt on him. ‘Why would you be scared?’
‘Because being in a relationship is scary.’
He doesn’t mean that, but I appreciate his sentiment. ‘So we’re in a relationship?’
‘I hope so,’ he whispers around a grin, rolling his forehead against mine before kissing me softly as his hand skates under my dress and tugs at the waist of my knickers. He rolls us again, and a second later my underwear is gone, his jeans are around his thighs, my dress around my waist, and he rears back and pushes into me on a strangled groan.
And once again, I’m breathless.Chapter 21RYAN
Fuck, fuck, fuck!’ I toss the overflowing pan into the sink and dance around the kitchen, cursing my head off as I shake my hand. After three laps, I finally locate enough sense through the pain to get it under the tap. I flip on the cold and shove my hand into the flow, hissing as steam billows up from the burning pan. I groan and lean against the counter, the relief instant on my throbbing hand. That’ll teach me for daydreaming.
I take a peek at the damage, seeing a red welt forming on top of my wrist. Great. I snatch a clean towel from the shelf, then go to the freezer for some ice and wrap it in the cloth, holding it on my wrist as I glance at the clock. Five p.m. Jake and Camille should be here soon.
I hear the sound of rustling leaves and look out the window, smiling before I see her appear around the corner on her bike. I hurry to the door and wedge myself up against the frame, all pain forgotten, and watch her. Just look at her. She’s pulling her little trailer, having to stand to pedal and get it up the small incline. Since Alex and I presented Hannah with her new, improved bike on Tuesday, she’s refused any rides in my truck. That’s the downside. The upside is this – watching her face as she does what Hannah does best. Smile. Be Hannah.
When she spots me, she waves like a loon, sitting back in the saddle. ‘Hey, look,’ she calls. ‘No hands!’ Her arms fly up into the air, and my heart flies up into my throat.
‘Be careful!’ I yell, and she laughs, taking them back to the handles and squeezing the brakes. She rolls to a stop but remains in the seat, her legs stretched to full length so her feet reach the ground. ‘Evening,’ I say, my eyes running up and down her legs. The denim shorts she’s wearing are my favourite, and today they’re matched with a cute little cropped gingham blouse.
‘Evening,’ she replies around a grin.
‘Good day?’
‘I sold another painting.’ Her excitement is palpable.
‘That’s great.’ I’m chuffed for her. ‘Who to this time?’ This is the third piece of art she’s sold, the first two being to a new fan in Scotland.
‘The guy in Scotland.’
‘Wow. Sounds like he’s developing a bit of a fixation. Should I be worried?’
‘He really loves my work.’ She swings her leg over the crossbar and kicks the stand down, letting the bike rest. ‘I just posted it to him. I imagine his castle full of my work in the not-too-distant future.’ Reaching up to her hair, she tightens the bow on her cream head scarf. ‘Where’s Alex?’
‘Darcy’s dropping her off soon.’ I give her a pained look, and she reads it well. It’s Friday, and Darcy has avoided me since the incident at Hannah’s shop on Monday, which is cool with me. I’ve spent the last few days smiling, because I’ve been with Hannah and Cabbage for most of them. I am a man in his element. I’m also a man dreading having to deal with his daughter’s mother. A woman I slept with one time and have had to endure for the last decade. I’ve dropped off Alex and picked her up numerous times in the past three days, and each time Darcy has avoided me. Alex says she’s quiet. Unusually so. I need to sort this out.
‘Well, at least she’s not boiling rabbits in your kitchen.’ Hannah remains by her bike, and I remain at the door. ‘What time are your friends due to arrive?’
