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“Maybe I’m impressed by your hiding skills.”
“Is that a compliment, Ben Wallace?”
“There’s a first for everything, Makayla Jacobs.”
There’s a shift in the way she looks at me. A flash of something unfamiliar. It’s gone just as quick, and she pulls her eyes from mine and stares ahead. “Anyway, we both know this is just so Levi finds Hannah. You wouldn’t want to ruin that for her, would ya?” She knows I’m right. Anyone can tell Kip’s little sister has it bad for my boy. Well. . . everyone besides Kip.
I adjust myself to sit next to her. “Why the pout?”
“Wow, why do you even need to ask? Look at my company.”
I chuckle at her attempt to bash me. “Oh, please, don’t deny this is what you want—to be alone with me.” She doesn’t take the bait. I scoot closer, tucking my legs to my chest and resting my crossed arms on my knees. “It’s probably not safe for you to be climbing up here in the dark.”
She laughs. “Now you’re. . . what? My savior? Protecting me from the dark?”
I scoot even closer, just enough that my leg brushes against hers. Her body trembles against mine, and she tucks her knees tighter to her chest. “Hey, everyone needs a hero. Would it be the worst thing if I was yours?” I already know the answer. I have no idea why I even asked. It was stupid. I should prepare for her to whack me. Instead, she turns her eyes on me, digging away at my cool demeanor. I may want to strangle her half the time, but more often than not, I want to know what goes on in that head of hers. Maybe it’s just me having a weak moment. Feeling sorry for the poor little duckling who always looks sad behind her tough skin. Not that I should care. She’s certainly not my problem.
“Everyone has a villain too. I think you fit that role a lot better.”
Her words stand true. They actually make me feel like shit. Behind our banter and games, maybe I don’t want to be the villain. I hate that she hasn’t taken her eyes off me. She never stands down. Her gaze penetrates through me, and I don’t like the way it makes me feel. What it’s doing to me. She does this thing with her bottom lip, and I hate that too. My chest tightens, and I clench my fists. At no point does she release my gaze. My brain malfunctions. It’s the only explanation for what I do next. My only hope is she smacks me before I make a huge mistake. The problem is, she doesn’t look like she’s going to, and for some insane reason, I don’t want her to.
Fuck it. Get it out of my system. Blame it on teenage hormones. Her eyes flutter closed, and she extends her neck as I lean in—
“Ghosts in the graveyard!” Levi’s voice blasts across the backyard. We both freeze. Her eyes widen at what almost happened.
She shoots to her feet, scoffing at me. “Ew. Not a chance, turd breath.” Then she steps over me and disappears down the ladder.
* * *
I jog up the stairs to the elementary school. Chief’s wife meets me at the front entrance. “Captain Wallace, this is so kind of you. The children will be so surprised.”
“Please, call me Ben. And it’s nothing. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.”And weasel my way into seeing her.
Mrs. Caldwell turns and walks us down the hallway, stopping outside Makayla’s door. “Ah, perfect timing. Looks like it’s reading time.” She knocks, grabbing Makayla’s attention. The moment Makayla’s eyes land on mine, confusion blossoms. “Ms. Fischer, you have a special visitor today.”
“Do I?” Her lips curl into the most beautiful smile. “Captain Wallace, what brings you in?”
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since this past weekend and had to make an excuse to see you.“Actually, I’m not here to see you.” I hold back my grin when hers falls. “I’m here to see them.” I point to the classroom. “I promised to bring you all some official firefighter badges.” I lift the bag filled with toy badges, then steal a glance at Makayla and wink.
“No way!” Billy jumps up from his chair. “You brought them!”
“Sure did, bud. You think your teacher will let me hand them out?” I look back at Mak.
“Can he? Can he?”
I take in her features. Her full lips covered in a pink gloss. The rosy tint of her cheeks. The glow of her addictive eyes. She’s so damn beautiful.
“Can he?” I ask her, loving the way she stares back at me, lost in a trance. Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth, and I have to remind myself I’m standing in a room full of kids. Grabbing her and stealing a kiss is frowned upon.
“I don’t see why not. He did come all the way here.”
“He did,” I say.
“Just to bring firefighter badges.”
“Just to bring firefighter badges,” I repeat, licking my lips. Her eyes fall to them, and she inhales a slow breath. The faintest giggle falls off her lips, and she rolls her eyes.
“I’m sure. Class, why don’t we stand in a line? I’m sure Captain Wallace has a busy day today.” The kids are up and scrambling into a messy line within seconds. I hold her gaze for as long as possible before I’m summoned.
