AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hit the ground, bracing myself on both hands so I don’t sprawl completely. After absorbing the brief jolt and the surprise of ending up on my knees, I fumble to straighten the box and pick up the rolling supplies.
A large male hand reaches into my line of vision, grabbing two bottles and two jars in quick succession.
My heart slams against my chest. I would know that hand anywhere—long, calloused fingers, thick veins, a wide palm that feels as if it could enclose all of me, a dusting of dark hair sweeping up to his strong wrist and muscled forearm…
Struggling to pull in a breath, I scramble backward, unable to look up, not wanting to believe what my heart knows is the truth.
He kneels and swiftly gathers all the containers, putting them back in the box before I’ve even collected one scattered thought.
“Are you okay?”
His deep voice sinks into me, spreading like warm syrup through my veins.
“Hannah, please look at me.”
In a few seconds that feel like forever, I drag my eyes up to his face.
Oh heavens and all that is holy.
He’s so beautiful my entire soul lights up. His dark hair brushes the back of his collar now, and his stubble enhances his sharp cheekbones and the strong planes of his face.
New lines of fatigue and stress bracket his mouth and crease his forehead, but his dark eyes contain so much warmth and tenderness that everything inside me reaches out, aching to touch and hold him, to be touched and held by him.
I dig my fingers into the sides of the cardboard box and don’t move.
“Are you okay?” he repeats.
I manage to nod.
“Dane.” His name cracks in my mouth. “What…?”
I stop and swallow hard. It would take an eternity to ask all the questions that have piled up inside me over the past eight months.
He pushes to his feet, brushing his hands over his faded jeans. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that stretches over his broad chest, outlining the thick muscles and planes of flesh just made for me to kiss, touch, and rub my body against.
Once upon a time.
He extends a hand to help me to my feet. I can’t bring myself to put my hand in his, fearing he might disappear if I so much as brush his fingers with mine. I stand and dust the dirt off my palms.
Sensing my unease, he bends to pick up the box and carries it over to my blue Toyota.
“How did you know this is my car?” I walk to the car and unlock the trunk.
“I followed you here from the restaurant.” He sets the box in the trunk. “I was going to follow you back to wherever you live now—and yes, I realize that makes me sound like a stalker. But…”
But I fell, and he couldn’t stop himself from rushing in to help me.
He keeps his gaze on my face, almost like he can’t look away. His eyes slide from my eyes to my lips and farther down to my neck. His breath expels on a hard whoosh.
My chest tightens. I clamp my hand instinctively over the compass medallion I wear on a silver chain around my neck.
“I…I still have your leather wristband,” I stammer. “But it was loose on me. Since I work a lot with my hands, I didn’t want to risk damaging or losing it. So I put the medallion on a necklace chain. I hope that’s not a problem.”
He jerks his gaze back to mine, disbelief flashing in his expression. “No. It’s not a problem. Not at all.”
I reach behind my neck to unclasp the chain. “You can have it back.”
“No!” His voice is sharp and hard, and he puts his hand out to stop me. “I don’t want it back. I want you to have it. To keep it.”
