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Maybe there was more to it, but it doesn’t matter at this point.
“You know,” I tease him when we’re walking through the last aisle before I start hitting the periphery of the store, “if I were a different person, I might think you’re stalking me.”
I’m not entirely sure he’s not. Before the other night at the toy drive, I could count on two hands how many times I would see Bowen in a year. But in the last few days I’ve been seeing the man almost wherever I go. If I were one to believe in fate, I would think we’re being thrown together and I shouldn’t ignore it.
If I were to believe in fate.
I’m not sure I do anymore, but Bowen certainly is bringing something out in me. It’s been a long time since I felt hope, but there’s a little flicker of it in my chest. It seems to grow whenever I’m around him.
“I’m not stalking you, Aster,” his voice is smooth and reassuring, battering against some of the rough and jagged pieces of myself that I’ve kept sharpened for my own protection, “but I won’t lie and say I don’t like bumping into you.”
I make a humming sound while I look at fruit, trying to give myself a distraction. It’s not working very well. His woodsy scent wraps around me, trying to comfort me when my instincts tell me to bristle and run as far away as I can.
“Will I see you at the toy drive tomorrow night?” There’s an eager curiosity to his question.
As much as I want to tell him I won’t be volunteering again, it would be a lie. “I’ll be there.”
We finish our shopping in silence, but it’s not oppressive and there aren’t any expectations. The more time I spend around Bowen, the more I start to see him in a new light. He doesn’t lay on the charm as much as I assumed he would. He just is.
I both admire and envy the way he’s so comfortable in his skin. I feel like I’m crawling out of mine more often than not. I wonder if that’s a guy thing or a him thing. I wonder if I can soak up some of his confidence and self-assuredness. I’d like to if I can.
But that would mean spending more time around him, right? I don’t know if that would be a good idea.
Bowen walks me to my car and helps me load up my groceries, a promise sparkling in his eyes that I don’t want to examine too closely. He’s dangerous to the wall I’ve built for my own protection. He could send it raining down around me if I’m not careful.
Just before I get in the car, he grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. The warmth from his touch settles in the middle of my chest and radiates through my body. When did everything turn so cold? Why is he making me feel this way?
“I’ll see you tomorrow, little Spark,” he whispers, gives another squeeze, and then steps back.
I slide in my car and drive home trying to shake off the feeling. It’s impossible. Even hours later, I can still feel the press of his hand against mine and the reassurance in his touch.
CHAPTER 4
BOWEN
Going slow with Aster is pure torture. All I want to do is sweep her up in my arms, run away with her, and show her how good we’ll be together. I know she’s not ready for that yet and it’s easy enough to see that she has her reasons.
I’ve taken to watching her, seeking her out in town even, and usually she has no clue I’m even there. When she joked that I was stalking her, it took a lot for me not to admit that I’m bordering on it. The difference is my obsession is innocent enough. Well, except for all the ways I want to strip her and bury myself in her body.
I want to protect her. I want to make her smile and laugh without whatever it is that weighs so heavily on her and brings her down. She shies away from happiness, as if she doesn’t think she deserves it or something. I’ve never met anyone quite like her and I’m desperate to figure her out.
I did get a little bit of information today from my boss, which was an unexpected source. I shouldn’t have been surprised since I found out they graduated high school in the same class, along with Clint and Lana.
I hadn’t thought about her being older than me until I found that out. It sure as fuck isn’t a turn off. I’m digging it.
She’s so innocent and wounded that it’s easy to forget, I suppose.
Maverick scared the shit out of me as I was rolling some silver for the next shift and trying, unsuccessfully, to not glance at my watch constantly. His voice came out of nowhere and made me jump a little, “You seem a little on edge, Bowen.”
I tried to deflect his attention away from me by teasing him, “Do you sneak up on Lark like that?”
He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly remembering the first time Lark came into The Goose, before they were even together. She had just moved to Sweetwater Valley, and I flirted with her. You can’t blame me, she’s a gorgeous woman with curves for days. I wasn’t even put off by the kids, but I most certainly got the message when I saw the murderous intent in the eyes of my boss when he said Lark was his.
Maverick stood at his full height with his feet apart and his arms crossed over his chest, “Spill it. You’ve been checking your watch for hours. Hot date? Or is something else going on?”
I grumbled under my breath, “Something else is going on.” When all he did was arch an eyebrow, I sighed. “I’m volunteering at the toy drive tonight.”
He started to laugh, but when I didn’t crack a smile, he quickly sobered up. I saw the lightbulb go off in his head and he nodded. “Ida got you, didn’t she?” When I gave him a deadpan look he smirked. “That lady is slippery. She’ll have you volunteering and so twisted around you’ll end up thinking it was your idea from the start.”
