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Christ, he couldn’t stop staring at her. He hoped she didn’t think he was being rude or pushy. Or, worse, a creep. But, the honest to God’s truth was Gray was starving for companionship. Particularly from a beautiful woman like Aubrey. He’d shut the world out and almost completely closed himself off from living. This woman glowed, and her bright light drew him to her, providing a warmth he’d been missing for a very long time.
As silly as it sounded, she had this radiance, this inner sparkle, and it infatuated him. Even though he was too broken for a relationship, he could enjoy the next twenty or thirty minutes with her lovely company.
Then they’d go their separate ways.
When the bartender set four new bags of food on the bar, Gray’s shoulders sagged slightly.Dammit.He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Aubrey yet.
“Your food is ready.”
Did she sound a little disappointed? He could’ve sworn she did, but maybe that was just wishful thinking. They both stood up and Gray swiped the bags off the bar, turning back to Aubrey. “Are you staying at the hotel up the road?” he asked.
“Yes. The Rosario.”
“I’ll walk you back. Just in case,” he added.
“Thank you.”
They walked out and started up the dusty road. There seemed to be a lot more people out and about, but he didn’t give it much thought.
“You said you’re leaving tomorrow?” Gray asked, looking down at her upturned face. It was an adorable heart-shape and his attention strayed to the dimple in her left cheek. She smiled a lot. Something he had forgotten how to do.
“Bright and early.” Her voice sounded flat, not at all like someone who was looking forward to returning home after a year abroad.
“You don’t sound happy about going home.”
“I have mixed feelings. There isn’t much waiting for me back in Indiana, so…” Her voice trailed off.
“No boyfriend?” The moment the words left his mouth, Gray wanted to slap his palm against his forehead.Idiot.“Sorry, it’s none of my business.”
“No boyfriend,” she murmured quietly, and he felt the tug of a smile trying to form on his lips. “Dating is…”
“A huge pain in the ass?” Gray supplied dryly, and she laughed.
“You could say that.”
“I can’t imagine you struggle too much. Men are probably knocking down your door.”
“Hardly,” she scoffed.
Gray arched a surprised brow, assuming she was being modest. Even though he had a hard time believing she didn’t have endless interested men pursuing her, he didn’t comment because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
They reached the hotel far too fast and paused in front of the main entrance. Even though it was time to say goodnight and goodbye, they both hesitated. But Gray had to return to his team and there was no point in prolonging the inevitable. Aubrey had been a beautiful distraction and he’d enjoyed basking in her radiance, even if it had only been for a short while.
“Well, thank you for ordering my food and waiting with me,” Gray said, trying not to drown in her amazing indigo eyes. Damn, she was so lovely.
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
Neither of them moved, just stared at each other as the world continued to move around them.
Lost in each other’s eyes.
The meaning of the phrase hit Gray like a runaway train, and there was no denying the mutual attraction blossoming between them. If only he had more time…
A loud squeal snapped him out of his musings and two police cars spun to a stop in front of the hotel. The doors flew open and officers jumped out, speaking to each other in rapid-fire Spanish. Gray looked around, assessing his surroundings, and it seemed like everyone was in a tizzy.
He’d been so wrapped up in Aubrey, he hadn’t been paying attention to much else. What had he missed?
