AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s because I can’t look at you without thinking about your face when you came.” Admitting that wasn’t the plan, but this woman really tests my restraint.
She crosses her arms in front of her chest, which only makes her luscious breasts look more enticing. “Sorry it was so disturbing.”
“Disturbing, are you kidding? It was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. But I never should’ve seen it. I had no right, not when I can’t offer you what you deserve.”
“What do I deserve?” She fires back.
“A guy you’d be proud to take home.”
A tiny crease separates her brows as my words hit home. “That’s why you said it can’t be real.”
“What?”Deny, deny, deny.
“The night you stayed at my house. You said it could never be real. You think my parents wouldn’t approve.”
“I know they wouldn’t,” I snort. “So do you. Remember telling your mom you stayed in a hotel last night? You’d rather have her think you were alone than with a guy like me.” I push her feet off my lap and rise off the couch.
“Where are you going?” Her voice holds a note of panic.
“To start you a bath. The fastest way to warm your feet up is to submerge them in warm water.”
I stalk to the bathroom without waiting for her response, mostly because I don’t need her to confirm what I said about taking me home. We both know it’s the truth, and even though she’s not to blame, I still want to be angry with her for giving me a taste of what I can’t have.
Chapter 12
Tiff
Thewarmwaterincreasesthe circulation in my feet, soothing the burn of the cold. Yet it does nothing to relieve the ache in my chest.
I’ve offended him. Before today I didn’t think anything could crack his outer shell—he’s always seemed so strong and sure of himself. Unapologetically so. Now I know he’s got a sensitive side, and it’s more fragile than I realized.
It never occurred to me that Deacon would care what my parents thought of him. Hell, it didn’t even occur to me that he’d give me the time of day much less want me to bring him home. That’s relationship stuff right there, and he doesn’t do those.
True, my fantasy included both sex and dating, but that’s why it was a fantasy. I thought the best I could hope for was getting to live out the sexual portion, not the happily ever after one. That’s why it made sense that Deacon wouldn’t risk just having a little fun—it’d effectively make me just like every other girl he’s been with—and the town really would string him up for that. But if he’s made the jump to not being worthy to take home… That means he’d be open to more, right?
The prospect makes me downright giddy. Unfortunately, my excitement isn’t likely to mean much.
He’s right about what I told my mom. In my mind I was protecting him from scrutiny, not hiding him, but I did that because shewouldprefer I be alone than with the version of Deacon she’s familiar with. The same is true of Cade. If only they weren’t a factor—he might just loosen up enough totrybeing with me.
Hold up. We’re trapped in a cabin, virtually off the grid, and he already said this our Vegas.Andhe as much as admitted he’d walk right up to the line, he just wouldn’t cross it. Then we pleasured ourselves in front of each other. I guess that makes sex the line, though I bet if I could get him up to it again he might cross it this time.
That means we have until the roads open for me to get his body on board, and hopefully his mind will follow. If I haven’t won him over by then, there’s no chance of this turning into anything.
***
When I emerge from the bath some thirty minutes later, Deacon’s still wedged into the corner of the couch, map book on his lap.
“Feel better?” He doesn’t look up.
“Much, yes.” I root around in my duffel, looking for the toiletry case I didn’t feel comfortable leaving in the bathroom.Gotcha. Locating the tiny vial inside, I snatch it up and carry it with me to the couch, plopping down on the opposite end.
“What are you doing?” Deacon’s gruff voice inquires as I unscrew the lid.
“Painting my toenails.”
“Why?”
“Why not? It’s not like there’s anything else to do here.” I make a show of trying to find the best angle to position my leg in order to reach my toes.
