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A distinct weakness ran through her muscles, as if those same muscles hadn’t been strong enough to jog her halfway across town just minutes ago. As if there hadn’t been a time when those muscles had put her on a plane to Florida and on course to work with the world’s top coaches…
And what was with this overly bewitching man and his ability to see through her lame excuses?
For years, she’d fooled everyone. Or at least trained them into playing ignorant. She’d done well to avoid all signs of vulnerability. The people of Harlow knew to assume she was in control. That she was fine. Just fine. And she was fine.
She could take care of herself. Had taken care of herself for as long as she could remember and wouldn’t fall short now. Certainly not over a man.
He nodded, as if he saw something in her. Her doubts. Her defenses. Her ever-present need not to let her mother’s curse repeat with her. And of course, he had something to say on the matter. “I don’t regret one moment of that night.”
She spluttered a laugh, one that caught within the tightness of her throat. “Yeah, well, lucky you. Your first night in a new town, and you convinced a woman to take you home. You hit the jackpot there, buddy.”
She fought an urge to give him a congratulatory clap on the arm and resume her running.
“I did hit the jackpot.” A small smile broke from his lips, the slackened muscles around his eyes denoting a man offering a compliment when he could have belittled her instead.
His kind expression caused a pain beneath her lower ribs. She dropped her gaze to his right hand opening and closing, as though he wanted to touch her again but held back. Part of her wished he would. A greater part saw the foolishness in that desire.
Silence dragged long enough now that his smile faded, and his gaze fixed to what was probably her own worried frown. His attention on her lips made her feel like a moth pulled to a flame. She wanted to draw closer, but still, she knew better than to do that.
“You’re beautiful and I’m amazed you let me get that close.” He paused, pressing his lips together as though he second-guessed what he said. “That’s all I meant.”
Everything within her stilled. What was she doing here, except perhaps willfully bringing about her demise? She choked out her next words. “Are you saying I shouldn’t have?”
“No.” He shook his head. “You just don’t seem like the sort of girl who’d—”
“Oh. Wow.” She held up her hand, signaling for him to please not finish that sentence. “Firstly, I’m not a girl…”
Her heart pounded. Their night together was meant to be just her letting off a little steam, but that night opened up a litany of possibilities she didn’t want to face. What he’d been about to say confirmed another of her fears. That the person everyone thought her to be was one big, fat illusion.
Dean clenched his hands into fists at his side, his jaw momentarily clamping shut. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m not a huge talker, okay? Especially when it comes to women.”
As if to unintentionally prove his point, he paused and another inordinately long silence drew out. “All I mean is, there’s nothing wrong with what we did, and I get the impression you’re not the type to let anyone get close—much less a stranger. I understand that our night together might have cost you something.” His gaze flicked up, catching hers. “So maybe cut yourself some slack, and while you’re at it, cut me some too. And maybe… if you’re up to it… give me a chance to get to know you.”
