Page 66 of Since Day One

He rolled his eyes. “Well, I don’t remember that.”

“Let’s go get you some food,” I said, sliding my numb legs toward my body, and he placed a hand against my thigh.

“Willow, I need to explain. I wasn’t mad at you, I was—“

“You don’t have to,” I cut him off, and he furrowed his brows. “Your mom talked to me, and so did Ruger. I know all I need to know. If you ever want to talk, though, I’m here.”

He looked away, relief sagging his entire figure. “You have no idea how much I like you,” he muttered, and I smiled.

“I’m starting to,” I replied, and then he whipped his head toward me in shock.

“Wait, you said my mom and Ruger talked to you? So, first Jesse yesterday and now both of them? Why?”

“Apparently, we aren’t as sneaky as we thought. Jesse saw us two nights ago, Emily showing up kind of made me go a little crazy, and—“

“My mom is nosy and Jesse can’t keep a secret. So everyone knows,” he finished.

I laughed as a frustrated smile expanded across his face.

“Are you mad?” I asked, and he shook his head.

“No. ‘Cause that means I don’t have to sneak you into my room anymore,” he answered, with a mischievous grin.

I wagged my finger in protest. “It doesn’t work like that, mister.”

He scooted closer and slung an arm on either side of my body. “And why not?”

His brows twitched, and he suddenly shoved his face against my neck but didn’t kiss me. Instead, he took a long inhale. Back-pedaling a few feet, he stared at me.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, placing my hands against my cheeks which were on fire.

“Yes,” he said, and I shrunk against the stall. “You smell way too good, and you’re wearing clothes that are too nice to be sitting on the barn floor in.”

The shame left as I glared at him, and he laughed. “That was a horrible thing to do. I was embarrassed enough when your mother and Jesse made me wear this stuff.”

“Why, though?” he asked, standing up off of the floor and extending a hand to lift me up. I placed a palm against his and rose, brushing off my backside before answering.

“Because,” I mumbled, and he lifted my chin, his other arm wrapping around my waist.

“Because why?”

“Because I care what you think, and I was nervous since you were mad at me,” I answered honestly, looking back at the ground.

“Willow,” Gunnar tenderly whispered. I liked the way he talked. It was kind and gentle, even a little possessive. “Look at me please.”

I slowly raised my blue eyes to meet his hazel ones. “Hmmm?”

“I wasn’t mad at you, and I will forever apologize that you thought I was. But second, and more importantly, I thought you were beautiful when you hadn’t showered for three days. Did you think I wouldn’t find you beautiful now because you’re wearing different clothes and put some of that makeup stuff on?” He stepped into my body as I relaxed.

“You think I’m beautiful?” I asked, and he nodded. I threw my arms up around his neck, watching as his eyes drifted toward my lips and lingered there, staring at what he wanted to do next. But I backed away.

“Uh-uh, not until after a shower and some food. You stink,” I said, and he gaped at me.

“I didn’t shower for three days, and you were fine with my smell then,” he replied, exasperated.

“You smell of sour alcohol now, which is completely different,” I answered as he slowly followed me out of the barn.

“How? Both of those smells stink,” he asked, still trying to convince me to kiss him. He placed both hands around my waist and tugged me against his body as we walked out of the barn, and I giggled but twisted away.

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