Page 53 of His Curvy Distraction

She leaned forward and put her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook. She looked so defeated that it gutted me.

I’d seen her unsure, pissed off, and doubting herself, but never completely lost. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I had gotten that message already. “Parents trust you with their kids because you’re amazing with them. You connect with kids and you adore them, and parents see that.”

“It doesn’t matter because we’re going to die out here. They’re going to find my dead body in your SUV. With the mayor. There’s the scandal they’re all looking for. Hopefully, they’ll paint you as the hero you are.”

“I’m not a hero.”

“You’re out here saving me. I’m about five seconds away from pulling my hair out and screaming until I can’t breathe, and you’re just all calm here.”

“I’m not all calm, but I know panicking is not going to change anything.”

“You sound like my therapist.”

“Maybe your therapist is right.”

She shook her head. “No, she’s not. And it’s not like I can help it. I’m scared. And I’m here with a man who doesn’t want to be around me. And I’m never going to make this camp happen. And I’m going to die without falling in love and having a family and telling my parents I love them and Daisy will be all alone and?—”

It was a bad idea, but the only thing I could think of to stop her panic was to kiss her.

A surprised squeak snuck out, then a low growl. Her arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me closer. Her tongue pushed against my lips.

I opened them for her and slid my hands to her neck. I pulled her closer, wanting to feel more of her.

She grabbed my shirt like last time I kissed her and held on.

I groaned and tightened my grip on her. She inched closer, the center console a frustrating barrier between us.

“Omar,” she breathed.

“Yeah?”

“Why did you come out here today?”

I pulled back to look at her. Her face was flushed, her hair tangled from the rain. Her chest heaved with every breath. Her skin was cold to the touch, a reminder that we’d been caught in the freezing rain, even though my body was hot at the moment.

“I didn’t plan it. I went for a drive and ended up nearby. I wanted to see the place.”

“I am sorry about the picture. The article.” She ducked her head, biting her lip and hiding herself from me.

I cupped her chin and turned her face back to mine.

She met my gaze reluctantly.

“That picture was not your fault.”

“I’m the one who tripped and assaulted you. I know I need to come forward and explain?—”

“No.”

She drew back. “Excuse me?”

I shook my head. “That picture was taken out of context, and dragging you into the middle of that will not help anything. It could end up with your reputation damaged and this place not the success I know it will be.”

“I can’t let you go down for it when it was my fault.”

“No, Natalie. It was the man who took the picture’s fault. And if someone is coming for me, they’ll come for you and anyone else who tries to get in their way.”

She shivered at my words. “Do you think so?”

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