Page 37 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

I close my eyes, sighing at the realization.

“Because I’ve felt a connection with you that I’ve tried to ignore. Ever since the day we met, it’s like I was drawn to you. I know that’s no excuse, but accepting these feelings has made talking about this easier.”

She nods but doesn’t smile.

“And am I the same as them?”

“No, you’re not,” I reply, turning to her. “You mean a lot to me, Sara.”

“Prove it then.”

I look at her, confused by what she means. Does she want me to kiss her?

“You mean . . . kiss you?”

“I mean, it’s whatever you think. I just don’t know whether or not I’m different from these gals, at least in your eyes.”

I grab her hands and hold them. My lips hover inches from hers.

I want to kiss her. I know that if we close this gap, there’s a chance that we could be something more.

“Sara, I’m—”

A screech of pain echoes from my left. Sara jolts back, jumping off the rock.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know—”

The creature cries out again.

“Where are you going?”

She turns, her eyes wide as a frown of worry crosses her face.

“I need to see where that’s coming from! It sounds like an animal that’s hurt or in danger.”

She runs down the beach, and I follow on instinct. I’ve never seen Sara that passionate. She had mentioned something about doing something she loves.

Could it be taking care of animals?

As I follow her along the shore, the waves touch my feet, and I move out of the water so I don’t sink in. Sara gets to the perimeter of the beach, right near the border of my place and the resort. She approaches, seeing a bird flopping around in the water and crying out.

It’s a beautiful white-tailed tropic bird. She rushes to its side, grabbing it and bringing it to the shore, away from the water, so it doesn’t drown in the waves.

She hovers over it, pressing two fingers to its neck.

“It’s got a pulse. Let’s see where you’re hurt—”

She grabs the wing, and the bird screeches out.

“Darn, its wing’s broken, and it won’t be able to fly until it’s healed.”

“Sara, maybe she should . . . .”

Her gaze meets mine, eyes wide with passion.

“No, we need to help this animal now! I’m not leaving until it’s at least taped up and safe.”

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