Page 14 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

All I could see were a pair of dazzling, warm-brown eyes as I blinked several times to gather my composure. Our breath mingled together, sawing in and out—hers smelling of mint, mine of coffee. We both took in air as though we’d been hit by a truck. My heart beat double time and my hip screamed and throbbed painfully where I’d landed on it.

“Good God. Are you okay?” I asked while I tightened the arm that was wrapped low around her small waist, before I tunneled my fingers through the thick, wavy hair at the back of her head. “Miss, you alright?” I stared into her dreamy gaze as she shook her head. “No? You’re not okay?”

She frowned and put her hand to her forehead, the other one firmly planted on my chest over my heart. Her small frame was straddling my much larger one, her knees on either side of my hips. I used my core to push up into a seated position as she looked at me awkwardly, her mouth slightly opened.

The girl was beyond beautiful.

And when I saygirl, I meant it. She couldn’t have been more than early twenties, but her face was so uniquely shaped, I wanted to stare at her for eons. Press my lips to her perfect mouth and taste that minty scent directly from the source.

What the fuck?I had no idea where those thoughts came from. I was old enough to be this woman’s father. Probably.

I cupped her high, rounded cheek and dipped my face closer so I could stare into her mesmerizing eyes to determine if she was indeed okay. At least that’s what I told myself.

“Hey there, sweetheart. Do you need medical attention?” I ran my thumb over the swell of her cheekbone. Her eyes werewide set with long, black lashes framing them. She reminded me of a fawn, all docile and sweet innocence. Her skin was the color of a toasted walnut that paired magnificently with her eyes and the thick, rich brown hair that tumbled all over her shoulders and back. Her lips were that of a cherub, perfectly pink and bare, no lipstick or gloss to be seen.

The question I asked seemed to snap her out of whatever spell she’d been under. I watched her brows furrow with confusion.

“Um, I’m sorry, mister, I didn’t mean to run into you like that. I-I wasn’t paying attention, I’m…” She pushed against my chest to stand, seemed to fumble, and then tucked her hands behind her back as I stood. I reached my hands out, curling them around her small hips to help steady her. She looked at the mess around us and then up at the people who had stopped to gawk.

“You guys okay?” an airport employee asked, carrying a mop and pushing a bucket on wheels.

“Fine, right?” I focused on the young woman who nodded avidly. I turned around to the employee. “We’re good. Thank you,” I said with a smile.

When I turned back around, the woman was already halfway down the corridor heading toward baggage claim.

“Hey! Wait up!” I grabbed the small suitcases and the backpack and rolled them as I ran to follow her.

Either she didn’t hear me, or she pretended not to. Still, I was in great shape. I may have been almost twenty years this woman’s senior, but I was fit as a fiddle and worked out regularly. Catching up was not a problem, even while dragging two suitcases and a backpack.

I nudged her in the arm as I reached her. She acted as though she’d been punched in the shoulder with how fast she jumped to the side to avoid my touch.

“Oh, it’s you.” Her voice was raspy, sounding almost fearful.

“Yeah, me. You know, the guy you just mowed down.” I chuckled. “I asked you a question back there,” I reiterated.

“You did?” She seemed to play dumb.

“You know I did. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh. Perfectly fine. Just a bump on the um, forehead.” She reached up and rubbed at hers. “You okay?”

“I’m shocked you care, seeing how fast you disappeared.” I chuckled, amused at this woman’s odd behavior.

She crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed them together while glancing at me from the side of her eyes. “Mmm-hmm well, you know, that was embarrassing.”

“Accidents happen. No harm, no foul.” I smiled.

“Is that a sports saying?” she asked, but her gaze kept tracking the people and businesses around us.

“Not really,” I answered feeling as old as dirt. “Are you looking for someone?”

She frowned, bit into her bottom lip, and kept looking around. “No. Are you following me?” she blurted.

“We’re headed the same way. Baggage, ground transportation?” I lifted my chin toward the sign that we were about to walk under.

“Oh, yeah. Right. Cool.”

“Do you know where you’re going?” I set down one of the cases and grabbed her arm. “Are you sure you’re okay? That conk to the head was sharp, but I didn’t think it was that bad. You seem like you’re lost or looking for someone.”

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