Page 69 of Wild Love

"I love it. That's why I'm not sure I'm ready for what that means." I'd be settling down in the truest sense of the word. No more walks to the bar late at night or impromptu mountain bike rides with my brothers because they showed up at the lodge.

I don't know why I was having such a hard time with the idea. Maybe it was because I didn't have anyone to share it with.

"I think it's a great idea. I've always wanted a house. Somewhere I could cook anytime I wanted."

"I thought you enjoyed moving from place to place?"

"That doesn't mean I don't appreciate having a place to call my own. You should do it. You'll still be close enough to the lodge, but it will allow you some separation."

It didn't escape my notice that she hadn't said anything about building the place for us. I knew it was too soon, and she didn't consider us to be anything more than we were—a good time.

"I'll think about it."

She played with the hair at the base of my neck. "You should. I think it's a fantastic idea."

"What about you? Are you going to get that house for yourself?" She was encouraging me to follow my dreams; I should do the same for her.

She grimaced. "I can't have a house while I'm traveling. I've accepted that."

"How much longer will you do that kind of job?"

"Only until I get the cue to stop."

"Have you been looking for a job?" I asked as she got out of the water and grabbed a heated towel to wrap around her body.

"I've made some inquiries. It doesn't look good that I left midproduction on my last job."

I got out and grabbed the towel she held out for me. "Then why did you?"

A mix of emotions played out over her face. "It was the right time to walk away. My boss was unbearable."

"How so?"

"He decided I was what he wanted, and the other castmates and crew didn't appreciate the attention he gave me."

"You slept with your boss?" I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I knew things like that happened. It also meant that I was a rebound, and I really didn't like that idea.

Scarlett shook her head. "I said he wanted me, not that anything happened. He made things uncomfortable."

He'd come onto her, and she hadn't wanted it. I was angry for her. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

Scarlett shrugged. "I was so focused on the play; I didn't give off any interested vibes. But he persued me anyway."

"That's not fair to you," I said as she grabbed her dress, and Igathered my things. We headed downstairs to her condo. Inside, I dressed in the bathroom, and she ducked into her bedroom.

We met on the couch where I turned on the TV.

"Why don't we spend any time at your place?" Scarlett asked tentatively.

"We haven't?" At the shake of her head, I frowned. I hadn't even thought about it. "Why? Is it a problem?"

Scarlett shrugged. "I just noticed it."

I threw an arm over her shoulder and tucked her into my side. "How about dinner at my place?"

Scarlett smiled. "That would be nice."

This felt like a relationship. She'd noticed we hadn't spent time at my place, and I offered to fix it. There was give-and-take, and maybe even real feelings involved. Why couldn't she see that? Why was she so intent on doing things the way she always had?

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