Page 26 of Falling For You

But this whole thing that was happening here was perplexing.

She could care less whether I came or went, yet I kept popping up in her world, and I knew better than to do that.

But it was like I couldn’t stay away from her beauty and feistiness.

“You might be surprised,” I told her softly.

She looked taken aback by my sudden change as her eyes narrowed on me.

“You’ve just got this look,” she said quietly.

“What’s that?” I shook my head.

She leaned closer and let out a sigh. “Like you’ve seen too much for someone our age, know too much.”

I straightened in my chair. “Hmm. That’s interesting.”

She nodded. “It’s just something I sense. You have the brooding thing down, and the grumpiness has to be second nature, but I think there’s a reason it all exists.”

“Can’t fool you, can I?” I laughed, shaking my head.

“Or I’m just a fool and try to see the good in people more than I should.” She chuckled and nodded. “Yeah. That’s probably what it is.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Tell me, Violet. Are you like this to every man you meet or is it just me who brings it out of you?”

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Honestly? Just you.”

I nodded and took another sip of my drink. “Ah, good to know.”

“You asked,” she said, chuckling. “I’m nothing if not direct.”

“I can tell that.”

“Yeah, I’d imagine so.” She toyed with the wrapper from her croissant sandwich. “I just don’t like to be played a fool.”

I nodded, fiddling with my cup lid. “I don’t think anyone would.”

She nodded, smiling. “I suppose you’re right.”

“So, you moved back to the family lodge for what reason, Violet?” My eyes stayed on hers, and I felt that familiar charge run between us.

Violet tucked a dark piece of hair behind her ear, and she let out a sultry sigh. “I got tired of being unnoticed and alone.”

I nodded. “You strike me as someone who doesn’t want to go out often.”

She laughed. “Yeah. I went out all the time for years in Chicago. I’m over it. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel alone when I did. I could be in the sea of people at the latest and greatest bar openings and still not be seen or heard. I’d much rather go back home to my small cabin in the middle of the woods than my small apartment in the middle of cement.” She shrugged. “I mean, it was fun and exciting at first, but it got old.”

“I get that.” I pushed my lips together into a scowl.

“Do you, though?”

“I spend most of my nights in hotel rooms. These next few weeks just happen to be here, but I rarely get to spend consecutive nights inmost places.” I shrugged.

“Even your own home?” Her brows lifted in surprise.

I nodded, smoothing my palms over my chin. “Yeah. I’m rarely at my house in Connecticut.”

“I guess that could make most people a little grouchy.” Her eyes locked on mine, and I smiled.

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