Page 6 of Sweet Virgin

Chapter Three

Alaska

Istood motionless on the sidewalk, unsure if I wanted to go back to my hotel or not. Fiddling with the bag hanging on my side, I plucked my lower lip. I didn't know what to do with myself. There was something holding me there, keeping me from moving further away.

I kept looking back in the direction Kealen had gone, wishing he would emerge with that award-winning smile.

This is stupid.

He was just a guy who had spotted a girl in trouble, he did exactly what any other chivalrous man would have done. There was nothing special about it. Shit, I would have done the same thing too.

Shaking my head to myself, I started to leave. My feet slowly patted over the sand covered walkway, each step burning the soles of my heels. Moaning and groaning, I made my way to a shaded spot so I could slip back into my sandals.

“Hey, wait up!” The same deep, husky growl ricocheted off the sand dunes. “I can't just leave you out here like this, it doesn't feel right. Let me walk you back to your hotel.”

“What? No, it's fine, you don't need to.” Waving my shoe in the air, I dropped it to the ground. “I'm alright, really.”

Why the hell am I saying no?

You wanted this.

I had a habit of doing that, saying no when I really wanted to scream yes. I wasn't sure why I was predisposed to automatically say no, but I did it without even thinking about it.

Maybe it was because I had spent so much time after my mother passed away having to look out for myself. I spent my entire childhood practically alone. I was sent to boarding school during the school year and the only time my father was ever involved was when he shoved me into the star lights to find fame.

I had become so dependent on myself, that accepting help from another was like an out of body experience.

“I can't leave you after that jackass was harassing you, I'm walking you back.” His hand found the small of my back, guiding me forward. “Where are you staying?”

“I'm only up the street a block or so.” Pointing with my finger, I couldn't stop staring into his eyes.

They were mesmerizing, tickling my skin with light sparks of electricity. They were the same crystal blue as the ocean, white flakes were glittering around the rim of his iris', mingling with different shades of silver. There was no way for me to fully describe the way his gaze felt as it cast down on my body.

His eyes met mine, his fingers gently ruffled the trim of my shirt. Goosebumps shot across my skin, causing me to shiver as he spoke. “So, are you an official tourist or have you been here before?” His legs started moving and mine quickly followed with the pressure of his hand against my back.

The scent of mint and pine blew through the air, curling into my nose with long strokes. My breath hitched as another wave of his cologne stole my senses.

My mouth wanted to speak, but my brain had melted into a pile of mush. “Uh, well, kinda. But. . . Not really.” The words were hard to find, I was so lost in his presence.

“Okay, that's not a confusing answer at all.” Chuckling, Kealen's thumb pressed into my spine. “So you've been here, but you haven't been here.”

You sound like a fool, Allie!

Get it together!

“Well, I haven't been here before, but it reminds me of where I grew up.” My fingers twined together nervously as my eyes darted to the ground.

It was like I had just dropped in age, turning from a young woman into a fidgety, insecure teenager. My heart was palpitating inside my chest, strumming long notes that vibrated my ribs. My palms were sweating and sticky as his hand stayed static on my back.

Smirking, Kealen pulled his hand away and tucked it into his pocket, reading my body language as a negative reaction. My energy wasn't sensual and sexy, I was pushing him away as my body turned stiff, unsure of how to react to the man beside me.

He had it all wrong. It wasn't meant as a sign for him to back off, I just wasn't used to the feelings careening around inside my body.

But I wanted his hand back, I needed it back. With Kealen, I couldn't help but want more of his touch, even if it was barely a touch at all. All of this came from one instant, one moment where he made me feel like I was worth something.

“That makes more sense. Where did you grow up?”

I knew I had to be careful of what I said. If he really didn't know who I was, I didn't want to give it away. The wrong detail could start a landslide of information that would stop the conversation right there.

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