Page 85 of Fall for You
“Leave it to me, Tink.” He winked at her, following the move with a smile that could knock her clean off her feet.
Seriously, this man was…
Biting her bottom lip, she watched him walk away from her, skimming her eyes down his lithe body and being taken out by a rush of butterflies so strong and ticklish she had to swallow down a giddy giggle.
He was so many things.
So many unexpected, wonderful things.
Which was why she had to leave.
Crossing her arms, she looked around his neat little house, tidy and color coordinated. She liked his style. This place had the kind of vibe she could get used to. Staring at the sofa that faced the big pane of glass, she pictured herself curled up in the corner of it, the rays of sun splashing through the window warming up her face while she read a book, her toes tucked under Eric’s thigh while he absentmindedly traced patterns on her leg, reading his own book and?—
Okay, stop it. That will never happen.
That reality was a harsh slap to her conscience, and maybe that was why, when Eric ushered her out the door, she couldn’t deny the deep sense of sadness that settled inside her, squashing all those lovely butterflies in one fell swoop.
They tried to revive themselves again when Eric opened the door for her and handed her the pair of heels she’d forgotten.
“Thank y—” She bit her lips together and could feel the blush heating her cheeks.
“You’re welcome, little one,” he murmured playfully before walking around the front of his truck.
Oh boy, he was handsome.
She’d known that all along, but there was something so different about him, like a new day had dawned and she was seeing him clearly for the first time.
His Vader mask was slipping away to reveal something soft and gentle, playful and fun. And she intrinsically knew that not everyone got to see this side of him.
But he was showing her.
That felt so huge, and she didn’t know what to do with it.
“Okay.” Eric slipped behind the wheel and started the engine. “LetOperation Not Get Bustedcommence.” He winked at her again, and all she could give him was a wonky smile.
Her insides were in chaos as she sank down in her seat and tried to stay hidden as Eric drove her off the property.
They’d only driven a few short minutes when he murmured, “Okay, you can sit up now.”
She shuffled back in her seat, rising to her full height and checking out the view. They were pulling up next to a utility shed and she frowned at him in confusion.
“What are we?—?”
“Trust me,” he murmured as he jumped out the driver’s door and scanned his surroundings.
Of course she’d never been on the Spencer property before, so the fact that she was lost was not surprising, but it seemed weird that they’d only traveled such a short distance. Was he expecting her to hike back to The King’s Inn in her heels?
He opened her door and didn’t even ask before lifting her out of his truck. Delicately placing her down, he held her arm steady while she put her heels on, then checked the coast was clear one more time.
“This way.” He tipped his head and, after a few quick strides, slowed his pace so that she would catch up.
They reached a narrow trail around the back of the shed and he led her through a thick crop of trees, stopping to help her over a log. She managed not to squeak when his hands landed on her hips and he easily lifted her over, once again placing her down and steadying her until she had her footing.
Her heart was thrumming out of time, making it impossible to think straight as she negotiated what felt like land mines in her high heels.
She was just waiting for her stiletto to get caught between two rocks.
Snap and she’d be done.
