Page 43 of Highest Bidder
Talk about swoon.
“Hey. What’s going on over there?” Jess asks. “I can see by the smile on your face he texted something sweet,” she sings out.
“He asked me my favorite color. Then he told me his is green because it reminds him of my eyes. Where did he come from?” I laugh.
“Aww. He’s so sweet. You’re lucky you get to know the guy behind the quiet exterior.” We laugh together and finish our ice cream as the characters in the movie start to fall in love.
My alarm goesoff at 2 a.m., but I struggle to muster the energy to get out of bed. My thoughts go to Myles. He’ll be here soon to pick me up, and I want to look somewhat presentable. He hasn’t earned the privilege of seeing the disaster I am in the mornings, yet. I get out of bed and throw my hair up into a large, messy bun on top of my head, which my mom is going to love when I get there. I’m sure it will be the first thing she commentson when she sees me. I’m there for one reason, and it’s being by my dad’s side as he recovers. Plus, my flight is in the middle of the night. I’m not trying to impress anyone, except Myles, of course. And I have a feeling he might appreciate thefresh facelook.
There’s a soft knock at the door, just as I'm finished getting ready. I have on jean shorts, a comfy baggy gray shirt that drapes off my shoulder, and white tennis shoes. My bags are already at the front door, so I’m ready to hit the road. I open the door to a smiling Myles holding a plant and a green sweatshirt in his hands. He’s wearing shorts and a black T-shirt with his hat on backward. This has quickly become my favorite look on him. He looks relaxed and comfortable.
“Hi.” I crinkle my nose at the plant and chuckle.
“Well, you said your favorite color was green. I was going to get you flowers, but they didn’t have green. So I got you a plant instead. I also brought one of my old college sweatshirts from USF. I know it’ll be big on you, but I wanted you to have some part of me with you for comfort.” The thought he put into these gifts melts me. I tuck my bottom lip beneath my teeth in an attempt to stop the grin spreading across my face. Nobody has ever put forth so much effort to try to make me feel better.
“This has to be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. Thank you!” I grab the plant and put it on the kitchen counter. I scribble a note to Jess threatening her life if she lets it die while I’m gone. He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me. My heart works in overdrive as I attempt to control my breathing. This gesture is sweet and one I really need. His cheek rests on top of my head as my hands hold his arms wrapped around my middle.
“How are you holding up?” he asks, softly.
I squeeze his arms and turn to face him, lacing my arms around his neck. “Feeling like I’m living in fight or flight mode.” My eyes sting with the growing tears in them.
“I know.” He hugs me closer.
I close my eyes as I rest against his chest. It’s crazy how fast this is moving. I never expected this, and now I can’t imagine not having his arms for comfort. I’m already dreading being away from him and having my new found safe place miles away.
“These yours?” Myles points to the bags crowding the side of the doorway. “I’ll go put them in my truck.”
“Yes, thank you!” I finish my note and grab the rest of my things.
Once outside, Myles already has my bags in the back of the truck and is waiting for me by the open passenger door. He helps me into the cab, then leans in and gives my cheek a quick kiss. Grabbing the seatbelt, he leans across me to lock it in. My heart is pounding out of my chest as I’m surrounded by his woodsy scent.
Myles leans back, his eyes dropping to meet mine, a wicked grin curling his lips as he dips his head closer and whispers, “I love your hair down, but seeing it up”—he loops a finger around a loose tendril and gives it a tug—“makes me want to kiss a path all the way up your neck until I get to your lips. It’s a bit distracting.”
The feel of his lips grazing my ear sends goosebumps rolling down my body, lighting every nerve on their way down. I have to bite my lip to keep the moan threatening to burst through from escaping.
Myles’ gaze drops to the lip pinned between my teeth, before slowly bringing it back up to my eyes. “Something to look forward to when you get home.” The playfulness of his deep voice reverberates to my core. Before I can respond, he winks and shuts my door.
On the drive to the airport, the conversations flows easily. He casually reaches over to hold my hand, and it’s the first time I am relieved to have the contact. Myles rubs a soothing circle across the back of my hand, relaxing every jittery nerve spasmingthrough my body. He asks about my family and loves hearing more about my dad and his love for auctioneering, but also his love of riding and roping cattle. I tell him about the farm and the horse I miss. He tells me about his mom and stories about him and JT growing up together. I can’t believe how much trouble they got into. His poor mom. I can only imagine what they put her through.
As the airport gets closer, I dread leaving. I’m torn between not wanting to go, and wanting to be there for my dad. I haven’t talked to him. I know he’s still in the hospital, and my plan is to go straight there. My mom and I don’t communicate well, so it would be better to get the information myself from the doctors. Knowing her, she might downplay it.
“Hey, you got a little quiet. You okay?” Myles says, squeezing my hand as we pull into the parking garage.
I look over at him and give him a small smile. “Yes, just thinking about what I’m headed into. Thank you for driving me. You’ve made this so much easier.” I squeeze his hand. He pulls into a parking space and turns toward me.
“No place I’d rather be.” His eyes sparkle.
His actions have shown how much he means those words.
“Come on, let’s get you inside and check your bags.”
I can’t believe he’s not just dropping me off at departures.Where did this man come from?
We get all my bags out, and he grabs my hand before walking me inside. There’s not many people here so it doesn’t take long to check my bags. He ventures off to buy me a mocha frappuccino. A few minutes later, as we stand off to the side near security, he looks at me.
“Come here.” He wraps me up completely in his arms. I immediately relax into his warm, large body.
“Thank you for being here,” I mumble into his chest. Breathing in his smell, reminds me of being in the woods. I close my eyes, doing my best to commit it to memory as he kisses thetop of my head.
