Page 46 of Koa's Little Girl
When he stopped in his tracks to look at her incredulously, Sharon said, “It was getting hot out there. I didn’t think you’d mind?”
“Sorry, Sharon. I think it’s better if we step outside.”
Koa didn’t wait for her to answer, but brushed by her to grab the doorknob. Sharon stepped forward into his path and crumpled dramatically to the floor when he couldn’t avoid brushing against her.
“Ouch! I’ve turned my ankle. Could I have some ice, please? I think I’m supposed to put it up, aren’t I?” she asked with a grimace, clutching her left foot.
“Let’s get you back to your house, and you can take it easy for the rest of the night,” Koa suggested, wishing to get her out of his house as soon as possible.
Koa lifted her to her feet and left her standing by the couch as he opened the door. Sharon took one limping step and shook her head. “I can’t do it. I’ll take a seat and rest my ankle for a bit. I’m sure it will be fine in a few minutes.”
Trying to think quickly, Koa searched for a way to transport her a few houses down the street. He didn’t have a wheelchair to push her in. Getting her into the truck would take as much time as walking down the street.
Mentally shaking her head, he offered, “If you’ll allow me, I’ll carry you back to your house.”
“If you don’t mind putting those big muscles to use…” Her voice trailed off.
The last thing Koa wanted to do was get close to her, much less touch Sharon. Trying to keep his face from revealing his true feelings toward her, Koa pasted a smile on his face. He scooped Sharon off her feet and walked out the door.Crap!
“Hi?” Giana appeared exhausted and totally shocked to see him carrying another woman.
“Hi, neighbor. Just borrowing Koa’s brute strength. I’ll send him home soon.” Sharon ran her fingers over Koa’s bulging biceps. “Maybe?”
“Keep him,” Giana told the flirtatious woman.
She circled around them and headed into the house as Koa said, “Giana, she hurt her…” The door crashing closed behind Giana interrupted his explanation.
“Oops! She seemed angry. Trouble in paradise?” Sharon asked, looking too pleased.
“I’ll get you to your porch, then you’re on your own,” Koa told Sharon, walking as fast as possible.
“Whoa! Slow down. You’re jarring my ankle.” Sharon lifted her right foot as if to remind him she was wounded.
Koa stopped and set Sharon on her feet in the middle of the sidewalk. “It’s your right foot now? That’s telling. You supposedly hurt your left foot when you entered my house without permission. Make your own way home. Don’t bother me again.” He turned and immediately ran back to his house.
“Koa! I hurt myself at your home. I could sue you. At least get me home,” Sharon shouted after him.
Koa ignored her and raced up his driveway. Sharon definitely knew how to put on a show for the neighbors. As he got to the front door, it opened, and Giana stepped out with her work uniforms clutched in one hand and a plastic bag in the other. He was sure it contained her stuffies.
“Giana, she faked an injury, and carrying her was the only way I could get her out of here,” Koa explained.
“I wondered how long it would take until you were tired of playing Daddy.”
Her expression broke his heart. He had to get her to listen to him. Koa stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Instantly, Giana struggled. She was in amazing physical shape and a handful to control, but Koa wouldn’t let her go.
Picking her off the ground, he hauled her kicking and yelling into his house. He slammed the door closed with his elbow and set her feet on the floor. “Stop and listen. I’ll let you leave in a few minutes if you still want to.”
“You’re damn right I want to leave. Probably every housewife in the neighborhood is calling the police right now.” Giana glared at him.
“I got home and took a shower. Like I usually do, I put on shorts and started dinner. Sharon came here for some reason. I still don’t know why.”
“Looks like she got swept off her feet by your charm.” Giana spat the words at him.
“When I answered the door, she leered at my chest, making me very uncomfortable. I didn’t want to encourage her, so I excused myself to get a shirt. When I came back, she had waltzed inside.”
“You didn’t want to encourage her?”
He bristled at her tone. “I did not invite her attention, nor have I given her any indication in the year that I’ve lived here that I was interested in her.”
