Page 40 of Hiding Rose
Chapter Eleven
"I love how you're walking with no crutches," Sawyer said as we strolled slowly toward the end of the darkened beach.
"Don't be too in love. I can only do it if you're holding me up. I'll be back on them once we hit the grass again."
He stopped, spun, and walked me backward toward the dark side of the beach again while he fiddled with his phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked, perplexed by his behavior.
We came to a complete stop and he hit a button on the phone. It disappeared into his shirt pocket then he tugged me closer to him. "I'm taking you dancing," he said as the opening notes toThe Rosefloated across the wind. "More time without the crutches and in my arms," he whispered as we spun to the slow song. "And for the record, it’s probably too late to be too in love."
I didn't know what to say, even though I knew exactly what he meant. I couldn't disagree, but I was also too afraid to say it. We've spent the past week together every night, even if it's only for an hour, strolling on the beach. He's been busy in the kitchen and I've been busy in the center, but we were finding time because we craved each other's company. Tomorrow we would officially start our tenure together as co-workers and I was ridiculously excited to pick out counters and appliances.
The song finished and another began, but he stopped and held me by the shoulders. "I shouldn't have said anything. Let's go back."
I shook my head and settled my cheek back on his chest. "I want to stay. I’ve never danced with a man before tonight and I'm enjoying it, a lot."
He rubbed my back as we swayed and kissed the top of my head. "The dancing or the man part?"
"Mmmm, both."
“I’m glad,” he whispered, his chin resting on my head. “It’s been too long since I’ve danced with a beautiful woman in the moonlight on a beach. It’s been too long since I’ve done a lot of things. Maybe the reason you came into my life was to show me what I’m missing.”
“Did you have someone hurt you too?” I asked, realizing how little I knew about his past.
He hugged me tighter and stopped swaying. “No, because I rarely dated. I never found anyone who interested me enough to keep me coming back. Until now.”
“Until now?” I repeated, but it sounded like a question.
He sighed. “Forget about it. Let’s go back to the resort.”
He spun and tucked me under his arm in one motion, hurrying along in silence as I wondered if I should have responded differently to his statement. I didn’t know, but I was certain whatever he had hoped I would say, I didn’t. He snatched up the crutches from the ground in one movement as we made our way up the green AstroTurf to the front door where Tim, the doorman, held it open for us.
“Evening Chef Sawyer and Miss Rosie. Lovely night for a stroll,” he said as we passed by.
“It sure was,” I answered upbeat, something Sawyer wasn’t. The elevator doors opened and we stepped on. He hit the button for the top floor and when we were halfway between floors I reached over and hit the stop button.
He glanced up startled. “Did you stop the car?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to know why you got angry on the beach. I didn’t mean anything by the question. I only wanted you to clarify,” I said, my arms out to my sides and frustration spilling out into my words.
His hands clasped in front of him. “Fine, you want me to clarify it. I’ll clarify it. Up until now I never found a woman who possessed my every thought all day, and all night. I’ve never found a woman who can make me cry because of her pain. No woman has ever made me want to forget about working out, or spending all morning in the kitchen, to spend it wrapped up in her. I’ve never found a woman who can make me hard with nothing but a kiss. Up until now I had no idea what love even was, but I’m starting to see love isn’t just for guys like Gideon and Niko. I have all these emotions mixed up in my belly and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to scare you, but I also can’t deny the truth.”
“What is the truth?” I asked, his face hidden by the shadows in the corner of the car.
“The truth is my crush is long over and I’m in love with you, Rose.”
My eyes never strayed from his as I accepted his honesty. My hand shot out and hit the button to start the car again. “We should probably continue this upstairs, since they have cameras in the elevator,” I said.
He nodded once, but averted his eyes from mine as if he was ashamed or angry. I crutched forward until I could rest my head on his chest. His arms came around me and we rode on, the tinny elevator music the only thing to break the silence. I didn’t know what to say. He loves me? Can you love someone after only a month?
The doors slid open and he held the door while he checked the hallway several times. He helped me out and propelled me directly to my apartment where I swiped open the door and we tumbled inside. With the door shut, locked, and the security alarm activated again, I let out a sigh of relief.
“I hate having to be on guard constantly,” I said, crutching to the kitchen and turning on the light under the cupboard. “It gets tiresome.”
