Page 26 of Dare to Fall
“It’s a long story,” Erin says on a laugh. “But it’ll have to wait.”
“Why?”
“Because you have a visitor.”
I follow her nod toward the door, surprised to find a sexy, bearded mountain man filling the opening.
“Go,” Erin says, catching me in a hug before she shoves me toward Tucker. “We’ll catch up later.”
The door closes behind me, giving me a little shove right into Tucker’s very nicely defined chest. One corded in muscles and covered with tattoos I memorized with my tongue last night.
“Hey,” he says, his hand moving as though he wants to reach for me, but he pulls it back before he does.
“Hey,” I say.
“We should probably finish our conversation.”
“What a novel concept,” I say flatly, rolling my eyes at him. I tug him by the wrist to my room next door.
“Fox themed,” he says on a chuckle as he closes the door behind him. “How fitting.”
“Okay, that’s just cruel.” I scan the room, noticing all the fox pictures and decorations for the first time. How have I missed that? “Or maybe itisfate?”
“Gabby—”
“I’m scared, Tucker,” I admit, dropping onto the edge of the bed and waiting for him to do the same.
“You? Scared? I’ve never associated that word with you, Gabriella Owens,” he says, dropping a hand onto my thigh, the warmth of his touch heating me from the inside out. “You’re the bravest, boldest, sexiest woman I’ve ever known. I’ve been all over the world, and not a single person I’ve met could hold a candle to your badassery.”
“Don’t forget the sexiness part.”
“You’re badassery is one of the many things that makes you the sexiest woman on this planet—or any other for that matter. So tell me, what do you have to be scared of?”
I take a deep breath, pushing past the fear of what my confession might uncover. But I owe it to both of us to be honest in the rawest way possible.
“I’ve never fit anywhere. I’ve never felt like I belonged. I think that’s why we were such good friends growing up. We were both like black sheep, you know?”
He nods, waiting for me to continue.
“That’s why I take these jobs that have end dates. I only stay long enough to feel like I’m part of something, and I move on before anyone realizes I’m just an imposter.” The words I speak are revelations to me. I’ve spent so much time moving from place to place that I never once considered why I couldn’t handle standing still. Coming to Cinnamon Creek has forced me to confront the truth of my running.
“You fit with me,” Tucker says, combing the hair back from my cheek. His fingertips leave a blazing trail in their wake. “In many,manyways.”
My gaze drops to his lips, and I’m tempted to push him onto his back so I can ride him, hard and wild. It makes me realize that with Tucker, I’m freer than I’ve been anywhere else. I thought traveling from place to place on a whim gave me that freedom, but it’s not the same. With Tucker, I’m free to be myself.
“What if I stay, and I hate it?”
“Then we’ll figure it out.”
“Just like that? I thought you were putting down roots.”
“I am,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “But if you truly hate it here—which, for the record, I think will be impossible—we’ll figure something else out. You’re my home, too, Gabby.”
“I am?”
“Of course you are. I love you. I’ve mentioned that part right?”
“You have.”
