Page 18 of Sweet Talker

ten

DANGEROUS - SARA

Brax hasn’t left my side since we met. Over the last few days, he’s taken me sightseeing, souvenir shopping, and fly-fishing. Yesterday we went kayaking, which was more fun than I expected, and tomorrow, he plans to take me scuba diving to see the princess.

We’ve eaten the freshest seafood and sampled some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. He’s introduced me to the joy of Nanaimo bars, and Annie has baked us her delicious traditional family pudding cake.

We’ve packed a lifetime into a few short days, and though I’m over the moon, I know it can’t last.

I only wanted a little fun I could leave behind, but now I’ve met Brax, I’m not sure if that’s even possible.

From the moment I felt his hands on me, the first moment he looked deep into my eyes and steadied me, brought me back from the brink of panic, we were connected in a way I didn’t understand.

That connection blossomed into what I’m feeling now; my emotions are heightened, spiraling in a way I never expected. The simple truth hits me, and the weight of it settles on my chest like an anvil.

I’m in love for the first time in my life, but it’s with a man I can’t have.

His home is here in Canada, and I live in America. We will be working together. He’s at least ten years older than me, and though he’s already a father, I bet he wants to have children of his own someday. And that’s something I cannot give him.

Being with Brax has blown my heart wide open, but what good will it do? I’m the wrong person to get involved with him. The more I get to know him, the more reasons I see why it just can’t work. As much as it hurts, it’s better if we go our separate ways.

We’re in the car, driving back to the resort, and Brax is compensating for my silence by talking too much. I love the warmth and affection in his voice when he tells stories about Chase.

He leans across the center console and squeezes my thigh but doesn’t take his eyes off the road for a single moment. We are both extra cautious when it comes to road safety.

“Is everything okay?”

I’m tempted to lie and say it is, but I can’t. I haven’t lied to him since the moment we met.

My voice catches when I whisper, “You’re dangerous.”

“What do you mean?”

“I came here thinking I’d do a little sightseeing and go home, but that isn’t what happened.”

“I didn’t expect this to happen either, but it has. And I’m not sorry.” His voice rolls over me, the conviction in his tone settling in my heart. He glances at me, and there’s a sparkle in his eyes which makes my heart gallop.

He hauls the steering wheel aside to make a hard turn and pulls off the road. The tires crunch over a patch of gravel, cracking and popping until he comes to a stop and turns off the engine.

Brax cups the back of my neck and I twist to face him. “I know it’s fast and it sounds crazy, but I know my own mind.” His bright blue gaze burns right through me and my chest tightens in anticipation. “I am in love with you, Sara.”

He glances at me with such depth of emotion that I shiver from the weight. It’s too much responsibility.

I break eye contact and turn away. “That’s what I mean,” I tell him. “I love you too, Brax. That’s why you’re so dangerous.”

“You’re worried about what happens next. I get it.”

“What do we do now?”

I want to be closer to him, touch him while we talk. I want to take away his pain, and more than that, I want to share myself with him. The way his kisses feel on my skin, remind me of how right I feel in his arms, and how our mouths are made for each other.

“Well, I could say we take things one step at a time, but I don’t think I can.”

He devours me with his eyes. I don’t need to breathe. I just need him. “How do we make it work?” I’m terrified of making a mistake. I need to know what he’s thinking, because I never want to hurt him or his son.

“I spoke to Chase this morning. He wants to spend more time with his grandparents at their home in Chicago. He’s an awesome kid and he’s old enough to know what he wants, but too young to do it alone. If I fly with him, he can spend time with them, and I can see you.”

I stare at him in disbelief, trying to process what he’s saying. “So you’d visit me while we get to know each other, and I could keep working and building my career?”

---