Page 5 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Her fingertips brushed his temple as she flicked the leaf away, and he felt that fleeting gentle touch with his entire being.

With his adrenaline ebbing, the cold from the damp night air and the unpleasant time on the ground seeped under his skin. She must be chilly, as well.

“Are you cold?” Not waiting for an answer, he shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket and placed it on her shoulders.

She nearly disappeared into it but didn’t reject it. “Not anymore.”

Her hazel eyes studied him and likely saw more than she let on. Mischief no longer glinted in those eyes, no amusement either. He walked close to her to shield her from any remaining danger. And fine, he enjoyed being close to her.

“You have a little dirt here.” He swiped a speck from her cheek.

A jolt from touching her smooth skin went straight to his heart. Why was he reacting this strongly to a simple touch? His hand jerked back.

Her eyes widened as if she felt something, too. But then she looked away. If she was attracted to him, she was fighting it now. “Thanks.”

Was it because of his reputation of never having a serious relationship?

Hmm. There was a plus in this troubling situation. She’d have to give her name as a witness. He could find her then and ask her out. His heartbeat sped up. Did he want to see her again?

Absolutely, but asking her out now would be taking advantage of the situation.

“Oy!” She winced as her bare foot connected with some sharp stone. She put one shoe back on, but now she limped along with an uneven gait from wearing one heeled shoe while being barefooted on the other side.

Poor girl. His gaze searched the path ahead, but he couldn’t see where she’d discarded the other shoe. It seemed neither could she.

“Would you like to lean on me?” He moved closer, her enticing perfume mixing with the grass scenting the night. It wreaked havoc on his senses. Everything about this night and this woman was unusual and intriguing.

“No thanks.” She took off the shoe again because walking was clearly uncomfortable.

How could he help her? Then he spotted a shard to her right and suppressed a grimace. “Careful. There’s broken glass to your right.”

Good thing she hadn’t stepped on that when she’d run there before. And while on an adrenaline boost, she probably hadn’t felt the uneven surface then, but she must feel it now.

Something unreadable flashed in her eyes. “Thanks. I saw it.”

In the dim lantern light, they could miss the next shard. That wouldn’t do. His protective instincts flared up again, and there was a simple solution, after all.

“I can’t risk you getting hurt.” He swept her up. His heartbeat skyrocketed from having her close in his arms, much closer than when they’d danced.

She gasped, and her eyes went huge. “What...? What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m fairly sure I’m carrying you.” A chuckle burst loose, despite the situation. And to think he’d been reluctant to go to the masquerade tonight and had to talk himself into it. He’d never liked social gatherings, but he couldn’t miss the charity ball he’d organized. Now, he was grateful he’d shown up.

“Yeah, no kidding.” After some hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck, sending another jolt straight to his heart. “I’d be fine walking,” she muttered.

“Of course.” He enjoyed having her close way too much. This was shaping up to be the best night of his life, though he could live—literally—without someone stealing a necklace at the event and then firing at the pursuer.

The stars in the velvet sky looked down on them, and the moonlight bathed everything in a romantic glow. Her lush lips covered with red lipstick parted, stirring thoughts of kissing her until the blood rushed faster in his veins. He’d danced with strangers before, but he’d never kissed one.

He’d never carried a stranger, either. The mysterious scent of her perfume drew him in, and so did her eyes. Her pupils dilated, and her breathing increased. Was her heartbeat going faster to match his own?

She was close enough for their breaths to mix. And he carried her in his arms. But he still had no clue who she was. “You’re still not going to tell me your name, are you?”

She chuckled, the sound echoing deep inside him. “Just call me Cinderella.”

He wouldn’t push the issue. He’d go through the camera footage and invitations. Mask or no mask, he’d figure this out. He wanted to see her again much more than he cared to admit. Before he invited her to dance, he’d noticed she didn’t wear a wedding ring. But these days that didn’t guarantee her heart wasn’t taken already.

“You already know I’m single. Is there a significant other in your life?” He stopped breathing, waiting for the answer.

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