Brody grabs my wrist. “Wait for me to help you. Stay put,” he orders.
I sigh as he climbs out of his side of the truck and rounds to my door. I’m so stupidly flustered that I still have my seatbelt on. If I had tried to climb out, I would have made a fool of myself.
Brody reaches across me to unfasten my belt before grabbing me around the waist and lifting me out of the truck.
I’m panting as I slide down his body until my feet are on the ground. And I quickly smooth my skirt. I’m sure it rose up far too high when he lifted me, but hopefully he didn’t get a glimpse of my panties. Why did I wear a damn dress today?
I never dress up fancy like this. I have no reason to. Most days, I don’t even leave my home. I have a routine. It doesn’t include looking nice for anyone because I don’t see people.
When he doesn’t release my hips fast enough, I wiggle free of him. “Thanks again.” I rush around him and hurry toward my front door.
“Fuck,” I mutter, opening my small purse to pull out my keys. I twirl around to find him strolling my direction, holding the keys, smirking.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
He chuckles as he reaches me. With my keys dangling from his fingers, he lifts my chin. “Let me tell you a few things. One, I would never in my life drop a woman off at her house without getting out of my car. Not my woman, not any woman. Two, I also wouldn’t let her enter a building without making sure it was safe.”
I gasp. “This is my house? Why wouldn’t it be safe?”
He lifts a brow. He’s standing far too close to me. Touching me. I can’t catch my breath. He smells so good. Like hard work, sunshine, and soap. Is that a thing? It’s distracting.
“You’re the one who implied someone is stalking you, Melody. But even if you hadn’t, I would still walk inside and make sure no one was lurking. That’s just common sense. Gentlemanly.”
I sigh. “And then you’ll leave?”
He laughs. “Not a chance.” He unlocks my front door. As soon as he opens it, my alarm system starts beeping, giving me time to disarm it. He steps inside and glances around before facing the panel and nodding.
I roll my eyes as I join him and type in my code. The beeping stops. When I turn around, he’s staring at me, arms crossed, feet planted wide. “How many people in Wilde have security systems?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
“Who installed it?”
I inhale deeply. “Brody…”
“I’m just asking. Is there an alarm company in town?”
“No,” I admit.
“So, someone came from another town to put a state-of-the-art alarm system in your rental cottage.” He isn’t asking. He’s figured it all out.
I throw up my hands. “I’m a single woman, living alone, without close neighbors. It gives me peace of mind.”
“That’s all well and good. I’m proud of you and glad you have the common sense to recognize all those facts and have taken measures to ensure you’re safe. What I don’t like is the comment you made about a stalker. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
My shoulders drop as I blow out a breath. “No, Brody. I’m just careful and paranoid. Are you happy?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m concerned.”
“Well, you don’t need to be. I’m fine.” I turn toward the open door and gesture with a dismissive wave for him to leave. “Thanks again. I appreciate the ride.”
Brody reaches for the edge of the door over the top of my head and shuts it. “You’re welcome. And I’ll call a tow truck and have your car moved to Winston’s mechanic shop. Is that okay? I know there’s some bad blood with his idiotic son taking Claire hostage, but my cousins assure me Winston is a standup guy who isn’t putting up with any nonsense from his son.”
“It’s fine, but you don’t have to…” Why am I arguing with this man? He’s not going to budge on this or anything else.
He takes my hand in his and strokes my knuckles. “Give me a tour.”
