“Why not?”
“Because… Because…” She swallows. “You’ll never leave.”
I smile. At least she understands. “Destiny, little pixie.” I hold out a hand. “Stop fighting it. Come on.”
She groans dramatically as she takes my hand and lets me help her out of her car. I take the keys out of her palm, lock her car, shut the hood, and pocket the keys.
With a hand on the small of her back, I guide her to my truck, open the passenger door, and then put my hands around her waist to lift her into the seat.
She gasps. “Brody…”
“What? Did you expect me to stand here and watch you climb up?” I even grab the seatbelt and lean in to pull it across her and buckle her in.
“I could have done that, too,” she argues, batting at me.
I pause, my face inches from hers, and meet her gaze. “I have no doubt in your abilities. I bet you can do damn near anything you set your mind to. I bet you make up for your stature in about a hundred different ways. There’s probably a pink toolbox and a ladder in your house, and I’m certain you can fix more things than most men. But now you don’t have to, so take a breath and let me carry some of that load.” Slowly, I close the distance between us and lightly kiss her lips.
She’s so shocked that she doesn’t respond. That’s okay. I don’t linger. I ease out of the truck, make sure she’s all the way inside, and shut the door before rounding to my side.
My life has flipped upside down. It just took a ninety-degree turn.
And I’m here for it. Completely.
Chapter 5
Melody
* * *
It’s like I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. What the hell is going on? How am I suddenly sitting in Brody’s truck? And did he just kiss me?
I never should have come to this book club. I knew from the moment Arianna mentioned it that it was a horrible idea. I was certain that if I agreed to do anything with the Wilde wives, I would end up in a situation like this.
Fate? Brody acts like my car was destined not to start so he would have to drive me home. The idea makes me shiver. What if he’s right?
He starts driving. When he reaches over and takes my hand, I tug free from his hold and tuck my hands under my thighs. I’m not ready for him to touch me. It’s unnerving.
He just grins.
As soon as he pulls out of town, I jerk my gaze to him. “You know where I live?”
“Yes, little pixie. I have your address. It’s not a secret. This town isn’t big enough for someone to hide in.”
He’s right, but still… I narrow my gaze at him, even though he’s not looking at me. I suspect he sees everything, even if it’s out of the side of his head. “Have you been stalking me?”
Glancing at me, he frowns. “No, baby. I’ve never been to your house. I just put your address in my phone. I swear.”
I stare at him. Part of me hopes he’s telling the truth. If he’s lying to me, I’ll never trust him. But another part of me wishes he’s been driving by my cottage because that would explain why I sometimes hear a car nearby when I should not.
I’m paranoid. I know it. I’ve earned the right to be paranoid. Even though no one in town knows my pen name, and I’m super careful to keep my professional life completely separate from my personal life, a tech-savvy person could probably find me.
I only live five minutes outside of the town limits, so Brody pulls up outside my cottage quickly. He immediately turns to me, his eyes narrowed, one hand on the steering wheel, the opposite elbow on the console. “I don’t like how tense you got when you asked me if I’ve been driving by. Is someone fucking stalking you?”
I shake my head. “No. No. I just get spooked sometimes. It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing, baby. That’s serious.”
“It’s not. I promise. I make shit up in my head all the time. It’s my job. I write fiction. Making stuff up is my middle name.” I grab the door handle and open it. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll call a tow truck first thing Monday morning.” I turn to hop down, intending to race for my cottage. I need distance between me and this intense man who’s making my heart race too fast.
