I shook my head at the silly girl as her mother leaned down and whispered in her ear. Stormi smiled and said matter-of-factly, “He’s right.”
Then she took off toward the table and my cheeks burned with embarrassment when she said, very loudly, “Uncle Huntley, do you like my aunt River?”
Throwing my hands over my face, I mumbled, “Kill me now.”
I was frozen like a statue.
After Lake and Stormi left to head back home, Bre convinced Huntley to sit down and watch the movie. Since it was Lennon’s pick,Bad Boys for Lifewas currently blasting through the television speakers.
Lennon was in the chair, Bre was on the couch situated atone end, Roxie cuddled up next to her. That left Huntley and me to take the two seats left on the sofa next to one another. And I didn’t think I’d moved a muscle since I plopped down, my hands entwined together in a death grip on my lap.
My face still flamed from Stormi’s embarrassing question, along with Huntley’s answer. Lake had pulled my hands from my face and twirled me around. The strikingly good-looking fireman was gazing straight into my eyes when he said, “I like her very much.” This caused my niece to squeal and clap her hands excitedly once again.
Me, I was hoping the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
But even with the embarrassment, I couldn’t contain the giddy feeling that swept through me at his words. Ones that stayed with me all night. With Huntley’s body so close to mine, our thighs almost touching, I wasn’t able to squash the nerves that had my heart racing as the heat from him soaked into me.
Is this what it felt like to…
No, I didn’t have a crush. And this wasn’t a date. We were not only adults, but we were also friends.
“Relax, sweetheart,” Huntley’s husky voice whispered in my ear.
I finally moved, jumping as his warm breath tickled my neck and caused goosebumps to go scurrying over every inch of my skin. He must be crazy if he thought I could relax after that. I was wound up like a jack-in-the-box toy and two seconds from popping right out of my skin.
“I’m so sorry I scared you.” His voice sounded defeated like he’d done something wrong.
He had only been doing right by me since we met.
Not wanting him to feel bad, especially since I hadn’t jumped because I was scared, I turned my head toward him. I realized my mistake in an instant.
Our faces were so close, his eyes bored into mine. Those green eyes of his darkened to almost black but flickers of gold shimmered in them, illuminating the intensity of his gaze. I took a deep breath and his heady scent that reminded me of leather and spice was so intoxicating I almost forgot what I was about to tell him.
I shook my head to clear it. “You didn’t scare me. I just don’t know what to do when you’re around. You make me feel…” I didn’t know how to explain something I had never felt before.
What was wrong with me?
Huntley lips turned up a fraction. “You make me feel too.”
“Shows over, I’m going to bed,” Bre announced, and we both jumped, moving away from each other.
I almost giggled because I could imagine we looked like two kids getting caught too close to one another by our parents. Not that I knew what that was like, but I counseled enough teens to hear them talk about the ins and outs of dating, being irritated with their mom and dad, and those of the opposite sex.
“Night,” my daughter said as she walked by me, her dog snuggled in her arms.
Lennon got up then too, but he stopped in front of us. Always the protective one, he looked at me and asked, “You good?” His gaze never strayed from mine as he waited for an answer.
He liked Huntley, was learning to trust him, but leaving me alone with someone, especially a man, was something he wouldn’t do. Not without asking anyway.
“I’m good,” I confirmed.
After studying me a second longer, he nodded and then turned to say goodnight to Huntley. “See ya around, man. You’ll have to come to game night again.”
Looking pleased, Huntley replied, “I’d like that.”
And then it was just the two of us.
Immediately begging to panic, I started to tremble.
