Interest lit his eyes, and he shifted a little. “Checking in,” he said simply. He didn’t even act like it wasn’t weird to stalk a woman outside her workplace. His gaze swept the empty street, sharp and assessing. “You shouldn’t be walking home alone this late. Not after what happened. Don’t you have a car?”
My back straightened at the insinuation that I couldn’t take care of myself. Of course, I had a car. I just didn’tbring it. It was only four blocks. My stomach twisted at the memory of my cottage ransacked, my cheek still a little tender from the blow. I tugged the jacket tighter and forced a breezy tone. “I have walked this street every night for years,Easton. I know every crack in the sidewalk and every light that flickers. I’ve been fine.” The mad suddenly went out of me. I wasn’t sure why I was giving him grief for checking on me when I was glad that he was here. “You got Maggie home okay after book club, I guess.”
It had only been an hour, so he’d had plenty of time to make the round trip, but I was still surprised to see him. Really surprised.
“Being fine is not the point,” he countered. Apparently, he wasn’t going to let me change the topic. If I had a little red flag, I would wave it in his face. “The point is someone broke into your house and put their hands on you. They still haven’t found the person responsible, right?”
Heat crept up my neck. “You do realize I have lived here my whole life, right? I know how to lock a door. Anyway, it’s been a while, and it was probably a case of mistaken identity or something. I don’t have anything worth stealing.” I shrugged, unsure what he wanted me to do. Denial wasn’t just a river in Egypt.
“You also thought you were safe in that house,” he said. His voice dropped, softer now, but no less intense. His eyes softened a little, and he tugged at the stubble on his chin. Sexy stubble that always looked good on him. “You weren’t. Tonight was your first late night at work.” He shrugged. “You stayed open for book club.”
The words cut through my bravado. I looked awayfirst, fiddling with the strap of my bag. “So what are you suggesting? You stand guard outside my cottage like some kind of grumpy watchdog?”
His mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Maybe that’s a good idea.”
I snorted, but it came out weak. “You’re ridiculous.”
He shrugged, pushing off the truck. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the look on his face made the words dry up. He wasn’t asking. And the truth was, the thought of the dark walk home alone made my shoulders tighten.
Earlier, I’d told myself that I was going to stay at home, but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to. I should have opened my mouth and told East that I still wasn’t staying there, so he wouldn’t have worried, but I kind of liked that he was.
The walk would have been short, just a few blocks lined with wet pavement and scattered leaves, but I was glad to get into the warm cab of his truck, especially after that weird letter I’d gotten. It was the first time someone had opened the door for me, helping me settle onto the bench seat and making sure I fastened my seatbelt.
He leaned on the metal frame as he watched me fumble. “It’s tricky. Just give it an extra yank.” He demonstrated, pulling it across my body, leaning in close enough that I almost held my breath, not because I didn’t want him close, but because I did. My heart thumped wildly in my chest. East was so solid and smelled so good. “There allsafe.” He gave me a sultry look as he pulled back, and for a hot second I thought he was going to lean in and kiss me.
All my good intentions about avoiding Sage’s brother were quickly falling apart. I knew she’d be totally on board with it. That was the thing, but a part of me wondered if it would change our dynamic, and I didn’t want to risk losing our friendship.
“Yep, that’s me. All safe.” The words were stupid and came out too bright, and his chuckle just reinforced that he knew that I was affected.
When we reached the cottage, the porch light was on, which settled my nerves.
“Let me walk you up.” He shifted the truck into park. “I’ll come around.”
The headlights highlighted the angles of his face and the twitch of his jaw as he circled the car. The door swung open, and I fumbled with the latch of the seatbelt, feeling embarrassed that I hadn’t already been working on it while he was coming around. Now it looked like I was sitting there like an idiot, hoping he’d unbuckle it for me.
“Let me,” he brushed my fingers aside, leaning in close enough that his whiskers lightly brushed against my cheek.
I was going to combust on the spot. “I can do it.”
“I’ve got it. Just an extra minute. I’m enjoying myself.” His fingers paused, and his cheek leaned against mine—not fully touching, just enough to brush up against me. His body leaning over mine made me want to arch up into him for more. My thighs clenched.
My breath quickened as his lips dusted over my neck,almost casually, when the release button clicked. “There you go.”
My legs were shaky as we walked up to the door, and I unlocked it. “I appreciate you getting me home.” Flickering on the lights, I tried to ignore the chill that went through me as I stepped inside. I wasn’t sure that I felt comfortable sleeping here tonight.
“It wasn’t a problem.” He slid the door shut behind him with a click. “I’ve been thinking about you. Maybe I could get your number?” Those sexy lips of his quirked up as he held his phone to me. “Could you put your contact in for me?”
Taking his phone from him as a tiny thrill ran through me at his request, I hedged, “You’re Sage’s brother.” I bit my lip.
“So?” he looked confused.
“She’s my best friend.” I willed him to understand.
“Okay…?”
“Maybe it isn’t a good idea for me to get involved with my best friend’s brother.” The thought sent a pang through me. His brows furrowed.
