“Everything okay?”
Another huff. “Walker thought I left with Slater and Slater thought I left with Walker…” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, a move that always fascinated her.
“Are they coming back to get you?”
“No. I told them I’d call a cab or something. No big deal.” Then he pulled his phone out again, tapping the screen.
“Axel, this is ridiculous. I can give you a ride back to the resort. I know I’m not your favorite person right now, but I don’t mind doing you a favor, okay? Don’t pay for a ride. I can have you back at the resort before a ride would even get here.”
“Pfft…this is Harbortown. There’s probably a rideshare car around the block.”
“Do you seriously regret being with me so much that you can’t even stand to be in my presence for another twenty damn minutes?” she demanded, equally frustrated. “Trust me, I won’t touch you or anything! Hell, we don’t even have to talk!”
He looked at her like she was crazy, and maybe she was.
“Are you out of your damn mind?” he said, moving closer to her. “I never said I regretted being with you. If anything, you’re the one who wants to forget being with me!”
Now she mimicked his look. “When did I ever say that, huh? I don’t regret anything about our time together, Axel!”
“Oh, really? That’s a laugh. You might not have said those exact words, but your actions sure did.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means that you couldn’t leave fast enough! You didn’t want to be seen with me! Not even in front of strangers! Like…I get it, okay? I’m nobody’s dream guy. Hell, my own parents didn’t want me. So why should you be any different?”
Holy. Crap.
Maisie took a moment to collect her thoughts because that was a lot to take in. Slowly, she closed the distance between them. “You may not believe it, but you are a dream guy. If my life wasn’t so damn screwed up right now, you’d be my dream guy.”
His expression went from hostile to neutral.
“Don’t you get it?” she went on. “I told you on the first day how desperately I needed this job. Like…life or death needed it.” Telling him the specifics was not an option, but she knew she had to say something. “My situation with my family is…well, let’s just say that this job will give me the freedom I need to get away from what’s going on there. It’s messy and it’s awful and…I can’t bring anyone else into it.” Pausing, she met his gaze. “Not even you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you or that I regret being with you. I’ve missed you every day since I left the resort. You have to believe me.”
Now his expression went from neutral to something a little softer.
Sexier.
I’m in trouble…
“You just…” he began and stopped to clear his throat. “You just seemed eager to get away from me, and it made me feel like…like the road was clear and you couldn’t wait to escape. It felt like everything we shared over the weekend was a lie.” Now the somber expression was back. “I didn’t like feeling that way. I was always honest with you, Maisie, and I thought you were honest with me. But your actions…”
Sadly, she understood what he was saying, and she felt awful for making him feel that way. She never would have expected a man like him to have those insecurities, but clearly he did.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, reaching up and gently touching his face. “You are the last person I’d want to hurt. You were nothing but kind and protective of me. If you were any other man in the situation we were in, I don’t think I would have felt safe. From the first few minutes, your priority was to make sure that I felt secure. You have no idea how much that meant to me.”
“I couldn’t imagine being in your position, stranded with a stranger and no way to leave. Well, at that point we didn’t know about the roads, but the storm was severe enough that we knew it wasn’t safe to be outside. I know what it’s like to be trapped in a place you don’t want to be and not trust the people you’re with,” he admitted quietly. “I would never willingly put anyone else in that position.”
“You’re a good man, Axel.” Another pause. “You’re probably the best man I’ve ever known.” And still another pause, even as she continued to caress his jaw. “May I please drive you home?”
Turning his head, he kissed her palm and her knees went a little weak.
“Thank you,” he said after a moment. “I’d like that.”
Nodding, she slowly pulled her hand away. “Okay then.”
“But I’d like it even more if we could maybe…go to your place.” Leaning down, he rested his forehead against hers. “One more night, Maisie. Please. Just one more night. Now that I know how you feel and you weren’t trying to get away from me because…well…because I’m me, I need you. Please.”
It wasn’t smart.
