“Few more days. A week at most.” He followed her up the path toward the porch.
“Then you’ll go back to New York?”
Bryce glanced at Hayley who appeared to be sad. Or was it just his imagination? “Once this guy is caught, I’ll be out of your hair.”
“You’re not in my hair,” Hayley said. She stood so close, he pictured all of his fingers tangled in her long, thick waves, pulling her face close to his. Her skin glowed in the dim light of the gas lamps burning around the front door. Crickets chirped in the grass.
The moment was too intense, and Bryce turned away from her, walking the rest of the path to the front door. If he’d stood there for one second longer, he would have kissed her. “This is where I say goodnight,” he said, though he wished to sit with her in one of the rocking chairs.
“You sure you can’t stay in Jackson for longer? Maybe work with Nash and Steve and fight off the bad guys for me?” Hayley asked, making her way up the stairs.
“I don’t think my boss would let me. He needs someone with my skill set.”
“What if I ask him nicely?”
Bryce smiled. “He’d probably say yes to you. He’s a big softie.”
“Maybe I’ll have to then. I don’t think I can tackle bad guys on my own.”
“Sure you could,” Bryce encouraged. “Not that I wouldn’t be happy to do it for you.”
“How is your jaw?” Hayley said.
Bryce touched the sore spot. “He landed a good one on me. I’ll be fine though.”
Hayley cupped her right hand around his face. “I’m sorry,” she said, stroking his chin with her thumb. Bryce’s heart rate took off like a rocket. He cleared his throat.
“I’ve had worse,” he played it cool as she dropped her hand. “I’ve also seen women shorter than you tackle guys twice my size. You’d be amazed how far self-defense lessons can take you.”
“I don’t know any self-defense,” Hayley confessed.
“That’s fixable.” Bryce crossed his arms, attempting to put up a professional barrier before he said what he had to say next. “I can teach you. Not a lot, but a few moves. But only if you’re up for it.”
“I want to learn,” Hayley said. “I don’t want to feel helpless.”
“Okay. How about tomorrow? After I finish up in the server room I can teach you what I know.”
“I’d like that,” she said. “There’s a gym in the basement. It’s got padded floor.”
“Perfect. Wear something comfortable.”
“It’s a date,” Hayley said enthusiastically.
Bryce’s face grew hot, and he stumbled over his words. “Sounds… that’s… I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. “Sleep well.”
Hayley smiled as she unlocked the door and slipped inside, latching it softly behind her. Bryce walked down the driveway to where he’d parked his rental car. If he wasn’t worried Hayley might be watching from the window, he’d have clicked his heels as he went. Tomorrow, he’d get to be alone with Hayley.
10
Giving In To Desire
Hayley had never looked forwardto working out as much as she did the next day.
She spent most of the day in her music room, writing the lyrics for Perfect Strangers, and peeking out the curtain to see if she could catch a glimpse of Bryce coming and going from the pool house as he worked.
Linda was gone too, working an overnight shift at the hospital where she worked as a nurse. Hayley had tried to convince her mom to quit once she made enough money from her music to support the family, but Linda didn’t like not having anything to do, now that her girls were old enough to take care of themselves. Without anyone in the house to distract her, Hayley tried her best to dive into her music, but it was hard to focus with Bryce constantly on her mind. The thought of him by her side diminished the fear the stalker instilled in her.
Hayley figured anyone would like Bryce because he was handsome, but there was also so much more to him than his looks. He was considerate, protective, and had an air of mystery that she wanted to spend hours – years – digging out. She’d never met anyone she felt so at ease with outside her own family. It was almost like he alreadywasa member of her family. Though, she’d be crazy to tell him that. What guy would want a girl who came on that strong? She needed to cool it around him, not throw herself at him, and scare him all the way back to New York.
