“I…I’m sorry,” I mumbled when I found the energy to string two words together.
“Are you okay? You look terrified,” he asked, and cupped my cheek for a fleeting moment, which made me feel a little warmer than before.
“Y-yeah. I…you just…you startled me,” I said.
“I’m so sorry.” He took a step back and I caught him biting his lip.
I hated that he felt like he needed to put some distance between us, but my nervous system appreciated it because it relaxed even more.
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault—you were worried.”
He looked down and pursed his lips.
“I was. I thought that fucker had found you here or something.” I shook my head. “Where did you go?”
I glanced down at the dog and goats and closed the door behind me.
“I didn’t mean to worry you. I just walked the field for some fresh air. I forgot to take my phone.”
Dare reached for my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“It’s okay. Just…maybe next time leave me a note or something.” He removed his hand and put it on his chest, and I narrowed my eyes, asking a question with my gaze. “I told you I was worried,” he explained.
I took a step closer and put my hand over his, on his chest, and the world became a hundred times smaller. A rapid and thunderous pounding against my palm made me shake all the way to my core and my throat tightened. He didn’t say anything, just stared at me.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, not wanting to break the sanctity of this moment and our proximity. “I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack.”
“You didn’t,” he whispered back. “But almost.” He smiled.
I smiled too.
He sighed. His breath blew warm on my face, making me shiver. I held my own breath fearing what might happen if I so much as moved a hair follicle.
Thankfully, Lookah decided this was the moment to get some affection from his daddy because he came between us and tried to climb up Dare’s chest. When Dare obliged and got down on his knees, I got some much needed oxygen and put some distance between us.
“Hungry? I can start on lunch,” I said in one breath, then checked the time on my phone. “Or early dinner. Wow. I didn’t realize I’d been out so long.”
I walked to the kitchen and Dare stopped playing with Lookah so he could glare at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Stop,” he said.
I frowned and put my hands in the air, unsure what I’d done wrong.
“You’ve already done so much. You don’t need to cook for me every day.” He got back up and approached me. “You’re not my maid, you know.”
“I know.” I smirked. “But I like look—keeping busy.”
Had I almost said I liked looking after him? Crap.
“I know, but you don’t need to go through the trouble. You should be resting.”
I quirked up an eyebrow. “I’m not sick, you know. Besides, I’m used to being on my feet all day and you work hard every day, so it’s the least I can do in return for your hospitality.”
Dare seemed to consider my words for a moment but then he shook his head and pushed me aside with his hips. I stumbled backwards. He smiled and I laughed. I put my hands up in surrender and let him get on with dinner.
“Steak all right with you?” he asked.
