My mouth turns to a desert. “I…”Thank you. Like you. Love you. Want to spend the rest of my life with you. “I have to go.”
He frowns. “Now?”
“It’s probably better,” I reply. Inside, I’m screaming. I want to step into the warm strength of his body, slip my arms around his waist, press my cheek to his chest, and exist there with him. Forever.
But doesn’t that make me as unhinged as Allen?
“Mr. Shakespeare needs me,” I continue. In my fist, my keys dig into my palm. “My axolotl. Allen was meant to be taking care of him, and he’s been alone for at least twenty-four hours. Maybe longer.”
Just over twenty-four hours. That’s all it took to turn my world upside down.
Gibbo studies me, his expression unreadable.
Ask me to stay. Please ask me to stay. If you ask me to stay, I will. For as long as you want.
“Fair enough,” he says.
A cold rock drops in my stomach, and my throat constricts. Oh.
He clears his throat and rubs at the back of his neck, his gaze sliding to the window. “That works out, actually. I have to head into the Ridge and fill the captain in on what’s happened. We’ll need an arson report written up on the cabana.” He flicks a quick look my way, expression almost bored. “Someone will contact you in a few days about it.”
Someone. Not even him.
Oh God, I’m so glad I didn’t open my mouth and pour out how I feel about him.
Felt. Time to stop being an idiot.
“Okay.” I plaster a broad smile on my face. “Well, I guess I helped give you a wild birthday, yes? One you won’t forget?”Before he can respond, I jiggle my keys at him. “I’m going now. Thank you.”
I hurry past him, my shoulder brushing his bare chest. Desire and embarrassment burn in my veins, hot and itchy, and I’m damn near running by the time I descend the stairs to his front yard, my eyes hot as I stare at my car.
Kookaburras bray with laughter as I grab the door handle, but it’s the crunch of feet on gravel that turns me around.
Gibbo is behind me. Not close enough to touch, but there. He’s followed me. He’s looking at me, a question in his eyes I can’t understand. Maybe Ishouldtell him how I feel? Or at least tell him I don’t want to go, that I’ve never felt more comfortable, more content, more alive with anyone else? What if I’m running away from something amazing?
Maybe we?—
“I enjoyed spending my birthday with you,” he says, crossing his arms over his naked chest and tucking his hands in his armpits. His Adam’s apple slides up and down his throat, and then he dips his head in a single nod as if his mind has come to a conclusion. “Drive safe.”
Chapter Eleven
Gibbo
Yanking on my jeans, I refuse to meet my reflection’s gaze in my bedroom mirror.
Sami is currently heading down my driveway, taking my heart with her, and did I sayHey, Sami, I know this makes no sense, but I’ve fallen in love with you, and I’m pretty fucking certain I want to spend the rest of my life with you?
No, I saiddrive safe.
Because I’d rather her think I’m a jerk than scare her. And telling her I’ve fallen in love with her would scare her. Especially after what her neighbor did to her.
But I should have said something more than drive safe. I should have at least given her my number and told her if she ever wants a chat to call…
After she just discovered a man she trusted is a stalker?
Fucking Allen.
Zipping up my fly, I stomp out of my bedroom. I’ll have to buy new sheets now. Fuck, probably a new bed. Every time Iwalk into the room, I’m going to think of Sami in my bed and in my home.
