“A degree will always be a good thing to have,” I resist the urge to comfort her with touch, “but if you want to make a change, I can help you if you’d like. There’s a whole world of possibilities, including flowers.”
“I can’t afford it, not with all these loans, but thanks anyway.” She sighs and turns away, her gaze set on the starry night sky. “You know what, though?”
“What?”
“You were always very kind to me.” She glances back in my direction as I pull off the old mill road by the cabin. “I remember once Adam was late for a date and you brought me french fries and kept me company while I waited.”
I remember that too, but for all the wrong reasons.
“Yeah, I didn’t like that he left you waiting.”
“I could tell.” She brushes her dark hair back and starts a braid as she says, “We talked about flowers again that day, too. You told me how well coneflowers would do up in the mountains.”
I nod. “You wanted daisies as well, so we looked up the best companion flower.”
“Lavender,” we say together, our eyes meeting for a long moment before I redirect back to the road.
There’s happiness in her voice as she says, “Yeah, and we talked about bees and how I could sell lavender honey.” She shrugs, her tone taking a downward turn as she mutters, “I didn’t tell you this at the time, but when Adam showed up for the date, I was sad.”
I nod, my hand desperate to reach over and squeeze her bare thigh, let her know I felt the same fucking way, I still do, but what does that prove? “I really enjoyed talking to you too, angel.”
“Yeah,” she manages a breathy sigh, “I just wanted you to know that I’ve always appreciated that conversation. It’s one I’ve used as a litmus for every other conversation I’ve had since.”
“How so?”
“You listened, you saw me, and you encouraged me to be myself.” She shrugs. “No one has done that since you.”
I downshift, the engine softly growling as she continues to gaze forward.
“It’s insane how many people try and change you to make themselves more comfortable. You didn’t.” She wipes something away from her eyes. “The second I saw you today, all the feelings I’ve been trying to shut off came flooding back, and it scares me.”
I make a sound in my throat, an attempt to swallow back every possessive urge roaring through me. “It scares me too,” I manage, my palms still itching to touch her.
This is going to be impossible. Every man with a fucking pulse would find this impossible. She’s perfect. Her curves, that face, the way she speaks her heart.
I’m fucked. Completely and totally fucked.
Chapter Three
Ellie
I really did believe that being honest about our feelings was the best idea.
That was stupid.
That small bit of vulnerability has me craving the safety of his big, inked-up arms. It has me desperate to tell him every feeling and thought I’ve had over the past year. Now I’m searching for validation, and hungry for touch. His touch. His rough, warm, intoxicating touch.
“I think this is the place,” I say, as he pulls up Main Street in the quaint little mountain town I call home. “I rented the place above the bakery. I figure the commute time will be short.”
He laughs under his breath and pulls to the side of the road, parking his big truck beside the shop. It’s late and dark, and there’s no one on the street except for a raccoon who’s mindlessly chomping on a slice of pizza. I’m not sure where he found it, but he seems very happy.
“I’m excited. I’ve never had my own apartment before.” I hop from the truck as I talk and grab my bag from the back seat. “The owner told me she’d leave the key under the mat for me. Do you come to the bakery a lot?”
“I do.” He nods as we head toward the front door. “I’m in here twice a week for coffee and a bear claw. They’re famous around here.”
“That’s what I hear. Apparently, I get a free one every morning.” I grin. “Perk of the job.”
He lifts the mat by the front door and grabs out the key, unlocking the labyrinth of doors that lead upstairs to another lockbox with a code that has the key to my apartment. I’m focused on punching in the number sequence in the text sent to me when I feel Silas’ big, warm hand on my shoulder.
