He is so gorgeous in the morning light streaming through the window. Huge and tanned and outdoorsy. No! I should be focused on survival, not the ridiculously attractive man in front of me…even if I feel like a magnet being pulled toward a muscley wall of steel.
"I'm so sorry," I mutter. “Let me just give you your coat back and get out of your hair. This is not your problem."
"Bailey." His voice has a resonant, authoritative tone that makes my shoulders and calves tighten up. "Let me make it my problem. Please."
"I can't?—"
"You can. You need to focus on your exam. I’ll take care of everything else."
There's a glimmer in his eye that tells me this man genuinely wants to care for me. He's looking at me like I'm a glass of water in the desert. As if this opportunity to help me is a gift from the universe. Is part of it that he wants to spend more time with me?
“I’m sorry,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m worried this is my fault. Maybe I embarrassed them in the tavern last night, and they felt like they had to run off.”
My faint laugh is choked. “They don’t get embarrassed. They don’t feel shame. The only time they ever changed their behavior after an authority figure told them off was during my grandmother’s annual visit when she saw the state of the house. She snapped at them to fix the rickety stairs and the air conditioner, and it was done within the week.”
“Glad they listen to someone,” he mutters. He squeezes my hands gently. "Do you trust me, Bailey? Do you feel comfortable with me?"
"I really do."
"Good. Then let me take you to my house. I'll set you up in a room for your test. I'll get you everything you need. Food, coffee, peace and quiet."
His hand lifts, his thumb caressing my cheek so softly it makes my heart thump. Not fast, but hard.Deep.
"You've been holding it together for everyone around you for so long," he murmurs. "I feel you need this. I'd be honored to be the one who cares for you. Pamper you. Get you through this important time."
He winks, grinning. "I'm a ranger. I care for the forest and lost tourists. Right now, I think you've lost your way. So may I care for you?"
I'm already nodding, which rubs my cheek against his hand. "Thank you."
He leans in and whispers in my ear. "And don’t worry, I swear there will be nofunny businessunless you ask for it."
My breath stops.
As soon as I figure out how to ask for “funny business”, I definitely will.
5
NATE
Ilook over to see Bailey gazing peacefully out the window as I drive to my house.
What the hell am I doing?
I can't stomach that her family abandoned her, but I also can't help thinking it's a stroke of good luck. A sign, maybe. We're both clearly drawn to each other. We should see where this leads if we’re thrown together at my place for a few days.
"Have you called your parents?" I ask. “When your mother finally notices that you're not with them, she's going to freak out."
"That's fine." Bailey shoots me a sideways glance. "The longer it's been, the harder it will hit her. Especially when she realizes she took my purse and left me with nothing."
We pull up to the house, and I grab her bags from the back. Then I yank out my wallet and thumb through the contents. "Here." I hand her three twenties.
"Oh, no. You're already helping me so much. I can't take your money, too."
I shake my head. "Not a request. You can't be walking around with nothing. What if I were called out to an emergency? You atleast need cash for lunch and a taxi." I smile at her. "It would make me very happy knowing you had this in your pocket."
She smiles back, her lovely auburn hair swishing around her elegant cheekbones. "Thank you. I mean, I'm not going to spend it, but… Thank you."
When she looks up, she smiles even wider. "Your house is lovely."
