Carried Away - P. Dangelico Page 0,40
what you’re worried about.”
It’s enough to set him at ease, his big body sinking into the leather set.
A few minutes later, he parks the SUV in front of the cottages and turns off the engine. I’m too tired to do anything else other than breathe. Jake opens my door, unbuckles the seat belt, and picks me up. Scoops me into his arms again like he did the fateful night at the farmhouse when he saved my life. Good old Jake is always there when you need him.
Every instinct in my body forces me to wrap my arms around his neck and place my head where it meets his shoulder. I take a deep breath, inhaling his skin, scratch my fingers through the hair at the back of his head. I can’t stop touching him.
He makes a sound, and I do it again. I’m so tired I can’t even be bothered to care that I’m being inappropriate.
Pushing my door open, he carries me inside and gently places me on the bed. Only I don’t let go. Nope. I hang onto his neck like a baby monkey.
“Thanks, Turner. That…that was nice of you.”
He studies me closely. His intense gaze flicking between my lips and my eyes. For a second, I get the impression he’s going to do it, he’s finally going to kiss me, and my body comes awake, prepared for anything. It’s been so long I’ll probably screw it up, but at least I’ll have fun trying. But right before I take a victory lap, he pulls back and breaks the weak hold I have on him.
“Night, Carebear.”
And then he’s gone, locking the door as he leaves.
Chapter 11
“Where are the flowers?” Dad shouts over the din of nearly two dozen people working furiously to set up the main dining room for a wedding party of seventy-five people.
It’s the day of the Azzeritti Comofort wedding and every single person on staff is working today.
May weddings are notoriously unpredictable around here. We’ve learned over the years to have both indoor and outdoor seating available should a freak snowstorm or spring shower roll in, but it looks like the bride is in luck today. I’d like to believe that the clear blue sky spotted with white puffs of clouds up above is a good omen for the rest of her marriage.
It’s also unusually warm. Warm enough that I’m wearing my sister’s Chloe peacock blue minidress with a ruffle collar. It’s safe to say Jackie is never getting this one back.
“Calling the florist again right now,” Nan yells back.
You know it’s all hands on deck if Nan has been enlisted to pitch in. Elvis jump up on one of the tables and almost scream. It’s taken me hours to make sure each tablecloth is pristine.
Nan grabs him and pats the fat bastards head before she drops him.
My job is to steam linens and set the tables. Which I’ve been doing since 7 am this morning. Nan catches me yawning for the third time and makes a face.
“Go get some coffee and I’ll finish the steaming.”
“I’m fine. I only have a few runners left to do,” I tell her as I lay out the pale sage cloth down one of the long banquet tables.
I’m not fine. I’m exhausted. Writer’s block is a bitch.
I must have started and scrapped the article on Jake and the hockey program five times in the last four days. Something about it didn’t seem right. It sounded stiff and boring. In other words, like hard news. And that’s not what Hal asked for. So late last night, I started over.
After staring at the computer screen for a solid hour and a half, I just began typing. I don’t know, maybe it was the combination of too much caffeine and mixed emotions, but my fingers started moving and didn’t stop till dawn. It’s finally done. And before I second guess myself for the fifth time, I plan on emailing it to him tomorrow.
I haven’t seen Jake since the night he drove me home from Gina’s place four days ago. Since the near kiss, as I like to call it. Since the night he opened the door a little more and let me in. The same night he said the quiet words out loud.
He thinks we have chemistry.
I wasn’t sure whether to believe my ears, but frankly it’s a relief to know I’m not the only one feeling it for once. I’m so used to pining from afar I have no idea how to