Falling Fast (Falling Fast #1) - Tina Wainscott Page 0,38
enough time for her and Raleigh to fall back in love and commit to a lifetime together.
“Can I come back tomorrow?” Cody asked.
How could they say no to his hopeful face?
“Sure, bud,” Raleigh said. “You can help me take down the gutters.”
“Maybe there will be critters in there.” With an excited whoop, he ran out to the front.
Rose gave Raleigh a half smile. “Thanks for letting him help. Keeps him out of trouble.”
“He actually is contributing. And we’re going to pay him for his effort.”
“Out of the account,” Mia clarified, because she wasn’t about to let Raleigh cover it personally.
Rose looked as if she was going to protest but swallowed it back. “Thanks. He’ll love that.”
They left, and Mia could feel the tension thicken as her gaze met Raleigh’s. No. Going there would be a bad idea. He dropped down into the chair opposite her with a weary sigh, leaning his head back over the top edge. “Kid wears me out.”
“Thank God he has you in his life. You’re good for both of them. Have you ever thought about…well, being a family? Marrying Rose?”
His head snapped up. “Marry Rose? She’s my stepmother!”
Mia had to stifle her laugh at the shock on his face. So no, he hadn’t thought about her in that way. And why do you feel so relieved? “Sorry, one of those rude questions again. I never got the socialization I needed, apparently, being isolated so much as a kid. Dealing with nurses, doctors, and fellow patients is a lot different from the nuances of relationships. If you saw her watching you and Cody out there, though, you wouldn’t think my question so odd.”
He waved that away. “She’s just grateful.”
Oh, so forget how good you are to them. And that you’re gorgeous to boot. But she wasn’t going there, so she let the subject drop.
“If I married Rose, that would make me not only Cody’s half brother but his stepfather. It reminds me of a song called ‘I’m My Own Grandpa.’ ”
“Okay, forget I mentioned it.” Really. “You could stay here, if you want.” He looked only a little less surprised by that. “Starting tomorrow. I mean, if you’re working here into the night and going to the garage the next day.” She shrugged. “Just to save you time. Your home’s a bit of a drive from here.”
He was looking at her as he absently rubbed his finger over the grooves in the table’s glass top. “You think that’s a good idea? After what happened earlier?”
Recklessness whispered in her ear, what she’d felt when their lips connected. When she opened her mouth to his, and he accepted her invitation.
“You mean the kiss?”
He moistened his lips. “Yeah. That.”
“You think it might happen again?” Her heartbeat tripped at the thought.
“I don’t have a very good history with you as far as discipline goes. Still don’t, apparently.”
No way could she quell the smile. “Are you saying I’m irresistible?”
He groaned and rocked his head back again, looking at the sky. “Mia, don’t say anything that even remotely sounds like flirting. You’re seeing the angry military guy—”
“I’m not seeing him.”
His head came up again. “You’re not?”
“He had too much anger. I didn’t think it was a healthy relationship. We parted ways months ago. Guess I didn’t make that clear.” She tilted her head and studied his expression. “You look disappointed.”
“You dating a veteran would’ve made it easier to resist temptation.”
“So, I am irresistible?” And vice versa, honey. Because just the thought of pressing up against him as they’d kissed rippled through her in a wave of heat.
Raleigh groaned again. “You are flirting.”
“I don’t know if I’m flirting. It’s not like I’ve had a lot of experience in that arena. I just know that it feels good to think I’m irresistible to you.” She frowned. “But it obviously doesn’t feel good to you. In fact, I’d venture to guess it’s pure agony.”
“It’s both. Since we’re being honest. But fixing up the house together is supposed to be about closure, remember?”
“Not reliving the past.”
“Because there’s no point in doing that.”
He sounded so definite, so sure. And, of course, he was right. Just as they’d embarked on their summer romance knowing it would have to end, was it much different now?
“No, there isn’t,” she said without as much conviction as his words.
That’s because your heart is screaming that it’s not true. Is his?
“You staying doesn’t have to mean anything,” she said. “You can sleep out here if you want, like you used to. And I’ll be all