Home to Stay (The Long Road Home #2) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,48
to the top of your head, and while I know you were staring at the camera, it felt as though you were staring at me. Before I put the picture up on our bulletin board in our classroom, I had a copy made. One just for me.”
She shook her head, an embarrassed chuckle slipping from her lips. “Jesus, saying it aloud makes me sound like I have some kind of adolescent crush.” Sucking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly, her words barely audible, confessing, “Maybe I do.”
She was quiet for a moment, then pulled her bravery around like a cape. Twisting around to see his face in profile, she continued her admission. “I think I looked forward to your letters even more than the children did, and believe me, they were very excited. I wanted to know how you were, what you were doing, and I… I began to care greatly.”
He shot her a smile, so she pressed onward. “That’s why I reacted so bizarrely in the hardware store. I didn’t know it was you. I just thought you looked really similar to John Roster. And since you were someone that I’d spent a lot of time thinking about, well, seeing someone who looked like you had me tripping over my own feet. Then I was shocked when you came into the classroom, sure that I would probably never meet you in person. I know we started as pen pals but hoped we could become friends.” She hefted her shoulders in a little shrug. “So, as horrible as the reason for this trip, I’m glad I had the chance to get to know you better.”
Afraid he was going to think she was either desperate or a stalker—or perhaps a desperate stalker—she sat perfectly still, uncertain what else to do or say. He reached over and placed his hand on hers, and her breath left her lungs slowly, afraid too much movement would make him pull away.
“I’m glad for the chance, too,” he said, glancing toward her, his eyes just as dark and intense as his photograph.
She allowed herself a small smile and leaned her head against the headrest again. Making her confession and not being rejected, her heart stopped squeezing. She would still have to deal with Paula but for now refused to think about her, focusing instead on John.
Yawning widely again as the early morning sun began to streak rays of light across the sky, she was glad to see that they were nearing her home. He pulled to a stop next to her vehicle, still parked in front of her house. She wanted to ask him in, but he’d given so much of his time. She simply leaned down and grabbed her bag, unbuckled her seatbelt, and turned to thank him, but he had already thrown open his door and was stalking around the front of his SUV to her side. He offered his hand and assisted her down. She opened her mouth again to thank him, but he threw his arm around her shoulder and walked her to her front door. She dug around in her bag and pulled out her keys, jiggling them in the lock until the door swung open. Once more she turned to thank him, but he ushered her inside, closing the door behind him, standing close, his gaze burning intensely as he stared down at her.
Blinking in surprise, she wasn’t sure if she should offer him something to eat, the use of her bathroom before he got back on the road to go to his house, or if he’d like to crash on her couch and sleep for a few hours. Or my bed with me would be preferable, but I’d better keep that to myself. No words came forth as she stared up at him.
His hand lifted and he cupped her jaw. She remained motionless as his thumb swept over the apple of her cheek. Swallowing deeply, her breath was shallow as she continued to stare up into his eyes. He bent, ever so slowly, giving her plenty of opportunities to back away, shake her head, tell him ‘no’. Instead, she lifted slightly onto her toes, drawn to him.
His face filled her view, so much so she was unable to see or process anything other than the warmth in his eyes as his gaze captured her completely. Erasing the minuscule space between them, his lips landed on hers. The kiss started light, the barest wisp of a touch.