Romancing the Wallflower

by Michelle Major

  His hair was, as usual, casually tousled, and a hint of stubble shadowed his jaw. He was every one of Erin’s fantasies come to life, and it positively terrified her.

  “Silly thoughts,” she mumbled. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay with Rhett?”

  “He’s fine. The bar is slow tonight so I had Tracie come up to stay with him and my mom for a few minutes.” He took a step closer. “I wanted to see you.”

  “Hi,” she whispered as he drew her forward, wrapping his arms around her. She shivered as he nuzzled his nose against her throat. “You’re cold.”

  “I was waiting for you to keep me warm,” he said into her skin, and it was like he’d read her mind.

  “Thank you again for the flowers,” she said, then lifted onto her toes and kissed him. It was the first time she’d initiated a kiss, and he seemed happy to let her take the lead.

  Despite the chilly air, Erin’s whole body ignited in flames. She was so lost to this man. While it might be her downfall, she couldn’t bring herself to care.

  “Tell me about Caden Sharpe,” he said when she finally pulled back.

  It was difficult to remember her own name, let alone anything else, so it took Erin a few moments to answer. “He’s a way nicer guy than people give him credit for. I think he’s just misunderstood because of his past and the trouble he got into as a kid.”

  He studied her face as if trying to decipher some sort of complicated puzzle, which was crazy because Erin had always been an open book.

  “Do you always see the best in people?” he asked finally.

  “I try to. Is that a bad thing?”

  “No. It’s one of the things I—” He coughed and cleared his throat. “One of the things that makes you special. You realize Sharpe likes you.”

  “Because he was kind enough to bring a couple of therapy pets to visit the kids?” She rolled her eyes. “He was doing a favor for a friend and I benefited from it.”

  “I saw how he looked at you and—”

  “Are you jealous?” Erin felt her mouth drop open. “Oh my gosh, I got flowers and a man is jealous over me. Those are two firsts in one day.” She pulled away and did a little two-step dance routine in front of him.

  “I’m not jealous,” David muttered through his teeth. “But don’t go out with him, okay?”

  She stopped dancing and moved closer. “Of course I’m not going to go out with him. I’m going on a date with you.”

  He blinked several times. “Some women date more than one man at a time.”

  “I’m not one of those,” she assured him, then wound her arms around his neck and kissed him again. She knew her reaction made her seem like the biggest dork in the world, but she didn’t care. This man, who made her heart sing, had brought her flowers and wanted her for himself. “I only want you. But I’m flattered that you’re jealous.”

  “Flattered?” He gave a small laugh. “You should tell me to mind my own damn business.”

  “I like being your business, as long as you know I’m going to continue to see Caden. He and the animals help with the kids.”

  He inclined his head. “I’d never tell you who you can or can’t see. I just want to be sure you know you’re mine.”

  Erin’s mouth went dry. She’d never had anyone claim her before, and the thought of it was both exhilarating and terrifying.

  Then a movement behind David distracted her. A man with a dark hoodie seemed to be watching them from the shadows of the nearby alley. “Um, okay... I think.”

  David looked over his shoulder, following her gaze, and the man quickly walked down the street away from them.

  “Did you know him?” David asked gently.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Where’s your car?”

  “It’s fine,” she assured him. “This is Crimson.”

  “Humor me,” he insisted. He kissed the tip of her nose, then walked her to her car.

  After a few more kisses, she drove home, tingling from the ends of her hair to her toes. She’d been claimed and could barely wait to see what that meant for Saturday.

  Chapter Twelve

  An unfamiliar lightness bubbled up in David at the sight of Erin waiting for him outside her apartment building Saturday morning. It was as if he’d taken a big swig of champagne and the bubbles were rioting around his stomach. His feelings for her were different from anything he’d experienced before. Today was his chance to make her understand how much she meant to him.

  But he had no plan to blurt out that he loved her, as he’d almost done when she was in his arms. Hell, he’d known her for only a few weeks and he wasn’t built for love in the first place.

  Longing was a different story. The yearning he felt for her pulsed through him like blood in his veins. She gave him hope and made him happy in a way he hadn’t even thought possible.

  It had seemed like a joke when she’d asked him for an affair. Physical desire was one thing, but his need for Erin transcended what his body wanted. In such a short time she’d become like the air he breathed, necessary for his very survival.

  So he had to make this day count.

  As soon as he pulled to a stop, she opened the truck’s passenger-side door and climbed in.

  “I’m ready for our adventure,” she said, tossing her tote bag into the back seat.

  He grinned and flipped his sunglasses onto his forehead. “I can see that. You know, I would have come to pick you up at your door.” He reached into the back seat and handed her another bouquet of flowers. “I brought these for you.”

  Color rushed into her cheeks as she gazed at them. “I must seem like a total fool,” she said, biting down on her lip. “I know the woman is supposed to wait for the man, but I was so excited and it’s a gorgeous day and—”

  He leaned in and kissed her, breathing in to capture her scent and the sweetness that always seemed to surround her. “I’ve been watching the clock all morning,” he admitted. “I couldn’t wait for this date to begin.”

  “Let me run and put these in water.” She opened the door, then looked back at him over her shoulder. “You don’t have to bring me flowers.”

  “I’m courting you,” he reminded her.

  She flashed a shy smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever been courted before.”

  “It’s a first for me, too.”

  “You’re doing pretty darn well,” she said, and hopped out of the truck.

  His cell phone rang as he watched her enter the building. Pulling it out of his pocket, he said a silent prayer everything was okay with Rhett. His nephew had been invited to a birthday party for one of his friends from school, and David’s mother had promised she’d get him there safely and follow all the house rules David had set.

  He’d asked Tracie, who was working all day, to keep an eye on them this morning. Later this afternoon, David’s friend Jase Crenshaw, who had a stepson only a year older than Rhett, was going to take the boys to the park and out for ice cream. He’d also asked Olivia Travers to stop by, trying to cover all his bases to make sure Rhett was safe.

  Angela seemed to take it all in stride. Since the fiasco on the mountain, she’d been on her best behavior and David had to admit he was grateful to his mother for her help.

  It wasn’t a local number flashing on his screen, and he recognized the Phoenix area code from where Jenna was doing her stint in rehab. His stomach in knots, he accepted the call, only to have his sister immediately lay into him.

  “I can’t believe you’re messing around with Rhett’s teacher,” she said, her voice a low hiss.

  “Jenna,” he said, breathing out a sigh. “Is everything okay?”

  “Do I sound okay? I had to trade three packs of Skittles to be able to make this phone call. You know how I love Skittles.”
>
  One side of his mouth curved. “I know. Exactly why are you calling?”

  “To tell you to leave Ms. MacDonald alone.”

  “How do you even—”

  “Mom told me. She said you’ve got the hots for Rhett’s teacher and you’re even taking her out on a date. As far as I know, you haven’t dated anyone since you moved to Crimson and you can’t start with the teacher. She’s off-limits.”

  “Why?” he asked, trying to keep his temper under wraps. His sister was doing great in her program, but he knew she was still fragile. The last thing he needed was to set her off.

  She blew an agitated breath into the phone. “Rhett loves that woman and whatever program of hers he’s going to in the afternoons. It’s all he talks about when he calls.”

  “She’s great with him.”

  “Yeah, so if you piss her off by treating her like crap, she could take it out on him.”

  “She’d never do that,” he answered automatically, then added, “Besides, I’m not going to hurt her.”

  “You hurt everybody.”

  The words were like a knife to his gut, because coming from his sister they meant so much more. Unwanted memories flooded through him. He swallowed against the bile rising in his throat, trying to forget. Willing himself to forget.

  “I know I’ve messed things up royally,” Jenna said in a quieter tone, “and I appreciate you stepping in to help with Rhett. I need his world to be stable, David. I need to believe he’s going to get through this. She’s a big part of that.”

  So am I, he wanted to argue, but only repeated, “I’m not going to hurt her.”

  At that moment Erin emerged from the apartment building, smiling as she walked toward him. If his sister was right, he should throw the truck into Reverse and drive away before this went any further. Because there was no doubt in his mind how far he’d take it if Erin got in next to him.

  All the way.

  “Promise me you’ll leave her alone,” his sister whispered.

  “I’ve got to go,” he said as an answer. “You take care of you, Jenna. I’ve got things under control.”

  He ended the call before she could argue, and he had no doubt she would if given the chance. His sister had seen him at his worst, just like he had with her. How could either of them believe the other had things under control?

  Erin climbed into the truck. “I’m ready.” She turned to him and her smile disappeared. “What’s wrong? I saw you on the phone. Is it Rhett?”

  “My sister called.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, wishing he hadn’t talked to Jenna. All of his happiness from earlier had been colored by her doubts, which mingled with his into some sort of poison that seeped into every cell.

  Erin placed a hand on his arm, and the gentle touch felt like a brand through the fabric of his shirt. “Is she okay?”

  “She told me not to go out with you,” he said quietly. As much as he didn’t want to share Jenna’s warning with Erin, it was the only way through this.

  “She doesn’t even know me.” Erin drew back her hand. “Is it the mercy date thing?”

  He shifted to face her. “What ‘mercy date thing’?”

  “You taking me out as a thank-you for helping with Rhett.” She made a face. “Because of that stupid comment I made about the affair.”

  David raked a hand through his hair. He hated the doubt that now shadowed Erin’s dark eyes. He’d done his best to plan a perfect day, and now it was tainted before they even started.

  “She doesn’t want me to go out with you because you’re too good for me. She thinks I’m going to hurt you.”

  When Erin didn’t immediately refute his sister’s claim, David slammed a hand against the steering wheel. “Damn it,” he muttered. “You agree. We haven’t even started and you think I’m going to hurt you.”

  He stared out the front of the truck, unable to look at her and see the truth on her face. This was his chance. She was his chance to finally get something wholly right in his life. And not one person believed he could do it.

  “David.”

  “We should end this now,” he told her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “There are no guarantees in life.” He felt her press closer. “Please look at me.”

  He gave a small laugh, then turned. “I can’t resist a ‘please,’ either.” Her face was only inches away from his and, once again, her beauty slayed him. He focused on the tiny flecks of gold at the edges of her dark eyes and tried not to think about losing her before she was even his.

  “My life has been safe for as long as I can remember. I didn’t risk anything and had little to lose. My job is stable, my boyfriend bored me to tears. Typically, the most excitement I have is when a new book from one of my favorite authors comes out.”

  He smiled. “I’m going to read one of those romance novels so I know what all the hype is about.”

  She rolled her eyes. “My point is that with you, I feel like I’m living the adventure I’ve always wanted.”

  “You’re doing that on your own,” he countered. “You’re helping with Rhett. You’ve made a difference in the lives of the kids in your program. It’s you, Erin.”

  “Then I’m happy to share it with you.” She sat back and arched a brow at him. “You know, I could be the one to hurt you. I could break your heart.”

  David opened his mouth to tell her his heart was too closed off to be in any danger of breaking. But at that moment a flash of pain pierced his chest so sharply it made his breath catch. “Anything is possible,” he answered instead, struggling to keep his voice neutral.

  “That’s right,” she agreed, thankfully oblivious to the strange things going on inside him. “Anything is possible. Life is a gamble. I want to take a risk with you, David. No matter what the outcome.”

  Despite his reckless youth, all his life, David had made decisions based on keeping himself or the people in his life safe. Baseball gave him a way out of his tumultuous childhood. Moving to Crimson had made it easier to watch out for Jenna and Rhett. The brewery gave him a stable income doing something he was good at. He’d always chosen women who wanted nothing more from him than a good time. Being with Erin wasn’t safe—for either of them.

  But she was worth the risk.

  He leaned in and kissed her deeply, realizing he’d quickly become addicted to the taste of her. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted.

  How could he consider pushing her away? She was too important, and he wasn’t going to hurt her. He wouldn’t let himself.

  “Are you ready for the best day of your life?” he asked, finally pulling back and shifting the truck into gear.

  She laughed. “Pretty confident in yourself.”

  “I’m confident in us,” he corrected and turned the truck toward the highway.

  * * *

  Butterflies danced through Erin’s stomach as David drove out of town. It had been easy enough to toss off the comment about either of them getting hurt, but she had no doubt her heart was on the line.

  As much as she’d tried to stop her feelings from spiraling out of control, Erin was falling for this man. Hard. If this day was half as good as he promised, she’d be a goner for sure.

  But she hadn’t been lying when she told him he was worth the risk. Her life had been spent taking the safe path, but the only things that had gotten her were frustration and discontent.

  Even if she lost her heart, at least she could say she tried.

  They headed up the mountain, and he turned off at the sign for Cloud Cabin.

  “This is private land,” she said, even as she leaned forward to gaze up at the tall pines arching over the road.

  “I know,” he answered.

  “Crimson Ranch owns Cloud Cabin. Josh and Sara opened it l
ast year for their guests. I guess a lot of family reunions and corporate events are held there in the summer.”

  One side of his mouth crooked. “Yep.”

  She figured David must know what he was doing, but curiosity niggled at her. “Are we trespassing?”

  “Nope.”

  “Are you going to tell me anything?”

  “You look beautiful.”

  Erin sat back in her seat and didn’t bother to hide her smile. Even if David had doubts and his sister had doubts and everyone around them had doubts, this day felt perfect to Erin. “It’s an adventure,” she whispered.

  A couple of miles in, a driveway split off to the right. David took the turn and within a few minutes they arrived at Cloud Cabin. The house was magnificent, large without being ostentatious and made completely out of hewn logs. A patio wrapped around two sides of the cabin on the second floor, and she could see a fire pit and several pieces of outdoor furniture arranged at the far end.

  “It’s amazing,” she whispered.

  David parked the car in front of one of the three garage bays on the lower level. “Some famous architect Sara knows designed it. They brought in the timber from Montana, but sourced the rock locally from the quarry near Meeker.”

  “What’s that?” She pointed to the small cabin that sat at the other side of the clearing.

  “Caretaker’s cabin,” David told her. “When they have big groups at Cloud Cabin, the staff stays there.”

  “Is anyone up here now?”

  “You and me.” He bussed her cheek.

  She found herself unable to move even as he got out of the truck and came around to open her door.

  “You okay, honey?”

  She bit down on her lip. “I’ve lived in this town most of my life, so I’m used to seeing rich people. I’ve had wealthy students and walked the streets of Aspen, but I’ve never... I’ve never actually been in a place like this.”