Page 45 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

I shove my hands in my pockets, not denying it.

“And she does the same, but she tries to hide it.”

“I don’t give up easily,” I tell her. I’m not cocky about it, but it’s a fact.

“Then don’t.” She pats my hand. “I’ll prepare a list for you in a few minutes.”

Once the brothers head inside the bed-and-breakfast, declining Lauren’s polite offer to show them their rooms, just like she does for every guest, I sneak up behind her. She doesn’t flinch when I lean over her shoulder, and it encourages me. She’s reluctant to be stuck with me, but her natural pull toward me betrays her. When she tilts her head to the side, almost pressing her cheek to me, I wonder if she’s been torturing herself with this self-imposed distance and missing me all day. I can understand the need for a defense mechanism, but I’m curious what it will take to convince her I’m not like her ex, that I won’t ruin her like her parents did.

She doesn’t need to depend on me, but she’s got to give a little and consider the chance I might be needier in wanting her.

“Get ready,” I advise.

“For what?” She frowns, spinning to face me.

“We’re going into town.”

She arches her brows and crosses her arms. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“Not my idea,” I say, holding my hands up in a truce. “Marian’s.”

“No. Today? Why?”

“She wants us to run some errands in Breckenridge.” I shrug, feigning innocence. “Boss’s orders.”

“Oh, sure.” She rolls her eyes, but I catch the small smile she thinks she’s hiding when she turns away.

Chapter 18

Lauren

When Caleb snuck up behind me, I wished we were alone. Just me and him after a hot summer day as we relax on the porch. It’s a domestic and fleeting daydream, but it comforts me.

Now, though, as I consider a sundress, I feel even sillier. It seems like it’ll be a date, and I haven’t had one of those since, well, I can’t remember when. Jeremy took me out, but he never paid me much attention. It was all for show, outings that were for appearances instead of spending time with me.

That won’t be the case today. Caleb is the sort of guy who goes all in, and being the object of his attention is a heady thing to accept. All those smoldering stares and delicate touches. I tried to maintain a buffer of space all day to acclimate to post-coital reality. It’s been a long time since I came, and I forgot how mind-blowing and soul-twisting those experiences can be.

It’s like a hangover, but from sex after too long of a dry spell.

“This is ridiculous,” I mutter to myself as I check out my reflection in the mirror. I’m stunned that the dress that was left behind fits me perfectly. Whoever that guest was who left her suitcase full of belongings here, some still with tags on, I owe her a profound thanks. Maybe I can find her one day and send her my gratitude.

Yet, I pause long enough to dab on some mascara and fluff my hair. The guest who’d left her luggage here included a decent array of new cosmetics in her bag. I want to look nice for Caleb, but I won’t admit it. I can’t imagine he won’t notice. Of course, he will. He’s always got his eyes on me, but I do hope he doesn’t call me out on it. For so long, I was held to rigid expectations. My hair, attire, makeup, even my physique. They were all elements of my overall appearance that had to be just so.

I like experimenting with going natural. I have since I arrived, and it’s freeing. Even now, as I primp and preen to doll myself a bit, I enjoy the artistic options I can try out. Thank goodness the woman who donated her luggage to the B&B liked to sample lots of products.

“Enough, Lauren,” I chide my reflection. “It’s errands, not a date.”

Even if I wish it was.

I exit the cottage and make the short walk to the front porch. Caleb’s driving, and I can’t help but feel a flutter of nervousness and excitement in my belly. Before I can round the house toward where the truck is parked, I hear a gasp.

Marian steps off the porch, smiling at me like I’m a kid going off to prom. “Oh, honey. You sure clean up nice.”

“You saying I’m a slob?” I tease.

“Never.” She hugs me and holds me at arm’s length. “You’re stunning no matter what.”

“Then I guess I’ll rock these errands with style.”

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