Page 7 of Only His Girl

Heath’s expression softens. “Come here, Butterfly.”

He pulls me into his arms, enveloping me in his warmth and strength. I sink into him, burying my face in his chest. He smells like pine and something uniquely masculine. I feel safe.

“Shh, I’ve got you,” he murmurs, running a soothing hand up and down my back. “It’s okay, let it out.”

I don’t know how long we stay like that, me soaking his shirt with my tears while he holds me and whispers reassurances. But eventually, my sobs subside and embarrassment sets in. I pull back, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “Gosh, I’m a mess. You must think I’m so weak.”

Heath tilts my chin up with his finger. “Never. You’re one of the strongest women I know.”

I scoff. “Yeah, I’m sure you can tell that by the way I just fell apart.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Even the strongest people need comfort sometimes, Butterfly.”

The nickname makes my heart flutter. He called me that last night too. I thought it was just a line, but the way he’s looking at me now, with a mix of tenderness and heat, makes me wonder.

“I think I know something that might make you feel better,” Heath says, his voice low and rumbly.

“What’s that?” I ask, my own voice coming out breathier than I intend.

“Food. With me.” The way he says it, it’s more of a command than a request.

I blink up at him, sure I must have misheard. “Wait, are you asking me on a date?”

Heath chuckles, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “Yes, baby. I’m asking you on a date. You just had an adrenaline crash—you need to get some food in you.”

My belly swoops.

Heath Donovan is asking me out. This has to be a dream. Or maybe I actually did get mauled by a mountain lion and this is some kind of heaven.

As if sensing my hesitation, Heath’s mouth curves into a devastating smile. “Come on, go out with me. I promise I don’t bite.” His eyes gleam wickedly. “Unless you want me to.”

Chapter Three

HEATH

I follow Willow’s blue hatchback in my truck, cringing as she takes a curve too fast.

Christ. I scrub a hand across my beard as I turn out onto the main road.

I knew I shouldn’t have let Willow drive herself to the restaurant, but she didn’t want to leave her car at the park overnight. After everything that’s happened in the last hour, I’m honestly just relieved she’s safe.

Willow’s stubborn as hell, always wanting to handle things on her own. It’s one of the things I admire about her.

But part of me is glad this shit went down today. It gave me an excuse to step in and be there for her. To show her what it’s like to have someone to lean on.

I’m not naive. I know this impromptu dinner date doesn’t mean she’s falling into my arms. But maybe, just maybe, it’s a sign that she’s starting to let me in. Even just a little.

After the heat that flared between us at the opera house, I’m desperate to pick up where we left off.

To show her what it means to be mine.

A few minutes later, I steer my truck into the packed Chocolate Moose Café parking lot, pulling up behind Willow’s car. Then I throw my truck into park and jog over to her driver’s side door before she can open it herself.

She rolls her eyes but flashes me a smile. “I can open my own door, you know.”

“Indulge me.” I flash her a grin, holding out my hand.

For a moment, she just looks at it, hesitating. Then, to my surprise, she slips her small hand into mine. I feel it like an electric shock, heat zipping up my arm.

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