Page 83 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

“Winnie, get down, girl,” I say as I gently pull her away from Stella. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem,” she says as she stands up, smoothing down her blouse in the process. Today’s blouse is different. A white silk number with short sleeves that she has tucked into a pair of pants that accentuate her legs. She’s wearing heels, as always, and if I’m remembering right they are the ones she bought while we were in Florida.

God, I really am done for if I’m remembering fucking shoes…

“Sorry Simon made you drive out here,” I say, not making any motion to lead her into the house. I know it’s rude, but her in my house is a dangerous, dangerous thing.

Stella reaches into her oversized purse and pulls out a folder. “It’s no problem. He’s letting me take off early so I don’t have to drive back. I should be thanking you.”

“Anytime.” I take the papers from her and walk to the hood of her car, where I proceed to sign them. I hear Winnie slowly walk back to Stella, who I watch out of the corner of my eye lean down to pet her. I don’t attempt to make any sort of conversation and neither does she. Is it awkward? Yes. But is it needed to survive the two of us being alone? Hell, yes.

“Here you go,” I say as I shut the folder. “Easy enough.”

“Easy enough.” She takes the folder from me and starts walking to the car door, before stopping and turning on her heel. “Can I ask you a question that you can say no to?”

No…

“Sure.”

“Can I use your restroom? I drank an extra-large Diet Dr Pepper on the way here and?—”

I laugh, because of course she did. “Inside. First door on the right down the hall.”

Stella does the best she can at walking fast, but not running, inside. I walk behind her, because I’m pretty sure she’s going to bite it in those heels.

I also need to be behind her so she doesn’t see me physically needing to calm down at the thought of her keeping those heels on…and only those heels.

When I hear the door close to the bathroom, I let out a deep breath and pull at my hair. I need to get a hold of myself. I’m not a fucking teenager who has his first crush. Why can’t I keep my brain from going places it shouldn’t go? Why can’t my dick be under control around her? Why do I want to invite her to stay for dinner? Why? Just…why?

I stop pacing when I hear the door open and Stella’s heels hitting the hardwood as she comes back down the hall.

“Thanks,” she says shyly. “I’ll be going.”

“Yeah.” The word comes out awkwardly as I open the door.But just as Stella starts to walk out, Winnie runs in front, stopping her exit.

That’s it. No treats or dog park for her tonight.

Stella’s close. Too close. I could just lean in and take her lips that I want to kiss so fucking bad. I could hold out my arm and wrap it around her waist, bringing her into me where I could feel her soft curves against me. I could just give Winnie a little kick out of the way and pick her up like I want to, because it’s been way too long since I’ve felt her legs wrapped around me. I’d press her against the door and take her right here.

God-fucking-damn-it, I need this woman out of my house before I go doing things that I swore I’d never do.

Like ask her to stay.

“I’ll see you next week,” I say with a gruffness to my tone, which I can tell she picks up on.

“Yeah. Sure. See you next week.”

She gives me a small smile and a shy wave as she moves around Winnie and heads to her car. Her head is down. She never looks back.

Fuck…I hate that I made her shrink into herself like that. That’s the shit Duncan did. I never want to be that man. Ever. Being that man, or that type of man, leads to Stella reverting back to the unsure woman who came to Florida. And that’s not the kind of man I want to be.

The only problem is I don’t know how to stay away from her without ignoring her. I’m clearly not strong enough to be friendly with her. At least not right now. Maybe over time, but for the immediate future, I think it’s best if I keep my distance. Keep my Rolling Hills days to the bare minimum. It’s the safest plan to make sure I don’t do stupid things like act like an ass again.

Or kiss her.

Or worse, make her mine and never let her go.

guide to love rule #95

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