Page 14 of The Inn Dilemma

“Yeah.” He backs up slowly, almost reluctantly, as he heads for the exit. Before I can turn to go back to my table, he says, “What are you doing tonight?” He scratches the back of his neck with his free hand. “Maybe we can go for a ride or something.”

His request catches me completely off guard, yet I find myself quickly agreeing, “Yeah, that sounds good.”

“No need for the formal attire though.” He gives me another quick up and down with a smirk on his face before he turns and leaves.

I step through my door, slide off my pumps, and head to my room, where I peel my dress off and put on my favorite leggings and Phantom Echoes T-shirt. I wash all my makeup off and relish the feel of the moisturizer gliding against my skin.

When Beau and I went anywhere, I was expected to dress in the finest clothes money could buy and have picture-perfect makeup. Not unlike growing up under the heavy thumb of Kent Price and his sky-high expectations.

I grit my jaw, forcing myself to push down the hostility I still carry for both men. Jesus tells us to forgive, that we need to, but it’s not easy. Dad never once told me he was proud of me. And even when I won awards for my paintings, he told me it was a fruitless venture and I should stop wasting my time. Even when I wooed the right guys to benefit his business, all I got was a stiff smile.

Then Beau stepped in and breathed life into my dream, only to slowly drain it out over our time as a couple. He promised he’d connect me with top agents in the business. Instead of following through with that promise, he used me as arm candy at all his work functions so he would look good in front of his colleagues. I thought since he was part owner of an art gallery, I’d have an in. But I didn’t.

Instead of allowing myself to travel further down the rabbit hole of my past yet again, I grab my Bible off the coffee table and plop down on my cozy couch. I drape my afghan over my shoulders and open my Bible.

I’m only able to read two chapters before there’s a knock at my door.When I swing it open, Holt stands there radiating his raw, unfiltered masculinity, and something flutters in my chest.

“Hey!” I say a little too enthusiastically.

There’s a chill to the air as the wind picks up and raps against the cabin. I gesture for him to come in, and he closes the door behind him.

“Hey yourself.” Holt looks me up and down more slowly than at the restaurant. “You ready?”

“Sure am!” I answer brightly.

He raises an eyebrow, the scar in his left eyebrow becoming more prominent. “In that?” He motions to my outfit, then tucks his hands into his dark-wash jeans.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I look down at myself. “We’re going for a drive.”

“Not in my truck.”

“An ATV?” I ask.

“My bike.”

That’s when I notice his leather jacket.

“Oh.” I look around as if I can make a leather jacket for myself appear out of nowhere. But as I should have expected, no leather jacket appears out of thin air. Instead, I grab my jean jacket on the coat tree and lift a finger. “Give me two seconds; there’s one more thing I need.” I toss the jacket to Holt, knowing he’ll catch it.

I head over to my trunk, where I dig through junk until I find what I’ve been looking for. “Aha!”

“What?” Holt asks from the entryway.

“This!” I hold up my sleek black and white helmet and soak in the look of shock on his face. “What? Did you forget I used to ride around with Chris all the time? The only way Mom let me go was if I wore a helmet.” I slide it on. “See? It still fits.” I battle to try and get it off, but Holt grabs the top, pulls it off with ease, and sets it on my entryway table before helping me into my jacket.

I grab my helmet and lock the door behind me. His bike is parked in the mini gravel driveway next to his cabin. It’s a sleek black paint job and looks freshly polished.I didn’t notice it when I came home, so heeither walked it out of the shed or I was too engrossed in my reading to notice the purr of the engine.

Holt slides on his own helmet and flips his visor up. I meet his eyes, looking between his good eye and the glass one. An intense, undeniable wave of attraction zips down my spine.

Oh boy, am I in trouble.

Chapter Five

Holt

Nova’s eyes light up as she looks at me. I wish I knew if her reaction is because of me or my bike. But for the sake of my emotions and potential damaging false hope, I tell myself it’s because of the bike. I’m sure her excitement is due to not being on anything with as much power as my bike since she rode around with Chris.

She walks over to my motorcycle and slowly runs her hands across the handlebars. I plead temporary insanity when my eyes drop to the gentle sway of her hips as she makes her way around it. I bottle up the undeniable attraction I feel for her and remind myself this is Nova Price, the girl I always looked out for. But she’s all grown up and far more beautiful than she has any business being. It’s painfully impossible to ignore.

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