Page 14 of Worth the Risk
“That’s not what I was going to say,” I say quietly. Her hand in mine is drowning out the voice in the back of my head reminding me that this is Colt’s sister. She looks at our hands and then back up to my face. I’m not sure what she sees there but her brows pull together and she looks so adorable I can’t take it. I let my other hand slide up her bare arm and feel goosebumps rise before I tangle my fingers in the curls at her neck and lean closer.
“Rhett…?” My name is a question and I can taste it in the air.
“Yes, Winnie?” I run my nose up the side of her cheek. My mind is empty except for one thought that plays on loop…please don’t push me away.She swallows.
“Are you going to kiss me?”Oh, thank God. I brush my mouth against hers gently once, then twice. I’m trying to hold back and go slow. I don’t want to overstimulate her, I want her to enjoy this.
“Rhett?” she whispers again.Oh no, I’ve already ruined it.
“Yes, Winnie?” I wait for her to tell me that this isn’t what she wants and how bad her rejection is going to feel. Her answer sealed my fate. Solidified that I would follow this woman anywhere. Anything she wanted, I would give.
“When I asked if you were going to kiss me I meant really kiss me.”
I laugh quietly in the empty bedroom upstairs and run my thumb over my bottom lip. I’m getting ready to relive mine and Winnie’s first real kiss when a light out the window catches my attention. My favorite thing about it is that the master bedroom is the big window on the back of the house that I’m now realizing faces Winnie’s cottage. I can see right into Winnie’s kitchen, which is probably her favorite thing about her place. That thought makes me smile.
She’s always been good in the kitchen. In so many of my memories of her she’s helping mom in the kitchen with dinner or baking something for dessert. I’m so proud of her. I just wish I could have talked to her more over the years. I see her standing in the window and at first I think she might be facing me. I am proven wrong as she turns and reaches for something high, stops and gives me a torturously long look at so much of her bare skin and black lace covering very little of it. I gulp and before I can stop myself I—wave? No. I did not just wave at her like some creepy pervert.
I see her form drop from view. Oh, God, she probably thinks I’m some stalker—she’s not totally wrong in thinking that. I was being stalkery. I need to go tell her it was just me. I rush down the stairs, almost tripping and falling down the last five. I don’t even bother with my shoes as I jog down the sidewalk to hergate, jump it and make it onto the porch. I ring her doorbell and wait. I ring it again. There’s a small commotion inside, a curse that has me pinching my lips together so my laugh won’t escape.
I see motion to my left and see the blinds on the window move then more cursing and footsteps. The door flying open has me taking a step back, I’m not prepared for the sight before me. I scan her flushed face and her haphazardly pulled up hair with little pieces escaping all over. She’s so adorable I can hardly stand it—but what has my full attention is the faded sweatshirt that's swallowing her.It’s mine.
“Rhett? What are you doing here?” She pops her head out and looks from side to side as if to see if the coast is clear.
“Well I figured I should come over and explain.“
“Explain what? How do you even know where I live?” She shifts her weight to the side, leaning against the door frame and crosses her arms. Defensive. Great.
“Well, I wanted you to know that I wasn’t staring at you or spying on you. I just happened to be upstairs when—well when I noticed the light on—and then I noticed you didn’t have any?—”
“Wait! That wasyounext door?!” she cuts off my stammering which I’m grateful for. I just nod. Her head tilts to the side as she stares at me, eyes swimming with questions. The flush that stained her cheeks a few moments ago is now spreading down her delicate neck.
“Uh, yeah. I just signed the papers today.” I give her a grin I know she used to love. She blinks.
“Signed the papers? On what?” She asks the questions slowly. I roll my eyes.
“The house, Winnie. I’m moving in this weekend.”
“You’re kidding. I didn’t even know it sold.” Her arms loosen to her sides and she puts a hand on her cocked hip. We’re getting somewhere.
“It did…” I grin at her again. “Hey, neighbor.” She makes a littlehmphsound.
“So, you’re really planning on sticking around then?” Now it’s my turn to be confused.
“Of course. I told you I took the coaching job at the school.” She bobs her head.
“Yeah, I know. It’s just surprising that you would stay after being gone for so long.” Her tone is accusing and I’m more than a little thrown off by it.
“It’s always been the plan to come back. You know that. I told you that.” Her eyes meet mine then and something flickers there between us but it’s gone before I can name it.
“That’s great. Like I said at the bakery, your family has really missed you. I better head in now. I have to be up early for the festival in the morning. I guess I’ll be seeing you—neighbor.” She smirks and goes to shut the door. I turn to leave but can’t stop from teasing her.
“Night, Winnie. You look great by the way.” She rolls her eyes and opens her mouth with what I’m sure is a witty retort but I’m not done. “In my old sweatshirt—and out of it.” I wink and her eyes bulge before she looks down at her body, throwing her arms over her chest again. I chuckle the whole way home.
The day has flown by. I’m sweating and the fan that’s set up in the corner of my booth is doing nothing but blowing more hot air directly into me. It’s these late days of summer that have you wearing your sweater in the mornings and thanking God you wore a tank top under it in the afternoon. I also may still be blushing over Rhett’s impromptu visit last night. I wanted to die when I remembered what sweatshirt I had on. I catch myself biting at my thumbnail and pull my hand away from my face, another anxious habit I’m perpetually trying to break.
There are still a few hours left of the festival before I can clean up. I let Anna go a half hour ago when her friends stopped by to visit. She gave me a half hearted ‘Are you sure?’before flinging her apron at me and bounding off, giggling with the group of girls. It’s just me now but luckily it’s slowing down. Which is good because I only have a few items left.
“Winnie!” I look up to see Mary Holloway coming towards me.
