Page 19 of Worth the Risk
“Four?!” He puts his hand over my mouth.
“Shh…I snuck them out. Now let’s do the same because I don’t want to share anymore today.” He says it like it’s more than the cinnamon rolls. I know better but I like hearing he doesn’t want to share me either.
“Bye everyone!” I get scattered goodbye’s and drop a kiss on Hazel's plump little cheek as we pass by and out of the house. As I do, Knox kisses the top of my head. Before I can question what that was about I’m being carried towards the truck and Knox is laughing like a hyena. Rhett opens my door and lifts me into the seat.
“Whoa…where’s the fire, cowboy?” His green eyes connect with mine and I start giggling at how serious this man looks right now. “I can get myself in, thank you.” He huffs but just shuts my door and walks around the front of the truck. He’s pouting and I can’t help but tease him.
“So, what’s the hurry to get back? Um…do you have plans?”
“What? No, I don’t have plans.” His jaw ticks so I know there’s more. I wait. “I just figured you’d want to get out of there so my brothers could quit drooling all over you.”
I laugh loudly but when he isn’t laughing with me I see the serious look on his face.
“Oh, Rhett come on. Be serious.”
“I am. Alder had to sit right next to you…”
“You sat next to me…” I cut in.
“…and Knox couldn’t keep his hands…or his lips to himself…” I burst out again and this time I see the corner of his mouth tip up.
“If I didn’t know any better. I would think you were a little jealous, Rhett.” I’m teasing him. This isn’t new. We've gone back and forth plenty of times but the tension I’m feeling coming from his side of the truck isn’t something I’ve felt in awhile.
“Insanely, Winnie. I thought I was making that fairly obvious.” There’s finally a little humor in his voice when he says it and I am now full on belly laughing in the passenger seat. I’m wiping tears from my eyes when I ask my next question.
“Why in the world would you be jealous?” I force the words out. He’s quiet for a minute. I look over at him when I feel the truck slowing. The expression on his face and the way he’s looking at me makes heat curl low in my stomach. His answer stokes that flame.
“Because you’re beautiful Winnie and it seems like everyone in my family got to touch you tonight except for me.” His low voice sends goosebumps dancing across my limbs…limbs that now feel like jell-o.
“Why would you want to touch me?” I’m on the edge of a cliff right now. He let’s out a sigh and looks out the windshield as he comes to a stop in front of my house. I’m not going to get an answer when I desperately need to know what he’s thinking. He clears his throat and I take it as a sign I should get out but as I open the door Rhett grabs my arm.
“Can I come out with you for your birthday?” Not what I thought he was going to say but I nod.
“If you want to.”
“I want to.” He’s smiling again and just the sight of it has my lips twitching, too.
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you then.” I go to get out again but he stops me again. I huff and look at him.
“Yes, Rhett?”
“What if I want to see you before?” I laugh.
“You can stop by the bakery. I’m always there. Oh, and in case you weren’t aware. We’re neighbors now, so I’m sure you’ll see me so much you’ll be sick of me.” He shakes his head.
“Not possible. What are you doing the rest of the day?” His question catches me off guard.
“Uh, I’m not sure. I need to catch up on some laundry and I have a really good book I’m reading.”
“Bring the book.”
“Bring the book? To? Where?” He’s completely lost me.
“Go get your swimsuit on and something to hike in, I’ll be back in 20.”
“Hiking? I know I said I had been trying to get out more but?—”
“It’s just to the lake, one small hill.” He can see the uncertainty. “Please.” That does it.
