Page 6 of Conception
His answering smile tells me all I need to know. “Okay, Sally it is. If you’re interested…”
“I’m not.”
He continues as if I hadn’t said a word. “I’m staying here for the summer across the lake. At the old Schaffer place.”
I know the house he’s talking about—one of the biggest on the lake, with the best views. After Mr. Schaffer passed away, his kids couldn’t agree on who’d take it over, so it ended up on the auctioneer’s block in disrepair. I wonder if he’s staying there alone, or with a family.
Or a woman…
I shake the thought out of my head.
It doesn’t matter.
I’m not interested.
“So, yeah. I’ll see you around,” he says. “Stay safe in this weather, okay?”
“Um. Okay. Thanks. You, too.”
We’re locked in a stare down, me waiting for him to leave, him waiting for…who knows what. I squirm under his unnerving scrutiny, and just as I’m about to break the silence, he tosses me an easygoing grin.
“And hey, listen, I really didn’t mean to creep you out, but now, I can see why you’d be uneasy.
“It’s fine,” I respond, surprised that I actually kind of mean it.
“Good. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around this summer, so let’s start over. Next time I see you, I’ll approach. You don’t want that, just tell me and I’ll back off.” He leans in close, and my gaze drifts down to full lips that look oh so good for kissing.
Damn. It’s been too long since I’ve been this immediately attracted to a man. Why does it have to be this one?
Before I can say a word, the man gives me a small squeeze on my bare thigh. The touch elicits chills that shoot straight down to the tips of my toes. But then he pops the door open and hops out, gone before I can even feign outrage that he dared to touch me.
That was the longest conversation I’ve had in what feels like weeks. Now that he’s gone, the car suddenly feels empty. Just like my life’s been ever since Robert dumped me. Ever since my parents died.
Why the hell did I come back here?
Oh yeah. Grams insisted.
Something from that exchange stirs within me. I place my hands on my steering wheel and tighten my fingers around the leather. Half of me is grateful for the distraction. The deterrence, even if it only delayed going back into a home filled with so many memories for mere moments.
The other half is annoyed. Not necessarily at him—more at myself for the way I felt attracted to the guy, no matter how infuriating or initially terrifying I thought he was.
I could definitely use a distraction to make it through this summer.
Then again, I’ve met men like him. Cocky, arrogant, expects every woman to fall at his feet, then throws a fit if she doesn’t. So maybe he’s not the distraction I need.
Fine by me.
The door opens once more, and the man ducks his head back into the car, his lips split open in a grin that doesn’t make my insides swim.
When did I start lying to myself?
“By the way, sweet ride.Babe.”
I glare even though the endearment brings heat to my cheeks. His laughter’s muted when he closes the door. I hurriedly lean over and push the lock down, effectively shutting him out. It doesn’t faze him. He gives me a thumbs-up then turns away. I watch as he jogs to the end of my drive and slips into a sleek red-and-white Ford. He beeps his horn twice, and I try not to smile.
I fail.
Pretty sure he sees it. He flashes a peace sign then blows a kiss.
