Page 42 of Outlaw Heartstrings
I know what he said. It’s not like he’s going to Mars. But the last time he left to play hockey, I didn’t see him for nine whole years.Will this time be any different? Will he disappear for almost a decade again? And worse, will he take Jagger with him?
Maybe I should talk to a lawyer. Wait—I can’t afford a lawyer. So I just have to trust the process.
And despite all the uncertainty I’m feeling right now, I have to believe that everything will work out for the best.
Easton is a good guy, and he’s excited to be a father. He’s not trying to run away from this. So until he gives me a reason to believe otherwise, yup, I need to trust the process.
“That’s great. Really,” I say, trying to mean it, even if my anxiety’s not completely on board with the sentiment.
People continue to stare at him. I’m not even sure he notices, as his attention falls squarely on me. He’s the kind of man who naturally draws attention everywhere he goes.Of course he does. Easton Raines is big, muscular and too handsome to ignore.
“I wanted to say thank you for letting me see Jagger the other day,” he says as we stroll side-by-side. “It meant a lot to me to get to spend time with him.”
“You can see him again if you’d like,” I say before I can stop myself.
The truth is, Jagger has already asked me a hundred times when he’ll get to play hockey with Easton again. It would be cruel of me to try to keep them apart. Even though I’m not ready to tell Jagger everything, it’s important for him to have a male presence in his life.
“Hell, yeah.” Easton triumphantly pumps a fist in the air. “Just name the time and place, and I’m there.” The slow, outdated elevator arrives and we step onboard as he continues to stare at me. “Thanks, Alba. I mean it.” He flashes me another brilliant smile, showing off his gorgeous dimples once more.
I get a warm flush from head to…there. “It’s no problem,” I say, continuing to play it cool.
The elevator is empty—a rarity here at the hospital. The doors inch closed, trapping us alone inside. A strange tension instantly comes to life between us and I’m acutely aware of the way it makes my stomach tingle. Suddenly, I’m not so sure that being alone with this man is a good idea.
I can feel Easton’s eyes on me and my cheeks begin to grow hot. The weight of his stare on me makes my knees want to buckle.
Act normal, Alba. Act normal. Even though I can feel him watching me, I just stand there, keeping my gaze focused straight ahead and avoiding eye contact with him at all costs.
“Uh, Alba?”
“Hmm?”
He motions to the panel I’m staring right at. “Fourth floor.”
I give my head a shake and press the button. “Right. Fourth floor.” Cheeks warm and tingly with embarrassment, I quickly retreat to the elevator’s back wall.
Oh my god, Alba. Just. Act. Normal.
As the creaky elevator begins to climb, something invisible but undeniable crackles in the air. Easton prowls closer to where I’m standing and I swallow thickly, every one of my nerve endings aware of his proximity.
“Alba…?” The low, primal way he growls my name should put the fear of god in me.
Instead, it makes my panties wet.
“Yes…” I breathe out.
“Why won’t you look at me?” he questions.
My skin prickles and my heartrate accelerates. “Gimme a sec. I’m trying to gain my composure,” I admit, the words forcing their way through my constricted throat.
“Your composure? What’s wrong with your composure?” he asks, his voice deep and husky and tinted with mirth.
“You’re messing with it,” I spit out.
Easton steps right in front of me now, giving me nowhere to hide. “How am I messing with it?”
I try to take a step backward, but my back is literally up against the wall. “Easton…”
He reaches out and touches the curl dangling by my cheek. “Do you find me attractive, Tiny Tiger?” His words are rough like they were raked over gravel. “Because I find you attractive. Very much. In fact, I can hardly stop thinking about you.”
