Page 58 of Pain in the Axe
I turned and found myself face to face with Gus.
He was sweaty and still a bit out of breath. Up close, it was hard to miss how hard his T-shirt was working to contain his heaving chest.
He led me around the back of the tents toward a small copse of trees.
“I saw you, Dragonfly,” he said when we stepped into the forest. He tipped my chin up and forced me to look at him.
“It was a fun event,” I said, willing my racing heart to slow. “You did a good job.”
He chuckled softly. “I had no chance of winning. And that was before I got distracted by how beautiful you look in that dress.”
My breath hitched, and butterflies took flight in my belly.
“I saw you cheering for me. Don’t deny it.” He smirked. “You liked my moves.”
I huffed. It was the best I could do. When he was this close, it was impossible to formulate a pithy response. My body arched toward him involuntarily, and my brain fought to gain control of my raging hormones.
He slid a hand down my arm and settled it on my hip. Energy pulsated between us, and the noise and the crowd disappeared. It was just the two of us beneath these trees.
It was thrilling and familiar all at once.
He tilted my chin up, his touch gentle.
I exhaled. He was going to kiss me. And for some insane reason, I was going to let him. Despite every rational part of me shouting that it was a terrible idea.
He moved in closer. So close I could feel his breath on my skin.
I closed my eyes.
His lips ghosted over my earlobe, startling me.
“Next time,” he whispered, making my knees buckle. “I’ll give you a private show.”
Chapter 16
Gus
As I drove slowly down the mile-long driveway toward the main house, I took in the surrounding forest and the buildings and cottages dotting the property, willing my heart rate to remain steady.
My whole life, I had avoided parties as best as I could, and today, I had fought with myself for hours before finally getting in my truck.
She wouldn’t want me here. She had lots of people to celebrate with.
But I couldn’t stay away. The thought of not seeing her on this big birthday made my chest ache.
So I settled on a late arrival and a quick drop-in. I wouldn’t make it weird. I’d say hello, thank Celine for inviting me, and give Chloe her gift. Then, if she wanted me gone, I’d go.
She’d inhabited my every waking thought since she left my house two weeks ago. We’d been professional at the office, and if anything, we were working well together. But she still took every opportunity to get in digs where she could.
Even so, I showed up every morning, whether I was scheduled to be in the office or offsite, and dropped off her coffee and scone. She didn’t throw it in my face, so that was a plus.
I usually got at least one sassy eye roll, but I’d take it. If I wanted to win back the love of my life, then I’d have to roll with the punches.
If I knew Chloe like I thought I did, then birthdays were hard for her. When her mom was alive, she had always made a huge deal of them. She’d throw elaborate parties and make a huge fuss of her kids.
After she died, Chloe stopped celebrating. So I ventured to guess she was probably uncomfortable with her sister throwing her a party today. But she loved her sister and would do anything for her, so she’d be wearing a smile and surviving the day.
I wouldn’t complain. This gave me another opportunity to spend time with her.
