Page 107 of Into These Eyes
“Lady? Hey, lady?”
My eyes snap open to the sight of the driver staring at me. As I blink my grainy eyes, I we’re parked out the front of my house. Grabbing my bag and travel mug, I exit the car and make my way up the porch steps. Fully aware that I have no idea what might be waiting for me inside my home, my heart hammers so hard it thumps in my ears. Will he interpret what happened this morning as a green light to go further, or pretend it never happened?
Weak-kneed, I step inside, shut the door and lock it with a trembling hand.
He’s behind me. Ifeelhim.
Taking a deep breath, with nowhere to run from the turmoil in my head and stomach, I turn around.
He stands a few feet away, his handsome face creased with concern as he scans me from head to toe. Before I can figure out what to say, he moves in, slips the satchel from my shoulder and takes the mug from my hand. As he places them on the floor, he drops to one knee and looks up at my utterly bewildered expression.
“Gavin? What’re you—”
“Hold onto my shoulders.”
Too confused to argue, I follow his command.
When he cups my bare calf, I tense in surprise.
“Lift,” he instructs.
My hands bear down on his shoulders as I balance myself and raise my leg until I feel my strappy heel slip free. I do the same when he touches my other calf. As my bare foot returns to the cool floorboards, I groan with relief. “Oh, God. That feels so much better.”
Rising with a grin, he picks up my satchel and travel mug, carries them through the living room and places the bag on the dining table before striding into the kitchen.
I take a seat at the breakfast bar, watching as he grabs a glass, dispenses some ice from the freezer and fills it with sparkling water at the sink. After he places it in front of me, he returns to the sink and washes my travel mug so it’s ready for the morning.
Sipping at the water, I marvel at the amazing man in my kitchen. Of course, he was the one who made a big deal about how exhausted I am, but to look after me the way he is right now, without me even knowing it’s exactly what I need, has my heart melting.
I rest my chin in my hand and continue to watch the show he puts on every evening. He sets a frying pan on the cooktop, turns on the burner, then removes a plate from the fridge containing two marinated steaks. Despite believing I was too exhausted to eat, the moment the steaks hit the pan with a satisfying sizzle, my mouth waters.
“So, what did you do today?” I ask, remembering all too well the state he was in when I left for work.
“Mostly sanding down the side of the house, interspersed with dips in the pool and some reading.” From the fridge he grabs a bowl of salad and begins serving it onto two plates beside the cooktop.
“Mostly, hmm? Sounds heavenly. Almost like a holiday.”
I love that he’s not pressuring me about what happened this morning. It’s sweet and considerate the way he’s letting the night unfold naturally.
“Can’t argue with that.” He smiles over his shoulder at me. “Do you ever go away anywhere?”
I shake my head. “Not really. I had a few days off here and there when I needed to attend a school event for Anika or to care for Dad. The only time I actually went away for a holiday was before Mum died.”
He turns the steaks, then leans on the counter and looks at me. “Sounds like you must have a lot of leave owed to you.”
“About six months’ worth.”
“Ever considered using any of it?”
“I haven’t really had the chance.” And I haven’t. Previously, the thought of relaxing on holiday seemed impossible. But just an hour on a beach with Gavin showed me how wrong I’ve been. Not to mention the effortless way he looks after me. That alone feels like a vacation.
“You should, you know. I think you desperately need a break.”
He’s not wrong, but with my workload, it’s wishful thinking.
As we eat, Gavin recounts his day, his eyes lighting up when he mentions how much happier and enthusiastic Benny seems lately.
After we finish eating, I put down my knife and fork, and say from the bottom of my heart, “Thank you. That was amazing. Again.”
