Page 14 of At First Smile
“That…uh…you think it’s…uh…he is adorable.” He rubs the back of his neck.
It’s an endearing tick. Under his brutishly handsome exterior, he’s a little bashful. Without his hat, I get the full effect of his rugged good looks. The combination of his short cropped dark hair and neat beard meld perfectly with the broad shoulders and muscular body. Every inch of him screams man. Rough hands. Sometimes gruff timbre. An energy pulses from him making me think of an Irish bandit who could hoist me over his shoulder and take me to his lair to have his way with me all night long.
And I would revel in every minute of it.
Good god, did I pack my vibrator? Also, what is wrong with me?I’m never like this.Never.We’re talking about a pissing bulldog statue and heat is crisscrossing my body. It’s been a while, but seriously…
“Do you really want him?” he asks, pushing his hands into his pockets.
I straighten. “No. Wouldn’t fit in my suitcase or my carry-on bag. But…” I pull out my phone. “Would you mind taking a pic of me with it for my social?”
He nods, reaching for the phone. “Sure.”
His hand brushes mine. Goosebumps bloom across my skin with the brief contact.Can’t get the one-bed trope but bring on the accidental brushing hands cliché.
Cane Austen and I pose with Pisser. Positioning my leg next to Pisser’s aiming one, I widened my eyes in faux shock and flash a goofy expression causing Rowan to laugh.
“I took a few,’ he says, handing back my phone. “Let me know if you want more.”
“My followers will love this.” I beam, flipping through the photos.
“Followers? Are you an influencer or something?”
“Not like that. My job is in healthcare, but I have a social media page as a disability advocate. I post videos and photos related to blindness and my adventures as a legally blind woman. My handle is Cane Austen and Me.” I slip my phone into my pocket. “I started doing it when I was a freshman in college. I guess I just wanted to show the world what it means to be blind through my eyes. For them to see the good, the bad, and in-between.”
A warm smile curls his lips. “Cane Austen and Me. I like that name. My mam would too.”
“It was my Aunt Bea’s idea. She always said that I may lack sight but not vision. So, I’m using my social media to reshape the world’s vision about blindness and help visually impaired people see themselves as the amazing humans they are. It was lonely growing up being the only legally blind kid. I’m still often theonly one in the room. Part of what I want to do is show other blind people, especially kids, that they aren’t alone.”
“You’re a light in the darkness,” he says.
I push back the threatening tears. Aunt Bea’s singsong voice saying the same thing echoes inside me. “We should get our keys.” I nod, pivoting to walk back to the counter.
“If you two are looking for something fun to do, my nephew Harley will be performing here tonight,” Lola offers, handing us our keys.
“That sounds fun.” I grin.
“He’s really good. Like Ed Sheeran, only sexy. Do you like men who play guitar?”
“Uh…” I try not to visibly grimace at an aunt referring to her nephew as sexy. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
Rowan grunts something and then grabs my suitcase and his duffle.
We follow the small hallway to an alcove on the first floor with three sets of doors. I’m grateful to not have to lug my suitcase up the spiral stairs to the second and third floor rooms. Though I suspect Rowan would happily lug it for me since he’s insisted on pulling my suitcase since the airport.
“This is me.” I pull out my key card and swipe. Pushing the door open, I twist and face Rowan. “Oh, your hat.”
“Keep it. It looks better on you.”
Swoon.“Okay.” Reaching out, I take the handle of my suitcase from him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
And now it’s awkward. We just stare at each other. Neither one of us speaks or moves. We’ve not made plans beyond checking into the inn. I know I’m going to explore the town a bit. Would he want to join?
“I’ve got to return a few calls,” he starts.
Guess that answers my unasked question.
