Page 53 of Call Me Anytime
Instantly, a visual of her giggling and smiling as I twirled her around onstage pops into my mind. Seeing Hannah let loose tonight was just about the most beautiful sight I’ve witnessed in what feels like forever.
“I had fun, Han.” Truthfully, I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a woman. “I’d be happy to take you out anytime, Karaoke Cowgirl.”
“Oh my God.” She bursts into the cutest peal of giggles. “I still can’t believe you have this whole other dancing, singing, cowboy-hat-wearing persona!”
I shrug. “Every moment can’t be the job, you know? There’s more to this whole spinning planet than that.”
Her lips curl into a smile, and for a moment, I swear time slows. Her smile isn’t just beautiful; it’s radiant. The kind of smile that makes you want to do anything—be anything—just to keep it on her face.
The kind of smile that makes you want to kiss her.
Our eyes lock for a long moment, the universe narrowing to the two of us. Her chest moves up and down in fast waves, and my heart races to match it. I think almost exclusively about leaning forward and taking her mouth with mine. Frankly, I’m so fucking close to giving in to the urge it scares me.
The soft scent of her skin has my head filling with vanilla and cinnamon, and when she licks her lips nervously, I sway a little closer to her.
Her breath hitches, and I don’t miss the way her gaze dips ever so slightly to my mouth.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.Everything about Hannah is beautiful. Her brown eyes and her gorgeous hair and her perfect heart-shaped mouth. Hannah isn’t just any woman. She’s special. She’s kind and compassionate and selfless. And even though she might think of herself as someone who isn’t capable of having fun, she is. She’s wickedly funny and smart, and when she lets herself get loose, her smile is downright magic.
I’ve only known her for a short time, but I feel like I’ve known her all my life. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I only find myself wanting to know her more.
Her long lashes graze her cheeks as she blinks once and then twice, before reconnecting her gaze with mine. My strength is fading, the will to keep things professional draining from my body by the second as we sit here. My fingers tingle and my spine buzzes, and I’m so close to giving in to the urge to press my mouth to hers. So close to—
“Well, okay then,” she blurts in a rush, cutting my thoughts off at the knees. Almost as if struck by lightning, she jolts forward, spinning for the passenger door handle, and then climbs out.
I watch with unsteady breaths as she leans back into the door, but I don’t miss the flush of her cheeks. “Thank you. Again. I’ll remember this for a long time, Dom.”
I nod, just one herky-jerk of my chin. It’s all I can manage.
She shuts the door behind herself and hustles toward the house, and I sink into the seat, my head falling back and my eyes closing.
Fuck.
Sitting silently, I turn my gaze to the house and watch as lights pop on one by one, imagining her moving into the space and settling back into her routine. Settling back into business. Settling back into a world I don’t particularly fit into.
I take a deep breath and run my hand over the steering wheel, willing myself to start my car and drive away.
But a minute passes.
Then five more minutes.
And once I realize I simply don’t want to leave—knowing what my presence outside does for her state of mind—I kick my seat back a notch and close my eyes, getting comfortable.
If it means Hannah feels safe, I’ll be here every night.
7:00 a.m.
I wake to the sound of a car starting up, and Lovie waves as she pulls out of the driveway, the gentle glow of morning just lighting the sky.
I offer a wave and a smile back and adjust my seat from lying to sitting, yawning into my hand and stretching out the kinks in my neck. My sleep wasn’t deep. Hell, it wasn’t even restful. But knowing my loss was Hannah’s gain makes the sacrifice feel worth it tenfold.
The house is quiet, but since I still have Hannah’s battery in the back seat, I decide to fulfill my promise before heading home. Even though exhaustion tugs at my limbs, the thought of doing something for her is enough to push me into motion. I snag a flannel button-down from the back, put it on, and climb out of my door. With the driver’s seat folded forward, I grab the battery and then some tools from my supply bag in the trunk. I walk slowly up the driveway to Hannah’s white Civic in front of the garage.
Luckily the driver’s side door is unlocked from Hannah’s efforts to start the car yesterday morning—an oversight I’m sure she doesn’t make often—so I pull it open and pop the hood. I unscrew the panel above the battery and snap the plastic off, remove the leads from the terminals, and then pull the existing battery out and set it down on the concrete. I pick up the other battery to switch it out, and just have it settled in its holder when the sound of the front door opening fills my ears.
Instantly, I push back from under the hood, expecting to see Hannah, a trill of unextinguishable excitement running the length of my spine.
Instead, Sherry steps out in her robe, nightgown, and slippers. After closing the door behind herself, she power walks straight toward my Camaro at the end of the long driveway, not even noticing me near Hannah’s car.
