Page 26 of The Front Runner
Stefan stares at me from over the flame. His pointer finger circling the top of his glass while he gazes at me. It’s almost hypnotic.
He doesn’t offer to drive me, but that’s for the best. His eyes are a bit glassy, his smiles a little easier. We have both thoroughly enjoyed the two bottles of wine.
I break the spell when I say, “I’ll help clean up.”
“You absolutely will not. You’re the guest,” he replies smoothly, leaning back in his chair.
He oozes class and control. Looking like a dreamboat professor out for a glass of wine at some fancy lounge after a long day of fending off the advances of his overeager students. I can’t help but giggle at the path my thoughts have taken after single-handedly drinking what equates to a full bottle of wine.
“Well, in that case, Stefan...” He quirks his head, one dimple popping up on his cheek as it hitches, hanging on my words in a way that not many people do. “Thank you for the truly outstanding meal. I had a delightful night.”
“Yeah. I actually like this one,” Nadia says absently, now browsing through her phone.
I burst out laughing, slapping a hand across my mouth to cover my guffaw.
“Nadia, go put your laptop away and get what you need to drive Dr. Thorne home.”
She salutes from her forehead without even looking up at him as she replies with, “Sir, yes sir,” and then slowly moves toward the stairs, eyes not leaving her phone.
I stand as Stefan ushers me toward the front door. His palm briefly presses into the small of my back as he guides me into the hallway, and I feel the imprint of his warm hand through my sweater like a brand. There’s a catch in my breath and in my step at the feel—the familiarity of the touch. It sears me. I feel like if someone looked, they’d be able to make out the swirls of his fingerprints against my milky skin.
Words fail me as he holds the long plaid coat out for me to slide my arms into. The wine has my mind going places it absolutely should not, and the press of his firm body behind mine leaves me feeling heady. He’s not even touching me, but I swear I can feel the weight of him against my shoulder blades, guiding them together and pressing on my lungs. His mere presence sticks to me like static cling.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he whispers, his accented voice endlessly deep, turning me to face him and smoothing down the lapels of my coat. Like we do this all the time.
He takes a hold of my wrist and presses a swift, feather-light kiss to the center of my palm. Something that feels intensely personal.
My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip as I gaze up at his proud posture and the trouble-making glint in his eye. “Thank you for having me.”
I smile, but it’s watery and uncertain. The man has me completely off-balance. My pulse beats in my stomach. Nice Stefan threw me for a loop, but Doting Stefan, who cooks and cleans and loves his little sister, is straight crushing my ovaries.
Any man could do those things and you’d find it attractive,my mind assures me right before he leans in and presses a kiss to the sensitive spot just below my ear.
Then my mind goes blank. Goosebumps crawl in slow motion, covering my entire body. The feel of him towering over me, the rasp of his stubble against my cheek, causes all coherent thoughts to flee my mind along with the air from my chest.
Nadia’s steps thump down the stairs, breaking the spell. I step back quickly, trying to even out my breathing and be strong enough to still look him in the eye.
“One sec,” I whisper, my voice cracking in the most obvious way. “I’ll be right back.”
I dart into the kitchen and then return to wait while Nadia ties up her laces. I can feel Stefan’s gaze on me as though he’s trailing a finger everywhere he looks. My body hums as I recall the rough scrape of his stubble and the hot press of his hand.
I need to get the fuck out of here.
With a casual wave over my shoulder, I escape onto the front porch and start walking to my truck, sucking in deep breaths of cool air as I go. A few moments later, Nadia catches up and slides into the driver’s seat.
Pale eyebrows knit together suspiciously. “All good?” she asks.
I pull out the carton of eggs I hid in my coat and smile at her with all my teeth.The perfect distraction.“Yup. Did I mention I’m well acquainted with where Principal Cooper lives?”
* * *
“Good morning, Dr. Thorne.”
Stefan’s voice used to make me roll my eyes. But now it just feels like someone is sliding silk around my neck. Probably to make a noose, which is what thinking about Stefan this way is going to get me.
A death sentence. At least where my friends are concerned.
“Hi, Stefan,” I say stiffly as I check the mare and foal over carefully. Nadia just picked me up and drove me back to my truck at Cascade Acres, so it seemed like the perfect time to do my daily check on the horses.
