Page 31 of Forever Fickle

“Are you running from me, little Karen?”

“No. I’m stuck and can’t…” she growled, yanking on the door as it finally opened. She started to get out, only to have the buckle hold her fast in her seat.

Jace’s amused chuckle sounded from beside her, making her struggle even more. Nope. She needed distance between them and yeah, her mother would absolutely adore Jace.

“Here,” he said gently. “Allow me.”

Her buckle released just as Karen was trying to leap out of the seat again, nearly sending her flying out of the doorway. If she hadn’t been holding on, she might have face-planted onto the runway below.

Jace’s hand grasped at her slacks, helping catch her as she got her footing… turning to slap his hand away immediately.

“I’m fine. Just a little unsteady…” she snapped, immediately pulling away, and lowering herself to the ground with the step on the landing gear. Getting both feet on the ground, she shut the door and then yanked it open again to get her purse off the floorboard where she’d left it.

Jace cut off the ignition, pulled the keys, and easily got out of the plane on the other side before walking around towards her.

She was mortified that she’d had such an inelegant dismount from the plane – and the fact that he’d helped catch her. She hoped she was wearing sexy underwear because she was positive, he probably got a flash the moment he caught her pants to keep her from vaulting right out like a catapult.

A part of her dared him to comment on it, make some snide remark, or say anything at all – just so she could launch into a counteroffensive…

Instead, he stood there – holding out his hand – completely disarming her.

“Let me walk you to your car,” he said gently.

“I’m fine.”

“I know,” Jace replied softly, “But I’d like to anyway – if that’s okay?”

“I’m not kissing you goodnight,” she sputtered immediately.

“I wasn’t going to ask you for a kiss.”

“Good.”

He stood there, hand outstretched, waiting… and she finally put her hand in his. She didn’t want to acknowledge just how good it felt to have him holding her hand, nor how much she treasured how perfect it was.

She could feel every ridge, every knuckle, every callus… and it seemed to meld perfectly against her own.

As she got close to her car, her heart hammered in her chest, wondering if he’d lied and would actually try to kiss her goodnight, making this an official date between the two of them.

“Goodnight,” Jace said softly, waiting there. “I can’t wait to see you in the morning. Will you be in at seven-thirty again?”

“I’m always here early.”

“Good,” he smiled. “I’ll have the coffee waiting for us.”

“Jace…” she began and hesitated, feeling his thumb brush against her knuckles as he held her hand. “Thank you for today.”

“It was my pleasure,” his smile widened, just as he released her hand. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

He stepped back and walked away, heading towards the office where he was staying in the bunks during his visit. Karen watched him walk off, admiring his gait, and marveling at the man who was the exact opposite of everything she’d assumed.

“It was my pleasure, too…” she whispered aloud in the night air.

CHAPTER11

KAREN

Thursday

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