Page 23 of Falling for the Recluse

“Where do your parents live?” He strokes his hand down my side.

“Indiana. When I went to Stanford, it was the first time I’d ever left the state.”

“Do you get back to see them often?”

“Unfortunately, no. I’m putting myself through college, so I usually work on holidays and during the summer.” I shift and tuck myself more closely against him. “My mom is a grocery store clerk, and my father is a line cook at a diner. They’re wonderful, and I had a great childhood, but we just didn’t have a lot of money. No college fund either, and Stanford costs a fortune. I got a few small scholarships, but they haven’t made much of a dent in the cost. That’s just one of the reasons I was so fortunate to get the PRG internship. If I do a good enough job, I’m hoping it might lead to something more permanent.”

He brushes my damp hair away from my forehead. A shutter comes down over his expression, closing him off from me.

I poke him in the arm. “Now what’s wrong with you?”

He shakes his head, shifting us both around so he can get to his feet.

“Come on. Shower, then I’ll tuck you in.” He kisses my forehead, then lifts me into his arms.

By the time we’re both in the shower, and he’s soaping me down, I’ve forgotten whatever misgivings were nudging me.

ChapterTwelve

GAVIN

She’s curledup on the old wing-backed chair in the rec room, her legs tucked under her and her hair damp from a shower. She’s wearing a fleece shirt that looks soft and fuzzy, a pair of faded sweatpants, and thick wool socks.

For the past few days, she’s stayed with the penguins from morning until late afternoon. After checking four weather forecasts, I’ve kept my eye on her from the ridge.

Much as I want to be within touching distance of her all the time, I don’t trust myself to keep my hands off her when she’s close to me. So I let her go off alone into the penguin colony, though I relentlessly watch both her and the horizon.

Today, after we returned to the house, she crashed for an hour-long nap before showering and changing clothes. Then she spent another two hours writing a report and making a list for tomorrow, only taking a break when I made her stop to eat dinner.

I’m constantly aware of her. Like she’s a heartbeat. She arrived on Needle Island four days ago, but I can hardly remember when she wasn’t here, filling the field house with wonder and joy. I didn’t even know those things existed anymore—until now.

Until her.

I set a cup of hot chocolate on the table beside her. She looks up.

“Oh, my favorite.” She smiles with delight and picks up the mug. “And with marshmallows too. You sure know your way into this girl’s heart.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” The instant the words are out, a flush crawls up my neck.

Her smile widens. “Good to know, Dr. Stark.” She nudges the ottoman with her foot. “Have a seat.”

I sit down and take hold of her ankle, bringing her foot onto my lap. I press my thumbs against the sole of her foot and rub. She lets out a soft groan and sinks deeper into the chair.

“Have you come to any conclusions about your penguins?” I massage her toes.

“No, but I named a few of them.” She twists her mouth. “Not great science protocol, but I couldn’t help it. Three of them are the spitting penguin images of the Three Stooges.”

I laugh. “Larry, Curly, and Moe?”

She nods, her gaze on my face. “You don’t have much of a chance to laugh when you’re here all alone, do you?”

“I don’t know. I tell myself a lot of jokes and crack myself up. I think I’m pretty funny.”

“Seriously.” She nudges me in the stomach with her toes. “Don’t you get lonely?”

I shake my head, though before she arrived, I was used to being frozen and hollow. I was accustomed tonot feeling. Then she blasted into my life and filled the empty spaces. Melted the ice. Made my heart beat again.

The light in her eyes dims suddenly. I frown, my spine tensing. I don’t want anything todimher, least of all me.

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