The Silvia Saga: Boxset

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Dara

My hands brace on my knees, leaning over, and I try to catch my breath. I ended up running the last two kilometres just to get out of the forest quicker. My heart literally feels like it’s going a million miles an hour. Once my breathing settles down, I continue to the local hiking wear store Ray’s Outdoors.

Bryce gives me a wave. “Hey, Dara, long time no see.”

I grin. “Yep, I missed your face so much I had to come and visit again.”

He laughs, putting a piece of clothing back on the sales rack at the front of the store. Bryce is a lanky redhead—not attractive at all, but he does have a heart of gold. Every time I come here, he is super helpful and always provides me with what I need.

“Can I help you with anything or are you happy browsing?” Bryce asks as he returns behind the counter.

“I’m good thanks, Bryce. I know what I’m after,” I say over my shoulder as I walk toward the clothing department. I need to buy some thermals, long-sleeved shirts, a big warm jumper, and some new hiking boots. I go hiking so often that I wear my boots out quickly. I need new ones almost every month.

I’m busy looking through the clothing when someone bumps me, making me fall into the racks. Clothes drop everywhere around me. What the fuck? I quickly sit up, rubbing my lower back where the railing dug in and spin around to give whoever it was an earful. I freeze. Everything around me slowly disappears, and it’s just him standing there.

It’s Mr Mysterious from the club. What the hell is going on? Some weird shit is happening. Am I losing my mind? Is it really him? But I could never forget those blue eyes that held me captive in the bar and then in my dream.

“Sorry, sweetie pie, you just caught me off-guard. I was too busy staring at that nice arse of yours to watch where I was going. My bad,” he says with a mischievous grin on his face.

That has me smiling in turn. I can’t help myself. I quickly regain my composure with a resting bitch face, folding my arms over my chest and taking him in. He has that surfer-boy look going on with his sandy blond hair, crystal blue eyes that are breathtaking, and a five o’clock shadow. My gaze moves slowly up his chiselled body. His arms are crossed over his chest, showing off his defined muscles. He catches my gaze, still grinning. My cheeks heat and I try to avoid his eyes.

“Oooh, Princess, you’re doing things to me.” He brushes his hand over his cock, and I follow the movement with a rabid thump in my chest. Shaking my head, I step forward until I’m chest to chest with him—well, maybe chest to head as he towers over me. A deep shiver flows through my body and he must feel it too ’cause his eyes darken with lust.

“It mustn’t be that challenging then. What, one look and you’re ready to shove me in the changerooms and have your way with me?”

He laughs, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Don’t fucking tempt me …” He reaches out, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. My breath comes in and out staggered like I’ve forgotten how to breathe. He looks out over my head and groans. “Well, it sure was nice bumping into you, short stack, and I’ll be seeing you around.”

He walks off in a hurry, and I’m frozen to the spot trying to figure out what the hell just happened. How come this guy keeps showing up?

Someone clears their throat, and I spin around, finding Bryce leaning against the rails on the wall. “What on earth happened here?” He waves his hand to the mess, clothes scattered all over the floor along with the rack.

“I’m so sorry. Someone bumped into me, and I fell. Let me help you tidy it up.”

Together we pull the railing upright, and Bryce gathers all of the clothes before he places them on the bench and starts to put them back into position.

“Did you see that guy I was talking to?”

Bryce frowns. “Nah, I didn’t see anyone. What guy?”

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it.”

I laugh to myself and continue helping Bryce, all while mulling over what just happened. I can’t exactly tell anyone what’s going on because they will think I’m losing my mind—well, apart from Kayla. I can tell her anything. She might think I’m crazy, but she knows that I wouldn’t make this shit up.

Once everything is done, I carry on shopping, selecting my clothing and my favourite pair of hiking shoes—the black high-tops. After gathering them all up I place them on the cash register table.

We talk about my trip as he tallies it up, and before long I’m stepping outside with my backpack jammed full of bags. The street is busy, and I can’t help but look out for the guy from the shop but he’s nowhere to be seen.

Lifting my backpack over my shoulders, I start the journey home. Checking my watch, I sigh. I only have a couple of hours left before my shift tonight at the bar. Being a Saturday night, it’s going to be busy. And I can’t wait to be away on my hiking trip.

It’s going to be a long night.