Chapter 18 Honey
HONEY
I can’t wrap my head around the fact that this man is freaking carrying me home. He feels so solid. So confident as he marches toward my house. He smells like fire and smoke and clean sweat.
Right now, Beau Walker’s a whole Pinterest mood board. From his fireman’s uniform to his rugged jaw, I honestly have no idea how some lucky woman hasn’t snatched him up yet.
I must be in shock because I don’t know what to say. We’re halfway across the parking lot when I finally think of something. “Don’t you need to go back to the fire truck?”
“I’m not technically working, so no. Though I’ll text my co-workers when we get to your house so they can account for everyone.”
I’m tempted to lean my head on his shoulder, but that’s inappropriate. He jogs up my porch like I weigh nothing. When he sets me down, I reach for my keys and unlock the door. “Well, thank—”
He swings me into his arms again. “You shouldn’t be walking up stairs.” Then he carries me up a flight to my apartment and sets me down again.
“Um, thank you.” After I unlock my place, I turn to him. I lean against the doorframe to keep the weight off my leg. “I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, princess.”
This is it. The end. I’m going on another date with Ian this weekend, so this has to be the end.
As I stare at Beau’s handsome face, which now sports that full beard, my skin tingles and my heart races. Why couldn’t I feel this with Ian? “I’ll see you around.”
He nods, then looks down.
I wobble into my apartment and am closing the door when he curses under his breath. “Wait.” He pushes it open.
And then he cradles my face in his big, rough hand, and gently tilts my head so I have to stare up at him. “I should’ve called you, Honey. After we hooked up, I should’ve called to make sure you were okay.”
He looks so distressed. I wrap my hand around his wrist to reassure him. “It’s fine. I’m a big girl. You don’t owe me any apologies.” I stare into his tormented green eyes and wish things were different. “I appreciate you walking me home, but I can handle it from here.”
“You look beautiful dressed as a butterfly.”
I chuckle. “Are you trying to be nice to me?”
“I know you might not believe this, but I’m a nice guy.”
“Like that time you accused me of arson?” I tease.
His expression flattens. “Jesus, Honey. I told you—”
“I’m kidding.”
Releasing me, he scrubs his face like he’s had a long day. “From day one, all we’ve done is aggravate each other.”
“We do that a lot. Bring out the worst in each other,” I admit.
“We’re good at that.”
“Excellent, really. We deserve a gold star. A for effort.”
We both smile, and my heart races again. Beau’s so handsome, it hurts to look at him. He towers over me in his firefighter’s uniform. How I’d love to strip it off him.
An ache beats between my legs, and I take a step back.
I won’t do this. I won’t let myself think I can have more with Beau. Because it doesn’t end like that for me. I gave Beau until my dinner with Ian last week to come around, and now I feel like I need to keep my word and give Ian a chance.
Besides, I’m doing Beau a favor. He doesn’t want the trouble that comes with dating me.
He reaches out and tugs a strand of my hair. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe for the sake of Baylee and Maverick’s wedding, we should practice being nice to each other.”
I chuckle. “I don’t know if I can handle that.”
“Not sure I can either, but I’m willing to give it a shot. What do you say, princess? Can we be friends?”
My heart thrums in my chest. This is a dangerous line to walk. But when he tugs my hair again and gives me that mischievous smile, I melt. “Do you really want to be my friend, Beau?”
He holds out his hand, palm up. “I’d be honored.”
I place my hand in his. The roughness of his skin sends chills up my arms.
But when he pulls me into his arms for a hug, I know this is a mistake.
Because now I’m not sure I want to let him go.