Chapter 4
RYAN
"Are you planning to stick around for long?" I put the truck into reverse and pulled out onto the road.
"I hadn't really thought about it," Paisley admitted.
Hell, even her voice was smoking hot. Husky, each syllable carefully enunciated.
"It's a nice spot for a break from the world." I glanced over to her, then back to the road.
She responded to that with a bitter laugh. "Do I seem like I need one that badly?"
"No offence, but yeah. We all need a break sometimes. Especially when things don't go the way we think they will."
My best friend, Blaise, would laugh his ass off. Neither of us were good at the emotional, deep and meaningful stuff. But I got the impression she needed it. For some reason, I wanted to be the one to give it to her.
Yeah, that too, but kind words to start with.
"That's true, I guess," she conceded. "It might be nice to spend some time in a place where no one knows me."
Knowing Aurora Hollow, folks would try to get to know her soon enough. People in small towns tended to get nosy as fuck, especially around someone new. Of course, I wasn't going to tell her that. She might get in her car and head right back to the city.
"I'd be happy to show you around," I offered. "Saturday night at the Frosty Brew in summer is a lot of fun. Pretty much the whole town and all the visitors congregate there. Usually with live music. Sometimes we convince Morgan to get up and do a set."
"Morgan Hardwick live," she said softly, but with no enthusiasm.
I got the impression I stuck my finger in some kind of open wound.
"Not everyone likes his kind of music," I said carefully. "Kayden and his band play rock, mostly. If you like, I could tell Morgan not to play." I slid a glance her way.
"No, I like his music," she said quickly. "It's just… Never mind." She crossed her arms and looked out the side window.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend." Clearly I said the wrong thing, but I didn't know what or how.
"It's not…" She looked back over at me. "I'm the one who should be sorry. You're being sweet. It's been a long day, that's all. I'd like it if you'd show me around town when we get back."
"Yeah?" My heart thudded a couple of times.
"Yes. How often does a girl get an offer like that? Besides, I could use something to take my mind off things. And I'd like to see Morgan perform." After a beat she added, "I mean, sing."
I chuckled. "Mmmhmm, sure."
She laughed. As husky and sexy as her speaking voice. The sound went straight to my groin. I couldn't remember the last time a woman made me so hard so fast. If I wasn't careful, she was going to see me embarrass myself in my jeans.
"Okay, maybe I meant the other kind of performance, a little bit," she said. "My fian— My ex wasn't very adventurous in that department." She clapped a hand over her mouth. "I can't believe I just said that."
"He's your ex for a reason," I said. "If you don't mind me being blunt, a woman like you deserves to be worshipped. And by worshipped, I mean given a shit ton of orgasms."
"That is blunt, but accurate," she said.
"Of course it is." I slowed as we reached her car, driving past before turning around and coming to a stop behind it.
I won't pretend I didn't want to give her plenty of orgasms myself. If she had a thing for Morgan, then I'd deal. I mean, how could a small town, mountain man like me compete with a global superstar like Morgan? Most women couldn't see me past him when he was in town.
Lucky he was such a good guy, or I'd hold a grudge.
I pushed out of the truck and grabbed the can and a funnel from the back.
"Can you open the fuel hatch?" I lugged the can over and placed it down beside her rear tyre.
She unlocked the car and pulled the lever, making the hatch pop open.
I stuck the end of the funnel inside and started to pour the gas, careful not to spill any.
"I really appreciate you taking the time to do this." Paisley leaned against the car, right in front of me.
"Couldn't really leave you stuck," I said modestly. "That's not how we do things around here. We look after folk. Most of them, anyway." I wasn't going to ruin the conversation by mentioning Josiah Lachance.
"Still, you've gone out of your way," she said. "I owe you a drink or two."
I glanced up, mesmerised by how blue her eyes were. "You don't owe me anything. I'm happy to help. I'm also happy to share a drink or two with you. Maybe dinner?"
Had I gone too far with that suggestion? The woman was wearing a wedding dress not an hour ago. She needed time to process and get over that. I couldn't help myself though. I wanted to get to know her while she was in town. Maybe convince her to stay for longer.
Her lips dropped apart and I thought she was going to refuse. I'd understand if she did. I wouldn't like it, but I'd understand.
"You know what, that sounds good," she said. "I've spent too many years doing what people expect me to do. I want to be more spontaneous. Dinner it is."
A slow grin crept onto my face. "Great. I know a place." Obviously, since the town only had a handful of places to eat out.
I looked back down as the can emptied down the funnel and into her car.
"There's just one problem," she said. "This is literally all I have to wear." She gestured down at Morgan's oversized clothes.
"Not a problem," I said. "I sent off a message before we left. A couple of the girls in town are your size. They're happy to help you out too."
Paisley looked like she might cry. "That really is sweet. They say small towns are different. I've never seen it before, but…"
"When you live close to everyone, you have to play nice," I said, only half-joking. "We don't mind doing it." I screwed the lid back on the gas can and pulled out the funnel. "I'll follow you."
In case she got herself into any further trouble, I wanted to be there to pull her out of it.
"I'll see you back in town then." She slipped into the car and turned the engine over. It started effortlessly, humming like a vehicle that was well taken care of.
"I'll be right behind you." I tapped a hand on the roof of the car and stepped back to let her pull away. For now.
If I could, I'd make sure that was the last time she left me behind.