Chance Encounter(16)

“Brian is fine,” he said. “Though I’m not responsible for him.”

No, neither was she, but that didn’t stop her from thinking about him, and worrying. It was a bad habit, wanting to fix the world, and everyone in it. Ex-habit, she reminded herself. She was no longer in the business of fixing anything or anyone except her own life. “I think maybe I should go catch some sleep.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “How long are you going to do this?”

“What?”

“Stay here and play at doing Lucy’s job.”

“As long as it takes. And I’m not playing, I want to do it right.”

“That’s not possible. You got lost today in your own shadow.”

“You’re not exactly tame, you know. Why do you object to my new sense of adventure so much?”

He was shocked at her question. “Because I know what I’m doing. You, on the other hand, you’re a walking nightmare.”

“I can do this,” she insisted. When would people stop doubting her? Stabbing a finger to his chest, she said, “I came here to work, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

He grabbed her finger, and short of a tug-of-war, she couldn’t get it back. So she tried to look like it was an everyday occurrence to be holding hands with a near stranger. A tall, gorgeous, enigmatic stranger, one who thought she was a piece of fluff, one she was feeling a completely unacceptable attraction for. “I can be of help, Chance,” she said. “If you’d only let me.”

“Tall order for a woman who doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

“I know how to wing it, and I’ve got determination on my side.”

“You mean stubbornness.”

“I’m going to be a good GM. I’m going to show the staff how good attitude works, and I’m going to show Brian how to learn to belong.”

“And what makes you an expert on juvenile delinquents?”

“What makes you an expert?” Bold question, considering she didn’t even know this big, rugged man with the glittering eyes so intent on her, but something reckless made her want to push him.

“I’m not,” he said grimly, dropping her hand. “And don’t want to be.”

The night had turned chilly. The evening sounds hadn’t abated, neither had the wind. And yet Ally was mesmerized by Chance’s gaze, so much so that she couldn’t have turned and walked away if she’d wanted to. Hidden fire, hidden pain, she realized with a shock.

His gaze held both.

And so had Brian’s.

She nearly fell off the wagon right then and there, nearly let herself forget her new resolve, nearly let her heart jump into the fray, but she got a grip.

She was done taking care of people. She was! And anyway, Chance was completely self-reliant. Capable. Confident.

But God help her, she was drawn to those very things. Of its own free will, her gaze landed on his mouth. And of its own free will, her mind wandered…wondered.

He shook his head. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop looking at me like that.” His voice was little more than a growl.

“Like…what?”

“Like you want to be kissed.” Eyes glittering, he took a step forward, so that barely an inch separated them, and she had to tilt her head up to see his face. Now if she so much as took a breath, their bodies would touch, chest to chest, thigh to thigh, and everywhere in between.

She didn’t breathe. “I don’t. Want to be kissed, that is.” Much. She cleared her throat. “And I wasn’t thinking any such thing.”

“Liar.” He tilted his head. Their mouths lined up perfectly.

Not that she was noticing.

He held himself perfectly still. So did she. Every single part of her was at war.

Kiss me.

Don’t kiss me.

Kiss me.

“You weren’t wondering?” he murmured. “Wondering what it would be like?”

“No.”

“Wondering if maybe you could not like me and still want to kiss me?”

“No!”

“What about that hug?”

“What hug?”

“The one Lucy asked you to give me.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. “I’ve been waiting for it.”

She remembered Lucy’s request at the hospital. Give Chance a hug for me. Not likely, not even if a part of her really wanted to feel all that dark, edgy beauty against her. “You’ll be waiting a darn long time! And anyway, you’re with Jo—” She broke off when he choked, then laughed. It was a full-belly gut laugh. Directed at her. “Why is that so funny, I’d like to know? I’d never…lust after a man who belonged to another woman.” Or at least admit to it.

That made him laugh harder, but he finally got control of himself and simply grinned at her. “I’m not with Jo.”

She went into self-denial over the relief that washed through her.

“I’m not another woman’s man. I’m not anyone’s man.” His grin spread. “And you’re really blushing now, you should see it.”

Yes, she could feel the heat of it on her skin. How gentlemanly of him to point it out.

“Was it having to lie about not wanting to kiss me?” he wondered. “Or having to use the word…lust?” He whispered the last word in a high falsetto, in a perfect imitation of herself.