Halfway There (Fool's Gold #9.75)(6)

Because of circumstances, Dellina had been forced to grow up fast and take on more responsibility than was comfortable. Fayrene had learned from that. She didn’t want to risk her dreams to the unexpected.

“You think if you have a solid enough plan, you won’t be surprised.”

Her mouth twisted. “Is it that obvious?”

“It’s not a big leap. Don’t get me wrong. I understand what you’re doing, and I respect it. You’re strong and determined.”

* * *

FAYRENE WISHED THERE was a way to unwind the past few minutes of conversation. She hadn’t meant to share so much with Ryan. She’d barely known the guy twelve hours and already he knew more than most.

“It’s not that I don’t want a family,” she murmured. “I do, of course. Just not now.”

He leaned back in his chair. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he told her. “I’m the guy who swore he’d never marry before he turned forty.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

He shook his head. “Scout’s honor.”

“Ha. Like I know if you were a boy scout.”

“Don’t I look the part?”

He looked mostly sexy and earnest. A very appealing combination.

He stood. “Come on. Let’s check on our new mother.”

Fayrene followed him into the living room. Misty was still sleeping, her three tiny kittens curled up next to her.

“She looks good,” he said.

“Thanks to you.”

He flashed her a smile. “Misty did most of the hard work.”

They settled on the sofa to watch a movie. Fayrene was careful not to sit too close, even though she wanted to. She was confused by how comfortable she felt around Ryan. It was as if she’d known him for years. At the same time, she was on alert—her body poised to tingle at a moment’s notice. The juxtaposition confused her.

They argued playfully about which movie to watch. Her selection was mostly chick flicks. Finally they found a not-too-grisly action movie on pay-per-view and settled in.

She picked through the Jelly Bellys left in the bowl. They were her “thing,” as much for the childhood memories as for the sweetness without too many calories. She loved the taste and she could still fit into her clothes in the morning. Unfortunately, they weren’t quite enough to distract her from the hunky guy sitting next to her on the sofa.

Was it her or had it gotten hot in here?

When the movie was over, Ryan stood and stretched. She allowed herself an eye-candy moment of admiring his broad chest and narrow waist before reminding herself it was impolite to stare.

“Whoa, look at that,” he said when he’d lowered his arms to his sides. He moved to an old boom box she kept on the bottom shelf of her bookcase. Most people didn’t even notice it was there. He moved the dial back and forth until he managed to tune in one of the local stations.

“Great antique,” he said when he saw her.

“It was my dad’s. I know it’s huge and hideous, but it makes me think of him.”

He stood. “I like it.”

On the radio, a low, masculine voice spoke. “This is Gideon, and we’re going to play oldies tonight. Like we do every night. I thought I’d start with a song that reminds me of a beautiful woman from my past. To the smartest woman I ever met. And here it is, by the Drifters.”

Fayrene was trying to figure out which song he was going to play. While she’d never been a fan of the oldies, her dad had liked them. He complained he’d been born in the wrong decade. That he would have been happier in the fifties, with great music and muscle cars. Then her mom would tease him about how he would have been too old for her.

She felt her throat tighten as blurry memories tried to focus. But it had been too long, she thought sadly, and she couldn’t see much more than shadows. Before she had to start fighting tears, Ryan pulled her close and started to dance with her.

“Who’s Gideon?” he asked, moving in time with the beat. He held her just tight enough to make her want to snuggle closer and loose enough that she didn’t feel pressured.

“He’s new in town,” she said, aware the memories were fading and content to let them retreat for the night. “There are a lot of rumors about him. Everyone says he was in the military and did some really dangerous things.”

“I like his taste in music.”

Ryan’s shirt was soft under her fingers, his body warm. Being next to him made her forget everything else—her past, her plan. There was only the gentle sway of the dance, the rhythm of the song and an unexpected yearning.

His dark gaze settled on her face; then he lowered his head a few inches and lightly kissed her.

The brush of his mouth against hers was light as breath. He didn’t push, didn’t claim. He teased, then drew back and put his hand on the back of her head, so she rested her cheek on his shoulder.

Fayrene closed her eyes. Wanting spun through her, igniting nerves and making her long for more than the chaste kiss. But instead of reacting to that, she stayed where she was, enjoying the sense of being taken care of. Of being safe. Even if it was just for the night.

But when the song ended, Ryan drew back. He gave her a quick smile, murmured “good night” and was gone before she could figure out if she wanted him to stay or not. And wasn’t that just like a man?