Adrenaline (Speed Series Book 2)(53)

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. I already knew this was her defense mode. One she probably learned early on when she pretended everything was okay. “Well, it’s hard to stand there when your mother is shooting me daggers. If looks could kill I’d have fallen over.”

I let out a dry laugh. “I talked to her about that. She knows how I feel about you and how much you mean to me. I’m pretty sure she won’t be giving you that response again.”

Paislie swallowed hard. “H-how do you feel about me, Malcolm? What’s happening here, because I’m all kinds of confused. Earlier when we were together, I’ve never experienced those emotions before and I’m going to be honest with you, it scares the hell out of me. I don’t think . . . I mean . . . I know I couldn’t take it if you were to break my heart. Not you, Malcolm. You’re the only person I’ve let in since my father left me and . . . I just . . .”

Her chin trembled and for the first time I saw vulnerability there I had never seen before. I dropped the cane and cupped her face within in my hands. Our eyes searched one another’s face before her emerald eyes pierced my blue.

“Look into my eyes, Paislie. I’ve never felt like this about anyone.”

“No one?” she asked, almost as if she expected a different answer from me.

“No one. Do you have any idea of how you’ve made me go almost out of mind since the first time you bumped into me. My life has been turned upside down. You’re all I think about. You’re the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing when I fall asleep.”

A single tear rolled down her cheek as I used my thumb to wipe it away. “Paislie, please give me a chance to prove to you how much I’ve fallen for you.”

Her lips pressed together as she attempted to hold back a sob. She slowly shook her head. “What are you saying, Malcolm?”

I never in a million years thought I would be uttering the words I was about to say. “I’m falling in love with you, Paislie.”

Her breath expelled as she grabbed onto me to keep her balance. “Um . . . I um.”

I wrinkled my brow and said, “Damn . . . I was kind of hoping you would say the same thing back to me.”

More tears as she gave me the biggest grin I’d ever seen as she softly said, “I think I fell in love with you on my first date with Deuce. Something about the stars and that kiss.”

I couldn’t hold back my own smile as I pressed my lips to hers. The kiss started off slow and gentle. Our tongues dancing in a perfect rhythm as a low growl formed at the back of my throat.

Before things got out of hand, I took a step back. Both of us gasping for air as we stared at each other. “What are you doing to me?” I asked.

Her lips formed a wicked smile. “The same thing you’re doing to me apparently.”

My eyes glanced over to Black Jack. She had been talking to him when I walked in. “Black Jack here is an old friend of mine. First horse I ever bought.”

Her eyes filled with excitement. “How about we go for a ride?”

Wiggling my eyes, I said, “Okay! I’ll meet you in your room.”

She lightly hit me on the chest. “Stop! You know what I meant. Want to take a few horses out?”

My right hand hit my chest as I let out an exaggerated gasp. “You ride? If you say yes, I’m marrying you this very second.”

Paislie rolled her eyes and walked toward the tack room. “St. Patrick’s had a camp every summer I went to. I quickly found out horses made me happy. I forgot everything the moment I got on one. I love horses.”

Jesus . . . I just fell a little more for her.

“You can saddle ’em up?”

She glanced over her shoulder and shot me a dirty look. “Excuse me? You don’t think I’ve got a little bit of country in me, Mr. Wallace?”

With a crooked smile, I shook my head. “No. I don’t think you’ve got it in you, city girl.”

Her left eye narrowed as she thought for a moment. “What will you give me if I prove you wrong?”

“I’ll let you pick.”

Her mouth slightly opened and I was pretty sure I heard something in the form of a growl come from the back of her throat. “Have a seat, baby, while I show you what this city girl can do.”

A few minutes later Black Jack and Snowflake were both saddled and ready to go as Paislie stood before me with a look of satisfaction plastered across her face.

“Are you able to get up on him okay?” she asked with concern in her eyes.

I dropped the cane and used my good leg to mount Jack. He wasn’t used to me mounting from the other side and tried to take a few steps back, only to have Paislie instantly calm him down. She talked softly to him and I couldn’t believe how he seemed to be mesmerized by her voice.

“Even the damn horse likes you.”

She snickered as she got on Snowflake.

“Where to?”

I motioned for her to follow me as we took off down one of the trails that went all over the ranch. This one happened to lead to a small lake on the property. As we rode along the trail, we fell into an easy conversation. Paislie mentioned some ideas for therapy and I could really hear it in her voice the passion she had for her job.

“Will you answer something honestly, Paislie?”