Scarlet Fever - Hill Country 2 (4 page)

She stepped back from him slowly, talking all the while.
 
“It’s all right, Alex.
 
Don’t think another thing about it.
 
Eavesdroppers never hear well about themselves.
 
Besides, everything that you said about me is true, except I’ll be very careful not to drool on you, or Bobby.
 
The good news is that there has been a change in plans.”
 
She smiled at him weakly, still backing up.
 
“I’ve decided it would be smarter if I got a hotel room in town, close by a fabric store.
 
That way, it would save me trips into town to buy things that I need for the dresses that I’m trying to finish.
 
I really only stopped by to do a fitting on my sister, then I’ll be on my way.
 
Do you think I could see her, please?”
 
By the time she had finished speaking, she had put at least ten feet between them.
    

Scarlet realized that she was talking way too fast.
 
All she could think about was getting back into her car and putting as much distance between herself and Alex as possible.
 
Thoughts of the bucket list, seducing Alex, taking joy in being a part of a real family for a few days – all of this flew right out of her mind.
 
She just wanted out of here!

“Dresses?
 
What dresses?”
 
Alex couldn’t think straight.
 
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her face.
 
She was everything he had initially dreamed she would be.
 
And stupid oaf that he was, he had ruined it before she even walked through his door.
 
A lump formed in his throat as he watched her quickly swipe a few tears from her face.
 
Alex winced at the fact that Scarlet was doing her best to hide the hurt that she was feeling.
 
Hurt that he had inflicted.
 
Alex’s chest tightened.
 
He wasn’t used to hurting small, precious things.
   

“I’ve made the bridal gown and the maid of honor gown, but they still need to be fitted.”
 
Scarlet couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.
 
Instead, she worried her full bottom lip with her teeth, all the while studying the interesting details of the sidewalk.

“God, Scarlet.
 
I had no idea you were sewing the gowns.
 
No wonder you needed to come early.”
 
Alex mentally castigated himself for his stupidity.
 
In all of his years, he had never been so clumsy with someone else’s feelings.
 
Cursing himself, he racked his brain for the words to say to make it better.
 
“Come inside with me, please.
 
Annalise should be here any minute.
 
And no one wants you to leave.
 
You are more than welcome to stay with us.
 
I want you to stay here with me.”
 

She was unfailingly polite, but adamant.
 
“Thank you, but I’m sure it would be better if I stayed in town.
 
It’s such a lovely day and you have a fabulous yard.
 
Would it be all right if I waited out here?”
 
She motioned to a nearby bench.
 

“Of course.”
 
He looked over at her little car.
 
It was obvious that she had intended to stay at
The Lost Maples
; her luggage was sitting beside the left back tire.

She left all of the boxes where they lay and made her way to the rustic wooden bench.
 
Alex followed.
 
When she realized that he was aiming to join her, she blanched.
 
“Oh, please.
 
Don’t feel like you have to baby-sit me.”
 
He noted her use of his unfortunate choice of words.
 
“I don’t mind waiting alone.
 
Please, go and do whatever you’d be doing if I weren’t here.
 
I promise that I’ll stay out of your way.”
 
She wasn’t being coy or sarcastic.
 
Alex could tell that she was truly contrite, thinking that her small presence in his life was causing him problems.
 
Alex felt like the biggest heel in the world.

He sat down by her, feeling her draw up and scoot to the very, far edge of the seat.
 
Alex bent over, holding his head in his hands.
 
For a moment they sat in silence.
 
“Scarlet, I love your sister as if she were my own.
 
I would do anything in the world for her.
 
If she finds out that I’ve made such a mess of things with you, she is going to be devastated.”
 
Rising up, he turned his big body until he could look her in the eye.
 
“Is there any way in the world that we can start over?”

For a few moments, Scarlet didn’t know what to say.
 
Her chest felt funny, and she was having problems getting a deep breath.
 
Her skin felt tingly from just being close to this incredible man.
 
She could tell that he was sincere, and what the heck, she had nothing to lose.
 
She could afford to be nice.
 
In fact, considering that she might be meeting her maker, sooner rather than later – it might pay to turn the other cheek as the Good Book required.
 
Bucking up her courage, she gave him a real smile.
 
“All right.
 
But, please don’t feel bad if my staying here isn’t convenient.
 
I’m sure that Annalise will be fine with my staying in town.”
 
Scarlet refused to think about the cost.
 
She would deal with it, somehow.
 

Before he could stop himself, Alex knelt in front of her.
 
It was odd, but every muscle in his body was clamoring to get close to her.
 
He had to stiffen his joints, just to stop the reflexive action of reaching out to pull her close.
 
“I want you to stay.
 
After all, this is a B & B; we have more than enough room.”
 
He slowly reached out and rubbed one strong finger down the back of her hand.
 
“Please, Scarlet.”

He heard her breath catch in her throat.
 
Licking her little pink tongue out over her rosebud lips, she spoke softly.
 
“If you’re sure it won’t be too much of an imposition.
 
I never meant to be a burden.
 
And to clarify a point, I always intended to leave the day after the wedding.
 
Actually, I have reservations and an itinerary.
 
It never crossed my mind to ask you to show me around or take me anywhere, really.”
 
He counted six freckles that played along the bridge of her nose and he saw thick long eyelashes that shyly shielded eyes that he swore were the deepest sapphire blue he could ever remember seeing.
 
He was totally enchanted.
 

Funny.
 
Before, all Alex had been concerned about was avoiding Scarlet.
 
Now, all he could think about was excuses to be around her.
 
Taking her hand in his, he entwined their fingers.
 
She watched their hands, mesmerized.
 
“Sweetheart, everything that I said before was a pile of crap!
 
I’ve stupidly hurt you with words that meant absolutely nothing.
 
I was frustrated with other people and little things that were going wrong.
 
I was just spouting off.
 
Please say that you can forgive me and forget I ever said any of those hateful words.”
 
He looked so sad; her heart went out to him.

Before she could stop herself, she touched him.
 
Covering his big, strong hand with her own, she offered him comfort.
 
Not being familiar with the sexual arousal of a man, she was completely oblivious to the effect that the simple touch had on Alex.
 
“There’s nothing to forgive.
 
And life is much too short to dwell on unhappiness.
 
Let’s pretend it never happened.
 
You’re very important to Annalise, and I’d never want to do anything to make any of you uncomfortable.”
 

Much to Alex’s dismay, she moved her hand.
 
He searched her face for any sign that she had been coming on to him, but there was none.
 
Damn!
 
“So, you’ll agree to stay in the main house, with us, like you originally planned?
 
None of this talk about going to a motel or anything?”

Scarlet answered very carefully.
 
“Only if you’re absolutely sure.”
 
She stopped talking.
 
Dizziness washed over her.
 
“Alex, could I trouble you for a glass of water?”
 
Scarlet felt like her blood pressure was through the roof; and her mouth was so dry, she felt like her lips might be cracking.
 
She knew that these were warning signs that, soon she ought to lie down and take it easy, but there was too much to do.
 
Living with kidney problems was a hassle.
 

Alex was up like a shot.
 
A few moments later, he was back with a tall glass of iced water.
 
“Here, love.
 
Are you OK?”
 
This was pitiful.
 
Here he was, a man who made a good portion of his living being a good host, and he had treated this sweet girl like an unwanted intruder.
 
First, he had made her feel totally unwelcome, and second, he hadn’t even had enough manners to offer her a simple glass of water.
 

He watched her drink, jealous of the glass that felt the touch of her lips.
 
“I’m fine.
 
It was a long drive, that’s all.”
 
She wasn’t about to tell him her problems, pity was one thing that she could live without.
 
And now that she had accepted the foolishness of even considering a sexual connection with him, there would be no reason for him to know any of the shameful details.
 

“Since you’ve decided to stay, can we go in and get you settled?”
 
His voice was gentle and sweet, making her want to lean into his magnificent body and make herself at home.
  

“Yes.
 
Of course.
 
I’m sure there are better things you could be doing than sitting with me.”
 
She stood up, not altogether sure on her feet.
 
Alex reached out a hand to steady her, sorely tempted to just sweep her up into his arms and head for his bedroom.

Instead, he settled for one more touch.
 
Allowing his fingers to trail along her cheek, he got her full attention.
 
“There is no where I’d rather be than with you.
 
You are the sweetest, sexiest thing that I’ve seen in many a day, and I fully intend to spend as much time with you as possible.”
 
When she didn’t reply, he went a little farther.
 
“Are you seeing anybody, Scarlet?”

Scarlet couldn’t breathe.
 
He was standing so close.
 
And, God help her, she wanted to be closer.
 
Heat emanated from his body in waves and it was all she could do to remain upright.
 
It was as if his body were a powerful magnet and she was a helpless, hapless piece of metal; completely vulnerable to his attraction.
 
He waited for an answer.
 
What was the question?
 
Oh, yeah.
 
Wetting her lips, she answered.
 
“Of course not.
 
I’m the church mouse.
 
Remember?
 
The spinster.
 
The old-maid in the making.
 
You thought you were being insulting, but you only spoke the truth.
 
So, please don’t think that you have to say things to flatter me.
 
I’m not used to it, and I certainly don’t expect it.”
 

Her answer had flowed in a heated whisper.
 
She couldn’t take her eyes off of his lips.
 
They were so beautiful.
 
All she wanted was one taste.
 
One taste.
 
Just to see if they could possibly be as sweet as they looked.
 
Seeing her focus, Alex groaned his own hunger.
 
There was no way in hell that he was going to be able to resist her.
 
Placing a hand on the small of her back, he pulled her close.
 
A tender little gasp escaped her throat.