Page 62 of Coerced

She bit her lip, realizing she’d inadvertently shared something she might not have shared under different circumstances. “On my way home.”

I lifted my chin slightly with understanding, feeling more hope flourish. “Tiny needed to go out. It’s not common for him, for any of my dogs, to need to go out so late, but I guess it was perfect timing for this situation. I’d just let him in and was about to head upstairs when I saw your headlights.”

“And you didn’t climb your stairs?”

I laughed. There it was. We both had inadvertently shared more than we intended to tonight. “I didn’t.”

She tipped her head to the side, her eyes searching my face in the moonlight. “Why not?”

I couldn’t lie to her, but I wasn’t sure I should tell her the full truth, either. “I didn’t see you today, so I thought I’d catch a glimpse of you before I crawled into my bed.”

She licked her lips, her eyes drifting down away from my face. Her fingertips absentmindedly stroked along the skin on my back as her gaze settled on my chest. Aria’s eyes closed briefly, something I couldn’t read washing over her, and when she opened them again, she spoke. Her voice was throaty as she said, “Thank you for stepping in to help me tonight, Paxton.”

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

“Let’s hope you never have to, though.”

I couldn’t disagree with her there. As much as I liked having her wrapped up in my arms right now, I would have preferred it to be for a different reason. “Are you going to be okay tonight?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I think I’ll be alright once I get inside.”

I smiled at her and jerked my head toward her house. “Come on. I’ll walk you there.”

Hating that I had to do it, but knowing it was necessary, I loosened my hold on her and instantly felt the loss. To ease what I was feeling, I took her by the hand and led her to her front door.

Then she looked up at me and smiled, sending that dimple my way.

God, I wanted to kiss her.

Maybe, if she hadn’t just experienced what she had, I might have done it. But I didn’t want to take advantage of her being vulnerable right now. So, I smiled back and gave her hand a squeeze.

I could have sworn I saw disappointment flash in her expression, but it happened so fast, I might have been mistaken. Aria looked away and focused her attention on opening her door.

Once she pushed it open, she looked back at me and said, “Thank you, again, Paxton.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Okay. I’ll… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe.”

“Do you work?”

“Yeah.”

“At the deli and the bar?” I asked.

“Yes. But I’m working the later shift at the deli, so I get to sleep in a bit tomorrow morning.”

Damn.

I had hoped she’d be off from the bar so I could invite her to do something with me. “Alright, I’ll let you get inside and get to bed, then.”

Her eyes remained locked on mine for several long beats, neither of us uttering a single word. But eventually, she broke the silence. “Goodnight, Paxton.”

“Goodnight, Aria.”

With that, I stepped back and walked away, preparing myself for the fact I’d be staying up tomorrow night until I knew she was safe at home again.

Aria