Page 15 of Autumn Secrets
“I’m all right,” I said as my stomach grumbled loudly.
He slid me a quick look. “You’re hungry.”
“I really want to go home, if that’s okay?”
I could see him throw me a glance from the corner of my eye, before he concentrated back on the road. I had to practise a great deal of self-control to resist the urge to meet his gaze.
“Do you want to talk about what happened tonight?” he asked, again.
“Actually, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I was being paranoid. It’s silly to think I was being followed. You said it yourself: it was probably a homeless person standing there, and I didn’t actuallyseeanyone run after me. It was more a feeling…except for the footsteps, but I might have imagined them too. I don’t know.” I shook my head.
Adrian just nodded, but I could see a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“What so funny?” I asked, suddenly feeling embarrassed about this whole situation. He must think I was a crazy, and maybe I was.
“You threw a few good punches at me. I’m quite impressed.” He grinned.
“Oh…I’m so sorry, I hope I didn’t hurt you?” I blushed.
He threw his head back and laughed. “No, I’m not hurt. Don’t worry about me. However, I do feel maybe you owe me somehow…”
My eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Are you home alone?”
“Yes? My mum doesn’t finish work for a while.”
“Well, I would like to spend some more time with you. Let’s pick up some pizza.”
“I don’t think…”
“Aurora, I insist,” he said softly, and my whole body reacted to the tone of his voice; I nodded yes.
We stopped in at the local pizza joint and ordered some to go. It wasn’t until we turned off the main road and started driving along the back road towards the manor that it hit me: he hadn’t asked for directions. He clearly knew where he was going; my body went rigid in my seat.
“How do you know where you’re going?”
Adrian chuckled. “Relax, Aurora. Everyone knows where the Kinsley Manor is; it’s famous in Angel Falls. Besides, the Christmas market is down by the riding school. I come here every year.”
I exhaled. What was I thinking? That Adrian was somehow dangerous and wanted to harm me? I shook my head in frustration. I really needed to take it down a notch. “Of course. I’m sorry, I’m a little bit on edge tonight.” I laughed nervously.
After a few minutes of absolute darkness, the lights from the manor reached us between the trees. “Is it just you and your mum living here now?”
“Yes, Mr and Mrs Peters live on the other side of the property.”
“Do you ever get scared?”
“This is my home. Why would I be scared?” I replied with confidence.
He smiled. “I’m just checking. It’s a big house…”
“Yes, but this is my home. I know I’m safe here.”
Adrian parked the car outside our front door and turned the engine off, then looked at me. “Hungry?”
I swallowed and nodded. I was going to have pizza with Adrian Hunter,alone. Why on earth did I do this to myself? Well, it was too late now, and Iwasstarving. But I knew deep down that wasn’t my only excuse. I liked being around him no matter how hard I tried to deny it.
Adrian walked around and opened the car door for me. “After you.” I was acutely aware of how close we were, and I had to concentrate really hard on where to put my feet as we walked up the steps to the front door. With my luck, I’m surprised I didn’t fall over and completely embarrass myself. Once inside, I switched the alarm off and turned back to Adrian. He was leaning against the front door, watching me intently. He grinned. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”