“Okay. Don’t forget to give Michael your number.”
Alexa ended the call and looked out toward the window so that Michael couldn’t see her blushing.
After some minutes had passed and they were getting close to the dance hall, Michael asked, “So are you going to do as your sister said?”
She turned toward him, uncertain what he meant by that comment. The way he glanced from her and then back to the road with a sm
ile made her belly quiver. She noticed how big his hands were as he gripped the wheel with one hand while his other rested on his thigh.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she stated as he pulled into the parking lot of Dixie Chix.
He placed the truck in park, pulled off his seat belt, and stared at her.
His expression was firm, but he seemed kind of nervous. She reached for the handle to open the door.
“Wait. You didn’t answer my question, darling. Your sister told you to give me your number.”
Her eyes widened, and suddenly a panicked feeling filled her belly.
“Oh, no, she didn’t. She wasn’t saying that. Hey, thanks for the ride. I appreciate it. Take care.” She hopped out, closed the door and hurried across the parking lot.
Oh God, I can’t believe that just happened.
Chapter 4
“What are you doing with all her stuff if she left it in the truck?” Chad asked as he leaned against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He appeared to be smirking at Michael.
“I’m going to get it back to her. Damn, Chad, she is so skittish and shy. She’s just a petite young thing and she’s scared of thunder and lightning storms.”
Chad looked at Michael strangely. “What do you mean scared? Like really scared like a kid?”
“Oh, she’s no kid. She got so scared she jumped into my arms when the thunder struck.”
“You mean you got to touch her?”
Michael smiled as he nodded his head.
“She’s all woman, Chad. There’s just something about her that calls to me. It’s incredible. I get all nervous around her, and I feel like I’m walking on eggshells, and at any moment I could say something or do something that would make her bolt.” Michael shook his head as he looked over her new camera. It was expensive, and he had apparently frazzled her when he confronted her about getting her number. He chuckled.
“Tell me about it. At least you got to have a conversation with her up close. I was about to walk over to her the other night at Dixie Chix, and she must of known my intentions because she hauled ass out of there faster than lightning.”
Michael thought about that a moment, and a feeling of concern and uneasiness filled his gut. He recalled when he reached for her to touch her cheek and she flinched, closing her eyes tight as if expecting him to strike her. It was just a gut feeling, but he trusted his instincts.
“Hey, what’s that angry look about?”
Michael explained his observations and how he felt.
Now his brother appeared just as upset.
Chad uncrossed his arms and walked closer to the island where Alexa’s belongings were.
“You think someone hurt her and that’s why she’s so skittish?”
Michael took a deep breath then exhaled. “I don’t like the thoughts that are going through my head. To think of it, I may have scared her with my abrupt tone. You know I don’t have tolerance for wasting time? I may have scared her by being bossy or something. I don’t know. Plus she was talking about someone named Mel, and suddenly I was filled with jealousy. It was fucking crazy, Chad. I never had an instant emotion like that to a woman before.” Michael ran his hand through his hair then shook his head. He’d scared her, and if she had been in some kind of bad situation with a boyfriend before, he probably scared her off good.
“Well who the hell is Mel? Maybe he’s the one who hit her?” Chad asked as he began to pace in front of the island.
“No, Mel is the car.”