Holding Out For a Hero

His head tilted and my cheeks warmed under his thoughtful regard. “I have no doubt there’ll be a next time.”

The unwavering conviction in his voice sent a tingle through my entire body. No one except my parents had ever expressed such complete belief in me before, and this guy didn’t even know me. I didn’t know what to say out loud, but I did know he was right. My life had changed thanks to a book I’d picked up simply because it tickled my funny bone. A book I hadn’t even read yet.

The silence stretched. The moment I realized I was staring at him like a woman denied dessert for far too long, I decided to speak now or forever look like an idiot.

“Well, I—”

“Would you—”

We both broke off with self-conscious laughs. I waited for him to speak first because I liked the beginning of his sentence better than mine.

“I was going to ask if you’d please let me replace that coffee now?” A hopeful note coated his sinful voice.

Yep, there were some days I couldn’t believe my luck. And this time I planned to embrace him—I mean, my luck—wholeheartedly. “You know, after the day I’ve had, that would be great.”

I took a step toward the street, anxious to sit down and get to know him.

“Wait—” He caught my arm. “You’re barefoot.”

“Um…yeah. Stupid, I know, but my heel broke on my walk home. Carrying both my shoes was easier than walking with one leg two inches shorter than the other.”

He reached out and touched the earlobe that was minus one of my favorite earrings. His fingers caressed my skin and skimmed along the underside of my jaw before he lowered his arm. “You really did have quite the day, didn’t you?” he asked softly.

I fought not to melt in front of him. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I’d love to hear all about it, just don’t move yet. There’s glass, and God only knows what else laying around here.”

I hadn’t thought of that. I searched for a clear path in the alley shadows cast by the street lights that’d flickered to life over the past ten minutes. My eyes widened. Had I really walked through all that garbage to get to Jerry?

My hero of the day stepped close and commanded, “Hold on.”

Before I could speculate his intentions, I found myself swept up into strong arms and held against his broad, muscled chest. I instinctively clung to his neck as he grinned down at me. “You want to call it a rescue, then I might as well do it right.”

McDreamy gorgeous and a sense of humor. I loved it. I inhaled the spicy allure of him reminiscent of this morning, and figured it was high time I learned the man’s name. “I’m Kelsie, by the way. Kelsie Newman.”

“Robert Woods, at your service, m’lady.”

I couldn’t hold back a soft, contented smile as he carried me across the street with long, sturdy strides. The clock had been tolling midnight all day, but I was no longer worried because I knew something the Fairy Godmother didn’t.

Robert Woods might not be Prince Charming, King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, or even Robin Hood, but he was close enough for this fairytale. You know…the one that starred me and my hero, and ended with a Happily Ever After of our own.

Good night, Bonnie Tyler. Sweet dreams and good luck.

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