When he pulled into his driveway, my jaw fell open. “It’s gorgeous,” I breathed. “You live here?”
“Yes,” he said, parking the car and grabbing my backpack to lead me inside.
It was so grand that I instantly felt nervous. Whose entry foyer actually had a marble floor and a chandelier? This house was big enough for at least ten people. “Is there anyone else here?” I asked.
“Mrs. Henderson?” he called out loudly. There was no answer. “I have a cleaning lady who comes three times a week and cooks for me. But she’s usually only here in the morning.”
Now that we were safely in his home, something about Taylor softened. His shoulders were looser, and his hands were more relaxed.
“You put up a tough guy front for the outside world, don’t you?” I asked. “Why is that?”
I felt his warmth as he came closer, running his hand down my hair. The smallest gestures, the tiniest touches, were all felt so deeply, as if my body was ten steps ahead of my mind.
“Yes, I do,” he said gently. “But I’m going to try to be softer for you, Alice.”
6
_____
Taylor
My mind was racing as I led Alice into the living room. I didn’t think my home was particularly over the top, but the way she was staring open-mouthed at every single detail, I guess she wasn’t used to any level of opulence.
That was going to change. I needed my sweet girl to experience all of the finer things in life. And I had to make sure that my train of thought was on the right set of tracks before I went any farther.
I sat on the sofa, pulling her close beside me. “Alice, you feel this between us too, right? It’s not just me?”
She nodded, those dreamy, smoky eyes making my insides feel strangely out of place.
“I wasn’t looking for a woman in my life. But the second I saw you on that stage, something shifted. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like there was a part of my mind that had been asleep, and seeing you made everything wake up for the first time.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I probably sound like an idiot.”
“No, not at all,” she said softly. She reached out to thread her fingers through mine. I’d never really held anyone’s hand for any length of time before. I’d always thought that it was a strangely emasculating gesture. Now I loved the connection.
“You’re not an idiot, you’re romantic,” she said. “I like it.”
“So this is real?” I asked hopefully. “This isn’t just for the show?”
“Not at all just for the show,” she said with a tiny, light laugh. “Here I was worried that I’d have some creepy guy drooling all over me and I’d have to put up with it in order to win.”
“We haven’t established completely that I’m not a creep, but I will do my best not to drool,” I chuckled. “Alice, why do you need to win so badly? You need the extra money?”
She nodded. “I work as many hours as I can, but it’s exhausting juggling two jobs plus school. And it’s hard to sleep when the guys are playing games at top volume all nig
ht.”
Alice shook her head, causing tendrils of hair to wave around her throat. “I shouldn’t complain. I know a lot of people have it worse. I was lucky to get into university at all.”
“Why are you studying art?” I asked. “Are you an artist yourself?”
“I wish. I mean, I’ve taken some painting classes, and it’s fun, but I have no natural talent at it. But I really appreciate all kinds of art. I’d love to find new ways to help the average person appreciate art more as well.”
“And going to Italy to study some of your favorite artists is going to help you with your degree?”
Her head tipped from side to side. “I don’t think I’ll ever have enough money. But it was a much more charming answer in front of the cameras. Nobody wants to hear how some student is afraid she can’t afford tuition next term and is facing three months of boxed macaroni and cheese for dinner.”
I held her hand to my heart while staring into her eyes. “Listen, Alice. I’m falling for you hard. I would never have expected this in a million years. But no matter what happens between the two of us, I want you to finish school, and not be stressed about it. May I pay your tuition for next semester?”