She pulled away from Seth, putting a bit of distance between them. There was already so much focus on her, and the entire family seemed to be watching and holding their breath to see what would happen between Dillon and Seth.
Already she regretted her hastily given promise. This was a close-knit family, and she was a nobody. It was already uncomfortable, and she hadn’t even exchanged more than a few words with Dillon. The last thing she wanted was to b
e a bone of contention.
Her throat narrowed and the air felt too hot squeezing through her windpipe. Her instinct was to flee, and she only fought the compulsion for the barest of seconds before she murmured a faint excuse and turned back toward the kitchen.
She’d said she needed something to drink, but she didn’t even pause. She opened the back door and stepped into the crisp mountain air. Inhaling sharply, she savored the tang of pine and the cool relief as air flowed easily into her lungs.
When had she become such a mouse? This nervous, hesitant person was a stranger to her. She’d become someone she no longer recognized. A shell of the young woman who’d once held the world in her hands.
The truth of the matter was, she was angry. Angry at herself. The instant she’d walked into the living room and faced the Colter family, saw Dillon staring at her so intently and knowing of the conversation she’d just had with Seth, she’d immediately felt unworthy.
Unworthy.
And why?
“You deserve to be happy, Lily,” she whispered. “Quit punishing yourself for past sins. ”
“Very sound advice. ”
She jerked her head around to see Dillon standing just behind her. She hadn’t even heard him come out the door. Warily, she edged sideways, her gaze never leaving him.
His eyes darkened with regret, and he ran a hand through his short, spiky hair. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Lily. ”
She frowned slightly, unsure of how to take his apology.
He took a step forward. “At any time. Before in the bar, and now. I’ve made you uncomfortable and that’s the last thing I ever want to do. Seth’s ready to kick my ass, and the truth is, I deserve it. ”
“Seth said…”
“What did he say?”
“He said a lot of things. About him and you and Michael. About your family. About your…feelings…for me. ”
Dillon shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Then a slight gleam entered his eyes, and he glanced back toward the house. “Want to go take a ride with me? On my bike?”
She blinked. “Your bike?”
“Yeah, I drive a Harley. Well, I have a truck too, but the bike is a hell of a lot more fun to ride when the weather’s good. ”
She hesitated. This became more surreal by the minute. She expected at any moment to wake up from a dream. Everything seemed so random. Something different at every turn.
Embrace it, Lily. Live, for God’s sake. Two days ago you were living alone in an alley with the knowledge that you’d always be alone. Now you don’t have to be. Even if it’s only for a little while, savor it.
“I want to spend some time with you, Lily. Just you and me. No Seth. No Michael. Nothing to confuse the issue. I don’t want to know what Seth said about me or my feelings. I don’t care. What I care about is exploring this thing between you and me. Because my feelings—whatever they are—will be explained by me. Not my brother. ”
“And no one will mind if we just…disappear?”
He grinned—a cocky, self-assured grin—that did funny things to her insides. In that moment she caught a glimpse of the mischievous rebel that was part and parcel of his image.
“Do we need their permission?”
She smiled. “No, I suppose not. Although I don’t want Seth to worry. He wasn’t happy that I went riding with Callie with my arm. ”
Dillon’s eyes darkened as his gaze swept down her shoulder and then he frowned. “Where is the sling?”
She rolled her eyes. “I took it off. I don’t need it. ”
“I’ll be careful with you. All you have to do is hug tight to me and keep your shoulder against my back. ”
The idea of being so intimately pressed to him sent a flutter of awareness through her veins. Her belly clenched and adrenaline spiked, sending a warm flush over her skin and deeper until she was aware of the slow thud of her pulse.
Dillon tilted his head in the direction of the house. “They’re used to my craziness. They won’t even blink. Seth might get uptight, but he’s already had you to himself. If he’s so keen for this to work, he’s going to have to deal. ”
He held out his hand, and for a moment she stared at it, studying the long fingers and the roughness of his palm. Carefully she slid her hand over his, absorbing the sensation of the spark that leapt between them.
He curled his thumb over the top of her hand and rubbed up and down before tightening his fingers around hers.
“Come with me, Lily. ”
His voice lowered and there was sensual enticement in the simply stated plea.
“If you’ll let Seth know where we’re going,” she said by way of agreement.
Again the cocky smile flashed and he tugged at her hand. “All right then. Let’s go face them together. Did the dads feed you?”
She nodded.
“Okay, then I’ll feed you dinner later. I’m a pretty good cook and not just the bar food we serve up at the pub. I’ll promise Seth to have you home at a decent hour. ”