Packing Up Love (Insta Love Shy Girl Romance 2)

“Always happy to help,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “We saved these shelves from the landfill, so this is very environmentally responsible of us.” He gave me a tiny kiss on the forehead, then released me. “May I walk you home?”

I nodded, grabbing my coat and purse and locking up in a flash.

It was so natural to lace my fingers through his as we walked. It was so perfect chatting about our favorite spots in Toronto, the best bookstores, and rumors of a secret speakeasy lounge where you walk through a restaurant kitchen to enter.

When we paused at a street corner, I couldn’t even think as his big hands pulled me against him. I wanted him so badly. Yet I was so scared to jump into another relationship, and I’d already told him that. He really was pushy, and that terrified me. I was always the girl who did as she was told.

How could I grow and figure out who I was if I’d never been alone? If I had no space?

But then he kissed me and my body firmly kicked my brain out the door while I melted into Jason’s thick arms.

CHAPTER SIX

* Jason *

Her body against mine was perfection. Her soft curves belonged in my hands as I cupped her ass, drawing her close. It was nearly uncomfortable how much I needed her. Then I glanced down and saw doubt in her eyes.

“What is it, baby?”

“That,” she choked. She placed a hand on my chest as if she needed to keep us apart for a moment.

Instantly I raised my hands. “I’m sorry. What do you mean?”

“You calling me baby. And honey. I...” She looked like she was in anguish. “It’s too fast, and I just...” She was trembling, and I needed to hold her, but I had to give her space.

She couldn’t meet my eyes. “I know you must be a player. You’re the kind of guy that could easily get any woman he wants to do anything he wants. I don’t know why you’re behaving like we’re a couple already. Do you treat all of your flings like this?”

“Claire, you know you’re not a fling. You’re the girl I’ve been hoping to find someday.”

“But... You said that it was okay that we just had one night. I mean, I was sort of hoping for a little more, but I can’t be in a relationship right now.”

“You’re scared. I understand.”

“I also...” She paused, looking completely frustrated. “I don’t want to be your damsel in distress. Your little plaything for a few weeks until you find a shinier toy. What we had was one amazing night, and now, we’re just...”

“Claire, you’re right. I wasn’t honest at the beginning. I knew as soon as I kissed you that my heart would be yours. But I couldn’t walk away and let there be a possibility that you’d find someone else.”

She looked at me very strangely, a thousand questions in her eyes.

“Let me walk you to your door at least,” I said.

“Okay,” she said with a small nod.

“You know,” I said casually as we started up the street. “Apparently conversations held side by side can be helpful, since you’re aligned in the same direction.” She looked up at me with a tentative smile. “We both just want the same thing. For you to be happy. That’s not so crazy, right?”

“But what about you?” she asked. “You should be happy as well. And I’m pretty sure that would involve you with a girl who has her life together, and doesn’t need babysitting all the time.”

I shrugged, forcing myself to resist taking her hand. “I like helping. I like feeling useful. I’m a big strong guy, and it feels good to help anyone who needs it.” We turned the corner, and she seemed to be relaxing. “For the record, Claire, I help men too. Just last week I helped my neighbors carry a piano into their house.”

Her bright eyes smiled up at me. “How many guys does it take to carry a piano, anyway?”

“In this case, four and a half”

“How do you have half a guy?”

“Peter is really huge,” I chuckled. “Way bigger than me.”

She laughed brightly, and I was relieved that she seemed much more at ease.