I hesitated for a moment and then reminded myself that spending time with these people didn’t mean I had to bare my soul to them. “Sure. That sounds like fun.”
“Woohoo, girls’ night!” Jensen called, raising the bottle of wine triumphantly in the air.
“What’s going on?” The familiar, rough voice that sent a shiver down my spine sounded from my left.
Jensen threw an arm around my shoulders. “Well, big brother, lock up your friends, because Taylor and I are going out on the town on Saturday.”
Walker scrubbed a hand over his face. “Shit.”
Jensen released me and smacked her brother on the shoulder. “Language.” Turning back to me, she continued, “I’ll go open this and pour us each a glass.”
“Thanks.” It came out as a mumble because I was suddenly aware of every cell of my being and my proximity to Walker Cole.
His gaze traveled over my face and down my body, each movement feeling like a physical caress. “You look beautiful, Short-stack.”
I cleared my throat. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He moved closer until I could feel the heat of his body brushing up against mine. “I’m glad you came.” The words were low, only for us to hear.
“It was nice of your mother to invite me.”
Walker smirked. “So, it’s just my invites you turn down?”
“I—” I started, but was cut off by a cackle behind us.
Irma emerged from what looked like a study. “I love it! You two are going to make gorgeous babies, you know. And lots of them. Your whole house will be full.”
Heat filled my cheeks as I instinctively stepped back from Walker, creating space between us. I immediately felt cold.
Walker groaned. “Grandma, quit it with your crazy talk. You’re freaking Taylor out.”
Irma clucked her tongue at her grandson. “You know I’m a little bit psychic.”
Walker shook his head. “You are not. Predicting that our town’s little league team would win the state championship doesn’t make you psychic.”
Irma harrumphed. “I knew Sarah was the one for your father. Without my meddling, they never would have ended up together.”
“Whatever you say, Grandma.” Walker extended an arm. “Come on, Taylor, let’s go get you a drink.”
Once I had wine to sip, I was introduced to Walker’s father, Andrew, who seemed like a kind man. He had a quiet strength about him, similar to Walker’s own. Dinner passed in joyful chaos, and I was surprised to find that it wasn’t difficult to be there.
I had never experienced this kind of large family gathering before, one where people talked over and around one another, with three different conversations happening all at once. For as long as I could remember, it had only been my mom and me. My dad had left when I was two, and my mom’s parents had passed before I was born.
I wondered what it would have been like to have a sibling to share the burden of the last couple of years with. Or a father who gave a shit. I’d never know.
My life had never lacked in love, though. My mom worked herself to the bone to make sure I had everything a kid with two parents had. She was both mother and father. She was my everything.
I felt tears burn the backs of my eyes as I stared at my coffee cup. A hand brushed my shoulder, and I was suddenly jolted back to the present moment. We had finished dinner and were sitting in the living room, chatting. I turned to see the hand’s owner. Walker. He studied me with an intensity that made me want to squirm in my seat. I knew he saw more than I wanted him to. Time to go.
I forced a smile to my lips. “It’s getting late. I’d better get home. Thank you so much for dinner, it was delicious.”
Sarah beamed. “Thank you for coming. You’re welcome anytime.”
I rose from my seat, Walker doing the same.
Irma cleared her throat. She was studying me in the same way her grandson did—like she recognized something in me that I didn’t want identified. “Walker, why don’t you follow Taylor home. Make sure she gets there all right.”
My shoulders stiffened. “That isn’t necessary.”
Sarah stood from her chair, crossing the space to take my coffee cup. “Actually, that’s a great idea. The roads on our property are so dark. It would make me feel a lot better if I knew you got home safely.”
I was powerless against Sarah and her pleading eyes. I pressed my lips together and nodded.
I said my goodbyes to the rest of the family and headed for the door. A hand pressed against my lower back, and heat flared to life, my body tightening in response. How was it that my brain knew Walker was nothing but trouble and heartache for me, but my body yearned for his touch? There was a magnetic pull between us that had me fighting against leaning into his hand, curling into his side, and nuzzling his neck.
I dug my nails into my palms, hoping the pain would break the spell Walker wove around me. “Let’s go.” His voice was a low rumble, sending vibrations through my ear, and weaving his hold tighter around me.
I sucked in a breath and moved forward. I tried to rush without looking like I was doing so. I wanted to create some distance between us. I didn’t want the heat of his palm kissing my skin. The problem was, I was about a foot shorter than Walker. No matter how fast my little legs moved, they couldn’t seem to escape Walker’s long, forceful strides.
The walk to my car felt like an expedition up Everest, but we finally made it. I beeped my locks, and Walker opened my door. “Thank you.” It came out as a whisper.
His gaze was intense on my face. “You’re welcome. Do you want me to lead or follow?”
“Lead.” I was worried I’d drive off the road if I knew he was behind me, evaluating my driving, analyzing my face in the rearview mirror, seeing into my soul.
“All right.” He gently shut the door.