Just Fall (The Fall Series) by Annica Rossi

so freely, probably
since shortly after my dad passed away. I tried to keep everything locked
inside, especially from Jake. He had a hard time dealing with emotions, but I
knew he did the best he could. Raised with a strict military father and a
docile obedient mother, emotions had no place in his upbringing. The times I
did bare my soul to him, he nearly shut down. There were nights I spent sobbing
while lying next to him in bed, and all he could do was pull me close and hold
me next to him.  Somehow it was enough. It had to be, but lately that
connection was gone, and I felt lonely and afraid.
    “If
I pushed you too far, I’m sorry,” came Parker’s comforting whisper.
    Trying
to calm my ragged breathing enough to speak, I closed my eyes while he waited
patiently. Once I regained some composure, what came out of my mouth surprised
even me.
    “Parker,
before I saw you again I thought my life was just fine, but you’ve only been
here two days, and I’m questioning everything I thought was right. I’m
wondering if it was all just an illusion that I created to avoid dealing with
the truth.”
    Feeling
like I’d just made a life changing confession, I exhaled deeply. His silence
was unnerving. The muscles in his jaw tensed, and his eyes were full of
uncertainty.
    Swallowing
hard he grabbed my hand. “What is the truth?”
    My
eyes dropped to the ground. I couldn’t look at him, but he wouldn’t let me off
that easily. I felt his fingers brush my chin before lifting it, bringing my
eyes back to meet his. “The truth is that nothing is okay. The Grandview,
things with Jake…” I squeaked out the words and watched his face tighten with
worry as his jaw flinched again.
    “I
know things with Jake aren’t perfect,” anger flashed over his face, “but what’s
going on with The Grand?”
    The
more I spoke the more I realized this wasn’t the time or place to complicate
things between us. I had already revealed too much to this man. I was too
vulnerable. I tried to think of a way to avoid answering. Why am I confiding
in this practical stranger Am I really that needy?
    I
pushed him aside gently and took a few steps forward. Inhale. Exhale. I
tried to absorb the serenity of the view as I wiped my face and smoothed my
hands over my clothes. I needed to shake these feelings. I needed to get back
to Tom and Mary where I was safe from making matters worse.
    I
swallowed, trying hard to sound shaky, “We should get back before they wonder
what happened to us.”
    Disappointment
spread across his face, but he must have sensed not to push me any farther. “Yeah,
I guess we should.”
    I
was relieved.
    “But
you know…” the mischievous grin was back, “I could keep you right here for
hours.”
    “Really?”
I replied clearing my throat, my smile returning.
    “Yes,
really. The minute I saw that ponytail this morning all kinds of crazy thoughts
went through my mind. You haven’t seen half of them yet.” Dark desire burned in
his eyes, and I briefly remembered the look from the night on the sidewalk in
front of The Grand.
    The
ponytail? I would love to see what he had in mind…
    “The
deal was one hour,” I remind him playfully, “And although you’ve only kept me
here for about thirty minutes now,” I said looking at my watch, “I think its
best that we get back to the others. They’ll be worried.” I was torn. Part of
me wanted this moment to last. I wanted to feel the comfort of his arms around
me, the warmth of his chest against my cheek.
    “Kept
you here, huh? From what I see you aren’t restrained…although that can be
arranged if you like to play rough.”
    And
just like that the intensity returned. I pulled away, and he reeled me back in.
It was a game of temptation and anticipation, and I wanted to play along, but I
knew I shouldn’t. I was afraid to think of where it might lead. No, I knew
where it would lead. Instead I turned and started walking toward the entrance.
     

    We
made our way back to