Page 23 of The Dare

Like she should be.

But I don’t want to be a stranger. I want her to be mine and I hers.

I guess it is kinda crazy to expect anyone to just go along with that within minutes of actually meeting.

“I overheard your mom saying she’s not traveling through to the end of your trip?” I ask, changing the subject for her benefit.

“Yeah, she’s gonna stay with my dad,” she says, awkward suddenly. “…They’re trying to patch things up after a long break,” she adds, twisting her mouth and going quiet.

Then it hits me, and not because of anything she’s just said. It’s just a fact.

I’m forty-three.

Old enough tobeher father, and here I am acting like a teenager.

“How old are you?” I ask her. I have to know, otherwise, it’ll only eat away at me.

“I’m thr-” she says, but changes her mind. “I’m twenty-one,” she says softly, almost a mumble. Her expression grows vacant, all the passion and excitement from the kisses seeming to evaporate.

As if me asking her age is the nail in the coffin for everything and anything that might or might not happen between us.

But it’s not.

Far from it.

There’s a lengthy pause until her own curiosity gets to her, I can see it.

“And you?” she asks, trying not to smile suddenly as she clearly has a number in mind.

“Guess,” I tell her, leaning back a little. Finally letting myself relax.

Knowing somehow that she’s not gonna run away again.

If I just take it easy, get to know her. Everything will fall into place like it has so far.

“Mmmm.Thirty-three,” she says, making my brow lift in surprise.

I’m flattered. And I’m almost inclined to accept her guess but I won’t lie to her.

Not now, and not ever. Not about anything.

“Close.” I let her know with a grin.

She looks concerned, as if she might’ve guessed too high a number, so I’m obliged to tell her.

“I’m forty-three.”

Watching as she does the simple math, I’m almost expecting her eyes to move to the door. To figure out an excuse to leave, but her eyes only get a dreamy faraway look.

“Mature,” she murmurs to herself, taking in a breath and humming with satisfaction before she comes back to earth.

I have no idea what kind of older man younger woman fantasy she just had in her head, but I sure as fuck hope it involved me.

“Boys are so…childish,” she says, sounding so sophisticated. Like a woman of the world, which makes me smile and then chuckle.

I’m not laughing at her though.

I laugh because I agree and I’m glad to see her relaxing as much as I am. But I’m also punishing myself for the way I reacted when I finally got her alone. But I also know I couldn’t help it.