Page 38 of Dock

“I want you protected.”

Suddenly, there’s no unfreezing my agape mouth.

“And boots.” A teasing beam hits his expression prior to him tipping his chin forward. “Fuzzy socks won’t cut it.”

One foot swiftly shifts over the other to protect it from further embarrassment.

“You change.” He slowly nods while moving backwards. “I’ll smoke.”

“You smoke?”

“When I’m nervous.”

Excitement can’t be held at bay. “You’re nervous?”

Rather than directly answer, he pulls a pack from his pocket, flashes me the proof, and precedes to remove one, indicating he meant what he said.

Wow.

I make him nervous?!

What?!

Why?!

How?!

Is that normal?

Is that abnormal?!

It has to be right.

Men like him aren’t intimidated by women like me.

They…can’t…be.

I mean…I look like I called in sick to a Reading Rainbow party.

What on earth is there to feel like you can’t keep up with?

Unless…you know…unless he means intellectually?

Is that the case?

Is it possible that beast of a man simply wants a beauty with brains?

Chapter 6

Emaline

Nope.

I cannot leave the house looking like this.

What am I doing?

Cosplaying a Costco version of Catwoman?!