Donuts and Handcuffs: A sweet, floury, mixed-up love story. by Haley Travis

Author:Haley Travis [Travis, Haley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The small figure skulking in the rain was nearly invisible, pressed against the dirty concrete wall. Then they crouched slightly, and I noticed they flinched when they put a bit of pressure on their left arm.

I didn’t think I made a sound, yet she spun to face me.

“Bailey?” I whispered. She was acting strange, and I didn’t want to startle her.

She held a finger to her lips, waving me back toward a huge garbage bin that was in an alcove. I don’t know why I obeyed her command immediately, then let her pull me into the corner. I turned so that my back was against the wall.

“Are the reflective stripes on my jacket out of sight?” I breathed.

She nodded. Her eyes were tight, super focused.

“We really have to stop meeting in doorways and alleys in the rain,” I whispered.

She instantly unclenched, grinning, tipping her chin up to mine. “You were very sweet to me that day.”

“I almost wasn’t. I almost kissed you.” I couldn’t believe I was confessing this, but it just tumbled out.

“Officer Hill,” she whispered through her grin, “That would have been wildly inappropriate.”

“It was unbelievably hard to control myself,” I murmured into her ear, holding her so close our hearts were nearly beating together. “For half a second, I didn’t know if I could.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” she said, suddenly shy. “But, well, you’re such a big tough guy that you made me a bit nervous at first.”

“I know. I worry about that.” I held still as a stone, then murmured, “I’ll never let anyone hurt you, Bailey. Not ever.”

Her expression was strangely guarded. Then a motor started up nearby.

“I’m so sorry, Bailey, I–”

“Shh.” Her voice was barely a breath, but it was an order.

I didn’t know what it was about this darling girl that made me completely lose my focus. Why on earth were we hiding?

A huge black panel van that had been lurking at the end of the alley began coming our way. Holding her tightly against me, we became motionless. It was fascinating to watch her jump immediately back into laser-like focus, her eyes watching the concrete for the second the van came into view. She slowed her breathing so that we were statues.

We must not have been seen, as the van continued without pausing, turning onto the street until it was gone.

Bailey took a long exhale, then looked up at me. “Let’s wait a minute, then go to my place.”

“Okay.” Her tone of voice was odd. “When we get there, you’ll tell me what’s going on?” She nodded.

“Hey,” I whispered, rubbing her back gently, “Whatever it is, you’re with me now. I’m going to try to be the mellow, happy guy in your life. Okay?”

She looked up at me, her soft smile so pretty in the dim light. “Daniel, you’re amazing for me.” Her hands wound around my neck. “You’re wonderful. I just... Don’t want to be bad for you.” Her face crinkled as she looked upset again.

“No, hey...” I automatically began rocking her gently.

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