The Beauty Within

As far as impressions go, this first one is catastrophic . . . but that doesn’t stop them from wanting a second chance at it.


Excerpt Chapter 7

“You want dessert? That ice cream? Or coffee? Tea?”

Gunnar smiled slightly, though he moved his thumb back to her cheek. “Do I make you nervous?”

“No, I just…I would be a poor host if I didn’t offer.”

He glanced at the clock over the kitchen door and sighed. “Actually, I think I should go. It’s almost nine.”

Tyler head snapped to the clock for confirmation, astonished by the time creeping to 9PM. “Oh! I’m sorry! You no doubt have plans.”

She was shaking, embarrassed, aroused, and fumbling as she walked to the front door, not even bothering to register Gunnar didn’t immediately follow. Tyler felt like an idiot. It’s a Saturday, and he was Gunnar—of course he had things to do! He probably had a date waiting for him somewhere! Just because she was a homebody or that it was Durham instead of LA didn’t mean he wouldn’t have other fun things to do.

“Tyler.”

He’d caught her by the arm and turned her around to face him. The tears that came unbidden in her eyes made her even more humiliated, and she blinked rapidly to hide them from him. What was wrong with her? Why was she…hurt…about Gunnar’s possible plans? They weren’t dating, and they were barely friends! She was being silly and she felt ashamed of herself.

“I’m sorry I kept you out so late,” she said a bit huskily, and she winced.

“Hey.” His hands were still a little damp, but they were large and warm as they cupped her face. He tilted her head so her eyes met his; and when two tears fell down her cheeks, he brushed them away with tender thumbs. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m being stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” Gunnar said with a frown. “Did I say something? Do something?”

“I feel humiliated,” Tyler admitted.

“Why?”

His sweet, caring tone had her heart cracking a little. She shook her head, knowing if she spoke, she would break down. It’d been a while since a man had shown her compassion, and the fact it was Gunnar Daniels threw her for a serious loop. She couldn’t go down this path again. “Compassion” was what got her burned the first time; she was too old and gun-shy to go through that again.

When Tyler didn’t answer, Gunnar sighed and brushed her cheeks again, though she hadn’t shed another tear. “I had a really good time today, Tyler.”

“You did?”

He smiled. “Yeah. You’re one of the best students I’ve ever had. And then you feed me? What can be better than that?”

She smiled as well, growing warm at his compliment. “You know, I never did pay you.”

“We’ll keep a running tab. Only fair since I have one at the barbershop, no?”

Tyler snorted, but the smile never left her face. “I guess so.”

Gunnar’s chuckles faded, and his face grew contemplative. Slowly, as if to give Tyler time to register what he was doing, his mouth lowered until it touched her forehead softly. Tyler’s entire body sighed and she leaned into the kiss, her hands coming up to grasp Gunnar’s wrists. She became breathless when his mouth lowered, and for a few heart-stopping moments, she thought he would kiss her, but his lips brushed her cheek instead.

“Have a good night, Tyler.”

“You as well. Goodnight.”

With a final caress of his thumbs, Gunnar dropped his hands and left. Tyler stayed at the door long after his taillights had been swallowed up by the night.

Author Savannah J. Frierson
Published September 2008
Publisher SJF Books
Story Length
Universe Unincorporated

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