Fractured ( Fractured #1) by Holleigh James

keep my insides from exploding with joy.
    “Can I carry that for you?” he asked, pointing at my bag. I handed it to him. It made me think that part of me was touching him, even if it was only my sketchpad.
    “This way,” I said, tipping my head to the left. I waited until his gait was in step with mine , and we walked towards the creek.
    No words were spoken at first. It was awkward. Everything I wanted to say sounded stupid in my head. Then he broke the silence. “I had a very nice day with you yesterday.”
    “ I did too.”
    “Will you go to the beach again sometime soon?”
    “Um, I’m not sure.”
    The silence returned. I tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t sound stupid, but my self-consciousness sacked everything.
    Again, h e broke the silence. “Is it far?”
    “Just a few more blocks.”
    “How’d you find this place?”
    I stole small glances at him while he kept his eyes on the street ahead of us. What could he find so interesting in me that he’d want to spend the whole day with me? He could be with hundreds of other girls–pretty girls .
    “I help Mr. and Mrs. Hanley, doing little things for them. They let me wander over their land, which happens to be several acres wide. They know I like to draw and suggested the creek. When I first saw it, it was the most beautiful place I’d ever been. I’ve been coming here ever since.”
    It wasn’t long before we had to replace the paved road for the path I had made by wearing down the grass and weeds. Rob followed without a word as I trudged through the brush until it thinned out near the creek. Only a few feet wide, and not too deep, the water streamed continuously. Our arrival startled a small chipmunk that scampered away without satiating his thirst. “I’ve sketched some deer and small animals that come to drink here,” I said. He followed me to the edge of the creek.
    Rob stood with his foot a few inches from the w ater. He looked around, absorbing the nature that surrounded him. He scanned the glittering water, the rocks, and overgrowth. He stretched his neck and looked up at the canopy of trees that shaded most of the area. His eyes traveled over the moss-covered boulders that gathered in one spot. Welcoming calls of the birds and wildlife sang their lyrics to the creek’s harmony.
    “Wow. It’s beautiful here.” He sounded sincere.
    I pilfered my bag from his muscular shoulder and perched myself up on the rock that I always sat on. I pulled out my sketchpad and began drawing. “Now you know why I come here,” I said, not looking up from my busy pencil.
    I stole a quick glance at him. His cool blue eyes locked on me. “What are you drawing?”
    “You in nature,” I said. I hurried not to lose the moment, to capture him on paper so I’d always have him. Since I had drawn him at the beach the day before, I was familiar with his form.
    After a few minutes, he stepped in my direction. “No. Stay there. I’m not finished.” His large shoulders dropped, but he obeyed my command. Switching my attention between him and the page, it took a few more strokes before I was done. “Okay, now you can move.”
    With four large steps, he came to sit on the rock next to me. Leaning in close, his chest barely rested on my shoulder as he considered my work. . His slight touch sent ripples down my back. The smell of his shampoo wafted in the air between us. It was faint, but masculine, like a salty ocean breeze. Intoxicating. I hoped he couldn’t feel how clammy my skin had become. I had to fight myself to stay focused.
    “What… do… you… think?” I panted.
    He stroked his chin with two fingers. “It’s very good. I told you yesterday, you’re talented.”
    A nervous laugh escaped my lips. I had to look away from him so he wouldn’t see me blush. My lack of exposure to compliments made hearing his praise awkward and uncomfortable.
    He looked at me. “What?” he asked.
    “No one’ s ever told me that before, aside from the