Christian’s hands encircled her waist, pulling her onto his lap. “Shoot. Maizie, I’m sorry.”
Maizie clutched her face, hiding the rush of warmth in her cheeks at the feeling of his hands on her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll survive,” she said, dropping her hands from her face to rub her shoulder.
Christian gasped. He turned her face toward him, his fingers feather soft against her cheek.
“What?” Maizie’s breath turned shallow.
“Your eye. It’s already swelling. Close your eyes for a minute.”
Maizie did as she was told.
“Open them.” He stared into her eyes.
Maizie’s gaze wandered to his lips, but she pulled them away.
“I don’t think you have a concussion.” His fingers caressed the bottom of her eye, and Maizie flinched.
“Sorry.” He dropped his hand, and Maizie struggled to straighten herself on her designated edge. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and angled the camera toward her eye. But it was hard to see straight.
“Here.” Christian took the phone from her and snapped a picture for her. Then he switched the camera and tilted his head toward hers. “Selfie with the jerk who gave you a black eye.” Maizie squinted at the screen before Christian handed it back to her.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s all right.” She said with a small smile. “It’s my fault. I forgot to tell you the most important rule for this tractor.”
His lips curled up into an attractive grin. “That the clutch sticks?”
“Yep.” She laughed, then grimaced when the pain increased in her eye. “Now try again. And this time, remember to let the clutch out slowly.”
“Will do, captain.” He winked at her, and Maizie smiled back despite the pain it caused her face.
She steadied herself against the side, gripping his chair with the other hand, preparing for the worst, but Christian sailed perfectly through this time. He lowered the baler and began baling.
“Okay, this isn’t too bad,” he said, probably more to himself than to her.
“Yeah, you’re doing great now. I’m starting to think you threw me into the window on purpose,” she teased, poking at her puffy eye. It felt so strange.
“You caught me.” He looked up at her, and Maizie was transfixed by the ocean of blue in his eyes. She could almost see herself swimming in that ocean.
I need sleep.
The tractor hit a bump, and Maizie slid off her unreliable seat and right onto Christian’s lap. His arms trapped her numb body there while he steadied the tractor.
“You know, if you wanted to sit on my lap, all you had to do was ask.” His breath cascaded down the back of her neck.
Maizie’s face flamed. She pushed his arm away and released herself from him.
“I’m getting out of here. You’re a danger.” She reached for the door, but Christian held it shut.
“Why? Are you afraid you’ll fall for me next time?”
“You wish.” She shoved his arm out of the way and turned away from his smirk. “I’ll walk back.”
* * *
