Chapter 4
Riah
Sweat. Muscles. Glistening, honey-tan skin. Lifting. Grunting. Fuck!
I tried to rip my eyes away from Korie as she effortlessly lifted and moved each appliance into place. I mean…Eddie was there, too…but who really cares about that?
Korie’s dark brown hair was pulled back into a low bun with her hat turned backward on her head. Her damp, shining skin was exposed under a thin tee with the arms and bottom half cut off.
I swear I tried not to let my gaze travel from her rippling abdomen, up to her sculpted biceps and long fingers curling from strong, veiny hands.
I didn’t mean to study the elegant curve of her neck or the sharp angle of her jaw.
The way her lips curled as she grunted and bared her teeth when lifting a particularly heavy appliance. I tried, but miserably failed.
It was such a huge difference from the lanky, awkward tomboy I remembered as a kid. Korie and Eddie had gotten close when they were both around ten and played on a coed basketball team together. Korie would stay at our house for days, sometimes weeks, on end and her parents never cared.
I was always the annoying little sister who just wanted to be cool around her big brother and his friends.
I would fight to stay awake on weekends because whenever Eddie finally passed out, Korie would come out in the living room with me, sneak snacks and watch movies until the sun peeked through the curtains.
She laughed with me. Listened to me talk.
Answered all my questions and never treated me like a little kid like Eddie, even though we were roughly a year apart.
Back then, I wasn’t sure if what I felt for her was attraction.
What I did know is that I always wanted to be around her.
She was a tough, strong and athletic girl who didn’t care what others thought about her outfits or activities she chose to take part in.
She did what she wanted and let the harsh words roll right off her back. I wanted to be just like that.
And now, the tall, awkward body had filled in.
Her style had morphed into a perfect mix of masculine and feminine.
She still carried that strong, confident air about her.
But the biggest difference was, now I knew I was attracted to her.
It shouldn’t have been such a big deal, but something inside me wanted to reject it.
“Riah?” Her voice jolted me back into the present.
“Hmm?” I could only hum in response as I gathered my bearings.
“Can I use your bathroom?”
“Oh, yeah. You know where it is.” She cocked a brow in response. “Down the hall, second door on the left.”
“Right, thanks!”
As soon as she disappeared down the hall, I sank against the kitchen counter and finally took a deep, calming breath.
“Looks like we are about done. Need anything else before I bolt?” Eddie asked.
“No, I don’t think so, but lunch is on the way if you want to stay for some.”
“Wish I could, but Chrissy is in dire need of a nap. Duty calls. Tell Kor I said bye and we will hop online later!” He pulled me into a hug and bolted faster than I could protest.
The food arrived moments later and I was stuck with enough food for four people, as I intended to send some home with Eddie for Chrissy. I sighed, digging plates and utensils out from unpacked boxes when Korie appeared again.
“Eddie split already?”
“Yeah, it looks like everything is all done for now. But there's lunch if you want to stay and have some.”
“Great, I’m starving.”
I served us both and we ate while hovering over the kitchen island. With all the planning and moving, I completely forgot to order some barstools and my dining room table wasn’t coming for another few days. But Korie didn’t seem to mind as she inhaled her serving plus some.
As she shoved her last bite in her mouth, she sighed and stretched her body out.
One arm curled behind her head, making her biceps bulge while the other rubbed her belly, exposing her solid abs.
I quickly averted my eyes, focusing on pushing individual pieces of rice from one side of my plate to the other.
By the time I looked up, she was crossing into the living room, headed straight for my TV and mounting supplies. She stopped in front of it, planting her hands on her hips and looking back at me.
“This TV has to at least be 10 years old.”
“And it still works.” I playfully retorted as I matched her stance.
With a shake of her head, she leaned down and gathered up the supplies.
She studied the wall across from the couch like she was looking for the right place to mount it.
I wanted to protest and tell her she didn’t need to do it, but if I’d learned anything that day, it was to accept the help.
If I didn’t let Korie do it, I’d be ripping my hair out with frustration trying to do it myself or forking out over $100 for someone else to.
In minutes, she had the TV mounted perfectly and all the wiring hooked up. It was a relief knowing I would be able to binge my shows after a nice shower.
“You’re a lifesaver, really. I can’t thank you enough for all your help today.” I handed her a bag of boxed-up leftovers. “For the road.”
“Kicking me out already?” She smiled as he grabbed the bag.
“No, I-”
“Kidding. But let me get your number so we can coordinate a date to put the security system in. I’m also not missing that housewarming party.”
I quickly programmed my number in and she was out the door. Seconds after I locked it behind her, a text from an unsaved number came through.
It's me. Have a great night :)
The smile that split my cheeks was goofy and stupid. I shook it off as I saved her number, threw my phone on my unmade bed and dug out my bath supplies. I was going to opt for a quick shower, but the way Korie had all my nerves coiled and hot, I needed something more relaxing.
When I finally dug out all of my soaps, oils and hair care, my gaze caught onto the duffle bag I had stashed in the bedroom closet.
I got about two steps out the door before turning around, tugging the bag open and digging through it.
I pulled out my favorite, tiny waterproof vibrator and slipped into the bathroom to work off this tension.