7. Piers
Chapter 7
Piers
After a day of sun-soaked laziness with Remi, the idea of facing her overprotective uncle at his own dinner table is less than appetizing. Especially since his little furball pretty much cock-blocked me all goddamn day long.
As we walk to her uncle’s house, the sun hanging low in the sky casts everything in a golden glow. I steal glances at her, noticing the way the late afternoon light dances in her hair. We stop at the front door, and I pull her into my arms. “I won’t be long,” I promise as I lean over to kiss her soft lips.
“I’ll be here.” She sighs with a smile before stepping in the door. As I walk back over to my house, I remind myself I won’t have to leave her at the front door once she’s living with me.
An hour later, I grab a bottle of wine and head over to Jasper’s house. He opens the door with a smirk that tells me I’m in for an entertaining evening. “Glad you could make it.”
“Thanks,” I say, handing him the bottle of wine. “Smells incredible in here.”
Jasper grunts out a muttered thank you before leading me into his kitchen. He places a corkscrew on the counter. “Why don’t you open the wine and pour us each a glass while I finish up our dinner?”
“I can do that.” I watch as he buzzes around the kitchen while I open the bottle. “Where’s Remi?” I can’t resist the urge to ask the question humming around in my mind for another second.
“She’s getting ready.” He rolls his eyes. “Actually, I think she’s taking her time, so we have time to hash things out.”
“There isn’t anything for us to hash out.” I hand him one of the glasses of wine. “I’m in love with Remi,” I admit, meeting his hawk-like gaze head-on. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
My words seem to placate him, easing the tension swirling around the room. He nods and goes back to his chopping while I exhale, quietly thankful for small victories.
A little while later, Remi strolls into the kitchen, and I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms as if the world around us doesn’t exist. She fits perfectly against me, and when I lean in to kiss her, the universe clicks into perfect alignment. The world falls away as I focus on the warmth of her skin and the taste of sunshine on her lips.
“Hey there,” she murmurs against my mouth, making my heart race.
“Hey, yourself,” I reply, grinning like an idiot. “You look amazing.”
“So do you,” she shoots back playfully and glances over at Jasper. “It smells great in here. I love your lasagna.”
“That’s why I made it.” He smiles at her as Winston dances around the kitchen, attempting to steal some attention for himself.
“Stop your silliness,” he barks at the little furball, but there’s a warmth to it as he adds, “and you’ll get a treat after dinner.” The dog evidently understands those words because he instantly stops and lies down on his bed in the corner.
I can’t help but laugh as Jasper gestures for us to fill our plates from the array of food he’s made. “Dig in.”
“This all looks delicious.” I pile the food onto my plate, anxious to get a taste of the yummy-looking lasagna.
“Just wait until you taste my secret sauce. It might just change your life,” he says as we carry our plates to the table. His relaxed posture tells me I’ve managed to convince him my intentions are honorable.
I’m out with the crew today with the sun already beating down on us, and I’m in my element. There's something to be said about the satisfaction of a well-trimmed hedge or a perfectly edged lawn. I’m explaining the art of getting those razor-sharp lines to Julian, the new guy, who seems eager but distracted. He gives off the “spoiled, never had a job in his life but daddy’s forcing him to work” vibe, zero real enthusiasm, with a side of fumbling around with the tools like they’re foreign objects.
When his dad called and asked me to hire his unmotivated son, I should’ve followed my instincts and refused, but I’ve always believed in giving everyone a chance. Now, after several hours of dealing with his spoiled ass, I’m regretting my decision to hire him.
“Here you go, Julian,” I’m saying, demonstrating how to hold the trimmer steady and let it glide. “You gotta let the tool do the work. Just a firm hand and…” I’m cut off mid-lesson by the unmistakable hum of an engine approaching. I glance up just in time to see Remi’s little red car pulling to a stop at the curb, and my train of thought jumps the tracks altogether.
She steps out with practiced grace, holding a couple of brown paper bags that look suspiciously like they’re filled with something delicious and a huge to-go cup of iced tea. It’s an unexpected sight, and my cock wakes up and takes notice. This curvy little Cookie is all mine—I’m one lucky motherfucker. Her light sweater dress sways perfectly with the autumn breeze as her hair blows around her stunning heart-shaped face. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian freeze mid-task, his gaze unmistakably locked on her.
“Hey, Piers!” Remi’s radiant smile rivals the bright Texas sun.
I brush grass from my hands and head over to meet her, grinning like an idiot. “You brought lunch? You’re a lifesaver,” I say, maybe a bit louder than necessary, mainly to snap Julian out of whatever stupor he’s in.
“I figured you might need it.” She laughs, handing over the bags and drinks. “Plus, I get to see you for a few minutes. I’m sorry I slept through you leaving this morning.”
She has no idea how hard it was for me to leave the house without kissing her goodbye, but I didn’t want to wake her up before the sun even rose. “You were sleeping so soundly, and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up.”
“I wouldn’t mind you waking me up if I get a goodbye kiss out of it.” She wiggles her eyebrows adorably, and I can’t resist the urge to kiss her now.
I take the bags from her and place them on the tailgate of my truck, and then pull her luscious body against me. Forgetting all about my crew, I cover her soft lips with mine and devour her sweetness until we’re both breathless.
I pull back and place my forehead against hers. It’s then I notice Julian still staring at my girl with an intensity that’s impossible to miss. It’s as if she’s the most exquisite feast laid out under his nose, and he’s a man who’s forgotten what a full stomach feels like. His eyes track her every movement, widening slightly as though trying to absorb every detail.
It’s not subtle in the least. He’s practically slack-jawed, standing there with the trimmer idle in his hand, forgotten, as if Remi’s presence alone has reset his priorities. Oh, hell fucking no. The spoiled little rich kid has finally found the one thing he isn’t getting, and it’s time for him to know how things really stand.
“Julian,” I call over, deciding to address it directly. “Eyes on the job, not on my girlfriend.”
My voice is light enough not to sound too threatening, but firm enough to get the message across. Julian blinks, a shade of red creeping up his neck. “Uh, sorry, Piers. I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s Mr. Pratt until you earn the right to use my first name,” I remind him with a glare before pointing to the slightly over-grown hedges. “Keep those lines straight.” He stares me down for a few seconds and then shakes his head and turns back to the yard.
My girl instantly draws my attention back from my new employee. “I didn’t want to be rude and leave someone out, so I called your secretary to see how many men are on your crew today.” Remi points at the large takeout bag. “I brought enough lunch for everyone.” Fuck. I don’t want to share anything from her.
“That was sweet of you, Cookie. Why don’t we eat together, and then I’ll give them a break for lunch.” I forget all about the rest of the men as she smiles up at me.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” She nudges me playfully. “I’d love a little time with you if I’m not interrupting your day.”
The sun warms us from high up in the Texas sky as Remi and I perch on the tailgate of my truck. It’s parked just far enough under the shade of an old oak tree to shield us from the direct rays, but we still catch the occasional autumn breeze. The back of the truck is perfect for an impromptu picnic, and we settle in comfortably, unwrapping the brown paper bags my gorgeous little lunch fairy brought.
Sitting there, just soaking up her company, I can’t help but smile.
We dive into lunch, chatting between bites. “Gourmet tailgate lunching,” I quip, savoring a bite. “Nothing beats it and you’ve got me spoiled. I’m going to need you to do this at least once a week.”
Remi chuckles, nudging me with her shoulder as she takes a sip of her drink. “Only if you promise to give me your famous back rubs often.”
“That’s easy to agree to. I’ll do just about anything to touch your luscious body. Matter of fact, I’ll give you one of my famous back rubs every single day if you stop stalling and agree to move in with me.”
“That’s a very tempting offer.” She glances up, swallowing. “And now that I know Uncle Jasper approves, I think I’m going to take you up on it.”
Fucking hell. Happiness flows through me as I pull her curvy body close. I kiss her sweet lips, celebrating.
“I’ll help you pack and start moving after work tonight.” I’m not going to let the grass grow under my feet.
“It will have to wait until this weekend.” She throws a monkey wrench into my plans. “I have to work on two different websites this week, so I can’t take the time to move. Not if I’m going to make my deadlines.”
It’s hard to be patient, but I’m getting what I want most—my little Cookie living under my roof. “Okay. We’ll plan to move your things this weekend.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” She smiles up at me, and I realize it’s been a long lunch.
As much as I’d like to lounge here indefinitely, the guys have been working hard, and I know they’re probably eyeing the clock for signs of impending lunch salvation.
Time shifts subtly, and as the last of lunch is wrapped up and tucked back into the bag, reality calls.
“Thanks for breaking up the midday monotony,” I note, though the sincerity in my voice says more than my casual words do.
“You’re welcome,” she responds, her hand brushing mine. There's a tiny pause, the world slowing when her gaze meets mine as a familiar spark flickers in her eyes.
It’s almost instinct now the way we lean toward each other. Her silky lips touch mine, igniting my blood. The kiss starts off gentle but quickly turns scorching from the chemistry swirling around us.
We pull back as the world comes back into focus.
“I should get back,” she says, hopping off the tailgate with a nimble grace. “Are you up to dinner with Uncle Jasper tonight at six? I promised him I’d take the time off each night to eat dinner.”
“I’ll be there, Cookie.” I give her soft lips one more quick kiss before standing and stretching. “I’ll do just about anything to spend time with you.”
“Even deal with Uncle Jasper and Winston?” she teases, rolling her eyes.
“Even that.” I chuckle, noticing my crew scattered about, still working hard on manicuring the lawn to perfection. “I need to call the guys over for lunch before they faint from hunger.”
“Okay. I need to get back to work, too. I’ll see you tonight. I love you,” she tells me as I walk her over to her little red car. Fuck. I’ll never tire of those words leaving her lips.
“I love you, too.” I kiss her soft lips before she slides into her car. I close her door and step back as she drives off, leaving me with nothing but a hint of the engine purr and an afternoon that suddenly seems much longer.
“Lunch time!” I holler, signaling the official start of their lunch break. “There’s plenty to go around, so grab something and get off your feet for a while.”
They don’t need to be told twice, flocking toward the truck eagerly. I pass out the drinks and sandwiches, catching snippets of gratitude.