20
Ava
Wednesday evening, I feel the tension leak out of my muscles as I pull into my driveway after a long day at the office.
I set my bag down on the porch and pull off my blazer.
This June heat has been something the last few days.
Walking around to the side yard, I look around at the ground to check for bees.
Relieved to see none, I slip off my shoes and let my toes sink into the grass.
I enjoy being barefoot in the grass, and it’s supposed to be good for you.
Win-win. I crank the spigot to the left and grab the hose head, pulling the length of the hose out into the yard.
I water all my babies, taking the time to check the grass before I move onto the next section of flowers.
This is one of my favorite parts of summer evenings.
As I make my way around the little pond, I stop watering when I reach the hidey place where I put the koi food.
Time to take care of my other babies. I bend and splash the water a little with my fingers, smiling when I see blurs of orange, white, and yellow in all different sizes and patterns rise to the surface.
“Are you guys hungry?” I ask as I throw out the pellets until I’m sure there’s enough.
I walk over to my bench to sit down and watch them eat.
Something different catches my attention out of the corner of my eye, and I freeze.
Next to my bench is the most gorgeous little side table that looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
Crouching next to it, I run my fingers over the smooth twisted branches of the “tree” that is so detailed as it climbs up to the “canopy” of leaves.
I smooth the pads of my fingertips along the tiny grooves that add so much dimension to each of the leaves.
The top is still flat enough to set a drink down, but its design and detail is absolutely stunning.
There’s a card lying on top under a decorative rock.
This project popped into my mind the night I stood at your kitchen sink while you were getting comfy for pizza with cookies and cream ice cream.
When I saw your cute little garden, I knew it needed a little something extra.
Something whimsical. Something like you.
I hope you love it. It’s probably one of the best pieces I’ve ever designed. Thank you for letting me in. -Marcus
He made this…for me? I don’t think anyone’s ever made me something that wasn’t food.
I rub my fingers across my sternum, soothing the ache that’s blooming there.
This is amazing. Beautiful. Thoughtful. I hurriedly finish up watering my flowers before scurrying inside to change my clothes and freshen up.
I grab my keys and practically skip to my car, full of glee to go see him and thank him personally for his gift.
When I pull into his driveway and climb out of my car, I notice how nice his landscaping is done.
It’s simple, but nevertheless appealing in a masculine way.
It suits him. It would look great with a woman’s touch and a ton of flowers.
I ring his doorbell, but he doesn’t answer.
Hmmm, his truck is in the drive. I strain my ears, listening for any movement inside, but instead I hear the thumping of music coming from out back.
An easy smile tugs at my lips as I walk around the back of the house, but I don’t immediately see him.
As I get further toward the back, I realize the music is coming from the barn-like building.
I wouldn’t call it a barn or a garage. Maybe this is his “man cave”.
A door is cracked, so I peek my head inside, and my jaw drops.
Chase McDaniel’s Project is playing in the background, and a fine ass specimen of a man…
correction…my man, is shirtless in a pair of jeans sanding away on a project with long strokes.
Whoa, buddy… I lean against the doorway and watch him in his element, enthralled with how he eyes the piece, sands it, then blows it off to reveal his progress.
It’s captivating. I could watch him do this all day and be perfectly content.
You can tell he clearly loves it because he’s so into it that he hasn’t noticed me gawking yet.
His forearms tense as he rubs a little more love onto a spot he’s been working at for a little longer than prior spots.
He puffs out air through his cheeks, clearly considering what to do with it, and looks around as if he senses someone watching him.
He notices me. A slow smile spreads across his face, tipping up the corners of his mouth in a way that makes me want to jump into his arms and nip at them with my teeth.
“Whatchya workin on, handsome?”
“Oh, a little side table for next to my couch. Just something big enough to set a drink on.” He lifts up his clear safety glasses and sets them on top of his head before wiping off the workstation and taking his tools to the toolbox against the wall. “Come here.”
I walk over to him just as he drops his last tool into the box along with the glasses. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I rise up on my toes to greet him with a kiss. A low sound of appreciation rumbles from the back of his throat as he pulls my body up tight against his.
“You smell like sawdust and man. I like it.”
“Oh, do you now?” He buries his face in my neck, inhaling and dropping a sweet kiss to my skin.
“You smell delicious.” Mark grabs beneath my thighs and hoists me up onto the worktable, wrapping my legs around his waist as I giggle.
His fingers skim up my bare legs, and he sucks air through his teeth, apparently enjoying the silkiness.
He doesn’t stop there, but traces the tips of his fingers up over my clothes before sinking them into the front of my hair, pulling the strands away from my face before his lips dive in and smooth over mine insistently.
I immediately part them for better access, and he takes it.
His tongue works lazily against mine as if he doesn’t have a care in the world other than exploring me.
“Mmmm, you taste delicious too. I like when you drop in to see me.”
“I love my surprise,” I declare against his lips. He grins and pecks me back before I even finish my sentence. His lips wander along my jawline.
“You found that quickly,” he says under his breath.
“Well, I had to water flowers and feed my fish. It fits in perfectly. Now I can enjoy a glass of lemonade or wine while I watch my fish eat or take a book outside.”
“Funny you should say that. I imagined you out there reading your books.” My eyes widen with a new idea, and I look at him excitedly.
“I just had an idea for something I’d love for my bookshelf.”
“Name it, it’s yours.”
“You haven’t even heard the idea yet.”
“Doesn’t much matter to me as long as it makes you smile like that. Now tell me.”
“Could you make me a big wooden book? Like it’s sitting open with the pages turning and all?
It would look so freaking pretty on my bookshelves next to all my books…
I’ll pay you of course. Do you think you could even do something like that?
I just loved how you carved out my table, so I totally think you’re capable.
” I’m rambling, and he chuckles as he pulls me in closer against his body.
“I will try as hard as I can to make your dream come to life. I’ll sketch up a few ideas later for you to look at.”
Swoon…
“Note to self. Buy her books and all the things that are bookish, or make them.” He grins a boyish grin before bending to kiss a pathway up my neck.
“You don’t have to buy me anything,” I say, “even though bookish gifts are always the way to go.”
“You can’t talk me out of it. It’s a pleasure to surprise you with things you enjoy, but I promise not to go overboard.”
“I think I’d be satisfied with a few kisses…” I smirk and snicker as his lips and stubble from not shaving this morning tickle the underside of my chin and jaw.
“I don’t think I’d count kisses when it comes to satisfying you. They’re just part of the package,” he murmurs hotly against my skin, continuing his exploration of the other side of my neck, and I shiver with anticipation.
Mmmm… This man.
Mark slides his fingers underneath the hem of my shirt and pops the clasp on the back of my bra as his lips burn a line down the v of my blue shirt.
He hums his approval when I pull the shirt over my head.
His head dips immediately to run the tip of his tongue along the line of the cup, teasing the swell of my breast as his fingers pull the straps down my shoulders, baring my now heavy breasts to him.
One of his hands grabs the round of my ass cheek, squeezing deliciously as he pulls my hips hard against his stiff cock at the same time as his other hand teases the underside of a breast. He sucks the peaked nipple of that tit into his mouth and nibbles lightly.
Squirming against him, I sigh with pleasure but hate the denim still between us.
His lips and hand leave my breast. Instead they slide up my throat possessively, and he tilts my chin up to him with his thumb.
“I want you,” he states, no frills. The heat in his eyes burns into my soul.
“I’m yours.” My answer leaves my lips on a breathless whimper.
His lips needily crash against mine, sucking the last remnants of breath from my lungs.
Every inch of me is on fire for him. The sound of him pulling his project off the table behind me and setting it on the floor floods my veins with excitement.
His fingers work my short’s button and zipper down as he lavishes attention on my other breast with his mouth before kissing a path down my belly as he pulls off my shorts and panties in one go. He means business.