Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
OLIVIA
I watch him get on his bike and kick the stand as he roars the engine to life. He turns my way, and a slow, sexy grin appears before he puts his helmet on. Flipping the dark visor down, he heads down the driveway as my eyes follow him.
Lord, have mercy, that’s hot. I hug my arms to my chest as I watch him disappear down the road.
It’s laughable now that I ever thought one night would be enough to get him out of my system.
He’s somehow managed to stir things in me that I’ve been too afraid to let myself feel, and now that I feel them, I’m not sure I can go back to the way I was before.
I’ve felt more alive these past weeks than I have in my entire life, and it’s all because of him.
I’m not ready to let that feeling go, and I know deep down that if I don’t give this a chance, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
He says I can trust him, so maybe it’s time I finally start to believe in someone again.
I watch Bee run around the front porch with Gizmo and smile.
She was beyond excited when I offered to drop him off at the bar later, so she could spend the rest of the morning with him.
The shipment of wine came in anyway, and I wanted to go through it and help with the display before opening night this weekend.
“How about I put on a movie for you two?” I walk up the porch steps to where Bee and Gizmo are. “I’ve got a couple of work calls to do, and I bet Gizmo’s tired after that long walk we just did.”
“Can we watch The Little Mermaid? Gizmo hasn’t seen it yet.”
“Sure,” I laugh, loving her imagination with this dog. “I’ll get it set up for you.”
We walk back inside, and once they are settled, I make a second cup of coffee and head to my home office.
I make a few calls to clients, making sure they don’t need anything, and finalize some orders that need to be processed on Monday before shutting my laptop and checking in on Bee.
They are both curled up on the couch, and Gizmo is on her lap, snoring away.
Smiling, I dial Miss Beth’s number to make sure she is still good for Bee to come over this afternoon.
They have plans to make zucchini bread from the zucchini that Bee helped plant.
I’m all for disguising vegetables so she’ll eat them.
“Hi, Miss Beth,” I say when she picks up on the second ring.
“Hi, dear. How’s your morning going?”
“Good, and you?”
“I’ve had my coffee and did my yoga stretches. I’m as good as new.”
“I love to hear that,” I smile. “I was just calling to make sure you still wanted Bee this afternoon to help with baking.”
“Yes, of course. I’ve got all the ingredients ready to go. I thought she could help me pick the zucchini, though. It’s always fun to see your hard work pay off.”
“She will love that. If you don’t mind, I may run into town for a bit and check in with a client. He got a wine shipment in, and I thought I would help. ”
“That’s no problem at all. Just drop her off on the way, and she’ll be here when you’re done.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you soon then.”
“See you soon. Goodbye, dear,” she says, hanging up.
I tap my phone against my palm and try not to think too much about what this means. He’s probably got a ton of workers there today, and we won’t be alone, so there’s nothing to get worked up about. I glance down at my cutoff shorts and tank.
But…if we were to happen to be alone…
I chew on my bottom lip before heading to my bedroom. I’ve got just enough time left of the movie for a quick shower and change.
Just to be on the safe side…
It means nothing…
It’s technically a work thing, so I should wear something a bit more nicer…
Random excuses keep flying through my brain as I quickly shower and change into a black summer dress.
I pair them with short black boots with just enough heel to be sexy, but still comfortable enough to work in.
He’s always wearing black, so I’m betting that it’s his favorite color.
I decide to keep my hair up in a messy bun since he seemed to love it this morning…
not that it matters, I tell myself again.
After making lunch for Bee and me, I drop her off at Miss Beth’s house and head toward town. I glance at Gizmo riding like a passenger prince as he pants in the front seat with the air conditioning blowing tufts of his hair around.
“This is a good move, right? Trusting him? I mean, he comes from a good family, and he’s fostering you, so that’s got to stand for something.
He wouldn’t pull a dick move and lead me on if his heart wasn’t in it, would he?
” He cocks his head to the side and I shake my head and laugh.
I’ve officially lost it. I’m asking a dog for advice on my love life.
That’s a low I never thought I would hit.
I focus on the road and hear a bark that sounds more like a croak.
“I guess that means you approve.” He barks again, and I laugh. I can see now why Bee thinks he communicates with her. He sure is convincing.
“Thanks for the talk. Surprisingly, I feel better.” His lips curl up, and I do a double-take.
Did he just smile?
He goes back to looking at the road and enjoying the wind in the vents.
I stare at him for a few more seconds, half expecting him to start talking next, before focusing on the drive.
I peer at him from the corner of my eye a couple more times, but he’s back to acting like his goofy self.
I shake off the weird energy and make the turn up the hill toward Miles’s bar.
The place looks amazing as I notice the brand new deck with an outdoor bar and seating. I see the sign and smile.
Montgomery’s .
It couldn’t be more perfect. I know he’s close to his family, and it’s his way of honoring them.
I scoop up Gizmo and head inside.
Wow.
I stop in the doorway and take in the new work that’s been done.
I thought it was beautiful before, but the finishing touches put it over the top.
The black accents of the shelving and light fixtures look beautiful against the stained wood.
The stage is completely built against the back wall, and comfortable seating is spread throughout for people to enjoy the music.
The dance floor gleams in the middle, and you can almost hear the music and laughter of people as you envision them there .
I set Gizmo down just as Miles comes out from the back room carrying a big crate loaded with liquor.
He stops when he sees me, and a slow smile appears on his lips.
He’s wearing the same light grey t-shirt from earlier and dark jeans.
I notice he added a black ball cap, and my mouth suddenly goes dry.
I’ve only seen him in a baseball cap once before, and that’s probably a good thing because I’m finding it very hard not to launch myself at him.
“Hey, beautiful. I didn’t hear you come in.” He looks behind me and searches the room. “Where’s Bee?”
“She’s with my neighbor. They had plans to bake this afternoon, so I dropped her off on my way here.”
He sets the crate on the bar as I walk over to him.
“I thought you might need some help unpacking the wine orders that came in.”
He eyes my black dress as they wander down to my boots and back up again.
“You changed.” His eyes meet mine again, and I don’t miss the way they darken.
“I…I didn’t know how many people would be here working, and I wanted to look semi-professional,” I manage to get out between his intense stare.
“It’s Sunday, so I gave the guys the day off.
No one here but me,” he grins, taking a step in my direction.
“I’m a bit upset, though,” he pouts slightly and skims his hand down the strap of my dress.
“I was hoping you were going to tell me you changed just for me. I loved your outfit earlier, but this dress…” His fingers touch the fabric at my breasts as his thumb rolls over my nipple, “and those boots,” he glances down, and his lip ring disappears in his mouth before popping back out.
“You look very sexy in black. You look…,” his voice gets low as an edge of possessiveness weaves its way in, “like you’re mine. ”
“I may have worn this for you,” I confess quietly. “Just in case we were alone.” I swallow as he fills the space between us and flips his hat around.
Shit, I’m a goner .
I feel my last remaining barriers melt away.
“And since we are alone,” he whispers, bending down to kiss my bee tattoo, “is there anything you want from me? I would hate to waste our alone time on something as boring as work. I’m sure you can think of something to put our time to better use.”
His tongue swipes my skin, and I feel my panties already damp from his words alone.
“It’s time to be greedy again, Olivia,” he breathes against my skin.
“You are an amazing mom, but you’re a woman first. A woman who has needs.
You’ve been neglected for far too long, and I want to change all that.
” His teeth scrape my ear before he gently tugs my lobe.
“You’re safe to lose control with me and take what you need. ”
His words hang in the air between us, and I can hear both of our breaths becoming shallower as the intensity of our feelings almost becomes too much.
“Touch me,” I whisper, taking his hand and putting it between my legs. The need to feel him overcomes any other thoughts I have. I only see him.
His hand disappears under my dress, and I moan when he palms my center and rubs his thumb over my clit. He pushes my panties to the side and fills me deep with two fingers.
“Such a good fucking girl,” he growls. “Already dripping for me just the way I love you to be.” He goes harder, rubbing all my sensitive spots, and I move my hips against his palm.
His other hand grips the back of my neck as his lips meet mine. I eagerly kiss him back as our tongues blend together.
“Tell me more…what else do you want?” He breaks away and pulls my bottom lip before releasing me .