CHAPTER EIGHTEEN SAWYER #2
Her eyes light up. “I can see if Tank can hang out with Sully,” she says.
“Bring him with you.”
Her nose scrunches up, and her hand reaches out and plays with a short strand of my hair. “It’s really sweet that you’d invite my grandpa to go with us, but I would rather not have him on our first date—well, second date, technically. He can be rather grouchy and irritable, if you haven’t noticed.”
“So BYOG isn’t sexy?”
“BYOG?”
“Bring your own grandpa.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Not the least bit sexy. Let me check with Tank, and I’ll let you know. But yes, I would love to.”
“Any day, really,” I say. “I just want to take you out, you know... make up for that blind date.”
“You have more than made up for the blind date,” she says.
“Nah, doing work around the Cove isn’t making it up to you—that’s just showing you I’m not a dick. Taking you out on a proper date—that would be making up for it.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re a dick, not even close.”
“No?” I ask, smoothing my hand up her leg to just above her knee. “Are you saying I’ve won you over?”
Her fingers continue to sift through my hair, and it’s one of the most delicious feelings ever. “Let’s see. I’m sitting on a love seat with you, my legs draped over your lap, and your hand is caressing my skin. I have no intention of moving anytime soon, so yeah, I would say you’ve won me over.”
“Was it all those hot, shirtless summer days? Or did I win you over with my charm.” I waggle my brows, and instead of laughing like I expect her to, she grows serious.
“Neither,” she says before pressing her hand to my chest. “It was your heart.”
I reach up and take her hand in mine. I kiss her knuckles, my eyes staying on her the entire time. “Some might say that answer is flirtatious. Is that what you’re doing, Fallon? Flirting with me?”
“No. Just telling you the truth. If I were flirting, I would straddle your lap while saying it.”
Playfully, I drop her hand and open my arms in invitation. “I’m all yours.”
She chuckles and rests her head against the back of the couch. “I would, but I’m afraid of what might happen if I do. All those little touches today, the light brushes, the hand to my back, the piercing glances you gave me... it felt like the most intense foreplay of my life.”
Her cheeks redden with her confession, and I find it so damn endearing.
“What you consider foreplay, I consider desperation—any moment I could steal today, just to be close to you, I took it.”
“So, safe to say... we’re into each other.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I’ve been into you for a while now, suffering on the sidelines, wishing I had one more chance with you.” I push my hand through my damp hair. “I’m honestly shocked I actually get a second chance at taking you on a date.”
“Where do you think you’ll take me?”
“I have a few ideas,” I say. “Depends on the night and the weather. It’s supposed to rain this week.”
“You already checked?”
“Oh yeah. I’m dedicated to taking you out. I’ve been planning it in my head for a while, just in case I ever got a chance, and now that I have one, I’m refining those ideas.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “You’re going to make it hard to even consider going out with anyone else, aren’t you?”
“That’s the plan.”
I stand up from a crouch and place my hand on my back as I straighten up.
Fuck.
My body has taken a beating the last few weeks, and it’s finally catching up to me. My back is on absolute fire, and my hamstrings feel as though with one quick movement to the left, they might snap.
“You act like you’re seventy-five,” Sully barks as he strides into the cabin carrying the last piece of molding to be installed.
“Just a little sore,” I say, taking the board.
I hold back my groan as I bend down and line it up against the wall.
It’s the last piece of construction that needs to be done to the cabins—after that, we can start putting the furniture back and making beds.
Everything else is complete: just a few paint touch-ups to cover nail holes, but that’s it.
There’s no way we could have done it without Tank’s boys, who still wore their worn leather biker gear while hammering and painting away.
The boys worked so hard that they were even able to build the new furniture pieces for some of the rooms. Even though they aren’t my cabins, I still thanked each and every one of them for their help before they left.
I install the last board with the nail gun and then am slowly standing just as Fallon walks in.
I wince when I stand straight. I’m not good at hiding it, because she is quick to my side, hand on my back. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, he’s fine,” Sully says. “Just trying to get attention.” He grumbles something under his breath, but I don’t catch it.
“You know, Sully, I was wondering, would you be able to help me in the residence? There’s a bunch of bedding in packaging, and I need to take it all out so I can wash it. Would you mind?”
“As if I haven’t helped enough,” he says, tossing his arms in the air—but he listens to his granddaughter and takes off toward the residence.
When he’s gone, Fallon turns to me. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Just sore is all.” I wince again as I move. “Pretty sure my thirty-five years are catching up to me.”
She chuckles. “I guess so, old man. Since it’s nine at night and the guys have all left, why don’t you call it a night and head back to your cabin?”
“Normally I’d insist there’s more work to be done, but I think you might be right this time.” I set down the nail gun and then hobble toward the door.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more pathetic,” Fallon chuckles as she follows behind me.
“This does not bode well for my date plans. Please don’t watch me as I head back to my cabin. It may involve limping, crawling, possibly rolling.” I pause while she chuckles. “Oh shit, please tell me my cabin’s been put back together.”
“I just finished up. I even returned all your stuff.”
I raise a brow at her. “Did you go through my things?”
“No.” Her cheeks flush. “Well, maybe a bit. I smelled your cologne. But that was it.”
“Uh-huh,” I tease.
With Fallon at my side, we walk—slowly—back to my cabin, her hand around my waist, me trying not to put my weight on her. When we reach it, she opens the door for me, revealing the brand-new interior.
“Wow,” I say, stepping inside. “What a difference.”
We’re surrounded by bright-white walls, with one rustic wood accent wall by the door and window.
The beautiful pine flooring pops against the black wrought-iron bed with its white, fluffy comforter, red pillow, and black-and-white buffalo plaid blanket at its foot.
The light fixtures I installed blend very well with the overall look, and the red accent rug on the floor adds a hint of warmth along with the black-and-white buffalo plaid curtains.
For a moment, all my pain falls away and I just gape at all that we’ve accomplished together.
“Man, Fallon, you really did a number on these cabins. It looks amazing in here.”
“I did a number?” She pokes me in the arm. “More like you did. I couldn’t have done this without you, seriously.”
“Just remember that when I take you out on a date and I need to use a walker to get around.”
She chuckles and carefully puts her arms around my waist, offering me a grateful hug. “You could take me and your walker out for the early-bird special, and I’d still date you.”
“Be careful with what you say.” I reach down and press a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m sure you have to get Sully in bed, and I need to attempt to take a warm bath. I know that will be an embarrassing journey with how sore I am, and I’d prefer you not experience that.”
“Totally understand. Would it be okay if I check on you later?”
“Yeah,” I say and then reach into my pocket for my phone. “Might be nice to get your number—you know, so I can text you sweet nothings about my aching sciatica and bristling bunions.”
“Don’t forget your sweaty balls.”
A laugh rips out of me as I grip my lower back. “Damn, how could I forget those. It’s a wonder you want to go out with me.” She finishes entering her phone number in my phone, hands it back, and then offers me another hug.
Gratefully, I take it.
“I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit,” she says as she pulls away. She lifts her hand up to my cheek. “Call me if you need anything—you know... like if you get stuck in the tub and can’t get out.”
“I’d rather die in that tub than call you for help. I need some shred of dignity.”
She chuckles and squeezes my hand before taking off toward the residence.
I’m serious. There is no way I would call her. I don’t need the first time she sees me naked to be in a tub as I flail about. I’d rather turn into a shriveled-up prune.
Still smiling, I hobble into the bathroom, which has been updated with a new counter, sink, and bathroom fixtures as well as a newly fitted tub. Sometimes, the small things really make a big difference.
I fill up the tub—which is going to be far too small for me, but I just need some warm water on my back—and undress.
I consider playing some relaxing music from my phone, but I forgo that to play a word-search app.
I slip into the tub. My six-foot-two frame is appallingly large for the size of this bath, but when the warm water hits my back, I don’t care about the fact that my knees are bent and standing six inches out of the water, or that my penis is barely covered—which, let’s face it, it’s odd to be sitting in water, dick out—all I care about is the warm water on my lower back.
Comfortable—for now—I open my word-search app just as a text message from Roarick buzzes my phone.
Roarick: Are you dead? I haven’t heard from you in a while and I’m starting to get worried. Should I drive up there just to check on you?
It’s true, I’ve neglected my brother. I’ve neglected my agent. And most importantly, I’ve neglected the real world—for obvious reasons.