CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The shade from the overhang offers a generous reprieve from the mid-morning sun. This spring has been unseasonably warm, and the late April heat is no exception. That’s just one reason this outdoor feature has become a haven for me.
A gentle breeze shakes through the nearby trees. That gust frees stray hairs from my ponytail. Before I can blink, those strands glue themselves to the balm slathered on my mouth. I barely notice the sticky tendrils. The reminder of why I applied the goop so thick steals the spotlight.
Tingles spread across my flushed cheeks while the memories flood in.It’s been almost two weeks since my first kiss. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve lost count of how many we’ve exchanged since.What’s for certain is that my lips are chapped from our frequent—and spirited—affections.
My throat is suddenly dry, and I reach for my glass. Chilled lemonade soothes the ache that seems constant as of late. That relief lasts for three seconds at most. The distant hum reminds me of who’s right around the corner.
I’m caught in a daze when a recognizable car pulls into my driveway. A blinding reflection streaks off the blue paint to knock me from the stupor. Harper appears from behind the wheel. Her arrival suggests that’s it’s already ten o’clock. The chair creaks as I shift slightly, but make no move to stand.
My friend quirks a brow as she approaches. “Well, hello to you too.”
“Hey, what can I say? It’s a lazy Tuesday,” I explain.
“Mhmm, it looks that way. We should rhyme in the bay.” She climbs the stairs and sits down beside me. “Enjoying the scenery? You look preoccupied.”
“No more than usual.” I can sense her rapt focus boring a hole into my avoidance. It’s necessary for my attention to remain firmly planted straight ahead. One glance at my flushed expression is all it’ll take for her to read my salacious musings.
“The artist in her element. What’s captured your attention?” Her chin points to the camera in my lap.
That’s when the distinct buzz grows louder to interrupt our conversation. Harper whips her head toward the sound. Ridge comes into view from the side of my house, pushing the lawnmower. I shamelessly admire his naked upper half. Inked skin gleams with a layer of perspiration. Defined muscles ripple and flex from the effort of steering the motorized tool. Green flames smolder into mutual attraction as he meets my stare. Meanwhile, a screech spills from my bestie. She flails like a rag doll and tosses an arm over her face.
“My eyes! They’re bleeding. I’ll never recover,” she wails.
I snort at her theatrics, but this reaction is preferable compared to her drooling over him. “Bummer, babes.”
“You don’t even care about my wellbeing. The image of my shirtless boss will haunt me.” Harper points in Ridge’s general direction.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be looking.”
“I wouldn’t if I had a choice, sassy pants. Way to warn a woman.” She shudders.
“Not sure what you’re complaining about. He’s yummy.” I wiggle my fingers at him.
My boyfriend reciprocates by blowing me a kiss, which I pretend to catch. In. My. Mouth. Not sure what’s gotten into me, but I’m positive it has everything to do with this man.
“Um, wow. Why don’t you lick him while you’re at it.” Harper sticks out her tongue for emphasis.
“I just might.”
“Those twat flutters are ready for flight, huh? Horny duck.”
“Isn’t it toad?”
“You would know,” she quips. “Not that I can blame you when your favorite flavor of man candy is flaunting his physique.”
I disguise my squirm as an adjustment in position, skipping my toes along the wood floor. “But unfortunately, I’m not sure what to do about it.”
Harper waves off my concern. “The unknown won’t last much longer. It appears your relationship is progressing rather quickly. Has he asked to trim the hedges?”
My gaze scans the freshly cut grass. The natural fragrance is ripe in the air. “Huh?”
“How about plowing the field?”
“Do you mean the flowerbeds? He planted chrysanthemums for me.” Which earned him several boxes of freshly baked cookies.
She giggles. “Did the smitten kitten pull your weeds while he was down on his knees?”
I twist my lips. “Oh, you’re using euphemisms to be sexually suggestive.”
“Obviously. A little debauchery is good for the soul,” she reminds. “You catch on quick.”
The sarcasm doesn’t escape me. I raise the Instax from its cradle on my thighs and snap a picture of my main muse. “Like you said, I’m preoccupied.”
“And now I see why.” She peeks over at Ridge long enough to notice the gauze on his left pec. “Did he hurt himself while whacking your bushes?”
“No,” I laugh. “That’s his new tattoo.”
“Have you seen it?”
A thrill skitters through me. “He sent a picture.”
“Care to share with your bestie?” Harper huffs and opens her palm.
Mine reaches for my phone. “I don’t see why not.”
She gasps at the image. Her shock lacks the mock-horror from moments before. “Oh, that totally tracks with his claim at Roosters.”
I straighten in my chair. “What claim?”
“That’s for him to tell you. Have you touched it?”
“No,” I blurt.
“But you want to?”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“Holy moly, this is major.” She claps with enthusiasm.
“It seems like a big deal,” I agree.
“Duh, babes. He branded himself for you.”
The belly swoops choose that instant to perform an impressive routine. My gaze automatically lands on Ridge across the yard. As if sensing my stare, he glances over to where I’m perched in the shade. A smirk slants his mouth and I’m possessed by a sudden urge to kiss him. Not just because he’s mowing my lawn or gifting me with a rare expression of happiness. It’s just him. Everything he does.
In this moment, the future we could have spreads out before me. The visual is breathtaking and magical and more than I dare to dream of. That doesn’t stop me from latching on tight.
Without looking away from him, I tilt toward Harper. “I think I’m ready for the talk.”
“More context would help,” she replies.
“About… you know.” I point at the most intimate part of me.
Her eyes widen. “Oh! You’re like… really ready.”
I nod. It seems like I’ve been waiting forever to hit this elusive point. “Tell me what I need to do.”
“Have you mentioned this to him?” She motions to where Ridge is turning to cut the final strip.
The guts to broach this topic wither slightly. “No.”
“That’s completely fine,” she rushes to say. “It’s important to be prepared for when the time comes.” Harper snorts, which morphs into a cackle. “That won’t be the only thing coming.”
“An orgasm would be nice, but not expected.” My mother was kind enough to pass along a few pieces of wisdom.
She balks at my statement. “Holy shit. Did you just say orgasm? What’s in that lemonade?”
I glance at the sweaty pitcher. “Sugar and ice?”
“Did Molly slip in there?” She leans over to inspect the contents.
“Who?”
She laughs. “Just messing with you. But for real, I’m proud of you for taking the initiative. I have quite an extensive collection of romance books if you want to borrow one or an entire shelf for inspiration. Grace has plenty too.”
“That’s a good idea. I want to… please him.” My face goes up in flames at the thought alone.
Harper fans herself. “Damn, that man is rubbing off on you.”
My bottom lip gets clamped between my teeth when Ridge scratches at his chiseled abdomen. “I wouldn’t mind if he did.”
“Yep, you’re certainly ready.” She whistles and then drops her gaze as if I could possibly scandalize her. “What’s that?”
I squint at what’s caught her attention. “A welcome mat.”
She shoots me a flat look. “Jeez, thanks for that brilliant hint. But why did you choose one that says, ‘No Pricks Allowed’? Seems a bit counterproductive considering who you’re dating.”
That bursts my bliss bubble. “Hey, I take offense to that.”
“He’s lovely to you. That’s what matters.”
“My gentle giant,” I sigh.
“Uh-huh, sure. Back to the no trespassing cactus,” she prods.
A laugh escapes me as I study the goofy picture. “What about it?”
“Is there a reason you’re making such a statement? Should I be concerned about safety in Knox Creek?”
“No, I think it’s a joke.”
She pauses. “You think?”
“I didn’t buy it.”
Her head shakes. “Who did?”
“I’m not sure. It just showed up one day.”
“And you didn’t think to question who put it there?”
“Not really. It’s cute and adds charm. Besides, the message is punny.”
“That’s one way of looking at it.”
My narrowed stare turns to her. “How do you see it?”
“This”—she gestures to the rug—“is the work of a certain neighbor turned boyfriend marking his territory.”
“Really?”
Harper gives me a slow once-over. “We better get you to the doctor sooner rather than later. Ridge is going to manhandle your entire landscape once he gets a whiff of your blooming garden.”