13. Lanie
Ryan working right outside my house has been more of a distraction than I would’ve thought. Having contractors in general banging on the house is bad enough. But it’s taking every ounce of self-control I have, not to seat myself in the living room and do nothing but watch him throughout the day.
It’s pathetic. I know. I even went so far as prepping the entire meal for tonight—before noon—simply so I had the excuse of being downstairs. Just as I’m setting the casserole in the fridge for later, there’s a knock at the front door.
Wondering who it could be, I rush to answer it.
Knowing the guys are right out back if I need them, I don’t even bother to check before swinging it open, only to be frozen in place.
The sight of Ryan lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe off his face is a sight to be seen.
He’s fit, not in an I’m a gym buff , but I work my ass off kind of way.
The navy shirt he’s wearing matches his expressive eyes and his chiseled jaw still has a day’s growth of beard from yesterday.
The minute his eyes meet mine his lips tip into a hypnotic grin.
This man is something alright.
Eventually, my brain kicks in and I remember how to form words.
“Well, you’re certainly not a solicitor.”
Shrugging, he muses, “True… but I did come to sell you on something.”
“Something you couldn’t have come to the back door for?”
His lips quirk into a playful smirk. “Well, what would be the fun in that?”
“Hmmm…” I ponder, wondering where he’s going with this.
“Jared’s on his way to grab some materials and I’ve got about forty minutes for lunch. Since I didn’t have time to make one this morning, can I tempt you into running to town and grabbing something with me?”
“I’ve got one better,” I counter. “Unless you’ve got a hankering for somethin’ special, why don’t you come in and I’ll fix us some lunch? After all, I’m the reason you were running late this morning.
“I’ve already got bacon cooked and I was gonna offer you a BLT—but you’ve beaten me to it.”
Reaching for my hip, he pulls me to him as he whispers, “I guess great minds think alike.”
“Really? Cuz all I can think about is kissing you…” I playfully grab his t-shirt and pull him closer .
He steps inside and swings the door shut behind him and growls, “Again… same page,” right before his lips crash onto mine.
Tipping up on my toes, I pull myself closer as his large hand runs along my spine and pins me in place. Between hot languid kisses that light me from the inside out, he once again reads my mind as he pants, “You… have… no idea… how much I… needed this.”
You and me both. It’s like my best fantasies throughout the morning have come to life. With every nip, suck, and breath between us, my need for him grows. When my teeth pluck on his lower lip, he responds by gripping my ass with both his hands and hoisting me in the air to meet his height entirely.
On instinct, I cling to him like a velcro monkey by looping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Ryan’s scent is intoxicating.
It’s a mix of fresh ocean air, his seductive cologne, and a hint of sawdust. I seriously can’t get enough.
I get so caught up in our kisses, I’m caught off guard when I feel my ass land on something solid.
“What the…” I start, but I’m cut off by Ryan’s phone ringing.
Kissing me quickly Ryan mutters, “Hold that thought,” as he brings the phone to his ear. “Hey, Jared, what’s up?”
There’s talking from the other end of the line, but I can’t quite make out the words. Ryan shakes his head and smiles directly at me and waggles his brow. “No, man. I’m good. I’ll grab a bite here.”
My eyes dart to his lower lip and I certainly know what I’d like to bite .
However, Ryan interrupts my musing when he nods and says, “No worries. Take your time. I’ll see you in a few.” Sighing he hangs up the phone. “He’s on his way.”
His pout is pathetically adorable and I can’t help but laugh. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Aren’t you fighting the weather to get the siding done as it is?”
“As the foreman of this crew, I should agree with you. As a man who is thoroughly enjoying his lunch break—I’m not ready for it to end.”
“Neither am I,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer for a quick kiss. Before we get carried away, I push him back and hop off the counter. “But… you need to eat. Grab a seat at the bar and let’s eat lunch together.”
“Mind if I use your restroom first?”
Pointing to the hall, I say. “It’s the next door after the laundry room.”
While he’s gone I make quick work and throw together three sandwiches. I grab a bag of barbecue chips from the pantry and I’m just about to slice up the cantaloupe when two arms snake around me from behind.
Leaning in to kiss the side of my neck, he whispers, “You didn’t have to go to such trouble.”
And he just found my kryptonite.
There’s something about being held from behind while whispering in my ear that turns me on like no other.
Add kissing me at the base of my neck, and it’s the trifecta that turns my thoughts to goo.
My nerve endings tingle from my head to my toes as warmth spreads throughout my body.
I swear if he keeps talking in that sexy tone, I’ll do almost anything he asks.
Please don’t stop.
When he pulls away, the synapses in my brain finally connect, and I remember that I should respond. “I was making it for myself and I’ve got plenty to share.”
Reaching into the cupboard I point him towards, Ryan grabs two glasses. “Water or tea?”
His simple gesture reminds me of Nana and I laugh.
When his expression turns quizzical, I quickly explain, “Nana had a rule in this house that she’d explain to guests.
She always knew how to make a person feel at home.
But if you came to visit, she’d bluntly tell you, ‘ You’re only a guest the first time.
If you return, you’re expected to pitch in—just like anybody else because we won’t be waitin’ on ya.
’ God, I miss her. She may be gone, but she’s definitely still here, ya know? ”
“She sounds like a wise woman.”
“Don’t get me wrong; she was the most hospitable woman you’d ever met, but she didn’t want you going without because you were afraid to ask for it. She’d rather you just make yourself at home because as Nana would say, she was good at many things—but mind readin’ wasn’t one of them . ”
“I wish I had known her. The more I learn, the more I like,” Ryan says before taking a bite of his BLT.
My chest tightens at just how much I miss her, but somehow talking about her with Ryan makes me feel happy, too. Gah… Grief is a fickle beast. You never kn ow when it will hit, or how it will impact you. It lingers on the edge between happy and sad memories and I never know how I’ll respond.
“I think she would’ve liked you,” I admit.
In my short time with Ryan, I’ve seen him smirk, I’ve seen his playful side, but this smile that spreads across his face is genuine and could almost be described as humble. When he whispers, “Thank you. That means a lot.” I just want to hug him.
Instead, I change the subject because I’m not taking chances on my emotions at the moment. “Did you live close to your grandparents?”
Finishing another bite, he nods. “My dad’s parents live about an hour from here down the coast, and my mom’s parents live outside of Salem.”
“Do you see them often?”
“Now that we’re older, mostly for holidays and birthdays. But when we were younger, we spent a week or so in the summer, at each of their homes. I’m sure it was so my parents could work.”
“Same… though Nana watched us during Dad’s designated visitation. He was usually stationed somewhere around the world and would request leave to be with us as much as he could.” Ryan grabs a chip from his plate as he asks, “What branch of the military?”
“He’s still in the Air Force. Right now, he’s stationed at Lewis-McChord. He could have retired last year, but I can’t see him retiring any time soon.”
“Wow. That’s really commendable. Is he a pilot? ”
“Yes, he’s actually a pararescue pilot. That’s why he’s been stationed all over the world. If he chooses to stay in, he’ll likely end up in Germany with his next orders.”
“Did you move around a lot growing up?”
“For the first five years of my life—yes. But after my parents divorced, Mom moved us to live near her family at University Place.”
“Does your mom still live there?”
Shaking my head, I continue, “No. When Dad got his last assignment, an opportunity for her to become a traveling nurse landed in her lap and Lizzy moved in with him.”
When we hear the engine of Jared’s truck, Ryan leans closer to me and says, “That’s my cue… I can’t wait for this day to be over so I can spend more time with you.”
With that, he kisses me quickly, then stands to take his plate to the sink.
“Just put them in the sink. I’ll take care of it in a minute,” I offer, bringing my own dish to join his.
When he’s halfway through the sliding glass door to the deck, he stops to face me. “Thanks again for lunch. I’m looking forward to tonight.” With that, he shuts the door and walks across the deck out of sight.
He has no idea how much I’m looking forward to seeing him this evening.
I spend the necessary time cleaning up the kitchen before heading up to my room to read. With the constant banging against the wall, I groan in frustration. There’s no way I can read under these conditions .
Grabbing my e-reader, I slip on my flip-flops and head downstairs.
Stopping in the guest bathroom, I apply sunscreen and grab the large beach blanket that’s stored in the linen closet.
Then I grab my favorite folding chair from the garage and some snacks before heading to my second favorite place in Seaside—the beach.