Chapter 9 - Dean
How does she know so much about art history?
And she has no idea how damn sexy she is as she idly compares abstracts with surrealism. Just the very tease of the swell of her thigh escapes the cover of her throw as she waves her hands in an animated story.
But it’s her lips that have me transfixed. The way she bites them when she’s thinking, or purses them when she’s preparing a clever retort.
I imagine she’s the worst poker player in the world as expressive as that…kissable…mouth is.
I’d love to squeeze her cheeks until they pucker, then taste that pink tongue that she tends to poke out while she’s listening.
“Thank you both for lunch.” Her bright blue eyes sparkle as she stands, then she folds her blanket with practiced grace before picking up her dishes.
“It was our pleasure.” I find myself hopping up to retrieve them from her. “Let me get those. We’ll clean everything up later.”
Reece raises his eyebrows watching me.
I know, it’s generally out of character for me to wait on anyone.
But she’s different.
There’s something driving me to want to dote on her.
“You’re a sweetheart.” Her brilliant smile sends rays of heat through me. “I could totally stay and talk until you’re bored with me.” A pink flush works up her neck.
“That’d never happen,” Reece pipes in.
I agree.
Yet when I turn from the sink and see her embracing him, it sends a stabbing pain into my gut.
“I’m sorry,” she says breathlessly. “I’m a hugger, I hope that’s okay.”
When she rushes to me and wraps her arms around my ribs to press her cheek against my chest, all of the momentary jealousy melts away.
I can’t stop my palms from smoothing over her back to pull her tighter. “They’re always welcome.”
Reece meets my eyes over her head, his jaw clenching as I’m sure he works through the same stab of pain that I felt just a second ago.
“Do you want me to walk you back to your cabin?” he asks from behind.
I scowl at him, knowing he’s hurrying her out of my reach.
The heat in my body leaves with her when she does.
“I think I’ll be okay.” She glances out of the window. “I need to just pull up my big girl panties and do this.” Her heels thump against the floor with each boot as she steps into them. “Hopefully the water pipes have thawed by now.”
“If they haven’t, be sure to come back.” I set my hip against the counter, attempting a nonchalant lean, when all I want to do is pull her against me.
“Yes, sir.” Firelight dances in her blue irises, giving them a mischievous, golden glint.
Fuck, does she know what she’s doing to me?
Her coat whirls around her with a wave of vanilla and lavender, then the icy air rushes in past her as Reece opens the door.
“Have a great night,” he calls as she steps off the porch.
Like two old women, he and I gather to watch that she makes it into her cabin safely.
“I think I like her, Dean,” Reece mutters once she disappears.
“Me, too,” I admit.
She’s almost the perfect fit for each of us.
“What are we going to do about that?” He pulls the heavy pot of water from the fireplace and sets it on the counter.
“I don’t know,” I say quietly. “I guess she’ll choose if she’s interested.”
I fucking hate that idea.
Reece has the looks, the muscles, and the charm.
My quirky love of obscure art and design won’t outweigh that.
And our money is off the table.
Not that I’ll be mad when he ends up with her. He deserves to be happy.
“Make sure I’m your best man at the wedding,” he laughs as he starts scrubbing salad bowls. “You guys clicked over pastels and shadows. I saw it.”
“I didn’t miss the fact that she practically drooled every time you tossed wood on the fire.” I suppose we should both be grateful we got to spend an afternoon in the presence of a beautiful woman who wasn’t wanting anything more than company.
After everything is cleaned, and I’m lying in bed, it’s impossible to keep my mind from straying though.
I want to trace the elegant lines of her body with my lips, paint her with my kisses until she explodes into a rainbow of colors.
What would she look like with her tawny locks spread across my pillow while I fuck her with my tongue?
With a groan, I roll onto my side, propped by my stiff cock against the mattress.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this…excited.
Smitten would be a better word.
Before I can stop myself, I’ve freed myself from my boxers and stroke myself with a muffled groan.
I barely grab tissues in time to keep from making a mess across my bed.
What is she doing to me?
After a fitful sleep, I wake up earlier than normal.
“Morning,” Reece grumbles from the couch, his coffee cup already half empty. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks, sunshine.” I know he’s not lying. I didn’t bother to shave when I realized the power was still off this morning. “We should move all of the stuff from the fridge to the back porch today.”
I can’t stop my eyes from wandering across the street to Stacy’s cabin.
Then I pause. “Reece? Did you notice that there’s no smoke coming from her chimney?”
“Damn it,” he mutters. “I hope she’s not over there frozen to death. I think it’s even colder this morning.” He points to the delicate flowers of frost that decorate the corners of our window.
“One of us should check on her.” I want it to be me.
But with a sigh, I notice the excited pull to his lips. “Go on. You’re the Boy Scout. If she hasn’t turned into an icicle, she’ll likely be very glad to see you.”
I just hate that I know I’m putting the two of them together.
Without me.