Chapter 5 #2
Not only did I have a flurry of emotions keeping my stomach in knots, but the clear and present desire was about to do me in. He was far too handsome, his sex appeal unavoidable.
I hurried into the kitchen, pulling out the steaks I’d purchased just in case, trying to figure out how best to season them. Other than inviting Darlene over to hold my hand when I’d returned, no one had been inside the house.
Once the simple task was finished, I moved into the living room, groaning openly. My ice cream bowl and wineglass remained on the table, my slippers nearby. The quilt was on the floor, Ellie’s toys spread everywhere.
Like a hurricane, I moved through the house like a tornado, shoving the items into the dishwasher and yanking my slippers into my hand. As soon as I walked into my bedroom, which he wouldn’t visit but might notice if he went to the bathroom, a rush of adrenaline had me close to panicking.
I’d never been a slob before. Not once in my life. Yet I’d had no energy or desire to make the house mine. Why should I? I wasn’t entirely certain the bank wasn’t going to claim the ranch at some point. Or maybe I’d just been unable both mentally and emotionally to deal with boxing up their things.
That’s why I remained in the guest room, which technically was my old room when I’d lived here. Complete with my high school cheerleading banner on the wall and posters of Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake, one who I’d insisted I was going to marry.
Ha.
I noticed how that had worked out.
The mirror with photos stuck from my high school days was a stark reminder of the happy girl I’d been. At least for the most part. There was no time to rip them off. Nor was there time to change the fluffy pink comforter to another one.
All I could do was pick up the dirty clothes and when the hamper was full, I tossed them into my tiny closet, forced to shove the door closed. I stood in front of it, gasping for breath and worried it would pop open like a can of worms.
When the place was presentable, I rushed into the bathroom, opening a drawer and raking my arm across the counter, dropping my makeup, hairspray, gel, lotion, and all the other beauty products I barely used inside.
Thankfully, I had a couple of clean towels, replacing the damp ones.
After the room was presentable, I glared into the mirror. Holy crap. I looked terrible, dark circles under my eyes carrying their own baggage. That’s what long hours and sleepless nights did to you.
I fluffed my hair, powdered my nose, and applied a little lip gloss before returning to the kitchen and glancing out the window. He must still be working. After grabbing two cold beers, I took a calming breath and headed out.
Only I wasn’t so calm.
This time when I headed toward the corral, I noticed he wasn’t there. But he’d repaired six sections of fence.
And the gate was…
When I was standing right in front of the swinging door, I was absolutely floored. Viper hadn’t managed a temporary fix. What he’d accomplished appeared permanent. He’d even managed to put the new fastener on. Floored, I tried to figure out where he was, turning in a full circle.
This time, Ellie May didn’t give away the location, but an electric saw did.
I heard it running from around the side of the clinic, which had several missing pieces of siding.
The surprises about the man never stopped.
I moved around the end of the clinic, inching around the corner while holding my breath, slowly lifting my head to see the work he’d done.
He was currently on a ladder, juggling a piece of siding by himself and nailing it by hand.
I think my mouth dropped open from the shock. And my dog was lounging in the shade, completely at ease and as happy as could be. After finding a spot to place the bottles, I stood back, shielding my eyes from the late afternoon sun.
Not only did I have a bird’s-eye view of his pectoral muscles as he flexed both massive, tanned arms in maneuvering the wooden board, but I was also granted a solid look at his butt. His very muscular butt that filled out his jeans to perfection.
After finishing nailing the board, he took a breath, pulling away and studying the placement. I could not believe he’d managed to fix the entire side. Of course there were the rotten windowsills and trim that had been gnawed on by squirrels, but I’d never felt so grateful in my life.
Or so sad that it had taken a stranger to repair something I should have made a priority.
“A little to the right,” I said, unable to resist.
With the slowest turn of his head I’d ever seen on a person, when he finally looked down at me, I was certain he was ready to share his true feelings. But he didn’t. He was ultra quiet, providing a suggestive, heated onceover while rubbing his arm across his face.
Whew, I was suddenly hot all over.
When he started to climb down, I backed away and just as I’d done around him before, I was holding my breath.
He hopped off the last two rungs, yanking his shirt from the sawhorses he’d set up.
Also something I hadn’t noticed in the barn. Maybe I needed to inventory my father’s tools. What else had he found, hopefully gold.
When Viper started to walk closer, his gait more like a swagger, I quickly adjusted and grabbed the two beers, using them as props. As soon as I took a giant step toward him, I knew it was a mistake. A huge mistake.
My foot caught on a dense object and I went flying toward him.
And directly into his arms.
* * *
Viper
I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. Either in taking Grace’s handouts or agreeing to stay for dinner. If that wasn’t bad enough, she’d worn a dress instead of jeans.
A dress.
A fucking slip of material that floated across her full breasts and ample hips in a way that had my mouth watering and my mind filtering filth. The way the light had shown through the thin cotton, allowing me to see the outline of her long, shapely legs had kept my cock harboring a dull ache.
I was extremely grateful she hadn’t judged me too harshly for asking about the money, creating a way to allow me to crawl out of a hole I’d dug myself. That didn’t mean I wasn’t still furious that I could use some help.
Fuck. The last thing I needed was to feel sorry for myself.
The woman I hadn’t expected. I had been planning on becoming a hermit and ignoring the world. Then the dog had drifted into my life. Then the woman with the luminous eyes had railroaded her way into my existence. Hell. Nothing was going as I’d planned it.
Every time she opened her mouth, she’d shot words of sarcasm in my direction and while she aggravated the hell out of me, I also longed to fill that sassy mouth with something long and thick.
What kind of man did it make me that she was being so generous, even in her bouts of sarcasm while all I could think about was ripping off her clothes?
Some would call that being a typical guy, a horny male with no conscience.
Okay, so I was. So what? I’d known enough about myself to realize hard labor always helped. That’s one reason when I’d found the tools and the materials, I’d decided to make good use of my time. After all, she was taking care of the little monster I’d decided to adopt on some crazy ass whim.
It had worked too. I’d felt like some sort of a decent human being while repairing the more broken-down parts of the ranch. In the two and a half hours that I’d been working, my less than chivalrous thoughts had slowly started to fade.
Even when she’d teased me about my work.
Not any longer.
All bets were off now that she was in my arms.
Instinctively, I wrapped one arm around her, keeping her steady. With the other, I gripped her arm and even my joints reacted from the shock of touching her. Much like before. I’d heard all about chemical reactions when two people were attracted to each other, but she wasn’t my type.
Or so I’d tried to tell myself.
The silence shared between us was as disjointed as the heat blasting through every cell and vein.
I lowered my gaze as she lifted her head, her mouth twisted in frustration.
She’d managed to keep her one hand around the two beers, but with the other, she instinctively tried to keep herself from falling, slapping her hand against my bare chest.
“Oh, shit,” she muttered, her chest rising and falling, which of course drew my attention to her breasts. They were creations of beauty. I’d noticed her arching her back before, the same damn sunlight adding another dimension to her natural beauty.
Instead of pushing away immediately, she dug her fingernails into my chest with just enough pressure I felt the sensual gesture. And was even more aroused. With her head lifted, her lips were very close to mine. I could easily do the unthinkable and something I’d no doubt regret.
No, something she’d make me regret especially if she ever learned anything about me. Which I didn’t planning on allowing. I was here to do my job and live a quiet life. There would be no one else allowed in except for Sailor.
While the woman was as tempting as any could be, I’d made an oath to myself not to get involved with anyone. Maybe I was doing so in homage to the person I’d loved the most.
But damn if Grace’s perfume hadn’t filtered into my nostrils, the fresh scent of flowers and vanilla mixed with a slight hint of tangerine. The combination was dangerously intoxicating, enough so that my cock was rising to full attention.
I had to cool my ass down quickly or I’d need to get the hell out of here.
And that just wouldn’t be polite after all she’d already done for me.
When I moved my hand from her arm, she took a deep breath. While I kept my eyes pinned on her since I believed looking was allowed, I managed to snag a single bottle.
She didn’t move when I rolled the icy cold exterior across my forehead or when I took a long pull of the delicious brew. It was the first beer I’d consumed in over two years.
Thank God there were no restrictions on booze after my release.
At least the awkward and incredible spell was broken and she pushed herself away, looking to ensure she didn’t trip on the same piece of wood. Clearly embarrassed, she turned away, taking a few deep breaths.
“You didn’t need to do all that.”
I took another gulp before answering. Sparring with the feisty lady had been easy, even enjoyable.
In doing so, I’d managed to take out some of my aggressions for having my life interrupted while enjoying her beauty from afar.
Like a Picasso hanging on the wall. No one dared touch it for fear of getting their hand cut off.
But the way my cock consistently reacted to her heated looks created a burning need that would only get worse. However, certain lines could not be crossed. That didn’t mean I couldn’t flirt with them a little.
Or with her.
“Helping you out was the least I could do. I’m not good with giving thanks, Grace, but I do appreciate the kindness you’ve shown Sailor and me. Don’t expect to hear that again.” I offered a short, husky laugh, which seemed to shock her.
“You can express yourself in something other than a growl.”
“Very funny.”
“I’m not kidding. Certain things I don’t joke about.” Her perfume continued to drive me crazy, enough I was concerned she could tell exactly what she was doing to me once she dared face the inevitable.
Whatever that was.
She was the kind of woman to speak her mind wherever it suited her. That intrigued me as much as the darkness behind her eyes. She’d been through a lot in her young life.
My tone must have given away something because she jerked around to face me, her eyes drilling through mine. I don’t know what she was looking for, but all she’d find was heartache.
With a tight swallow, she shook her head. “People should always be kind. What you did was a lot of work. I feel like I owe you now. You’re obviously a contractor. I can’t pay you but so much, but I’d love it if you’d consider doing some more work.”
If she only knew how much I wouldn’t mind. “I have a job starting on Monday.”
“Oh, that’s why you’re here. I mean in Missoula.”
She looked so disappointed, I found myself glancing at the sprawling perimeter.
The bones of the ranch were decent, the scenery breathtaking, but her parents hadn’t managed to keep up with the needed maintenance.
“Maybe we can work something out when I can find the time. I could be gone for long stretches.”
“I get it.” She rubbed her arm.
The nervous habit had told me several things about her, including she was as attracted to me as I was to her.
Yep, a very dangerous situation that couldn’t go any further. Yet even though I told myself that all over again, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
She nursed her beer, trying to act as if my presence wasn’t bothering her. “I hope you’re hungry. I have steaks. But I will ask another favor. I mean if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I haven’t used the grill yet. I guess my father finally bought a new one. I can diagnose a case of parvo a mile away but can’t figure out how to light a grill. Do you think… I mean if you don’t mind helping and…” She laughed. “This is ridiculous. Do you mind firing up the grill for me?”
The woman was so unabashed, so entirely different than I was used to that I found myself willing to do just about anything.
“How about I cook the steaks for us?”
“That would be fantastic,” she said, breathing a sigh of relief. Even her lower lip quivered. Damn, every little action drew my attention.
“How do you like them cooked?”
Her expression changed, becoming sultry like I’d seen before. “Rare. Blood rare.”
Well, shit. A woman after my own heart.
Now I was in trouble.