Chapter 10
June stood on Rob’s front stoop, waiting for him to answer the door. She looked around her as she waited. He lived in a one-story house with well-trimmed bushes and garden boxes in the front window. She didn’t peg him for a gardener, but then again, she didn’t know him very well.
It was a nice quiet neighborhood similar to her own. Lots of kids playing in the street and neighbors waving to each other.
The door opened, and June turned to say hi when her brain momentarily shut down and she forgot to breathe. Rob stood there in a grey tank top that fit his frame like a second skin. She could see the outline of his pecs. His impressive arms were on display. Her mouth went dry at seeing his physique.
He wasn’t big and bulky like a body builder. He was leaner with more subtle muscle definition. He had nice wide shoulders with a divot above his collarbone. There was a hint of black ink poking out just above the collar of his shirt. It was a tattoo, but she couldn’t tell what it was.
June had seen plenty of physically fit men over the course of her career and training, but none had captivated her like Rob did.
“June?”
June’s gaze shot up and looked up at Rob who was staring at her with a look of humor. He had totally just caught her checking him out. Well, what did he expect answering the door like that? “Hi,” she said louder than was necessary.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, great.” Better than great.
“Good, you were just staring.”
“Sorry, I got lost in thought.” It was the only excuse she could think of for staring at him, praying he didn’t call her out on it. What was she supposed to say? ‘Sorry, I’ve never seen you with so little clothing before.’ Yeah, not so much.
“Okay, I thought you were debating if you should cut and run before I show you to the pit.”
That got her to crack a smile and her nerves to ease. “Nope, I’m not afraid. Besides, I’d push you in first. Give you a taste of your own medicine.”
Rob threw his head back and laughed. “Good to know. I’ll have to stay on my toes with you. Come on in.” He stepped back to let her through the door. June looked around the space.
She expected it to be masculine with dark rich brown leather furniture and a large flat-screen television, with only a few pictures on the wall. It was the complete opposite. A cream-colored couch and dark wood coffee table with a medium-sized television.
There was art on the walls and a shadow box with service medals and awards on the wall across from her with a picture of Rob in military uniform.
It was warm and inviting. Either he was a secret interior designer, or a woman had helped design this place. “Did you find the place alright?”
“Yeah.” She’d followed her GPS on her phone. He only lived twenty minutes away from her on the other side of town. She had gotten here a few minutes early but hadn’t wanted to seem overeager, so she’d waited a few minutes before knocking. “This is a really nice neighborhood.”
“It is.”
“Have you lived here the whole seven years you’ve been here?”
“Most of it. I started in an apartment and found this place around a year later,” he said as he closed the door behind them.
“I like the house. It’s really nice. Cozy,” June commented as she waved at the room around them. It was an open floor plan. There was the foyer they were standing in, the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen on the opposite wall.
“You have my sister to thank for that. She came to visit when I bought it and did all the decorating.”
So, she had been right. “Is she your only sibling?”
“Yeah, it’s just us.”
“Are you two close?”
“Not as much as we should be. After I got out of the service, we’ve talked more, but we only share the occasional phone call and card.”
“What about your parents?”
“Both passed away.”
“I’m sorry. Mine too.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anyone other than your brother?”
“No, just the two of us too.” They had a lot more in common than she’d first thought.
“Something we have in common. Are you two close?”
“I wouldn’t say close, but since I moved here, I talk to him more. I think he worries about me.”
“I take it he’s an old brother.”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“My sister is older and is protective of me, though I was the one in Special Forces.” He chuckled. “Not only that, I’m also a foot and a half taller.”
June was stunned that he gave away what he used to do in the army though he had been so secretive about it yesterday. She didn’t know if he was conscious of the slip, and she wasn’t about to point it out.
June’s gaze fell back to his wall of accomplishments as she was deeming it. “May I?” She pointed to his picture and medals.
“Sure.”
June looked over the medals. She recognized some of the medals because her brother had them.
“Commendation medal, silver star. My, my,” she murmured.
So many awards. “Impressive.” She shifted her gaze to the photo.
Rob was so young-looking. He didn’t even look like he was in his twenties yet.
He still had that boyish face. It was cute.
“You know your medals. I’m impressed.”
“I may have seen a few of them once or twice.” She shrugged. June didn’t make a habit of bragging about her brother and his accomplishments. It went against the whole secrecy of his job and all. “I’m sure you miss it,” she said, turning back to face him.
“Sometimes,” he replied softly as he passed her and headed further into the house. “Well, we should get started. The workout space is in the back. I built a studio in the backyard.”
“Next to the pit?” she teased, trying to bring humor back into the conversation. She hadn’t meant to bring up such a sensitive subject.
“Why would I give away all of my secrets?”
“Why indeed?” she mused.