Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Noah
Ican’t shake the dirty thoughts flooding my mind.
Having Josy back in this kitchen brings me right back to that incredible day we shared.
As she moves around the space, I watch her reactions and can tell she’s genuinely pleased with my work.
Her face shows excitement at seeing her new place.
I did everything to make this space look like what she imagined.
Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if her mind drifts back to what happened here two weeks ago, I know mine has.
It’s impossible to get this woman out of my head; she’s everywhere I look.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to take care of myself, thinking about her.
I’ve given her the space she asked for, but now that her project is done, I can head back to Honey Springs and show up at her shop every day.
I want her to feel my presence just like I feel hers.
I walk toward the counter and run my hand along the metal surface, imagining grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close again.
I want to kiss her, to feel her warm skin under my palm as I caress her.
I want to make her mine for the rest of my life.
I glance over at Josy, and the sight of her makes my whole body react.
She’s always been gorgeous, but today she’s on another level.
She’s wearing this light blue sundress that stops just above her knees, paired with tan sandals that show off her legs.
Her curly hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and all I want to do is take it down, let it loose, and run my fingers through it.
I can’t help but think about how stunning she is, and it kills me that I spent the last ten years away from her.
What the hell was I thinking? Why did it take me so long to see that she’s all I’ve ever wanted?
It’s not just her looks, though, even if those alone could knock me flat.
It’s the way she carries herself. She’s honest, strong, independent, smart, and funny and that’s what I remember from ten years ago.
I know there’s even more to her now, and I’m eager to discover every piece of the woman she’s become.
But I also want her to get to know me. Not the me that she used to know, the young, impatient, stupid and immature younger me.
Now I have grown up, I have matured and know the importance of having responsibilities.
I can honestly say that I am a totally different person.
I had caught Josy staring at my hand as it grazes the countertop. An inward smile tugged at me; she always acts like she’s got it all together, like nothing fazes her. But I know better. That slight shiver that ran through her tells me she felt every bit of this moment, just like I did.
I can tell she’s happy for the question and I watch her as she chatters on about the space. Then, unexpectedly, she holds out her hand for a handshake, like this is some kind of business deal.
I take her hand, feeling the warmth and softness of her skin. It takes everything in me not to pull her closer and kiss her until neither of us can think straight.
“I’ll, uh, send the payment over today. Thanks again for everything,” she says, her voice a little shaky as we shake hands.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” I say with a wink, reluctantly letting her hand go and sliding mine into my pockets. My self-control around her is hanging by a thread. I want to grab her by her waist and sit her in the counter so I can have my way with her again.
Josy nods again and glances around the kitchen one last time. I point to the keys sitting on the counter. “There are your keys. I’m gonna head out. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
With that, I head for the door, stepping out into the bright afternoon sun. I walk straight to my truck, a smile plastered on my face the whole way back home.
I’ve been reviewing quotes for the past two hours, and it feels like the work just keeps piling up.
We’ve got so much on our plate already, but the calls keep coming in for more remodeling jobs and new construction projects.
I feel like I’ll never catch a break. It’s exhausting going from one job to the next, making sure everything’s done right and that our clients are happy with the results.
We’ve been going nonstop for years, all to grow the business.
And we’ve done it. But now that we’ve grown, it’s time to admit we can’t keep this pace up forever.
I need to talk to Esteban. We need someone who can help manage the workload, someone to oversee things on-site and keep the guys in line.
The load is too heavy for just the two of us, and if we don’t make a change soon, we’ll burn out.
We deserve a break every once in a while.
I try to focus on work, but my mind keeps drifting back to Josy.
It's like I’m a starving man who’s had just one taste and now can’t go without her.
Ten years went by, and I was fine, but now it’s like I need her to breathe again.
I’ve never felt like this before, and part of me wonders if I should be worried that I’m obsessing over her.
She’s in my dreams, my thoughts, my life everywhere I fucking turn.
I take off my cap, running my hands through my messy hair.
There’s no way I can focus on paperwork right now.
I need to do something with my hands, something physical.
Standing up from my desk, I grab my keys and wave a quick goodbye to Payton as I head out.
Driving to Violet’s house, I crank up the radio, hoping the music will drown out my thoughts of Josy.
But it’s pointless. She’s all I can think about.
When I arrive, I see the crew hard at work.
I park the truck and head inside to check on the progress.
Esteban’s been making good time while I’ve been tied up at Josy’s shop.
The house is nearly done. It just needs a coat of paint, some light fixtures, and then it'll be ready. But even standing here in the middle of all this, I can’t stop thinking about her.
"Dude, when did you get here?" Esteban asks, walking into the living room, carrying a box in one hand.
"Just now. I like how this place is shaping up," I say, looking around.
"I know, right? We’re almost there. Just need to finish the painting and install the light fixtures. Violet’s gonna be thrilled when she finally sees it."
"I bet she will," I say, nodding. "Now that I’m here, put me to work."
Esteban grins. "You can start by painting one of the rooms. The guys are already on the bathrooms and kitchen."
"Cool. Is the paint already there?"
"Yeah, I put all the paint in each room earlier. Just make sure you’re using the right color. I labeled the walls, so you know what goes where."
I chuckle. "You always do that."
"I guess I do," he muses.
Heading toward the primary bedroom, I double-check the paint color, grab everything I need, and start taping off the corners.
The steady rhythm of painting does what I need to keep me focused, while quieting the noise in my head.
Once I finish one room, I move to the next, getting lost in the work, letting it take over.
When I’m done with the second room, it’s late, and I start cleaning up.
Two more rooms are left before the house is practically done.
As I walk through the house, I notice the guys are already gone.
I didn’t even hear them leave. That’s good though, it means I managed to stay in my own head long enough to get through the day.
When I reach the kitchen, I see Esteban installing the light fixture in the dining area.
The open floor plan makes it easy to spot him across the kitchen island.
“Hey, almost done? Need some help?” I ask, moving closer.
“Sure,” he says, and I step up beside him, holding the lamp while he messes with the wires. We work in silence for a few minutes, which is unusual for Esteban. I know it’s only a matter of time before he cracks.
“So, what’s got you stressed?” he finally asks, his voice casual but pointed.
“What makes you think I’m stressed?” I shoot back, knowing full well he’s right.
“Today was supposed to be your office day, and you came straight here, didn’t say a word to anyone, and just started working. You’ve been in your head all day.” This guy doesn’t miss a thing, and I sigh, knowing there’s no point in hiding it.
“It’s nothing. Just… in my head,” I mutter, hoping he’ll drop it.
“Really? What’s bothering you?” The look on his face says that he’s not letting this go.
“Dude, seriously? Are we doing this?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yep. We are,” Esteban says, his face all “duh,” like I should’ve seen this coming.
I cave. “I can’t stop thinking about Josy. After all this time, it’s hitting me hard how much I want her. I can’t get her out of my head. But she rejected me, so there’s not much I can do right now.” The words spill out fast, like I just need to get them off my chest.
“Wait, wait, wait. She rejected you?” Esteban’s eyes go wide with mock shock. Great, now I’ve done it. I hadn’t told him or anyone about the mind-blowing sex with Josy, and now I’ve got to backtrack.
“Yeah, three weeks ago,” I lie smoothly, trying to cover my tracks.
“For real? A woman finally rejected Noah Ross? This is a monumental day.” Esteban grins like the asshole he is.
“Fuck you, man,” I snap, irritated.
He just laughs. “Don’t pout. It’s fine. You just gotta keep trying. We all know Josy’s into you; she's probably just being difficult. Didn’t you say you were gonna start showing up at her coffee shop, like, every day?”
“That was the plan, but I’ve been tied up working on her new place. Haven’t had time to drop by since we started on that.”
“Start again tomorrow. Then the next day, and the next. She’ll cave eventually.”
“Yeah… that’s what I’m hoping,” I say, feeling a little lighter after getting it out.
“She will. Trust me.” He’s so full of confidence, like he knows something I don’t.