Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
LEXI
Somehow, I sleep like a baby. And I would never have thought that was possible with Joshua Lucas in the next room all night.
I may have made up the couch for him with two pillows and a blanket, but I felt bad all the same.
Even if he did assure me he was totally fine sleeping out here for the night and not to worry about him. He was just being nice.
I’m up with the larks to get ready for the day ahead, while Mr. Snuggles lays sleeping on the bed.
I creep past the couch, tiptoeing extra carefully along the hardwood, taking note of Josh’s sexy bare back that’s facing me as I walk to the kitchen.
He was so sweet last night taking over the dinner preparations, preferring me to sit down with a glass of wine and watch him from the kitchen island rather than helping.
I mean, what guy does that? Not any of the dudes I’ve dated, anyway. I admit, I could watch him move effortlessly around the kitchen for the rest of my damned life. It would not be any kind of hardship.
When I laid down on the comfy mattress last night and Mr. Snuggles found his grounding — making biscuits on the plush duvet — I couldn’t get the sexy man on the couch off my mind.
I felt tingly all through my body, and that’s without me thinking about him naked in the shower.
Holy hell. That was definitely the highlight of my day.
Why my cat decided to go rogue at that exact time, I’ll never know.
Obviously to show me up and make me look like a crazy cat lady. Mission accomplished.
But knowing he was right out there all night — probably sleeping in his boxers, or maybe those sexy gray sweats that hung around his hips in a way that should be illegal, it made my body throb even more.
He’s always caused a stir in my panties, but since I arrived yesterday, it has been a slippery slope in more ways than one.
When he reached up to my face, sweeping an escaped curl out of my eyes, he brushed my skin as he moved.
My body shuddered like he’d touched me intimately.
Maybe because that’s what I want, but I don’t know if he wants it, too. Was he just being nice?
All I know is that I fell asleep thinking about his sexy lips and what he could do with them, combined with that monster cock of his.
Of course Josh is well endowed, would I really expect anything less?
Not to mention how cute he looked out of his usual suit and tie that I’ve always seen him in.
He’s like the perfect package of a man. He cooks, cleans and still manages to make friends with my cat who scared the life out of him — and then proceeded to scratch him to death — but remains so damned sexy while doing all of it.
Joshau Lucas is like nobody else. I’m in slight awe, if not a little crush-hazy over him.
There were no awkward silences, despite our impromptu dalliance in the shower. We laughed and talked well into the night. He was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him.
I think I like Josh all calm and relaxed. Not that he’s ever moody or acting uptight when I’ve seen him before, but witnessing him outside of work without the daily stress of the job is something else entirely. His aloofness was refreshing, and unexpected.
I quickly get ready while the coffee is brewing.
Today is a big day and I have to bring my best game face for Ali and Monica.
I’ve perfected my morning makeup routine down to fifteen minutes, so I’m all fresh faced and bright eyed, but still clad in my fluffy pink robe when Joshua walks into the kitchen rubbing his head.
He yawns loudly, and wow… is he a sight for sore eyes.
I’ve just made us both a coffee with just the right amount of foam and warm milk. I may not know exactly how he likes his coffee in the morning, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture.
I spin around when he walks in looking like a freaking model. Why can’t I wake up and look that good?
He smiles, running a hand through his ruffled hair.
My mouth runs dry at how cute he is all crumpled.
I’ve never seen Joshie quite like this; raw and in his natural habitat.
The gray sweatpants he must’ve slept in hang ever so low on his hips.
I mean, I don’t intentionally look down that way, but how can I not?
I quickly scan my eyes back up his body to meet his baby blues, and is that a smirk that greets me?
Okay, I got caught gawking again, sue me.
“Morning, Lex,” he says in a rough, gravelly voice.
“Morning,” I reply, albeit a little more chirpy than I usually am first thing. “I hope I didn’t wake you?”
He shakes his head. “I slept hard. I usually wake up before the sun on weekdays, though I think I slept funny on one shoulder.” He moves his arm around in circles a few times while my eyes follow the movement of his ripping muscles.
Good gracious me. The gods are being more than on my side this weekend.
First a show in the shower, and now this. He can flex those muscles all day long, and I’ll keep paying attention.
“Oh, shit. I hope you’re okay?” I would offer to rub his shoulder, but I don’t want him to think I’m purposely trying to get my mitts on him.
“I’ll be fine. Just getting old.”
“You’re not old.” I hold his coffee cup out to him and he smiles gratefully. I also ignore the dancing of my heart when our fingers brush. “You’re six-four, and you slept on a couch that clearly doesn’t accommodate your size. I feel terrible.”
“Don’t feel bad. I’ll suck it up.” He takes another grateful sip, humming in a delicious way that makes my toes tingle. “I can’t remember the last time a woman made coffee for me in the morning.”
Ooh, does that mean there’s been nobody lately?
“The only thing I’m good at making is grilled cheese and pouring coffee, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m sure you’re just being modest. You did toss the salad last night.”
I giggle. “I guess I’m off the hook then.”
“I guess you are.”
A moment of silence hangs between us and I try not to let my breathing hitch. Calm the hell down! But I can’t. I’m not just crushing on this man, I think I fell for him a long time ago, but my head only just caught up with my heart. Goddamn it.
Dramatic much? I curse myself because I do not get mixed up with work colleagues, and always keep things strictly professional.
He thumbs behind him. “I should probably get dressed.”
I check my watch. “I think I’ll do the same.”
My eyes flick to his back as he turns and heads for the couch, coffee in hand.
I’m surprised to see a rose tattoo peeking out from above the low band of his sweats that spreads across his back.
I hadn’t noticed all of his ink when he was in the shower, then again, my eyes were firmly set on below the waist. There’s some writing around the deep crimson petals but I can’t read the words without getting awkwardly acquainted with his lower back.
And that would be just weird, considering he’s walking away.
The way the ink glides across his body, every stroke looks like it’s etched into his skin with perfect precision.
Clearly Josh has a very talented artist, because the line work is incredible.
“Should I rustle up some breakfast or shall we eat on the run?” I call out.
In my periphery, Joshua sits on the edge of the couch, stretching to the heavens.
Do not gawk, you freaking stalker!
I know my feelings for him are growing with each passing second, and as much as I try to brush them off, they keep popping back up to annoy the crap out of me.
“There’s a cute little café close to the lake off Main Street, they used to do breakfast wraps. We could swing by and check it out before your showing?” he says, shifting his gaze to mine.
“That sounds great.” I can practically hear my stomach growl. “I’ll check on Mr. Snuggles and get changed.”
“So this celebrity? Are you really not gonna spill the beans?”
I button my lips. “I’m afraid on this occasion, the privacy of our client is top priority. But if you happen to catch a glimpse of her, then I guess that can’t be helped.”
Oh, holy guacamole. He’s giving me the most panty-melting, smoldering look. His brow knits together, his lips purse and I know he’s fighting a smile.
“Not even one little bitty clue?”
I shake my head. “I’m a professional, Mr. Lucas. I never kiss and tell.”
With that, I grab my coffee and walk towards the bedroom, just a little bit of sass in my swagger as I go.
There . Take that!
I feel his eyes on me as I leave, and for a second, I wonder if I’m wrong. Does he feel what I’m feeling?Or is this one sided? Josh has always been a tremendous flirt, maybe he’s like that with all the women he meets?
I may very well never want to leave this cabin, but I can’t stand here gawking all day.
Not only do I have very big shoes to fill for Monica, but I now have Joshua’s ex-girlfriend to contend with, too. I’m going to need all the caffeine I can muster just to get through today and hopefully Monica will love the house.
If she doesn’t? I’ve always got this hunky dunk of a man for one more night in my cabin, and I might just show Joshua Lucas how sassy I can be.