Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Mira
My bedroom upstairs had a built-in window seat with a large bay window looking out onto the backyard.
Flowy, sheer lace curtains covered the window and large pillows and thick cushions, though outdated in color, made for a comfortable seat.
And a perfect spot for watching a certain mountain man work in my backyard.
I curled up in the corner, the pillows tucked behind my back, and peeked from behind the curtain, keeping most of my face hidden. I didn’t want him to see me watching and if he looked up here, he’d only see my outline and maybe the top of my head.
It was stupid, I know, and probably far too much effort, but I couldn’t help myself. The urge to spy on him was too hard to ignore.
Ezra started bright and early this morning, clearing away old stumps and raking the ground free of debris and dead leaves. He woke me up with his loud saw, the clock reading only seven o’clock, but after a cup of tea and a good look at my view for the day, my crappy mood turned into a good one.
After raking for almost an hour, Ezra wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm.
When he grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt and lifted it to wipe his face, I froze, my eyes glued on him.
I could see defined abdominal muscles underneath the cotton fabric, and I shifted in my seat as hot desire coursed through me.
Take off your shirt.
Ezra continued raking, working his way down each row. He’d saw off any stumps he found as he went along.
The orchard spread far back, with at least two acres of land until the fence stood dividing the property from the uncleared woods.
My phone buzzed beneath my leg and I reached for it, setting in my lap. A text from Kelly popped up.
Kelly: Is the hottie there? Did he take off his shirt yet?!
Me: not yet…im patiently waiting
Kelly: I doubt patiently are u watching his every move?
Me: sure am
Kelly: lol that’s my girl…i need some pics u know. ur being greedy
Me: nah, just don’t have any yet. ill try today
Kelly: u better. keep me posted
Me: is it bad if i want to kiss him?
Kelly: girrrrllll! go get him! y the hell not?!
Me: cuz we’re grown women now…and he’s way too young for me
Kelly: pssshhh, have some fun will u. if he kisses u let him!
Me: ok ok ill text u later
Kelly:
My attention turned back to Ezra, and I spotted him walking towards the house, his shirt now nowhere to be seen. Holy yummy.
Sweat trickled down his chest and glistened in the sunlight. His muscles flexed with every movement. If only I could morph into an apple tree, so he’d work on me.
I needed to stop before I did something inappropriate. The guy was working for me, for goodness’ sake. I shouldn’t think about kissing him every second, or wondering what his muscles would feel like under my fingertips, or how his mouth would feel all over my skin…
The start of the saw jolted me from my thoughts, and I turned my attention back to Ezra. Even though kissing was off the table, no one said anything about watching him.
And that’s exactly what I planned to do. All day long.
At lunchtime, I offered him a turkey and bacon sandwich, with a side of chips, a pickle, and a bowl of fruit salad, along with a glass of lemonade. He gladly ate it all.
Instead of hiding behind the curtain all afternoon, I took my laptop outside and sat on the back porch with a pitcher of iced water and glasses. As much as I tried to focus on work, it was a lost cause. All I could do was watch the mountain man who’d taken over my every thought.
I had it bad for him and I barely knew who he was.
Didn’t stop me from desperately wanting to kiss him.
Just before dinnertime, Ezra finished for the day, packing up his tools and changing into his third t-shirt of the day. He walked up the steps and onto the porch.
“Mind if I sit for a few before I go?”
I don’t want you to go.
“Of course. Have a glass of water if you’d like.”
Ezra sat beside me instead of across from me, and my stomach somersaulted through my insides.
He leaned forward and picked up the water pitcher, topping my glass off before pouring some for himself.
I watched his muscles flex with his every move and I shifted in my seat, my desire for him growing quickly.
He lifted the glass to his mouth and gulped the water hungrily, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.
Sweat and dirt left a sheen on his skin, and I wanted to taste his salty skin, his hard labor I admired all day.
I pictured him in the shower, the hot water cascading over his skin, his hard form, his sexy body.
When he brought the glass down, his eyes caught mine, and he smirked. He knew exactly what I’d been doing. Fantasizing about him.
I shifted in my seat once more, my entire body flushing hot from head to toe.
Ezra set the glass on the table. “I got a lot done today. A few more days of hard work and we’ll have a clean slate.”
“Great.” I breathed the word. Passion flooded my brain and drained my thoughts, leaving me with nothing. All I could think about was wrapping myself around him and kissing him until I couldn’t breathe.
What the hell is wrong with me?
My gaze fell to his lips, the curve of his mouth, what it would feel like to kiss him, taste him, fall under his spell.
“Mira?”
Shit! “Yes, sorry. What were you saying?”
Ezra chuckled, and he shot me a knowing look. Once again, he knew.
“I think this might be what you were thinking about.” Ezra moved closer and his scent washed over me, sweat and grass and dirt and so damn sexy.
“Correct me if I’m wrong.” He leaned forward, closing the last of the distance between us, and paused, his intense gaze moving from my eyes to my lips and back up again.
A slip of breath. A stolen moment.
A single chance.
Ezra pressed his lips to mine, grabbed the back of my head, and kissed me so hard I was a goner.