Page 60 of Country Charm

“I’m jokin’, Cass. Lord knows if you came home with me, the truck wouldn’t even get unloaded and I’d end up with an hour of sleep before having to get up and get to work.”

I can tell Hunter has grown aware of my body language. For the most part, he can tell if I am into something, if something is bothering me, or if something is on my mind. Although this time he’s a little off. The idea of heading back with him is a little scary, but not terrifying.Strange.

“I know, if you need help placing anything send me a picture of it and I’ll shoot you a few ideas on placement.” I stand up on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek but Hunter just pulls my hand, causing me to fall into him. His mouth slantsacross mine and our goodbye kiss is more heated than I intended. He cuts it short.

“Better not get started, or I’ll never leave.” With that, he slinks out the door and heads to the elevator. I rub my thumb over my lips, already wanting another kiss.

Many men have left my apartment and I had been wanting more, but not in the same sense. Usually, in that situation, they leave and I’m unsatisfied. I want more passion, I want more orgasms, hell even one sometimes. Hunter is leaving and I want more… time?

I don’t know, but I better figure it out.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Cassidy

It’s a typical Monday at work. Nothing is exciting or different, yet I feel different. I’m distracted and impatient about something I can’t pinpoint. I got the two mid-level accounts that I had asked for, no questions asked. My department head had nothing positive or negative to say about it. Usually, this wouldn’t even bear any weight on my mind, but it does at the moment.

I quickly get to work. I don’t stop until a quarter after eleven and realize a cup of coffee would be nice. Grabbing my travel mug and a coffee pod from my bag, I exit my office. For a moment I consider closing and locking my door, but the break room isn’t far, and I’ll only be away for a few minutes. I’ve never had to lock the door before, but my brain seems to be wired differently this morning.

It’s not to say that I’m seriously distracted, but my mind is wandering easily. The thoughts that cross my mind aren’t anything I was even mulling over the previous evening; they are more along the lines of, what are my favorite foods, if I had to pick five to live off of for the rest of mylife, what would they be? If I could only listen to one album ever again, what would it be?

I am still productive, and my work is moving along just fine, but in between a productive moment is a random thought. It’s unusual for me.

Slipping into the break-room, I see a few co-workers already gathering their lunches and heading out a bit early. I’m not quite ready to eat, so a cup will do for now. I nod and smile as I pass by others before making my way to the Keurig and putting in my pod. Setting my travel mug under the spout, I lead against the counter while it brews.

A warm rich aroma fills the small space next to me, and it already gives me a little extra pep. Pulling out my phone I realize that I haven’t texted Hunter back.

Country Charm: Looks like Jake was a no-show. Something’s not right.

Country Charm: I called him and his mom, both didn’t answer. Should I drive over there during lunch, is that overkill?

Country Charm: How’s work?

Country Charm: Cass?

Shit.

Me: Sorry. I was in a work zone. Maybe go after the workday if you still don’t hear from him. They could be busy with their own thing. Work is work, nothing exciting. I got the accounts I asked for and I’m breezing through everything. How’s your morning been?

Turning toward the coffee maker, I grab my cup and start making my way back to my office. The smell sends aquick zip through me, giving me a much-needed second wind. As I come down the hall, I gauge the idea of taking a quick sip but think better of it because it’s still piping hot. Coming into my office I see the back of a man sitting in the chair across from my desk. Seeing the tousled brunet hair, I already have a feeling about who my guest may be.

The sounds of my footsteps alert him to my presence, and he turns.Bingo.Dominic.

“Hey. Did you already eat lunch?” He quickly raises a brow and tilts his head.

“No, just got a pick-me-up.” I raise the mug and make my way over to my own chair. “Can I help you with something?” Sitting down I quickly scan my desk and see that everything is how I left it.

“Not particularly. I was going to see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat, but it looks like you’re about to get back to it.” He watches me sit down and leans forward onto his knees. Dominic is a rather thin man; maybe a few weeks ago I would have thought he was the “toned” type, but now, after Hunter, my idea of toned has changed. The fleeting thought of Hunter pulls me away in an instant.

I think of his tanned, hard body and his corded muscles flexing while we’re tangled in bed together. I cross my legs and let my mind continue to wander. The roughness of his stubbled jaw grazing across my neck as he holds me close.

I loved the way our bodies sounded together. Not only our voices but the sounds of our charging hearts and heavy breaths. In a few weeks, my brain seems to be rewired a little. Part of me isn’t sure if I want to get things back in order, or if I am a fan of the way they are now.

“I am catching another wind, I’m not too hungry yet.” Taking my first sip, I can feel those words cometrue. I am going to use that second wind and get some more work done. Hopefully, it will be more focused.

“Well, do you want me to grab something for you while I’m out, or do you have something in the break-room?” Dom stands and slides his hands in his front pockets. The movement draws my eyes in that direction, and I make another comparison to Hunter. Dom continues to fall short, not that he is in the same league to begin with.

“I’m alright, thank you for offer?—”

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