Page 4 of Wildest Dreams

I watch from my sheltered spot as he trudges toward the largest piece of bed-frame, braces his muscular thighs, and hauls it upright.

By the time that he’s carrying in the final section of wood, the light rain outside has turned into a pretty heavy fall downpour.

He carefully sets the wooden panel beside all of the other pieces and then he stands to his full height, watching me from under his lashes. He wipes his palms against his shorts, staying silent as we watch each other.

I glance down at the pieces of my soon-to-be bed now sitting patiently in the luxury foyer, then outside at the late September rain.

Then I slide my eyes back up to meet his.

He looks down at his cap hanging loosely from my fingers. Under the heat of his stare I dangle it a little more provocatively.

“You got a name?” he asks suddenly.

I swish my ponytail. “I have two, actually.”

His mouth curves into a smirk before he gives me another sweeping once-over. “What, a first name and a surname?”

I’m fully smiling now. “Yeah.”

Tanner shakes his head but he’s smiling too.

“Right,” he says. “So this is what I’m thinking, ma’am–”

A surprised laugh escapes me. “Ma’am?” I repeat, my chest all warm and sparkly.

He watches me carefully as a handsome smile lifts the corners of his mouth.

“I don’t know your name yet, do I?” he rumbles, before teasingly adding, “What would you rather me call you? Sugar?”

My chest shakes as I laugh, heart racing as he smiles down at me.

“So, look,” he says, shoving his fingers through his hair. “I’m gonna assume that you don’t wanna sleep on your new bed down here in this foyer tonight. But I also don’t wanna step out of line and come across as inappropriate… but I’m gonna offer anyway. Unless you’ve got a mover coming in here in the next few hours that I don’t know about, I’d be more than happy to... if you’d like me to, I can…”

He tugs at the neckline of his shirt, a red flush beginning to spread up his cheekbones.

“What I’m trying to say is, with the bed, if you want… because it’s heavy for you… not that you’re not strong, because you’re in, like, fuckin’ beautiful shape–”

Wow, he’s adorable.

I breathe out a laugh and decide to put him out of his misery.

“Yes,” I tell him, a little dimple popping in my cheek. “That would be really great. I’d love you to help me carry it upstairs.”

“Yeah?” he rasps, searching my eyes to make sure.

I nod. “Yeah.”

“To your room?”

“Yes, please.”

He takes a deep inhale and we watch each other for a few long moments, the gentle patter of the rain the only breach in the rich silence.

And deep down? I’m secretly really excited at the thought of having this unbelievably tall and handsome small town boy – who blushes at the thought of going into a girl’s bedroom –inmy new bedroom.

He wraps his fists around the nearest panel and jerks his chin at me politely. “After you.”

Without another word I brush past him, heading toward the condo’s glossy elevators.

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