“This is way too much. I don’t even know what I could offer you. I had an idea, but it doesn’t compare to all of this, plus whatever crazy couch you bought.”
I rest my hand on my hip. Billy’s gaze moves slowly across my body. I bite the corner of my lower lip as a shiver runs through me.
“Alright, darlin’. What are you offering?”
In a casual pose, he leans in the doorway, ankles crossed. Thoughts of us tangled in bed drift through my mind, his strong tattooed hands holding me in place as I beg for everything I want.
Breaking eye contact, I walk over to the window and lean against its frame.
“There are two buildings back there. The realtor said they’re dangerous, but I figured it can’t be that bad. Would you be interested in working in that area, by any chance? I’d give you the old garage and barn, unless your work area is big enough.”
“Actually, that works perfect. My shop is small, and I could use the extra space. Thanks, Lou.” He pauses and then arches an eyebrow. “There’s another thing you could help with.”
My mind plunges into the depths of the gutter, but he only smirks as he continues.
“Help me figure out how to sell online. I’m good with my hands, creating stuff, but I don’t have a clue how to do all that shit.” Billy crosses his arms over his chest and raises a hand to stroke his moustache.
“I can totally do that, but don’t you have a customer base that takes the animal home already?”
“Technically, but sometimes I pick up roadkill, or have extra parts, which leads to me creating more than the customer wants.”
He drops his arms and strides further into the room. Adjusting his hat, he runs a hand through his hot-pink hair. The roots are dark brown.
“Another thing, you can help me dye this mop on my head.” He smiles wickedly.
“That I can definitely do. What colour are you going next?”
He shrugs and walks to the window. His fingers trace over my lower back and my nipples harden. Being around Billy is too much sometimes, and not enough other times. It is such a fucking contradiction.
“So, it’s too late to check out the buildings or fix the porch, but how about I help you unpack the books and set up your computer?”
“Sure.”
We walk to the closet, where a few boxes have been stacked.
As he unpacks. I make my way to my bedroom, the floor creaking beneath my feet. I grab my laptopand writing notebooks, and with them in my arms I head back to Billy.
“Did you want the desk in your room? Because I have no problem moving it.”
I shake my head. “Nah, this’ll be good. Sometimes my brain is in overdrive and I can’t sleep, so it’s better this way.”
“How’s the bed?” He turns and wiggles his eyebrows.
“You’re dumb. It’s fine. I sleep wonderfully.”
Ignoring the heat of his stare, I focus on the task at hand, setting up the new keyboard and arranging my notebooks in the storage above the desk. We work until it’s done, everything is put away, and the boxes have been broken down.
When I glance at the clock, it's past midnight. Turning off the light, I follow him down to the living room. The sofa isn’t as crazy as I thought it would be. It’s a standard dark leather couch, with a white accent chair in the corner.
“Did you buy this to sleep on?” I ask, walking out of the room to grab glasses of water. Billy is behind me when I turn.
“Nah, that’s why I bought the extra bed. If I’m planning to stay here helping you renovate, I figured it was practical. Even more if I’m gonna be working in the back buildings.” He takes a drink and smiles.
“Makes sense.” I glance out the window above the sink, my mind becoming a tangled mess of thoughts.
Of course, he doesn’t want to sleep in the same bed as me, and now has many options to choose from.
Billy presses against me, causing my hips to dig into the counter edge. His warm hand caresses the back of my neck before his fingers slide to my jaw, turning my face.