Page 5 of Burly and Obsessed

I never thought Leesa would actually do it.

“Now, sorry to call you here and run, but I have to get going. Play nice, you two, or you’ll have to answer to Jax when he asks why nothing is ready,” Leesa warns, her smile suggesting that she knows exactly what she’s doing.

The mention of Jax is like a bucket of cold water. Right. My boss. The guy who gave me a job when I came back from overseas with a tarnished record. The guy who trusts me with his business, his crew, and his friendship.

But doesn’t trust me with his sister.

* * *

“Hand me that extension cord.”Andrea points without looking at me, focused on the cluster of string lights.

I toss it over. “Heads up.”

She catches it one-handed without even glancing my way. Damn. That shouldn’t be as sexy as it is. Andrea is an intoxicating mix of feminine and capable. She knows how to fix things that most men couldn’t figure out, but she’s soft and pretty.

My shoulders burn from hauling tables for five straight hours. The muscles in my thighs protest from climbing up and down ladders. I’ve set up camp in worse conditions with less complaint, but something about this woman makes me want to show off like a fresh recruit.

“Almost done,” Andrea murmurs, plugging in the final string of lights.

The room transforms instantly. The harsh VA Center becomes something else entirely—warm golden light cascading from the ceiling, tables arranged in a horseshoe pattern.

“Not bad, Andrea.” I roll my neck, feeling vertebrae pop. “I’ve seen worse FOBs in Afghanistan.”

She raises an eyebrow, and her pretty green eyes fix me with a hard stare. “Did you just compare my wedding decorations to a military base?”

“Forward Operating Base,” I correct, then catch her expression. “That was a compliment. Highest praise from a squid.”

“You Navy boys have a strange way of sweet-talking.”

“Who says I’m sweet-talking?” But the grin spreading across my face gives me away. “This place looks damn good.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Your brother’s gonna think professionals did it.”

“We did.” She straightens up, pride evident in her posture. “You build houses. I love design. I can understand why Leesa asked us to help.”

“Speaking of, how come Jax doesn’t have you working for him instead of slinging paint?”

The question hits a nerve. I see it in the slight tightening around her eyes.

“Didn’t finish my design degree.” She shrugs. “Besides, I like the hardware store.”

“You’re wasted there, you know.” I step closer, challenge in my voice. “I’ve seen you sketching when you’re up at Jax’s place.”

“You’ve been watching me?” Her voice drops, half accusation, half something that makes my cock wake up.

“Hard not to.”

“Ace—”

“Just calling it like I see it.” I cut her off before she can say something that’ll make me cross a line. “You’ve got talent. That’s all.”

Andrea stops, our shoulders almost touching as we silently survey our handiwork. The room glows with warm light, creating shadows that pool in the hollows of her collarbone. My hands itch to trace that curve.

Jax’s warning hammers in my head:Touch my sister, and you’re off the team.I remember the deal he made with my dad.

The crew. My lifeline after the Navy cut me loose. After my father had to save me from a dishonorable discharge because I did the right thing instead of what I was told. Silver Pine Ridge has become my home.

“Thanks for coming to help,” Andrea says, turning toward me. Her eyes reflect genuine appreciation. “There’s no way I could have done this on my own.”

I shrug, masking how her gratitude hits like a shot of whiskey—warm and disarming. “Leesa didn’t make it sound optional.”

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