Page 9 of Ravenous

“As for what I’ve been up to, work,” I told her. “Work. And more work.”

I’d already told her about the broken shipment.

“Spending all your time in your garage isn’t fun.”

I shrugged. “It’s not a garage, it’s my studio. You stay inside in your kitchen to bake.”

She waggled her eyebrows. “I have Colton to carry me out of there and get me to do other things.”

I grinned. I could only imaginehowhe carried her–probably over his shoulder–and what thoseother thingswere.

“I love that you have Colton,” I said with a sigh.

“We need to get you a man.”

Instantly, I thought of Mr. Towel, my neighbor. Now he wasallman.

I’d gone to bed the night before thinking of him. Heck, I’d even seen his dick, and we hadn’t even gone on a date! I knew the man was packing. Knew he was gorgeous. Literally every inch of him. Despite his apparent grouchiness, I knew he was kind to his daughter. Protective. Bossy.

I’d touched myself thinking of him, minus the towel.

How he’d growl and bossmearound.

How I’d like it. How I’d come when he ordered me to do so.

How–

“Earth to Joy. Where’d you go, and can I get a ticket to join you?” she asked.

I sighed. “Sorry. I was thinking about my new neighbor.”

“Oh?” She looked intrigued. “Good or bad?”

“Good.Verygood.”

As if talking about him, I conjured him up.

Because I could swear my new neighbor just came out of the barn. It wasn’t that close, so maybe I needed glasses, but I would recognize that stellar form anywhere. And then–

Itwashim! Because galloping like a pretend horse right behind him was a little girl.

“Him.” I pointed.

Marina whipped her head around.

“Wes?” she gasped. “He’s your new neighbor? Seriously?”

Wes. I never got his name.

I nodded. “You can’t miss the red hair.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s gorgeous. I know I’ve got Colton, and he’s perfect, but I’m not blind. If you’re into a grumpy ginger guy, he’s it.”

“Is he… mean?” I asked, thinking of little Remy. She was sweet and bright, and I didn’t want anyone to be unkind to her, especially her dad.

“Mean?” She laughed. “Nooooo. Aloof. Standoffish. Not shy. Introverted. Heck, he’s just plain grumpy. But look at him with his daughter. See if that doesn’t make your heart melt like butter.”

He was tossing her up onto his back and pretending to be a horse. I could hear her giggling from here.

---