Page 16 of Just This Once

Heading up the stone walkway to The Nest, I take in the charming exterior of the stately Victorian mansion turned B&B, painted a soft yellow with white trim that could use a bit of a touch-up. Despite the age, it’s warm and welcoming, with a wide wraparound porch that spans the front, complete with antique rocking chairs and potted mums along the railing.

I climb the few steps up to the door, my work boots heavy on the weathered wood, and I make a note that if we’re redoing the paint, we might as well refinish the porch as well. Iron sconces flank the forest-green front door with an old-fashioned handle that needs to be pushed down to open. Inside, I note the small artificial tree with Halloween decorations all over it. Little Jack Skellington and glitter bat ornaments.

I’m impressed by how the cozy antique feel of the exterior has been brought to life inside as well. The foyer has original hardwood floors and a worn rug runner leading down the center hallway. Framed black-and-white photos of what I assume to be West Chester from the late 1800s line the walls. A slender table sits against the wall, displaying brochures and flyers for upcoming local events.

To my right is a sitting room furnished with floral couches and chairs, their faded fabric adding to the vintage vibe. In front of me is the staircase that I assume leads to the guest rooms upstairs. It’s nice but old, and I can see why the owners wanted to update it.

After finishing my quick assessment, I turn to the dining room, where two men and a woman stand, her back to me.

“Hey, I’m looking for a…” I double-check my clipboard with my brother’s notes on it. “Miss Stone. I’m Dante Moretti, the contractor for the reno job.”

When the woman spins around, I’m momentarily stunned.

No way.

It can’t be her.

But those chocolate eyes and lips open in surprise, similar to the shape they made when she orgasmed, and leave no doubt it’s her.

Taryn.

She seems as shocked as me, frozen in place. The gray-haired bearded guy next to her elbows her forward.

“Yeah, you’ve found her,” he says wryly.

Taryn moves toward me as if in a trance, muttering a quiet greeting. I stick my hand out for an awkward handshake, unable to look away from her face. From her mouth and that single freckle by her left eye, to the wrinkle between her brows as she strains to put the puzzle pieces together.

After all her bullshit about me not being able to see her again, my guardian angel went and set her down right in my path. Amen and hallelujah!

She reaches for my hand but ends up knocking over the little cardboard coffee cup in her hand, spilling it on the floor. She mutters a curse, and I spring into action, using the bandanna I’d tucked in my back pocket to mop it up.

“I got it. I got it,” I assure her, nudging her away from the puddle. She drags a hand over her face, looking utterly bewildered. As do the two men with her.

I try to ignore the mix of curiosity and jealousy that pinches my side like a cramp after a long run. Because, who are they? Why are they here? And why is she okay with them touching her? Like the one on the left does, shouldering her as if they’re old buddies.

Fuck buddies?

After I have it cleaned up, I stand, flicking my gaze between the two men. Neither seems inclined to introduce himself to me, so I don’t either. Instead, I focus on the woman Ihaven’t been able to stop thinking about for the last forty-eight hours.

And do you know how uncomfortable it is to be a thirty-year-old man living at home and yanking it in his childhood bedroom while imagining the taste of the sweetest pussy he’s ever had as his mother sings along to Billy Joel downstairs?

Pretty goddamn uncomfortable.

But here she is in front of me, exhaling audibly, gaping up at me with wide eyes.

One of the men clears his throat, and in the thick silence, that jolts her into action. She nods at my soaking bandanna. “Uh, thanks.”

“Yeah. No problem. I’m gonna toss this back in my truck,” I say, tipping my head toward the door. “And then you wanna walk me around the property? I have the list, but I’d like to make sure we’re on the same page.”

She nods, her voice uneven and unlike herself. “Mm-hmm. Yep. Sure.”

I only hope it bodes well for me that she’s off-center. Won’t take more than a slight push to have my face between her legs again.

With a burst of hope and appreciation swimming through my veins, I jog outside, throwing my wet bandanna and my zip-up into the truck. I know she liked my muscles on Friday. Might as well remind her of them.

Gotta use what the good Lord gave me to convince that goddess to take advantage once again.

By the time I make my way back inside, the two men are gone, and Taryn appears to be more in control of herself, her shoulders back, chin up, pursed lips, and hard stare in place.

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