Page 43 of Sugar Pie
He put a plate of bread on the table. “I’m a visual learner, and I’d like to see the models with the lay of the land. It helped me see more clearly what we were discussing.”
So we aren’t having sex now?Damn.It was my fault too.
One of the sexiest parts of Warren was his raw ambition and belief in himself. My ex would never have spoken to a contractor unless the contractor was a patient and even then, he drugged people out for a living.
“Happy to help with the vision.” I walked into the living room to see the buildings he’d made of Popsicle sticks and went to my knees. He probably hadn’t slept in days. I perused them. “You really believe in yourself, Warren.”
He stood above me, and my pulse zipped. He knelt beside me and said, “I want your opinion.”
My lips tingled to kiss him, but I jumped up and rushed to the bedroom. If I initiated like I was tempted to do, I would lead him on. “Let me change and finish my stew, and then we’ll go.”
“Perfect,” he called out as I jogged to my closet to grab my jeans. “After we finalize the model, you can start scouting for subcontractors like we discussed to get the model done fast.”
I yanked my jeans on. Warren noticed everything about me, and I wasn’t used to being in the spotlight and wasn’t sure how to dim that or if I truly wanted to at all. I ignored my inner turmoil. “I’m on it. Just from seeing the models you made, I’m partial to the Georgian.”
He called through the door, “The modern version of the plantation would probably have a higher sale price.”
I finished getting dressed and saw he’d moved his models to the kitchen counter. I gulped my coffee and stared at them again. Then I met his gaze and said, “You’re right. I think it’s just the porch I love. I spent many evenings staring out a window, drinking wine, and wishing I had the guts to just leave. A porch like this would have been nice.”
He grabbed the keys and picked up two of the models. “Would you have left sooner?”
I stared down at the Georgian. “I don’t know.”
He locked the door behind us. “I’m in awe that I ended up here with you.”
“Awe is a good word.” I bounced on my toes. Warren was a sweetheart, and I needed to get myself under control.
He bumped into me as we headed down the stairs. “I think so.”
My skin buzzed with awareness. I half wanted to know what going upstairs and being with him in bed would be like. As we made it to the last step, I whispered, “We could—”
“I value how on top of things you are all the time, Kerry.” He put the models in the back of his truck.
I was saved from starting something I wasn’t sure I should. I handed him the last model. “What is it about me that you like, other than my organizational skills?”
He held open the passenger door. “Your business acumen. You got me those contracts and picking the land.”
Goose bumps grew on my arms. I was tempted to throw myself at him. My face felt hot. “Yeah. Something more… personal, I guess.”
He took the seat beside me, and his stare made me all achy and needy. He sucked in a breath. “You make coming home every night after a hard day… better.”
I massaged my bare neckline. I always used to wear a small pink stone my grandmother had given me, but I’d lost it. Warren started the car, and I let out a sigh. “Well, that’s good. At least you didn’t say you love me, because then I would feel bad.” The words tumbled out of my mouth, and I cringed. I was making too many mistakes.
He tensed and didn’t put the car in Drive. He asked in a low tone, “Why would you feel bad?”
I pointed to the road. Maybe I would be less needy the farther we got from the apartment. We drove for a few minutes in silence. “I don’t know how to fall in love or what to do with a great guy.”
“Your marriage?”
“More my mother’s voice in my head.” I used to think I was unreadable. I sat back in my chair. “Yeah. She’s of the opinion that marriage brings stability and that the purpose of dating is to find a husband.”
He let out a chuckle as we drove onto the property. “You’re stable on your own, and love is easy.”
A smile grew on my face. Since I’d been helping him, I’d been laser focused and the opposite of lonely. “One of the things I do like about you, Warren, is that you’re not superrich and looking for arm candy. You see that I’m capable of more.”
His lips thinned as he stared at me, but then he put the truck into Park and hopped out without a word. My heart thrashed, but then he opened my door for me. “I’d never ignore you.”
I relaxed my shoulders and took one of the models. We walked into the grass and put them down, side by side. I stared at them. The sun would set soon, and the clean air filled my lungs. I was free of my lust, and my mind was clear. “You don’t know what money does to people. You will once you build these plantation-style homes.”
