Page 18 of Mister Curb Appeal
“Touché.” A few moments pass by. “I heard there could be some rain tonight, so I’m going to check all the windows, bring in anything on the patio that could get wet.”
He’s so conscientious. It’s mindboggling, and sexy as fuck.
The only thing getting wet when he talks like that is my pussy. Jesus. I didn’t know how hot I could get when men took charge around the home. And it’s not evenhishome.
I just nod like an imbecile.“I’ll unpack my things. I might hang a few things up if you don't mind sharing the closet?”
He smiles. “Sure. I only hung up a few things myself, I didn’t bring much.”
No need for clothes at all when you’re that hot…
“Fantastic.”
He hesitates, then blurts out, “I was gonna fire up the grill later, if you’d like to join me for dinner?”
Oh, wow. This got freaking intimate real fast, and who am I to complain?
“That would be great, thanks for the invite.” I smile. “I bought some fresh fish. I can make a salad, too.”
The grin that splits his perfect face is enough to make my knees buckle. “It’s settled then.”
“I guess it is.”
This weekend might have just gotten a little more perfect by each passing second.
Chapter Nine
JOSHUA
Having dinner with Lexi and Mr. Snuggles definitely wasn’t something I was anticipating when I made the drive here today. In fact, neither was seeing her at all. But I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve always liked Lexi. She’s sweet, smart, sexy, easy to talk to and I find her witty as hell. She has a great reputation in the industry for being professional and knowing her shit. You also don’t mess with her.
I know from our interactions over the years that she has her realtor license, which comes in handy from time to time; like right now when Ali’s sick and Lexi has to stand in for her client.
When she mentioned Melinda, I was more than a little surprised. I know it’s a small town around here and all, but I wasn’t exactly thinking I’d be hearing my ex’s name or be seeing her any time soon. But since I want to be a gentleman and drop Lexi off at the house tomorrow, I’d hazard a guess that I will run into Melinda.
Despite that, it really isn’t that awkward between us at all. We’re nothing like what most exes I know are. We don’t hate one another. We’ve remained friends for years; something people might consider slightly unusual or strange, but neither of uswere into drama or dragging shit out. We also quickly realized we were way better off as friends.
Another person I wasn’t thinking I’d be friends with is Mr. Snuggles. After our little escapade in the shower earlier, and him clawing my leg to death to try and escape, I thought there was no chance in hell we could put that behind us. But the minute I put the pan on the grill and started frying the fish for our dinner, he trotted in the kitchen on cue like he’d lived in this very cabin his whole life.
He also acted like I was cooking just for him. His progressively loud meowing in my general direction, while I was tongs deep into the frying pan, kinda gave it away. Fresh fish on the ready is probably something he expects when he’s at home, I’m sure.
I’ll bet Lexi is an excellent cat-mom. Up until today, I thought I had a knack with four legged friends; I’ve always loved animals, and mostly, they’ve always loved me, too.
I had a cat growing up, a black and white tabby called Persia. She lived until she was sixteen. My folks adopted her when I was a toddler, and she kinda became my cat as I got older. Maybe because I was the first born and she’d slept on the end of my bed for as long as I could remember. But we had something special and I loved her, we all did. She’s been gone for five years now, and I’d love to have more pets, but I also know how busy my schedule is and how little time I have at home.
We engage in light banter over dinner, and sure as I suspected, Lexi cuts some fresh fish up for her cat. Mr. Snuggles already had a sneaky little bite when I was cooking it earlier, when it had cooled down. I couldn’t have him sitting there staring at me in the middle of the kitchen floor and not give him anything. I muse at the way she takes care to make sure it’s cut up into perfectly sized chewable pieces, and Mr. Snuggles laps it up like his last supper.
“Do you think I’ve redeemed myself with Mr. Snuggles for cooking his dinner?” I ask over coffee later. We’ve been chatting lightly over dinner, mainly work and the property market in general. Nothing too heavy.Nothing at all to do with the shower incident earlier.
She glances down to the cat bed on the floor, nestled between the small space between us at the two-seater dining table and laughs quietly. I follow her gaze and see he’s all cozied up, half on his back, half on his side, clearly worn out from the day's escapades. “I think he’s pretty comfortable with you now.”
“I’m suspicious that the whole fresh fish thing for his dinner isn’t exactly a once off.”
Another smile forms on her sweet, pert pink lips, that are equally sexy and distracting. “I am guilty of maybe spoiling him a little more than I should,” she admits sheepishly.
I almost scoff ata little,but manage to keep my humor in check. “I’m sure he has no idea what you’re talking about.”
She laughs. It’s soft and sweet, like everything else about her. “I know I keep saying it, but I’m sorry again for that whole thing earlier.”Uh, oh.She wafts her hand in the direction of the bathroom, like seeing me naked with her cat clinging to me in the shower can be erased, and then her attempt to work around me by trying to grab him. A smile touches my lips as the memory of it dusts through my mind. I admire her attempt at casually brushing it over, but her cute little blush gives it away.
