Page 19 of Mister Curb Appeal
We both know what she saw, and it was more than she bargained for.I don’t feel weird about it, on the contrary.
“If ever I wanted to be sprung in the shower by a crazy cat on the loose, then I’d want it to be Mr. Snuggles,” I say, trying to keep a straight face, but it’s getting more difficult the more I try.
“You don’t have to be this nice.” The way her lips press together and her eyes flick down to the table tell me she’s fighting the same battle.
“Well, lucky it was me and not some stranger—” I stop myself because even as I say the words, they bristle around the edges and I don’t like the thought of her and anyone, let alone a stranger. No fucking thank you.
I know from previous conversations she’s single, that and we’ve flirted at more than one realtor convention. She calls meJoshie, for fuck’s sake.
“I hope your leg is still saying that in the morning.”
My third leg jumps in my sweatpants hearing her words, thinking we’re talking about him. That’s all we need; a huge fucking erection in my pants to top the night off. It isn’t like I can help it. Her soft curves and pretty smile do things to me. She’s kind, too. Intelligent and funny. But she’s also off limits.I can’t get involved with Ali’s assistant…
“I’ll be fine,” I say as we finish up our coffee and the chocolate I picked up earlier at the deli. I stretch my arms out over my head. “I guess I should make up the couch and hit the hay.”
“Let me do that,” she says. “I feel bad enough with you insisting I take the bed.”
“What kind of guy would I be if I took the bed and left you and Mr. Snuggles on the couch?”
“Oh, he would probably be right in there with you,” she laughs. “There’s no loyalty where his warmth is concerned.”
I can’t help but laugh too, noting how easy it is with Lexi. The conversation has been flowing all night. “Well, I’ll do the dishes and make myself useful.”
She seems impressed by my ability to cook and clean. She complimented me a few times on what I managed to throw together, but I’m a domesticated kind of guy really. I mean, I live alone, excluding Noah’s regular visits between my pad and Dad’s, so no one is gonna do my dishes or cook dinner for me. I had to learn how to cook or starve.
And frankly? I like feeding her.
When I’ve put the last of the dishes away, we’re both ready to turn in for the night even though I don’t know how I’m supposed to sleep with her being twenty-feet away from me in the next room. My mind starts wandering…What does she sleep in? Is she a pajama girl, sexy sleep shorts and top, or naked?Does she have a side? Or maybe she sleeps in the middle of the bed like I do?
“It was a lovely dinner,” she says before we part ways. Mr. Snuggles is tucked under her arm contentedly. From the belly full of food he just consumed, I’d say he’ll be asleep in no time.
“The company was even better,” I reply, reaching my hand to brush a lock of her hair from her eyes. It’s too late to retract it before I realize what I’m doing. My eyes flick to those gorgeous lips; she presses them together for a beat; it matches the pause in her breathing.
I swallow hard and wonder if she’s affected by me. It’s an indulgent thought, even if we have flirted before; neither of us has ever acted on it.Then again, neither of us have been in the vicinity of the same cabin overnight before, either.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Joshie. But I’m so glad you are.”
My heart rocks like a thunderstorm deep in the crevice of my chest, and I love a good thunderstorm. The cuteness of hearing her use my silly nickname jolts me to my core. I’ve never felt that before. Not with Melinda, not with anybody.
There’s an energy around her that I can’t explain in words. She lights up the entire room, just by being present.It isn’t just the fact she’s utterly gorgeous, it’s more than that. The way she seems to just enjoy the little things, and hold a conversation that keeps me riveted all evening. Not only that, she’s interesting and I love hearing her funny stories about office antics, or a joke she just has to share. When she laughs? Oh, fuck me. The whole goddamn world is a better place.
My mom would say our awkward meeting today is kismet, or something. Fate bringing two people together or some shit, and I never really looked at things that way but today has me wondering.Maybe there’s something in that hocus pocus stuff?
I’m like my dad in that respect; I just go hard at what I want and things usually just work out. It isn’t magic. But somehow I don’t think Lexi falls into that category. She defies what I thought I knew about most things. She’s easygoing and carefree, an amazing cat-mom… beautiful, and I find I don’t have to strive to try to be anything else when I’m with her. I can be myself.
“I’m glad too, Lex.”
“Goodnight.” She smiles, the corner of her lip catching on her teeth. It’s quick, but I see it.
“Goodnight.” My smile may be as big as the crazy crush I have on this woman. Bigger than that annoying missile I’ve had in my pants since my earlier shower, one that she’s already seen and didn’t run away from. And he’s still happy to play, not that he will be anytime soon. Jerking off on the couch isn’t exactly couture.
Instead, I watch her toddle off down the hall with her ginger tabby and I grin even wider to myself as she goes. Nobody can sue me for looking.
Chapter Ten
LEXI
Somehow, I sleep like a baby. And I would never have thought that was possible with Joshua Lucas in the next room all night. I may have made up the couch for him with two pillows and a blanket, but I felt bad all the same. Even if he did assure me he was totally fine sleeping out here for the night and not to worry about him. He was just being nice.
