Page 20 of Mister Curb Appeal
I’m up with the larks to get ready for the day ahead, while Mr. Snuggles lays sleeping on the bed. I creep past the couch, tiptoeing extra carefully along the hardwood, taking note of Josh’s sexy bare back that’s facing me as I walk to the kitchen. He was so sweet last night taking over the dinner preparations, preferring me to sit down with a glass of wine and watch him from the kitchen island rather than helping.
I mean, what guy does that? Not any of the dudes I’ve dated, anyway. I admit, I could watch him move effortlessly around the kitchen for the rest of my damned life. It would not be any kind of hardship.
When I laid down on the comfy mattress last night and Mr. Snuggles found his grounding — making biscuits on the plush duvet — I couldn’t get the sexy man on the couch off my mind.
I felt tingly all through my body, and that’s without me thinking about him naked in the shower.Holy hell.That was definitely the highlight of my day. Why my cat decided to go rogue at that exact time, I’ll never know. Obviously to show me up and make me look like a crazy cat lady. Mission accomplished.
But knowing he was right out there all night — probably sleeping in his boxers, or maybe those sexy gray sweats that hung around his hips in a way that should be illegal, it made my body throb even more. He’s always caused a stir in my panties, but since I arrived yesterday, it has been a slippery slope in more ways than one. When he reached up to my face, sweeping an escaped curl out of my eyes, he brushed my skin as he moved. My body shuddered like he’d touched me intimately. Maybe because that’s what I want, but I don’t know if he wants it, too.Was he just being nice?
All I know is that I fell asleep thinking about his sexy lips and what he could do with them, combined with that monster cock of his. Of course Josh is well endowed, would I really expect anything less? Not to mention how cute he looked out of his usual suit and tie that I’ve always seen him in. He’s like the perfect package of a man. He cooks, cleans and still manages to make friends with my cat who scared the life out of him — and then proceeded to scratch him to death — but remains so damned sexy while doing all of it.
Joshau Lucas is like nobody else. I’m in slight awe, if not a little crush-hazy over him.
There were no awkward silences, despite our impromptu dalliance in the shower. We laughed and talked well into the night. He was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him.
I think I like Josh all calm and relaxed. Not that he’s ever moody or acting uptight when I’ve seen him before, but witnessing him outside of work without the daily stress of thejob is something else entirely. His aloofness was refreshing, and unexpected.
I quickly get ready while the coffee is brewing. Today is a big day and I have to bring my best game face for Ali and Monica. I’ve perfected my morning makeup routine down to fifteen minutes, so I’m all fresh faced and bright eyed, but still clad in my fluffy pink robe when Joshua walks into the kitchen rubbing his head. He yawns loudly, and wow… is he a sight for sore eyes.
I’ve just made us both a coffee with just the right amount of foam and warm milk. I may not know exactly how he likes his coffee in the morning, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture.
I spin around when he walks in looking like a freaking model.Why can’t I wake up and look that good?
He smiles, running a hand through his ruffled hair. My mouth runs dry at how cute he is all crumpled. I’ve never seen Joshie quite like this; raw and in his natural habitat. The gray sweatpants he must’ve slept in hang ever so low on his hips. I mean, I don’t intentionally look down that way, but how can I not? I quickly scan my eyes back up his body to meet his baby blues, and is that a smirk that greets me? Okay, I got caught gawking again, sue me.
“Morning, Lex,” he says in a rough, gravelly voice.
“Morning,” I reply, albeit a little more chirpy than I usually am first thing. “I hope I didn’t wake you?”
He shakes his head. “I slept hard. I usually wake up before the sun on weekdays, though I think I slept funny on one shoulder.” He moves his arm around in circles a few times while my eyes follow the movement of his ripping muscles.
Good gracious me. The gods are being more than on my side this weekend.
First a show in the shower, and now this. He can flex those muscles all day long, and I’ll keep paying attention.
“Oh, shit. I hope you’re okay?” I would offer to rub his shoulder, but I don’t want him to think I’m purposely trying to get my mitts on him.
“I’ll be fine. Just getting old.”
“You’re not old.” I hold his coffee cup out to him and he smiles gratefully. I also ignore the dancing of my heart when our fingers brush. “You’re six-four, and you slept on a couch that clearly doesn’t accommodate your size. I feel terrible.”
“Don’t feel bad. I’ll suck it up.” He takes another grateful sip, humming in a delicious way that makes my toes tingle. “I can’t remember the last time a woman made coffee for me in the morning.”
Ooh, does that mean there’s been nobody lately?
“The only thing I’m good at making is grilled cheese and pouring coffee, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m sure you’re just being modest. You did toss the salad last night.”
I giggle. “I guess I’m off the hook then.”
“I guess you are.”
A moment of silence hangs between us and I try not to let my breathing hitch.Calm the hell down!But I can’t. I’m not just crushing on this man, I think I fell for him a long time ago, but my head only just caught up with my heart. Goddamn it.
Dramatic much?I curse myself because I do not get mixed up with work colleagues, and always keep things strictly professional.
He thumbs behind him. “I should probably get dressed.”
