Page 18 of The Summer Dare
His brows knit together in confusion. “Really, what’s that?”
Triumphantly I smile. “I… my friend… have forks.”
Leaning in to kiss me once more, he grins. “Could you be any more perfect?”
Surely, it’s only because I thought of utensils, right?
On my driveback to Lanie’s the next morning, my mind rolls on a repeat of our kisses at the beach as well as our make-out session after dessert. Neither of us took things to the next level, but that didn’t mean I didn’t think about the possibilities in my shower before bed last night and again this morning.
What the fuck is that woman doing to me?
I seriously can’t wait until she gets off work tonight to see her again.
Sure, I’ll see her before that, but Jared’s back in town and will be joining me any minute at the job site. We’ve got a lot to make up for and I’d rather keep whatever’s going on between Lanie and myself between us—for now.
Since I left after midnight last night, I fully expect Lanie to be asleep when I arrive. I told Jared we wouldn’t get started until eight today, to respect the deal I’d made with Lanie. He volunteered to swing by and grab coffee for us, so I’m settingup scaffolding and doing what I can with the twenty minutes or so before we can start.
When I reach Lanie’s back deck, I’m surprised to find her awake and drinking coffee wrapped in a blanket on a lounger. Her hair is in a messy bun and a beautiful smile spreads across her lips from behind the cup she’s drinking. “Hey, Ryan.”
“Mornin’, beautiful.” I grin in return, leaning in to kiss her on the lips. “I thought you’d still be in bed.”
“Well, there’s this hot guy working on my place. And with the banging and all, I figured I’d enjoy the peace of the morning before the chaos begins.”
“Hot guy, eh?”
Giggling, she takes another sip of her coffee. “That’s what you caught from that, huh?”
“Of course. It’s not every day I’m called hot.”
“Oh, please.” She swats at the air. “You know better than that.”
I pin her with a look that clearly says, “Do I?” and I’m merely rewarded with an eye roll.
Looking in the direction I arrived, she asks, “Is Jared joining you?”
“Should be here any minute.”
“Well, then,” she huffs. “Get over here and kiss me before I need to go inside and get out of your way.”
“You won’t hear me argue with that logic.” I smirk, pressing my lips to hers. She tastes of coffee and mint and it’s all I can do to keep from getting carried away.
When the distinct sound of gravel crunches from the side of the house, I pull away and whisper, “Rain check?”
Her pout is adorable. “If we must. Though it will be nearly twelve hours.”
Waggling my brows, I tease, “Good things come to those who wait.”
“Way to be all adulty.” Leaning in she pecks me once more before standing up from the chair. “I’m going to head in and get something to eat. Can I bring you out anything?”
“Nah,” I say, glancing at the driveway, judging how long I have before Jared appears. “I ate at home. But can I steal another kiss?”
Her eyes dart to the side of the house as she grins mischievously. “Is it stealing if given freely?”
After a chaste kiss, the slamming of a door pulls us apart. “Well, Mr. Murdock. That’s my cue to let you get to work.”
She bops my lips with the tip of her finger then disappears into the house. I’m left staring at the sway of her glorious ass and adjusting my junk before Jared is any the wiser of just how much of an influence this particular client has on me.
It doesn’t take long to bring him up to speed with what I’ve done, as well as what we need to accomplish today. Before I know it, we’re ripping off siding and making great progress. With him here, we manage to remove nearly an entire side by lunch. Even though I’m busy, I steal glances of Lanie through the window, and I’m fully aware of when she steps outside to leave for work.
