Page 24 of The Summer Dare
“Good morning,” she says, suddenly shy, then she mumbles, “How is it you look even better with your messy hair and shadow of scruff? That’s just not fair. I probably look like Medusa and you’re like a Greek God or something.”
“Ha…” I chortle. “You’re hysterical in the morning. But for the record, I think you’re gorgeous any time of day.”
“You sure know how to boost a girl’s ego.”
But I never want her questioning herself, especially where I’m concerned. So I pointedly remind her, “Eventually, you’ll realize I rarely say anything I don’t mean.”
For the longest time, she stares at me and just blinks.
When I notice the clock behind her, I panic. I have less than thirty minutes. “Look. Sorry to rush out, but I gotta go.”
Pushing me toward the door, she says through her laughter, “Go… stop being all cute and distracting… and get out of here.”
Ryan working rightoutside my house has been more of a distraction than I would’ve thought. Having contractors in general banging on the house is bad enough. But it’s taking every ounce of self-control I have, not to seat myself in the living room and do nothing but watch him throughout the day.
It’s pathetic. I know. I even went so far as prepping the entire meal for tonight—before noon—simply so I had the excuse of being downstairs. Just as I’m setting the casserole in the fridge for later, there’s a knock at the front door.
Wondering who it could be, I rush to answer it.
Knowing the guys are right out back if I need them, I don’t even bother to check before swinging it open, only to be frozen in place.
The sight of Ryan lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe off his face is a sight to be seen. He’s fit, not in anI’m a gymbuff, butI work my ass offkind of way. The navy shirt he’s wearing matches his expressive eyes and his chiseled jaw still has a day’s growth of beard from yesterday. The minute his eyes meet mine his lips tip into a hypnotic grin.
This man is something alright.
Eventually, my brain kicks in and I remember how to form words.
“Well, you’re certainly not a solicitor.”
Shrugging, he muses, “True… but I did come to sell you on something.”
“Something you couldn’t have come to the back door for?”
His lips quirk into a playful smirk. “Well, what would be the fun in that?”
“Hmmm…” I ponder, wondering where he’s going with this.
“Jared’s on his way to grab some materials and I’ve got about forty minutes for lunch. Since I didn’t have time to make one this morning, can I tempt you into running to town and grabbing something with me?”
“I’ve got one better,” I counter. “Unless you’ve got a hankering for somethin’ special, why don’t you come in and I’ll fix us some lunch? After all, I’m the reason you were running late this morning.
“I’ve already got bacon cooked and I was gonna offer you a BLT—but you’ve beaten me to it.”
Reaching for my hip, he pulls me to him as he whispers, “I guess great minds think alike.”
“Really? Cuz all I can think about is kissing you…” I playfully grab his t-shirt and pull him closer.
He steps inside and swings the door shut behind him and growls, “Again… same page,” right before his lips crash onto mine.
Tipping up on my toes, I pull myself closer as his large hand runs along my spine and pins me in place. Between hot languid kisses that light me from the inside out, he once again reads my mind as he pants, “You… have… no idea… how much I… needed this.”
You and me both.It’s like my best fantasies throughout the morning have come to life. With every nip, suck, and breath between us, my need for him grows. When my teeth pluck on his lower lip, he responds by gripping my ass with both his hands and hoisting me in the air to meet his height entirely.
On instinct, I cling to him like a velcro monkey by looping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Ryan’s scent is intoxicating. It’s a mix of fresh ocean air, his seductive cologne, and a hint of sawdust. I seriously can’t get enough. I get so caught up in our kisses, I’m caught off guard when I feel my ass land on something solid.
“What the…” I start, but I’m cut off by Ryan’s phone ringing.
Kissing me quickly Ryan mutters, “Hold that thought,” as he brings the phone to his ear. “Hey, Jared, what’s up?”
