The thought comes unbidden, stealing a gasp from my lips. I shake my head, “I’m so embarrassed. I forgot you all were here, and I wasjust getting ready to start dinner.”Goddamnit Averie, get a grip. “Well, obviously, not right away. Considering…”
His lips twitch, and he quickly closes the distance between us, stopping just shy of me. He’s so tall that my eyes barely come to his chest. I gulp, raising my gaze to meet his. “You havenothingto be embarrassed about.” The words are gruff, his voice husky and filled with something dangerously close to longing.
Crimson stains my cheeks again, and I swear I’m dripping wet. What is it about this man? I've never been so affected by a single look.
Stop it, Averie.
“I uhm—” I start, but the words die on my lips. His eyes are smoldering with intensity, and if he doesn’t stop looking at me like that, I will combust.
I can’t think straight with him so close to me. Pine, sandalwood, and hints of smoke swirl around me, wrapping me in a delicious haze. It’s suffocating.He’ssuffocating in the mostannoyingway. It’s not enough that I’m already thinking about him way more than I should, never mind the fact it’s so fucking wrong. He’s quickly invading everything, and I have this strong urge to tuck my tail and run. But, I don’t. In the end, I just stand here.
The scent of him floods me wholly, rooting itself inside me and taking over every rational fucking thought I have. Part of me thinks about ripping the towel off, baring myself before him, and letting him have his way with me. Maybe it would be better to rip the band aid and get it over with. Maybe then, my curiosity with this fucked-up fantasy would dissipate. It doesn’t… turning more vivid by the second.
I clench my thighs tighter at the thought of Jettson bending me over this couch, or better yet his hands and fingers teasing me, while his tongue fucks my clit. Something tells me he would have no problems satisfying his partner and making sure they find their release.
My lips part, and I try to speak, but nothing will come out. The words are permanently lodged in my throat, and this fucker is still smirking—like he sent the vision directly to my head.
I have to be the most obvious person on the planet.
That thought is the splash of cold water I need, and I quickly step away from him. “What did you need?” My voice is weak, edged with a hint of caution.
Jettson eyes me warily, like he knows I’m considering bolting. He clenches his jaw, works to say something then shakes his head as if he changed his mind.
“I came to tell you that we finished the left side and will return tomorrow to work on the right. Then we’ll start moving to all the weird corners and back of the house with its huge windows that are sure to be a pain in my ass,” he says finally, shifting on his feet a little.
“I see.” I do not, in fact, see. That statement feels off, but I know this man is a hard worker. I’ve watched him the past three days learning exactly what kind of man Jettson Noxwood is. It didn’t take long to figure out he’s a man who keeps his word, treats his employees with kindness, and graciously carries the brunt of the workload.
My palms start sweating, and a nervous giggle threatens to bubble up. I clamp my teeth together, my mind racing with every intrusive thought. On the one hand, I want to dart back down the hall and die of complete and total mortification.
On the other hand, I still want to lean into him, play with the fire, and see what happens.
Just. Fucking. Do. It.
The thought startles me so badly that I dart back down the hall the way I came, hiding from the growing feeling inside me. “H-have a good night! Lock the door behind you,” I call, stuttering because my heart is thundering in my chest, threatening to jump out of my rib cage.
A deep laugh comes behind me, followed by, “Have a good night, Averie.”
I don’t acknowledge his goodbye, I just pad back down the hall, shut the bathroom door behind me, and wait for him to leave.
Jettson and I are treading a dangerous path, and if I were a better woman, I’d listen to the warning bells inside my head. The one’s that ring in my ear, telling me to stop before shit goes south.
Too bad I’m pretty sure I’m not the better woman. The only thing I'm wondering about? Even though, I know damn well I shouldn’t be… is precisely how much Jettson saw, and what if he wants to see it again?
The August sun is hot, beating down on me savagely as we work to finish this siding. Three days have passed since I saw Averie practically naked on the hallway floor. At first, I was concerned. Then, Averie uttered a curse, snatching at her towel like it had personally offended her, and I fought to keep the chuckle suppressed that was clawing up my throat.
Ever since that moment, ever since seeing the pure lust in her eyes when she caught sight of me, I haven’t been able to stop these all-consuming thoughts.
It’s a problem. I know it, my crew knows it, and I’m relatively sure Averie can tell, too. I’m trying so hard to stay away, but I know I’m failing miserably. It doesn’t help that Luke’s presence has been non-existent since two days into the project. That’s only given us ample time to cross each other's paths.
Every morning when I arrive, Averie is just returning from her walk, and I have the same reaction to seeing her. My heart races, my mind fogs, and it’s like the darkness running rampant in my head takes over. I find myself looking for ways to catch her attention when I should be running in the opposite direction.
Truth be told, I like the way she looks at me, and I like knowing she’s just as distracted as I am. It started when I moved to this side of the house. I realized that her office sits directly in the center, overlooking the lake, and for three days, she’s watched me work.
At first, I didn’t act on her watching my every move. I tried to ignore it. Getting entangled with Averie is not on my agenda. Even if I hate her husband with a passion, family or not, I just can’t.
Each day, it’s become increasingly hard to ignore. Averie has gone out of her way to interact with us. There is a tray of lemonade here, fresh-baked cookies, and a veggie spread today for lunch. It’s like the woman is making it her personal mission to take care of us.
Now? Well, she’s sunbathing several yards away from where we’re working. It’s been hard to focus on the task, the job I’m here for, and not the goddess sunbathing across the yard.