Page 43 of Made for You
“True, true. No one cares about sleep.”
She rolled her eyes as though exasperated. “You know very well that’s not the part she’s wrong about.”
I played dumb becauseobviously.“Really? Well then, what part is she wrong about?”
Her eyes narrowed on me. “You know you’re gorgeous, Bruce.”
I had no lack of confidence, true, but I didn’t knowshethought that. She was honest enough I didn’t doubt she’d tell me the truth if I asked, though who wanted that? Granted, I was fishing like a pro right now. Thankfully, she seemed to be enjoying it.
“So you don’t mind me all sweaty and gross and not cute?” I tilted my head toward her. We were only about a foot apart, but I stood on the ground and she on the slightly raised deck. She set her coffee onto the wide railing and got closer, leaning in another six inches.
“That’s where she’s wrong, and you know it.”
“I’m not sweaty?” I was pushing this.
I was an idiot.
I’d accepted my plight.
She shook her head slowly, biting her lip in a way Iknewshe meant to get to me, andmission accomplished.
“You are that,” she said, her voice low and a little raspy, textured with the morning and little conversation.
“I don’t need a shower?”
Her grin flashed before she tucked it away. “I’m sure you could benefit from one, though I’m not complaining.”
Pressing my lips together, I hid my answering smile. “Then what’s she wrong about?”
She held my gaze, steady and mesmerizing with her light brown irises practically hypnotizing me. “She said you aren’t cute.”
I waited, ready for whatever she was going to tell me. Ready to slide my hand into her hair and hold her by her ponytail, steer her mouth to mine, and devour her.
Then she closed the distance and pressed the quickest kiss known to man to my lips, just enough to send fire racing through me to chase after her, but she’d already pulled back.
“You’re not just cute, Bruce. You’re adorable.”
And then, she tapped my nose like I was a toddler, gave me a huge smile as she grabbed her coffee mug, and sauntered inside. I could’ve sworn she’d been swaying her hips with more emphasis than usual, and though I didn’t mind the view, she’d stunned me with her quick exit.
And I felt even more like a goner than I had before.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Nikki
I’d escaped with my life this morning, but just barely.
What I’d really wanted to do was touch the taut skin stretched over rippling muscles, never mind the sweat and dirt. Who cared about such things when he was all sparkly-eyed and charming and even just a touch embarrassed.
I’d also completely forgotten to ask about hanging out with Kiley, or what his plans were for the day, or if he’d like to make plans to kiss me like the world was ending again sometime soon.
You know, just casual topics of conversation. I’d thought about the kiss, yes, but I’d given him a little peck just to make clear I was still very much interested. Not that he seemed insecure about that considering the way he’d sauntered up in his jeans and boots and no shirt and all that chest.
Maybe I could petition the town—something about sightseeing and the betterment of the tourist experience in Silverton if Bruce was required to spend at least a few hours a day shirtless outside his home?
I didn’tlovethe idea of other women ogling him, but I sure did enjoy the prospect for myself. Plus, I couldn’t blame anyone for wanting the view. It was just so… unreal. I’d dated attractive men here and there, yes, but no one had looked like someone had painstakingly carved each muscle from granite.
Okay, you have to stop thinking about this man while you’re helping his sister with her homework.Because, yeah. I was sitting here at the table in Bruce’s kitchen chatting with Kiley and helping her with her math club work, and I didnotneed to be remembering just how much self-control it’d taken to keep from sweeping a hand across her brother’s glorious abs.
