Page 32 of Noble Neighbor
Sunny’s eyes widened, and her gaze swung to Oliver’s,the dimmed overhead light casting a soft glow over his striking features.
Did his eyes have to radiate such blatant yearning, matching the longing within her own body? Did his lips have to curve so enticingly? Lips she’d love to feel pressed to hers again.
He swore under his breath. “You need to work withme here, Sunny. You cannot look at me like that, becausethis friend zone you’ve shoved me in is hard. Literally,” he added, a wry smile tugging his lips up on one side.
She dropped her stare from Oliver’s mouth to his lap. And licked her lips.
Oliver groaned. “Sunny.”
Swallowing, she looked away.
Friend zone, Sunny. Remember? Your choice.
But maybe …
“No.” Sunny shot out the seat, jolting the swing into motion. She paced a few steps, her sock-clad feet soundless on the decking. Stopping at the rail, sheplaced her wineglass on the top and, wrapping one arm around the pillar, she leaned her body against the supportand peered into the dark. She inhaled deeply, welcoming the sharp bite of air as it flowed into her lungs, willing it to cool her rampant libido.
She desperately needed to clear her mind of all the swirling thoughts; needed to remember her primary goal — creating a safe haven for her girls.
Her needs were secondary. Always.
But it was … hard.
And Oliver was so damned tempting.
Maybe … just once?
She turned to face him, but her hand caught theglass, sending it to the deck floor. It shattered, and with growing fascination, Sunny watched the red liquidspread across the boards and bleed into the gaps.
“Don’t move,” Oliver ordered, standing.
Sunny lifted her head and watched him disappear into the house before lowering her gaze to the broken glass. How fitting. The new life she was building was as brittle as the pieces lying mere inches from her feet, taunting her.
One wrong move, Sunny, and everything you’ve worked toward over the last years shatters.
She couldn’t let her guard down.
Not even for a second.
Most definitely not for a few moments of sexual gratification.
There was too much at stake.
She stayed in place when Oliver returned and watched him crouch by her feet, sweeping the shards into the pan.
If only she could gather up the fragments of her life as easily as Oliver could the glass. Throw them away and forget what happened.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
*
Her girls asleep, Sunny started her nightly round ensuring the house was locked tight. She rubbed a palm over her hip, down her thigh. It ached, unaccustomed to the extra strain she’d been putting on it.
She needed a half-hour soaking in hot, swirling water. Like a hot tub.Hmmm.That thought had merit. Maybe she could add a small conservatory on the edge of the porch, filling the gap where she’d nearly fallen from the roof.
Sunny trailed her hand against the wall as she climbed the stairs to the second level. Thinking about ladders … the one she’d ordered for reaching above the wainscoting would arrive next week. She couldn’t wait to get rid of the awful wallpaper, but she was still undecided about replacing it or painting the wall. Heaving a weary sigh as she reached the landing, Sunny looked out over the entry below. So many decisions to make.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a partner to bounce her ideas off?
