Page 20 of Merry with a Brewmaster
“Very funny,” he laments as I toss his shirt on the bar top. I expect him to go into the back and change but instead he grabs the material and pulls it off over his head, and I’mspeechless.
And gawking.
But damn, he looks so good.
He pulls the dry shirt on but not before his eyes lock on mine, heat flashing and sending a rush of desire to my core.
When was the last time I got laid?
I hold back the whimper but just barely because Imisssex—desperately—and I know the last person I was with is currently standing in front of me.
Off-limits.
But no less delicious.
“What are your plans today?” Wells asks, his gaze drifting down my body and not helping my frustration.
“I’m picking up my friend Jace and hitting a few craft stores.” I don’t miss the flash of jealousy that crosses his face at the mention of Jace.Interesting.“I wanted to surprise Haven with matching aprons and then see what kind of decorations I can find.”
“Jace?”
“Hunky firefighter in his prime? Adorably charming, small-town hero?” Wells growls and I beam. “Yup, that’s him.”
We face off, tension buzzing between us, practically electrifying the room. And God, do I want to act on it.
But we can’t.
Especially after that big speech I gave last night about stability for Haven. Being a mature adult totally sucks, and if nothing else, I have The Greene House to think about. I need to stay focused and fully dressed.
Dammit.
Wells’s knuckles are white as he grips the edge of the bar, and I need to end this. It’s not fair to either of us so I just hold out my hand. “I’ll swing by the grocery store too. Haven wanted calzones for dinner.”
“Sure,” he drawls, fishing his card from his wallet and holding it out to me. Our fingers brush against each other, and it’s so much more than an innocent touch. I feel it everywhere, and it takes everything in me to take a step back without replaying the reel of every minute we’d had between the sheets.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yes, you will.”
9
WELLS
My mind had been on a constant loop of knowing I was overreacting and had no claim to Vienna and also being a half second from destroying everything in my path to get to her. To make sure no one was touching her.
To make surehewasn’t touching her.
As far as I knew they were friends and hadn’t been anything more, but it still grated on every one of my nerves knowing that theycould.
Isaac had asked me no fewer than four times if I was all right while I explained the fall beers we’d be rolling out next week. It felt good being back in my element even though I’d been a wreck over Vienna and Jace being together after she’d stared at my bare chest like she wanted to lick me all over.
And fuck, I would have let her too.
I’m wrung out by the time I drag myself up the front steps to the house, but it only lasts a second because as soon as I open the door, my smile is immediate.
“Daddy!” Haven yells and waves frantically from the kitchen island where she’s covered in flour and grinning ear to ear. “Vienna made usmatchingaprons!”
“Those look great,” I say with a chuckle as I cross the room to take in the black fabric covered in unicorns and boop my daughter on the nose.
