Page 202 of One More Kiss

Chapter9

CJ

He sure has beenoutside a long time. I closed the laptop after noticing the time had flown past lunch. I looked around and remembered he had gone out front hours ago.

I took my mug to the sink, rinsed it, then put it in the dishwasher. A pack of chicken was thawing in the sink. The corner of my mouth turned up at the thought of him cooking again. It was really sweet, and he was a good cook. But he had to eat, too so it was probably just as easy to cook for two than just himself.

I grabbed the sandwich supplies; it was past lunch, but I was starving and needed a bite if I was going to keep writing. Since he had cooked meals for me, I decided the least I could do was fix him a sandwich.

When I was done, I walked to the front porch, only to find Johnny wasn’t there. I didn’t recall hearing him walk back inside but I was in the zone so I could have missed it.

“Johnny?” I called to an apparent empty cabin.

Shrugging, I went to the back porch and looked around. I didn’t see him, but I did hear an odd sound, like a knock but not the way someone would knock on a door, but a slow, steady bump.

I walked to the edge of the porch and looked out into the wooded area. Still in sight, but a little walk from the cabin, I saw him. Oh, sweet baby cheezits.

That man was shirtless…swinging an axe.

From the way he stood I only saw his back, but it was still a glorious sight.

How long had he been at this? Surely, he was hungry. It would be a kind gesture to take him a cold drink and a sandwich. I most certainly was not just trying to get a better look.

I grabbed three waters from the fridge, some napkins, and the sandwich and found a grocery bag under the sink to carry them down in. After I got my goloshes I grabbed my coat from the hook by the front door then went out the back door and headed down.

It was pretty chilly out and drizzly rain filled the forest air. How he was shirtless chopping wood was beyond me, but I wasn’t complaining.

As I approached, I stepped on a twig and he turned, axe in the air. A grin spread across his face but just as quickly disappeared. He lowered the axe to the ground and grabbed a towel.

He was still wiping sweat, or maybe rain, from himself when I got closer. The man was still glistening, and his salt and pepper hair was wet and slick. His skin was flushed, and his arms were even bigger; swollen from the manual labor. His chest looked as I pictured it in my head after leaning against it, then swatting it when he carried me to the bedroom…perfectly rounded, rock-hard pecs with pert little nipples. His abs were defined and flexed and there was a thin trail of dark hair leading below the waistband of his underwear that was peeking from the top of his jeans.

“CJ?”

“Huh?”

His brow was lifted. “What’s up? Was this too loud?”

Oh, shit I was ogling and didn’t hear him.

“Oh,” I giggled, “no. I hadn’t even heard. My tummy was grumbling so I got up to make lunch and realized you were gone.” I held the bag out to him. “When I saw you, I thought you may be hungry, too.”

His eyes widened as he reached out. “Oh, thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but you’ve fed me so fair is fair.” Act cool, CJ. “So, whatcha doing out here?”

He pulled the sandwich and a water from the bag then sat on a log. “I was bothering you inside but was getting bored outside, so instead of sitting around I figured I could pretend to put a dent in the trail.”

Wringing my hands, I replied, “You aren’t bothering me.”

He looked up through his thick lashes at me. “You don’t have to say that. It’s fine. You came here for peace and quiet and got stuck here with me.”

How many times had I said that? Shit. “No, Johnny. Look, I’m sorry—”

He waved me off. “Seriously, its fine.” His tone was flat and cold.

Wow. This one is hot and cold.

“Okie dokie then. I guess I’ll let you get back to it.”

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