by J. W. Ashley
Too soon, his hand drops, and he shoves both into the back pockets of his jeans. “Three this afternoon works for you?’
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” He flashes a grin and turns away. “See you later, Claudia.”
I shut the door and lean back against it, practically swooning like a schoolgirl. It's ridiculous, but he’s so damn delicious I can’t even begin to care.
“Fun morning?”
I open my eyes. Lena stands near the hall in a robe, a knowing smile on her face. “Leo was here. Came to give me his number.” I hold up the sticky note like a trophy.
“I’m surprised he didn’t give you more than that.” She gestures to my attire, and I snort. I’m surprised too. Credit to him since I seem to have answered the door in nothing but underwear and a near-see-through pink tank top.
“Whoops,” I say, not bothered in the least because if I have my way, he’ll be seeing me naked pretty damn soon.
“So, you like him, huh?” Lena asks as she moves into the kitchen. I follow her in and open the cupboard to hand her a bag of ground coffee.
“He’s interesting.” I try to appear nonchalant. I’m the girl with no ties—the one who has men eating out of her palm. So the fact that I want to curl in this guy’s lap—it’s new for me.
“Uh-huh.” I know she senses that I’m holding back. We know each other too well for her not to, but I’m thankful she doesn’t press any further. Not like she doesn’t have a ton of stuff on her mind.
“Ready to do some more unpacking?” I ask, and Lena groans.
“I guess. I know I need to, but I hate unpacking.”
I laugh. “We’ll get it done. By the way—I’ll be ordering a spare bed for you.”
She winces. “I’m so sorry! But please don’t, once I get everything up and running with the studio, I’m sure I can get something.”
I shake my head. “Other than mom and dad, I imagine I’ll be the only one sleeping here as a guest. Please let me get it.” My friend is prideful, but I’m stubborn. And if she says no, I’m just going to do it anyway.
Something she probably already realizes, so she nods. “Nothing expensive.”
“I’m the one sleeping on it—I’ll do what I want.”
She laughs. “Fine. Stubborn bitch.”
“You love me.”
“I do.” She turns the pot on and then faces me. “Are you going for a run this morning?”
“I am. Need to burn off some of this sexual steam.” I roll the ankle I half-twisted in my attempt to get to the door. “If I can walk.”
“What’d you do?”
“The air mattress attacked me.”
Lena’s eyebrow lifts, and she crosses her arms.
“It wasn’t a fair fight. I was half-asleep.”
Lena laughs. “Only you could be attacked by an air mattress. And don’t think I missed your incredible agile dash to the door. I caught the end of it.”
I shrug. “Leo’s hot as shit. You may have eyes for Graham, but you can’t deny the deliciousness that is L.L.”
“L.L.?”
“Lumberjack Leo.”
Lena snorts. “You and your lumberjacks.”
“Don’t tell me you still don’t believe.” I feign hurt and gape at her. “I would never lie to you.”
She rolls her eyes and walks past me toward the hallway. “I’m going to go wake up Becca. Try not to melt into a puddle on the floor.”
“No promises!”
I laugh and head for the guest room to pull on some more appropriate clothing. The second I’m in my room, I lift the sticky note and stare down at the phone number scrawled. Claudia, I’m hoping you know who this is. The smiley face is a nice touch.
I grin and press it to my chest as my heart thunders. Lumberjack Leo. Damn.
This month just got a whole lot more interesting.
Leo
I walk into my grandparents’ place with a smile still plastered on my face. I can’t help it. Seeing her nearly fucking naked—shit, it took me about fifteen minutes of driving around in circles just to get my body to chill the hell out.
Nothing like showing up at your grandparents with your cock standing at attention.
“Leo, honey, that you?”
“Yes, Grandma. Where are you?”
“The patio!” she calls back, and I push further into the house, past the ceramic unicorn collection I’ve helped her build over the last twenty years. The shag carpet beneath my boots is worn down with the traction of all of us running through it over the course of our lives and is the next thing I plan on replacing for her.
If they let me, anyway. The stubborn pair has made me fight for every reno I’ve done so far. I step into the kitchen and run my fingers over the brand-new wooden countertops I installed last week. My grandmother argued when I told her I wanted to install granite, and my grandpa finally convinced her the wood would look nice, and he could help me with the install.
Which he did. It was a fun project we both enjoyed. With his eyesight nearly completely gone, I’d done all the cutting, but I know he’d liked working with his hands again when it came to staining the birch.
I move through the kitchen and step out onto the covered patio. Muted light shines down on me through the plastic roof, and I smile when I see my grandfather sitting on their outdoor couch, a pot in his hand while he tries to plant something to my grandmother’s specification.
“Clarence, you’re going to smother the damned thing.”
I grin. “Grandma, stop harassing him.”
She turns to me, hazel eyes brightening when she smiles. “Well, you’d think after seventy years of marriage, he would know better.”
I laugh. My grandparents have been married since my grandmother was seventeen. Their five-year age gap was the talk of the town back then, but they made it work. Hell, I think I’ve heard the story well over a hundred times over the last few years.
“You’d think,” I agree with a wink at my grandpa.
“Woman, if you’d stop being so particular. It’s just a plant.”
My grandmother gasps. “Just a plant? Seriously, Clarence? I’ll remind you of that when you’re wanting fresh jalapeño peppers off that ‘plant’.” She shakes her head, her lips pulling up into a grin despite her best attempt to not appear amused.
They’re the perfect example of what I one day hope to find: a partner to spend my life with. Someone who will yell at me over plants.
“Jalapeños, huh?” I take a seat in the chair next to the couch, and he looks at me with a pleading gaze.
“If I go missing, check the garden beds.”
I throw my head back and laugh.
“Oh please, if I was going to kill you, I would have done it when you let Polly out, and she murdered my aloe vera.”
He gapes at her, and I bite back a burst of laughter. Their dog, Polly, died ten years ago, and still, grandma won’t let it go.
“Would you rather I leave her in the house to crap in your slipper again?”
“Okay, you two, do I need to get out the gloves so you can go a round?”
My grandma holds up her fists and shoots him a smile before turning to me. “How are you today?”
I lean back and cross my arms. “I’m doing pretty damn good.”
“Oh?” She starts to get up, and I reach forward to pull her to her feet. “That the reason for the big smile?”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
“There a girl who caught your eye?” she asks, and my grandpa snorts.
“Woman, you know he’s pickier than you are with your plants.”
“Hey, I’m not that bad.” But I know he’s right. For me, it’s not enough for someone to be attractive. I’ve met plenty of beautiful women, but none of them held my attention for long. I need someone who’s got fire—someone with fight who will go toe to toe with me when I’m being a stubborn asshole.
Which probably is more often than I care to admit.
“Well? Is there?”
she presses as she sits down beside my grandpa.
“Maybe. Don’t know enough to answer yes or no just yet.”
“It’s about damned time,” my grandma says and pours me a glass of tea from the pitcher on her outdoor coffee table. I stare down at the three little handprints in the hand-poured concrete top. Mine is the largest, with my brother’s beside it. Our younger sister’s much smaller one on the other side. I smile, the memory of a sunny afternoon spent drinking lemonade and pressing our hands into the concrete surfacing. The happy thoughts darken as my grief—never very far away—surfaces. There won’t be a day that goes by where I don’t miss my baby sister.
“Why are you here chatting with us if there’s a woman waiting on ya, boy? Didn’t we teach you better than that?” My grandpa wraps his arm around grandma’s shoulders, and she leans against him. Still so in love that it makes me smile. I want that kind of love—the kind of love my parents have. Because even if my dad can be a colossal asshole to Rex and me, he loves my mom more than life itself.
“I saw her this morning.”
“Oh?”
“Easy, Clarence,” my grandmother scolds. “I’m sure it was just a quick hello.”
I chuckle. “I didn’t stay the night with her.” Yet. I’m really freaking hoping it happens at some point soon because—damn—if my reaction to her is anything like what sex will be like, I’m in for one hell of an experience. “I just met her last night. She’s Graham’s ex’s best friend.”
“His ex?”
“The woman from Idaho,” I explain with a sigh. “Apparently, they have a kid.”
My grandfather’s brows draw together. “But Graham’s been home for what—” he looks to my grandmother.
“At least five years. Right before Rebecca died,” she adds, referring to Graham’s late mother.
I nod. “He just found out last night.”
“She come here wanting money?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. From what I gathered, she felt guilty about keeping the secret and wanted to come clean.”
“Shit.” My grandpa shakes his head. “How’s Graham handling it?”
“Pretty well if you ask me. I’d have been a lot angrier.”
“I’m sure he is,” grandma defends. “He’s a good man. He’ll do the right thing.”
“Is he getting a paternity test to be sure?”
I nod. “Sent it out this morning.”
“Good, good.” Grandpa nods. “So this girl, she’s friends with her?”
“She is. In town for about a month, so not sure what’s going to come of it, but I like her.”
“You two been out yet?”
“I’m going to go pick her up this afternoon. After,” I say, getting to my feet, “I finish up the touch-up paint in your kitchen and mow the yard.”
“No, no, no. I can handle the paint.” Grandma shakes her head.
“Please, just let me. I like doing stuff for you guys.”
“Because we’re ancient old people?”
I laugh. “See, Grandpa gets it.”
She shakes her head at me. “You do too much for us.”
“No, I don’t. I enjoy it.”
“We appreciate it, but don’t ever feel like you have to take care of us,” Grandpa adds.
“I don’t.” I smile. “Paint in the garage?”
They both nod. “Don’t get paint on my new counters,” Grandma says. “I’ll call my contractor out to kick your butt.”
I smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Save A Horse, Ride A…Leo?
Claudia
What the hell am I supposed to wear? I stand, staring at the small number of outfits I brought out with me. The stress of trying to pick out an outfit for a date when I have absolutely no idea what to expect is crushing me.
Do I wear jeans?
A dress?
A jumpsuit?
How the hell am I supposed to know?! I glance down at my phone, pressing the side key to check the time. It’s nearly three, and I’m standing in my bedroom completely naked. Maybe I just answer like this.
Lena took Becca into town, so it’s not like anyone else is here. I chuckle. I would love to see his shock if I answered the door in my birthday suit. I reach for my phone, maybe if I text him and ask—
The doorbell rings, and I curse. Grabbing my robe, I quickly toss it over my body and head for the door. Butterflies swimming in my belly, I pull open the front door to Leo’s smiling face.
One look at me, and his eyes widen. I glance down to see an impressive amount of cleavage not covered by my robe. “Oops, sorry.” Tightening the belt, I step out of the way. “Sorry, I’m just finishing getting ready.”
“Don’t apologize on my account.” He shoves his hands into his pockets, and I’m grateful to see him wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. No suit or button-down, just casual. Perfect.
“I’ll be right back. Want anything to drink?”
“No, I’m okay.” He stares at me almost as though he’s hypnotized, and it’s one hell of a boost to my ego.
“Great. Be out in a few.” I flash him a grin and disappear into my room, nerves swimming in me. Another new experience for me. Grabbing the closest outfit to me—a pair of dark jeans that make my ass look bigger than it is, and a loose green shirt that contrasts with the red of my hair—I dress quickly and toss on my favorite pair of white chucks before heading back out into the living room.
Leo is standing in the living room waiting for me, and our gazes meet. The heat that passes between us is enough to scorch the entire freaking house, and I swallow hard. Never in my life have I felt a connection this strong to anyone.
It’s just because he’s so damn sexy, I tell myself. After all, there’s no way in hell it could be anything more than that. Right?
“Where are we going?” I ask as I walk toward him.
He grins, dimple flashing. “You ever ridden a horse?”
“I can’t say that I have,” I answer, now terrified.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything, wouldn’t you say, Claudia?” His words are packed with between-the-lines shit, and I nod.
“There is, L.L.”
“L.L.?”
“If you’re good, I might tell you what it means.” I grab my purse and walk past him, slinging the crossbody over me.
He steps out behind me, shutting the door and moving out of the way so I can lock it. I step up beside him, my body warming at the nearness and almost contact. I’d be terrified if I wasn’t so fascinated with finding out how it’s going to turn out in the end.
Will the chemistry be this intense when we finally go to bed? Or will it be a letdown? I look at him. No, there’s no way in hell sex with him will be a letdown.
“You ready?” he asks.
If you only knew. “Absolutely.”
I follow him down to his truck, and he holds the door open so I can climb in before he walks around the front to get in. The cab smells like him—an intoxicating masculine scent that makes my mouth water.
“How long have you lived here?” I ask, hoping to take some of my inner focus off my steadily expanding arousal. I swear he’s putting off some kind of pheromone that’s making my underwear wet. It’s ridiculous.
“My entire life.”
“Oh?”
“Whitefish born and raised,” he says with a smile that holds a hint of sadness, and I find myself wanting to know everything about him.
Another new step for me.
“Do you love it?” I kick myself. Of course, he does, otherwise, he would have moved.
“I stay because I love being near my grandparents,” he says. “They are the reason I haven’t left.”
His honesty is refreshing. In my experience, guys like him only like to talk about surface things. “That’s sweet.”
He shrugs as if he doesn’t know how damn adorable it is that he loves his grandparents.
“How about you?” he asks. “Where’s home for you?”
&nb
sp; “Boise. Born and raised.”
“Ah, big city girl.”
I laugh. “Through and through.”
“Ready for a little taste of country?” he asks, shooting me a quick grin that turns my legs to jelly. It’s a damned good thing I’m sitting down.
“More than.” I hope he catches my hidden meaning.
Leo guides the truck off the main road, and dirt flies up, coating his truck in dust. It’s a little rough, and I reach up to hold my boobs down. Last thing I need is two black eyes.
He chuckles. “Sorry.”
“No, you aren’t,” I say with a grin.
“You’re right. I’m not.”
I throw my head back and laugh as he pulls the truck in front of a large grey barn. It’s crafted with metal siding rather than the red barnwood I’ve always expected to see on a farm. Putting the truck in park, he turns to me.
“You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thanks, you look pretty damn hot yourself.” Without waiting for a response, I climb out of the truck, leaving my purse on the seat.
Leo gets out and heads for the barn doors. I follow, inhaling the freshest air I think I’ve ever experienced. There are no traffic sounds, just the chirping of birds and the occasional cluck from a chicken I’ve yet to see.
Turning, I see nothing but the barn and trees for miles. “Who lives up here?”
“I do.” He pulls out a set of keys and unlocks a door before stepping aside so I can walk in.
I am expecting horse stalls, bales of straw, a barn cat. I’m greeted with an actual living space. “This is your house?”
He nods. “I didn’t see the reason for a big place when it’s just me.”
I turn and take in his space. I’m currently standing in his living room boasting a brown three-seater couch and big screen TV. To the right of me are a kitchen sink, counters, and refrigerator. An island holds a dish rack with white plates drying. There’s a set of stairs near the fridge that lead up to a loft where I can see the edge of a bed.
