I roll my eyes and see movement out toward the right. I crane my neck, seeing the barn. I listen and hear the familiar neigh of a horse, then I see Eli.
“I gotta go,” I interrupt Poppy from whatever she was saying.
“Okay, call me later,” her voice rings with a question.
“You know it.”
I hang up and step down from the porch, walking to the barn. The closer I get, the more I hear. I stay by the entrance, leaning against the wall as I see Eli lifting a pitchfork full of hay into a stall.
Even dressed in winter clothes, he looks hot while he works. Be it a hammer in hand or carrying hay, Eli Hastings looks good doing anything with his hands. I squirm and bite down my smile.
“Oh, hey.” Eli startles, placing the pitchfork on the hill of hay.
“Hey. I, uh, saw you in here, so I came over.”
“How’d you sleep?” That crooked smirk takes over his lips, and my breath catches. He gave me that same smirk last night right before those lips landed somewhere else.
“Great. Like a baby.”
“You snore,” he points out.
“I do not.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Uh-huh,” he nods, walking toward me. “It’s cute.”
My cheeks burn, and I pretend I’m looking around the barn.
Eli stands in front of me, his hand cupping my cheek. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” my heart races.
“You’re dressed,” he frowns, looking me up and down.
“I couldn’t come out here in the freezing cold in my birthday suit. And I wasn’t sure prancing around your house naked was the best idea.” My nose scrunches.
“I’d like to see you prancing around naked. Or, you could’ve waited for me in bed. We haven’t gotten to round two yet.” His voice is husky, his body heat radiating off him and wrapping me in a big, cozy, Eli blanket.
I give in for a moment, leaning into him as I inhale his woodsy scent.
“Go out with me,” Eli whispers.
When I blink my eyes open, I see him inches from my face. “Huh?” I roll my eyes. Perfect response, Averly.
Eli chuckles. “I want to take you out. You know, on a date.”
“Really? So this wasn’t a one-time thing where we drank a little more than usual, sang a sensual karaoke song, and you know…” I widen my eyes.
His body shakes with laugher. “No. I like you, Averly.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” His thumb smooths my furrowed eyebrows and scrunched up nose. I relax and look into his eyes.
“Okay,” I nod.
“How about tonight?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Great.” His smile is wide.
This is good. I can do this, go on a date with Eli. We already slept together, so the awkwardness of will we, won’t we has been swept away.
“I’m almost done here. I’ll make breakfast for us and then can take you home. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Do you need help?”
Eli’s eyebrows rise on his head. “How much do you know about working a barn?”
“You remember my brother is Finn, right? Gimme that.” I step forward, grabbing the pitchfork, and fill the stall with hay.
“Goodness, that’s hot,” Eli murmurs behind me.
I turn to look at him over my shoulder with a wink. “You just gonna stand there and stare?”
“I’d much rather do something else, but I won’t make my horse starve.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re bad news, Hastings,” I tease.
“Oh, but it feels so good.” He presses his body to my back as a hand sneaks to my stomach, holding me in place. Eli drops a kiss on my neck, and my entire body heats in reaction.
“You’re not wearing a bra,” he whispers in my ear.
“Or my underwear,” I respond.
Eli groans and takes a step back. “We need to finish here fast.”
It doesn’t take long before we’re back in the house and in the shower, naked. After a very thorough washing and a drawn-out orgasm, I’m sitting on a stool in Eli’s kitchen, watching him prepare scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. When I offered to help, he instructed me to sit and let him work.
The fitted sweater stretches across his chest as he reaches for the salt in the condiments cupboard, his arms flexing and relaxing as he moves around the kitchen with ease. A man who can cook is hot as hell, and this one is putting on a show, knowing I’m watching.
I’m not sure how someone who pushes my buttons so much can feel so right. I never doubted my physical attraction to Eli, but can we actually date and not want to kill each other?
Maybe sometimes what seems wrong is exactly what we need, a push out of our comfort zone. Eli is definitely that push.
“Breakfast is served.” He turns around with a proud grin and two plates in his hands.
“Smells good,” I comment, eyeing the plate.
“Are you hungry?” Eli arches a brow.
“Famished, and I have you to blame.”
He chuckles and places the plate in front of me before refilling our coffee mugs. A girl can get used to this kind of service—orgasms, food, and coffee.
“What’s your favorite kind of food?” Eli asks, taking a sip of coffee.
“It’s a tie between pizza and barbecue ribs.”
“Perfect.”
“Why?” I turn my gaze to him.
“I want to make sure I take you somewhere you’ll like tonight. No need to take someone to eat sushi if they can’t stomach it.”
“Oh, I like sushi too.” My eyes light up.
Eli chuckles and shakes his head. “Just an example.”
“So…we’re really doing this?”
“I already told you, yes. I like you.” Eli turns in his seat, reaching for my hand.
“It feels more like hate.” I lift my brows.
“That’s because you drive me crazy at work.” He leans forward, brushing back a wet strand of hair. “Which also turns me on,” he confesses.
“Is this a game?” I push back.
Eli shakes his head. “I’m thirty-fucking-five years old. If I wanted to play games, I’d join a baseball league. Look, I know you have your reservations. I hate to bring this up, but it’s best to talk about it now. What you went through with that idiot sucked, but not every guy is out to break your heart or play you. Give me a chance to prove myself without having to live in someone else’s shadow.”
“Wow, okay…” I nod. No one has ever been so direct. Most peers pitied me after they heard what happened in high school. Small-town plus small high school is the equivalent of having zero privacy.
“And if you still want to pretend you can boss me around at the bed and breakfast, I’m all for it. It’ll be a different kind of foreplay.” His eyebrows waggle.
“You’re… I don’t even know what you are.” I shake my head, but a small smile takes over my lips.
“What I am is ready for round two.” He pushes his plate back and stands.
“We had round two in the shower, remember?”
“No, that was one point five,” he hisses as he stands between my legs and sneaks his hands under my butt, lifting me. I yelp and hold on to his shoulders as my legs wrap about his waist.
“Much better,” he kisses me, his tongue intruding my mouth.
“Hmmm,” I sigh as his mouth leaves kisses down my neck. “I guess that was half of a round, considering we didn’t… Hey!” I screech when he bites my earlobe.
“You were saying?” Eli teases.
“Bedroom, now,” I moan, tossing my head back as he rubs his erection against me.
“Good girl.” He drops a kiss on the base of my throat.
Eli
I knock on Averly’s door, ready to pick her up for our date. After having dropped her off here a few hours ago, I planned our evening, with a little help from my sister. A woman’s perspective is always a good idea when planning something like this.
/>
There’s something about Averly that I want to uncover. I want to show her more than what she’s limited herself to. I know having this business is her dream, it’s been made clear more than once, but she’s so focused on it that she isn’t really enjoying everything else life has to offer. But first, I need her to see me outside of the hardhat and hammer. I need her to see me as a man she can trust.
“Hey,” Averly says as she opens the door.
“Hi,” I smile, taking her in. Her long hair curls at the ends as if she’s twirled the strands around her finger one too many times.
“You look beautiful,” I kiss her cheek.
“Thank you.” Her eyes move to the side, her cheeks turning pink. “Am I dressed okay for where we’re going?” Averly runs her hands down her tan, suede skirt. She’s wearing a black turtle neck, and I’m already trying to figure out how to get my lips under the fabric around her neck. I look down her legs, covered in black tights and knee-high, black boots.
“You’re perfect.”
Averly smiles, her brown eyes lighting up as she grabs her coat off the hook by the door. “Let’s go then.”
We head down the stairs to my truck. “How very gentlemanly of you to open the door for me,” her eyes twinkle.
“I’m a gentleman when I need to be. Other times…” I let my words trail off, the meaning heavy as I lift a brow.
“Yeah, other times, you’re… I’m still not sure what to call you.” She bites down her smile and slides into the passenger seat.
“You think about that,” I wink and close the door, making my way around to the driver’s side.
“Where are we going?” Averly asks once I’m pulling out of the driveway.
“You said you love pizza, so I thought we could try a place in Woodville that makes fire-oven pizzas and bread.”
“I approve,” she says with a smile.
I drive to the neighboring town. Woodville is a little bigger than Everton, and they have some more upscale places. As much as I love Everton, I thought my first date with Averly would be better in neutral territory.
“What did you do in the afternoon?” I ask Averly.
“Laundry,” she sighs. “And I prepared for a meeting I have with Ainsley tomorrow. I’m working with her on marketing The Farm House, and although I insisted she take the week of her wedding off, she said she rather work and keep her regular schedule.”
“She’s great at what she does, I think she’ll help get you started.”
“Yeah. It’s overwhelming to start a new business, but I’ve been working toward this since I can remember. Regardless, it’s one thing to dream about it and another to actually be in the middle of it.”
“It will turn out okay,” I reassure her, placing my hand on her knee.
“I hope so. That’s what Poppy says, too,” Averly sighs, and I glance at her quickly from the corner of my eyes. This is the first time I see a part of her doubting her decision to open a bed and breakfast. On-site, she’s all determined, stubborn, and put together. Then again, I remember when I found her sitting outside after the ceiling caved in, tears in her eyes.
Averly Cooper is vulnerable, but she hides it too well for her own good.
I reach for her hand and give her a light squeeze. I catch a glimpse of a soft smile under the muted streetlights before focusing on the road ahead.
We make it to Stone Coal Pizza, and I give my name to the hostess before guiding Averly to the bar while we wait for a table.
“What do you want to drink?” I keep my hand in hers, looking into her eyes.
Her breath catches in her chest, but I make no comment about it. Averly wants to feel as if she’s in control, and I’ll give her that sense of security for now.
“I’ll have a whiskey sour.”
“Whiskey, huh? Does whiskey make you frisky?” My eyebrows move up and down on my forehead.
Averly laughs, one of those full belly laughs—head titled back and eyes closed. I like seeing her this way, carefree without her usual guard up.
She leans in, lowering her voice. “I think you already discovered that I’m feisty and frisky last night.”
I groan, my free hand wrapping around her waist to keep her close. “And I very much approve,” I murmur against her lips before I drop a quick kiss.
I turn toward the bartender and order a whiskey sour and whiskey neat for myself. After paying and grabbing our drinks, I turn back toward Averly.
“Cheers.” Our glasses clink, and we remain silent a moment while we savor our drinks, eyes locked on each other.
Averly studies me over the rim of her glass, her eyes slightly narrowed. “Did you ask me out because you felt like you owed me something after what happened last night?”
“What? Of course not. Jesus,” I run a hand through my combed hair. “Trust me, I wouldn’t feel like I owed you anything if that was all we wanted to do. I may have asked women out in the past and hoped to get into bed with them afterward, but why would I ask you out if all I wanted was to fuck you?” My eyebrows pull in together, but I keep my voice low for any curious ears trying to listen in.
“Good.” Averly nods, taking a sip of her whiskey sour.
“I don’t get you Averly Cooper, but I’m sure gonna try to decipher you.”
Her eyes crinkle as she smiles in amusement. “I’m not some impossible equation people can’t solve.”
“To me, you are.” I place my glass on the bar and pull her to me. “But I love a challenge.”
Averly steps closer, landing between my legs. “Who would’ve guessed you and I would be on a date?”
“Me,” I state.
“Really?” Her face scrunches up.
I chuckle and nod. “Is that so hard to believe?”
“Uh, have you been present during our arguments?”
“Yeah, and have I told you how hot you are when you get fired up?” Averly lifts her eyebrows in a no-bullshit expression. “It’s true,” I say, and then add, “I’m proud of the work I do, and I take it seriously. I don’t argue with your ideas for the fun of it, I do it because it’s what’s best.”
“And saying the crown-molding I chose was impossible to install?” she challenges.
“Okay, fine, that one was to rile you up.”
“Eli,” she jabs a finger to my chest. “You’re mean.”
“Is that the best you can do, darlin’?” I tease.
“You know it’s not.” She looks up at me through her lashes, a small smile brushing her lips.
“Honestly, Averly, I’ve been fighting against asking you out since I started the job.”
Her eyebrows pull together. “Why didn’t you?”
“Really?” I open my eyes wide. “We could barely stand in a room together for longer than five minutes. Yeah, I liked you, but it felt like a suicide mission to pursue it.”
“What changed?” she whispers, her big eyes looking at me as she listens intently.
“When I saw you kiss that kid the other night, something snapped inside of me. It was probably before then, seeing you tipsy with your defenses down at the cabin. I realized there could be something. I couldn’t help but kiss you.”
“That was a good kiss.”
“Sure as hell was,” I agree.
Just as I’m about to kiss her again, the hostess calls my name. “That’s us.”
“Yeah,” Averly sighs.
I smile, seeing she isn’t unaffected by me. I grab our drinks and head toward the hostess stand.
Once we’re seated and alone at the table, Averly tilts her head. “You know, you were on a date the night I kissed that guy.”
“I know,” I offer a stern nod. “She’d kept asking me out, so I figured if I said yes one time, I’d have a foundation to tell her it wouldn’t work.” I’m not sure if that is a point for me or against me, and Averly gives nothing away with her neutral expression.
“Okay,” she states, opening the menu. “What kind of pizza do you like?”
“
That’s it? No comment or accusations?”
“Why?” She pinches her lips to the side. “You asked me to give you a chance without any past experiences sentencing whatever this is between us before a fair trial, so I am.”
“Is that lawyer talk?”
“Huh, maybe,” she shrugs. “Probably not. I wouldn’t have what it takes to be a lawyer.”
“I doubt that,” I tease.
Averly rolls her eyes playfully, looking back at the menu. I take a look as well, commenting on the different choices.
“Do you like prosciutto?” I glance up at Averly.
“Oh, yeah. Which one are you looking at?” she asks, eyeing the menu.
“The fourth one down.”
She’s quiet for a moment as she studies it. “That’s perfect,” she smiles up at me. “Can we get the garlic focaccia?” Her eyes light up.
“Can I even say no to that smile?”
“Doubtful, it’s my best one.” She shrugs.
We order the focaccia and a pizza with prosciutto, caramelized onion, and mushrooms.
“What is your favorite song?” Averly asks as her hand wraps around her glass.
“Chattahoochee.”
“Great song.” She leans forward. “Favorite color?”
“I get a turn first,” I argue. “And it’s blue.”
She smiles and leans back in her seat. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“I love to read,” she states with a proud smile.
“For fun?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes, for fun. I love escaping in a good book. It helps to relax and clear my mind from stress and the stubborn-as-hell contractor who loves driving me crazy.”
I smile and lift a brow. “I do love driving you crazy.”
“Lucky me,” she sighs, shaking her head and rolling her eyes as if it were the most inconvenient thing in her life.
I play along, catching her off-guard. I lower my voice and stare into her eyes. “Luck was on my side when you agreed to go out with me. I guess I was doing something right.”
A slow smile creeps on her face. “You’re smooth,” she comments, reaching across the table for my hand. I love her confidence around me. Lacing our fingers, she adds, “It’s a good thing you like it because I doubt that will change when it comes to working together.”
Make You Mine Page 9
