“That hot, huh?”
“From what I saw? Yeah. I’m hoping she shows up here today to deliver my order. I might just have to deliver the charm. You know, show her who Greyson Young really is.”
Eric laughed. “Don’t show her too much. You’ll scare her away.”
I laughed, and just then, someone cleared their throat behind me. A feminine sound that sent chills down my back as my eyes widened. I turned around slowly, both hoping it was the redhead and hoping she hadn’t heard the smack I was talking.
The redhead stood with her clipboard hugged tightly to her chest and a smirk on her face that told me she’d heard plenty.
“Um, Eric. She’s, um, they’re here. I’ll call you later.” I hung up the phone as she looked me up and down, seemingly unimpressed.
“I tried to knock on your door, and when I was leaving, I saw you walk in here.”
“It’s cool. I’m Greyson.”
“I know. I met you yesterday, and I’m delivering your wood.”
Yes, you certainly are. I felt my cock responding to her. She was so beautiful that she belonged in fancy dresses at galas and not in the royal-blue smock, although she did wear it nicely. “Of course, I’m sorry.” I still stood there like a lump.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to need to tell the guys where to unload it.”
“Of course,” I said, suddenly remembering how to walk. “Right this way.” I led her out and then pointed to the door behind the boathouse. I had built the thing as a workshop and a slip, and it was going to be perfect serving the dual purpose. “If you could put it just there behind the shop, near the door, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll go and tell them.” She turned and walked away, and I followed her to the driveway, where she waved the driver in.
“Back of the boathouse, and don’t block the door,” she yelled to him as he stopped.
I stood there watching them as she stepped away and he carried on. I had to get her name. I had to know more about her. I had to stop failing miserably.
As she walked back over, she handed me the clipboard. “Once they have it unloaded, you can give it a once-over and then sign next to the X.”
I glanced at her shirt, but she didn’t have her name tag visible. Her long red hair hung down too far again. “What’s your name?”
She gave me another look like she was sizing me up. “Are you about to turn on the charm and show me what you’re made of?”
I felt a sinking feeling like I’d already blown it. “I knew you were there. It was a stupid joke, but I guess I hoped you had a sense of humor.”
“Oh? That’s how you break the ice? With stupid jokes and offensive insinuations about charming me?”
I was quickly trying to defuse the situation. “How do you know I was talking about you?”
“I’m the only woman working down at my job, and I’m the only redhead too.”
She had me, and there was no use in denying anything. “I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my intention to offend. I just regretted not getting your name, is all. Your boss kind of cut us off.”
She seemed a bit hesitant. But after a deep breath, she answered. “I’m Sage Tyler.” She stuck out her hand, and I reached for it, hoping I wouldn’t draw back a nub.
“It’s good to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She didn’t seem impressed, and then she abruptly walked away without a second word.
I held the clipboard and watched as she went over and began helping the two men who had come along in a separate truck as they unloaded the stacks of lumber.
“Put them here,” she said to them, pointing to the exact spot I’d showed her. “Do you have a tarp?”
It took me a minute to realize that she was talking to me. “No, I don’t. I’ll get one.”
She walked back over. “Are you building a boat?”
“Yeah. That’s the dream.”
“Cool. Make sure you keep that on the down-low. People steal around here. Especially good lumber like this. It ends up on one of the islands being used by shady contractors. We keep all of our customers’ orders private, but you never know who will talk.”
“Wow, who knew there was such a thing as lumber thieves?”
“You’d be surprised, Mr. Young.” She gave me a half-hearted smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes.
“Please, call me Greyson. I can’t be much older than you.” I wanted to know her age and anything else she was willing to share.
“Is that your charming way of asking me how old I am?” Her brow rose, and she glanced down her nose at me.
“If you’d like to answer.” I wasn’t going to push this girl into anything. I wasn’t sure if she liked me or not, but I was starting to believe those old tales of redheads and their tempers.
“I just turned twenty-seven.”
“Hey,” called a guy from the truck. “Come tell me if this is too high.”
She waved me over with her, and as I looked at the stack, the young man walked over and nudged Sage while he caught his breath. “Glad you came along. You’re the only reason Chuck isn’t bitching at us right now.”
Sage smiled big at the boy, who couldn’t be more than twenty, if a day.
“Maybe he’ll let you come from now on. Lord knows you do make a better view.” He flashed her a wink, and then I cleared my throat.
“Um, could you make two shorter stacks with the rest of it?” They still had another pallet to unload.
“You bet.” The boy went back to work, and we stood watching.
Surely, she wasn’t into that young kid. She watched on, and I paid close attention and finally realized she was flattered but not impressed by the young man, or at least it seemed.
“There you go, Mr. Young. Now, you can check it out and sign the release. We’ll get out of your hair.” She tapped one of her feet, and I wondered if she was nervous around me. She was a good head shorter than me, and I thought of all the ways I’d make good use of her size as I stepped away from her and glanced at the wood.
As I turned around and signed the clipboard, the others had already climbed back into their trucks. “It’s perfect. Thanks.”
“Thank you.” She hesitated as she started away. “Did you really know I was standing there earlier in the boathouse?” She shook her head. “I mean, did you mean what you said?” She narrowed her eyes at me.
Something about her was extremely intimidating. “No.”
Before I could finish, she shook her head. “That’s too bad.” Then she walked over to the truck and climbed inside.
I had only meant that I hadn’t known she was there. But other than that, I’d meant every word I’d said.
As she drove away, I knew I’d blown it again. I looked over at the stack of wood and wondered if I had enough.
“Nope, you should have ordered more, Greyson.” I made up my mind I wasn’t going to give up on the girl so easily.
8
Sage
I stepped back away from the painting I was working on and looked at the colors. While I had planned on going for a large amethyst geode, I had ended up going for a neutral palette, and so far, I didn’t regret it. I looked at the rocks which I had attached and checked for any that had grown loose in the drying process.
“Thank goodness you’re all staying in place,” I said to them as if they could hear me. “Now, I just get to do this six more times, and then I can start with the epoxy gloss.” Jasper came over and rubbed against my legs. “Are you hungry, little piggy?” He had been snacking all day, and while I had no room to talk, I had fed him most of my sandwich.
I walked to the kitchen, wondering what someone like Greyson Young did with their Sundays and if he really knew what he was doing when it came to building a boat. It would be a shame to see all of that gorgeous cedar go to waste on some botched attempt, but maybe he would surprise me.
“Stop thinking about him. He’s obviously a player. Even if he wasn’t joking, he thought he could charm his way into your
pants, and the last thing you need is a one-night stand.” I looked down at Jasper, who was probably wondering why I’d taken to rambling instead of feeding him.
“Sorry, old boy. Let’s get you something.” I opened the cabinet and found his canister of kibble, and using the measuring cup I kept inside of it, I scooped out a small portion and put it in his dish.
I had just fed Jasper when I heard a sound coming from my phone. And when I went back to the living room to check it, Maddox had messaged me: Thinking of you, Sage. Give me a chance.
“Dammit. How’d he get my number?” I let loose a deep breath and typed out my response. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I was just about to go back to work on the painting when I heard a car pull up outside, and I held my breath that it was Lissa, and Maddox hadn’t taken to stalking my house again. Before I could get to the window, I heard a knock. “Who is it?” I called.
“Lissa, let me in. I have big gossip!”
I unbolted the door and opened it wide. “Come on in. And hurry. I’m not sure if Maddox will try to slip in behind you.”
“Maddox? He’s been here?” She came in, quickly shut the door behind her, and turned the lock.
“Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time. He’s texting me again.”
She frowned. “I thought you got a new number.”
“I did. He must have gotten it from someone.” The town was small and full of busybodies trying to always do a good deed.
“Damn. I’m sorry. On a happier note, I have it on good authority that Greyson Young is not only a handsome man, but super nice and my boyfriend’s newest friend.”
“Christian met him already? Did he go over and bring a loaf of friendship bread or something? That was fast.”
“He said he saw him drive up and wanted to see the car up close. He’s been in his house.”
“Well, I’ve been there too. I went along on the delivery. I tried to call you about it, but you must have been busy with Christian. How was that?”
“How was that? You just drop a bomb that you went to the hot new guy’s house, and you’re asking about me and Christian?”
“I don’t know what to think, honestly. For a minute, I thought he was really interested, and I got my hopes up, only to have him smash them.” I sat on the couch, and Jasper padded in from the kitchen and climbed up in my lap. He licked his paws and washed his face as I stroked his marbled fur.
“Wait, what the fuck happened? Did he do something to you?”
“No, I wasn’t alone with him. Well, I guess at first I was. I walked into the boathouse, and he was on the phone, telling someone about his encounter with me at the lumberyard. He said he was going to turn on his charm and come back to see me. He made it sound like he was genuinely interested, and then when I caught him, he said he knew I was there.” I wished I’d waited ten minutes to walk in. There was nothing like thinking someone was into you, only to have them deny it.
“He might have been embarrassed, Sage.”
“I don’t know. I got up the courage to ask him about it before I left, and he didn’t give me the answer I was looking for. I’m sure if I ever see him again, he’ll have a good laugh, and that will be that.”
“This doesn’t make sense. I’m sure he was just caught off guard. How did he look at you? Did you see anything in his eyes?”
“No, and he looked at me like I was a three-headed bug.” I felt like I looked like one when it came to him. “He’s probably used to dating skinny fashion models.”
“Please, you’re thin. You could be one of those models.”
“Whatever. I’m not getting into that argument again. I’m lacking, and he sees it. I feel stupid even talking about it really. It makes me feel pathetic, and I hate that whiny bullshit.”
Jasper mewed like he hated it too. Then he got up and turned around so I could pet his head.
“Don’t be so premature to count him out. You never know. It could turn into something.”
“I doubt it. I’m just going to let it go.”
“But Christian promised that he was going to introduce the two of you and try to play matchmaker.”
“Tell him thanks but no thanks. I’ve already met him, and he’s clearly, painfully not interested.”
“What if I’m right, and he really is, but he’s just too much of a goofball to show it? Will you at least give him a second chance?”
It had been embarrassing to ask him if he really meant that he liked me and wanted to come and see me, and then to have him tell me it was all a joke was just too much. I didn’t need that kind of person in my life. If I wanted to play games, I would go out with someone like Maddox Montauk.
But then, a part of me was unsure. What if I was wrong about him and his intentions? I wasn’t as used to men and their confusing ways like Lissa. “Fine, I’ll take your advice, and you can call me if Christian arranges anything. But if he’s a jerk and breaks my heart, I’m going to hold you responsible.”
“Fair enough, and don’t worry. If he breaks your heart, I’ll have Christian break his face.”
I got up and walked over to the rock garden. As cheesy as it seemed, the place made me happy, and I picked up a large piece of sodalite and held it in my palm. Though the weight of it was heavy in my hand, the stone was cool to the touch. Its calming quality, which put me at ease, also reminded me to be true to myself. I hoped I had made the right decision, but I wasn’t going to lose sleep over him either way.
“What are you thinking?” she asked. “I’ve never known you to be so quiet unless something is weighing heavily on your mind.”
“It’s nothing,” I said.
“Bullshit.”
“It’s just that he’s so handsome. I can’t stop thinking about him, even if I want to.” I hated that I had that reaction to him.
“He is a catch.”
I put the large chunk of sodalite back in the garden and walked over to join her on the couch. “What else did Christian say about him?”
“Just that he was a cool guy, and he didn’t have to work. Apparently, he was pretty jealous of that fact.”
“I wonder how he makes his money? Or maybe he’s just spoiled by wealthy parents.”
She turned to face me, kicking off her shoes in the process. Then she tucked her foot up under her butt. “Quick guesses?”
“Sure, hit me?” I was interested in her ideas about him.
“He’s a drug lord, murdered three people and stole all of the cash from the deal. Now he’s built his hideout and is going to build the boat to sail away and never be found.”
“He’s a crazy scientist who came up with a cure for a rare disease that the government paid him to keep quiet about. He’s got the cure to cancer in his back pocket, but they paid him off and told him to get lost.”
“That’s a good one. I’ve heard that’s totally true. There are a ton of diseases that they have the cure to, and they just don’t want everyone to know about it.”
“You’re not being quick,” I said, snapping my fingers.
“Um, he’s a—shit, I don’t know. He’s a bank robber. He’s been sitting on the money for several years, and now he’s finally getting brave. The police have a sting set up, and tomorrow when I go over to bang Christian again, we’ll see him getting hauled away in cuffs.”
“You’re going back again tomorrow? Does this mean it’s getting hot and heavy?”
She turned back and let her feet fall to the floor. “No. It means that he was too tired to get busy yesterday. I think he’s probably tired from fucking everything that moved while he was gone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know what else to think, you know? I thought for sure he’d come back and we’d be all over each other. Maybe the time apart has made him realize that there is life without me in it.”
“Or maybe you’re talking crazy. He’s in love with you. He’s just probably stressed from taking over at the furniture store.”
“I don’t
know. He’s waited for that job for years, and that’s because he’s done most of it. If anything, his job should have gotten easier.”
“In ways, yes, but in others, no. I’m sure it’s fine.” I leaned forward and put my hand on her shoulder. “We should take a girls’ weekend and get lost without either of those fools. And while we’re out, we should vow not to even think of them.”
She shook her head. “You couldn’t go a minute. You’re thinking about Greyson Young right now, aren’t you?”
I smiled as my cheeks turned red. “Yes. Maybe. So, sue me.”
She gave a cackling laugh. “We’re horrible.”
About that time, there was a sound like someone had pulled up in the driveway. “Do you hear that?” I walked to the window and carefully peeked out so they couldn’t see me.
“Who is it?” asked Lissa.
My heart sank when I saw the black SUV. “Take one guess.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Not Maddox again.” She got up from the couch and stormed to the front door.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to tell him to fuck off. You don’t need this kind of bullshit, Sage. Men like this need to know you’re not going to be their victim.” She opened the door. “Fuck off, Maddox!” I covered my face, knowing the neighbors were going to freak out. “I’m calling the cops and telling them you’re trespassing. This time, it’s restraining order time.”
Maddox rolled down the window. “I love you, Sage. I just wanted to talk.”
“Go away, Maddox. I can’t talk. I can’t see you.” I slammed the door, and he backed out and burned rubber down the road.
“He’s taking this too far. He’s liable to come here in the night and creep into your house.”
I hated to even think about something like that. “Don’t say that! I’ve got to sleep here at night alone, and that’s not going to make me feel any better, thank you.”
“Sorry, I just mean that he’s getting out of control again. You need to contact the police and at least tell them what’s happening. If he tries to come back and you do have to call them, at least they’ll have had a call before and know what’s up.”
Caught Up In Love Page 5
