The Landscaper (Working Men Series Book 6)

by Ramona Gray

  “I won’t.” She yawned. “Thanks for the ride home.”

  “Promise me, Isabelle.”

  She muttered something under her breath and buried her face under the covers.

  I pulled them back. “Isabelle, promise me you won’t get out of bed.”

  “I won’t, unless I have to pee or something. Go home, Knox. I’m,” another huge yawn, “fine.”

  She grabbed the covers and pulled them over her head again. I backed away from the bed and stared at the door before staring at the lump in the bed. My heart was still trip-trip-tripping, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.

  What if I left and Isabelle got out of bed? What if she tried to go downstairs? What if…I turned and walked unsteadily to the chair by her small vanity. I eased my big body into it and stared at Isabelle. I would stay the night. I would stay and watch over her and make sure she didn’t try and get out of bed.

  My heart immediately slowed, and the bright panic faded with my decision. I took a deep breath and crossed my arms over my chest as I kept my gaze on Isabelle.

  At least crawl into bed with her. The chair is uncomfortable, and you know she won’t care if you lie in the bed.

  No, I couldn’t get into Isabelle’s bed. I was a heavy sleeper and, like her, I was still tired from Wednesday night. Or maybe I was tired because I’d slept like shit last night. My bed seemed too big and too empty without Isabelle in it.

  If I got into her bed, if I laid down next to her soft warmth, I’d fall asleep. And if I fell asleep and Isabelle woke up… I shuddered, and rubbed at my burning eyes. I would sit here in this uncomfortable chair until Isabelle sobered up.

  I’d take care of her, and this time I wouldn’t fail.

  Chapter Seven

  Isabelle

  The harsh beeping of my phone woke me. I groped for it, hit the snooze button and squinted at the time before rolling onto my back and groaning. Shit, drinking at the bar last night was a really stupid idea when you had an eight a.m. shift at the shelter.

  Surprisingly, considering how much I had had to drink last night, and the fact that I rarely drank more than a beer or two, I only had a mild hangover. I rubbed at my aching forehead. I needed to get my ass into the shower, and then get some water into my poor, dehydrated body. I sat up, pushed down the covers, and swung my legs over the side of the bed.

  “Feeling better?”

  I screeched like a banshee and grabbed at my chest. “What the fuck, Knox! What are you doing here?”

  Knox was sitting in the chair by my vanity. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair was sticking up like he’d been running his hands through it. He rubbed his hand across the stubble on his jaw as I grabbed my shirt from the floor and slipped it on.

  “Were you up all night watching me sleep?”

  “Someone had to,” he snapped. “You were drunk last night, and your brother wasn’t home. Do you not remember anything from last night?”

  “I remember everything,” I said. “But what I don’t remember is asking you to sit in my bedroom all night and watch me.”

  “You were so drunk that you would have hurt yourself if you’d gotten out of bed.” His voice was full of anger and - my stomach clenched - disgust. “I couldn’t take that chance, so I stayed up and kept an eye on you.”

  “Knox?” I gave him a cautious look. “Honey, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting a little crazy. You know that, right?”

  “Seriously? What’s wrong with me, Izzy?” He stood and stalked to the door of my bedroom.

  “Don’t call me Izzy. I’m not a little girl.” Now my own anger was bubbling up to the surface.

  “Could have fooled me, Izzy. You acted like an irresponsible and foolish little girl last night, but you want to know what’s wrong with me? I kept you safe last night. I kept you safe, and you’re acting like I’m crazy.”

  He yanked open the door of my bedroom and paused before giving me one final scowl. “You’re welcome, Isabelle.”

  “Knox, what…”

  He stomped out of my room, and I groaned and flopped down on the bed. What the hell just happened?

  * * *

  Isabelle, this is a bad idea.

  Yeah, it probably was. Still, it didn’t stop me from climbing out of my car and walking up the steps of Knox’s front porch. I paused and brushed some dog hair from my shirt. I’d worked all day at the shelter and then drove straight to Knox’s. I probably should have gone home and showered, but I was almost frantic to get to Knox’s place and find out just what I had done to piss him off so badly. Besides, it’s not like we were going to fall into his bed or anything. Who cared if I was covered in hair and smelled like dogs?

  Got that right. Knox hates you now.

  I sighed. My inner voice was a bitch, but she was a correct bitch. Knox hated me – I’d seen it in his eyes this morning and that was why I was standing on his front porch about to confront him.

  I could live with Knox never wanting to have sex with me again, I could live with running into him occasionally in our small town and pretending I didn’t love him, but I couldn’t live with him hating me.

  I raised my hand to knock, stepping back when the door opened. Knox’s mom beamed at me. “Isabelle, sweetheart, it’s been so long.”

  Before I could say anything, she pulled me into the house and gave me a hug. “Why haven’t you stopped by to see me since you moved back home?”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Jameson,” I said. “I meant to. Uh, I just finished a shift at the shelter and I’m covered in dog hair, you might not want to touch me.”

  “I don’t care, and you know you can call me Ellen.”

  Her arms tightened around me, and I gave in and hugged her back. I’d always loved Knox’s mom, sometimes I think I loved her more than my own mother, and it felt good to be hugged by her again. I shouldn’t have stayed away from her like I did, but I’d stupidly thought it was best.

  “How are things?’ She stepped back and grasped my shoulders, studying my face intently. “You look a little sad, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I said. “I’m really happy to see you.”

  “I’m so happy to see you, sweetheart. I’ve missed you.”

  “Mom? Thanks again for the casserole. I’ll bring the dish back to you in a couple of… Isabelle, what are you doing here?”

  Knox was coming out of the kitchen, and he glanced at his mom before turning back to me. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and they were covered in dirt and grass trimmings. He had smudges of rich, black dirt on his face and his hands were equally dirty.

  “I wanted to chat with you about something, but I can, uh, come back later,” I said.

  “Nonsense,” his mother said. “Max had a sleepover at my house last night, so I was just bringing him home and dropping off a casserole for my boy, I wasn’t planning on staying. You two have dinner together and talk.”

  She pressed a kiss against my cheek and squeezed my hands. “Don’t be a stranger, my love. All right?”

  “All right.” I smiled at her and stepped aside as she grabbed her jacket.

  “Knox, I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Mom.”

  She blew him a kiss and left, closing the door behind her. Max appeared in the hallway, blinking sleepily at me before ambling forward and leaning against my legs. I rubbed his head as Knox said, “He’s not much of a guard dog. I think he might be a bit deaf.”

  “Yeah, it happens with older dogs,” I said awkwardly.

  Knox and I stared at each other before he cleared his throat. “I have some lemonade in the fridge. Do you want some?”

  “Sure. That would be, uh, nice.”

  I took off my shoes and jacket and followed him into the kitchen. Max wandered back into the living room and climbed onto the couch, stretching out on the cushions like he’d lived in the house his entire life.

  Knox opened the fridge door and, already hating the thick, uncomfortable silen
ce between us, I walked to him and touched his arm.

  “Knox, I’m so -”

  I made a breathless squeak when Knox slammed the fridge door shut and pulled me into his arms. He threw his arms around my waist and I stood on my tiptoes to wrap my arms around his thick neck. He lifted me, keeping the entire length of my body pressed against his as he buried his face in my neck.

  I hugged him hard, rubbing the back of his neck as he squeezed me tight and kissed my neck. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”

  “I came over here to apologize to you,” I said.

  He shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s my fault. I was a dick to you this morning. I’m sorry.”

  He set me down, but kept his arms around me as I leaned back to look up at him. “I do need to say sorry for my behaviour last night. I was rude and childish with you, and I’m sorry. I know it upset you and -”

  “That isn’t what upset me,” he said.

  “Then what was it?”

  He hesitated and then shook his head. “Nothing important. I just – I was worried about you, I’ve never seen you drunk before.”

  I sighed. “I don’t usually drink that much.”

  “Why did you last night?”

  “Honestly? Because I was upset that it was over between us, and that you were already making out with Sonya Bracker.”

  “I didn’t make out with Sonya Bracker.”

  “She was sitting on your lap, and then she had her hand on your thigh.”

  “Yeah, and fifteen minutes later she left when she realized I wasn’t going home with her.”

  “Have you gone home with her before?” I studied his face, relief flooding through me when he shook his head.

  “No, I haven’t slept with Sonya. What about you?”

  “Nope, never slept with her.”

  A ghost of a smile crossed his tired face. “I meant Elijah Thomson.”

  “Elijah? You mean the guy who’s built like a brick shithouse and who you tried to beat up last night? You know he would have squashed you like a bug, right? I think he might even be stronger than my brother.”

  “Have you slept with him?”

  “Of course not, why would you think that?”

  “You said you’ve slept around.” There was no judgement in Knox’s tone.

  “In Florida. You’re the only guy I’ve slept with since I moved home.”

  His relief was obvious, and I patted his chest. “What about you? Who have you slept with?”

  “Since you moved home? Just you.”

  I stared up at him. “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow.”

  “I am capable of controlling my libido on occasion,” Knox said.

  “I know. Why did you threaten to beat up Elijah last night?”

  “Because he was touching you.”

  His honesty took me by surprise, and I tried to wiggle out of his grip. He held me firmly as I stared up at him. “I’m not yours, Knox. You know that, right?”

  He didn’t reply, and I squeezed his arms. “I’m not yours. You keep making that perfectly clear and -”

  “I know you’re not mine,” Knox said. “But you’re not his either. I don’t want you sleeping with Elijah.”

  “It’s not your decision to make.”

  “Izzy -”

  “Stop calling me that!”

  He rubbed my hip. “Why do you hate being called Izzy now?”

  “Because it was my childhood nickname, and I’m not a little girl anymore. I spent most of my teen years wishing you would see me as something other than a little girl. Every time you call me Izzy, it reminds me that for years I was just Asher’s annoying brat of a little sister. The one that you put up with because Ash wouldn’t leave me behind to deal with my parents on my own.”

  “I didn’t think you were annoying or a brat,” Knox said. “I liked having you around.”

  “Sure you did.”

  “I did,” he insisted. “Some of the other guys didn’t, but I never had a problem with it. You were a sweet kid and -”

  “Kid, yeah.” I sighed.

  He shifted me slightly, and I moaned when I felt his erection press against my lower belly. “You know just as well as I do that I don’t think of you as a kid anymore, Isabelle.”

  I tugged his head down and kissed him. He returned my kiss, his big hand warm on my hip and the other sliding under my t-shirt to rub my back.

  “I want you again, Knox,” I whispered against his mouth.

  “I never stop wanting you,” he said.

  A hard thrill went through me and I rubbed against his erection. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “I’m covered in dirt and grass,” he said. “I just got home from work and haven’t showered yet.”

  “I’m covered in dog hair and slobber,” I said. “I came over here straight from work.”

  He grinned at me. “Shower sex?”

  “Hell, yes,” I said.

  He squeezed my ass as Max wandered into the kitchen. He woofed in greeting, and then sniffed my jeans repeatedly.

  “Go on and get in the shower. I’m just going to feed Max and then I’ll be right there,” Knox said.

  I smiled at him and traced my fingers down over his chest. “Don’t be long or I’ll start without you.”

  He made a sexy little growl and slapped my butt playfully. “Don’t you dare.”

  “You’ve got five minutes.” I slipped out of his grasp and left the kitchen.

  * * *

  “Don’t drop me.”

  “I won’t drop you.”

  “Are you sure? I feel like maybe you’re gonna drop me.”

  Knox burst into laughter as he gripped my wet hips. “This just went from sexy to not-sexy real fast.”

  “Listen, I want to be banged in the shower as much as the next girl, but I also don’t want to break a hip.”

  “You’re not seventy.”

  “Still… I’ve never had sex in the shower before so I’m feeling a little nervous.”

  “I haven’t either,” Knox said.

  I stared up at him in surprise. Knox’s shower was a tub/shower combo and not what I’d call spacious. His big body was blocking the spray of water, and I was starting to shiver from cold. “You’ve never had sex in the shower either?”

  “No.” He turned and adjusted the hot water. “Crap, the hot water is starting to run out. I took too long to scrub the dog slobber off of you.”

  “Me?” I laughed and squeezed his ass. “You were the one covered in dirt. I’m starting to think you just stripped off your clothes and rolled around in it or something. It’s your fault we’re running out of hot water.”

  He adjusted the hot water again before running a hand over my hip. “You’re shivering.”

  “Someone’s blocking all of the lukewarm water.”

  We stared at each other for a moment.

  “Bedroom sex?” Knox said.

  “Chickening out, are we?” I teased.

  He leaned down and pressed a path of kisses down my throat. “I’ll let you ride me as long as you want, let you come as often as you’d like, if we switch to bedroom sex.”

  “Get me out of this shower, right now,” I said.

  He laughed and shut the water off before climbing out and grabbing a towel. He wrapped it around his waist and grabbed a second towel. I stepped out of the tub and he carefully dried my body. It wasn’t overtly sexual, but there’d been a lot of damn foreplay in the shower and I was more than ready to ride him.

  “Hurry.” I reached out and cupped his cock, rubbing him through the towel.

  He groaned and, for once, didn’t tease. Instead, he dropped the towels, grabbed my hand and hurried me out of the bathroom and down the hall to his bedroom. Max have moved from the couch to the bed, and he made a disgruntled woof when Knox tugged on his collar.

  “Max, do not be a cockblocker.”

  I giggled and patted Max’s hip. “Go on, boy.”


  He hopped off the bed. Knox had put a dog bed in the corner, and Max flopped down on it with a loud sigh as Knox pulled back the covers and laid on his back on the bed. “Baby, get your sweet pussy over here.”

  “Smooth.” I rolled my eyes, but it didn’t stop me from climbing onto the bed and straddling Knox’s hips in less than five seconds.

  I rubbed his dick against my pussy and Knox made a low groan. “Fuck me. Right now, Isabelle.”

  “Whatever you say, handsome.” I slid Knox’s cock into my pussy. There was only the slightest resistance before he was seated snugly inside of me. “So good.”

  “Yes,” he groaned. His hands gripped my hips and he made a few shallow thrusts.

  “Me first,” I said.

  He smiled up at me. “Always you first, baby.”

  “So sweet,” I moaned. I was rubbing my clit and already about twenty seconds from cumming all over Knox’s thick cock. “I’m close.”

  Knox thrust a little harder. “Don’t let me – fuck, your pussy is so tight – stop you.”

  I rubbed harder and faster as Knox watched his cock sliding in and out of my pussy. The combination of my fingers and Knox’s thick cock sent me over the edge, and I cried out my pleasure as I rode him hard. He cupped my tits, pulling on my nipples as I rocked lightly back and forth.

  “Good?” He asked.

  “So good,” I moaned.

  “Give me another one.”

  I leaned over and kissed him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be totally selfish and -”

  “Isabelle, you have no idea what it does to me to watch you cum all over my dick. Show me again, baby.”

  “If you insist.” I nipped his bottom lip before straightening and bracing one hand on his chest. I let the other wander down my abdomen to my pussy, loving the way Knox couldn’t keep his eyes off of me.

  Before I could rub my clit, a truck horn sounded in the bedroom and I made a soft shriek before jerking against Knox. He groaned when my pussy squeezed him and made two hard and out-of-control thrusts into me.

  “What the fuck was that?” My heart was going a goddamn mile a minute.

  “Sorry, it’s my phone. Your brother is texting me.” Knox glanced at his cell phone that was on the nightstand. “I’ll read it…”