The Landscaper (Working Men Series Book 6)

by Ramona Gray

  He squinted at the screen. “Oh shit.”

  “What?”

  He grabbed his phone. “Asher is on his way over here.”

  “Uh oh.”

  “Fuck. He’s like two minutes away.” He patted my ass. “Get up, baby.”

  He sat up and, when I didn’t move, lifted me off his dick and dumped me on the bed. “You need to get dressed and leave before he gets here.”

  “My clothes are in the bathroom. Knox, there isn’t enough time for me to get out of here before Ash shows up.”

  He was already running from the bedroom. I ran a hand through my wet hair. “Fuck, think, Isabelle. Think!”

  Knox was back. He threw my clothes at me and grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from his closet. “Isabelle, get dressed!”

  I slid out of bed and started to dress. There was a knock at the door. Max barked but didn’t bother to get off his bed as Knox gave me a look of pure panic.

  “Shit, stay here. Don’t say a word.”

  “Knox, my car is…”

  It was too late. He’d already sprinted from the bedroom. I sighed and finished dressing as Ash knocked again. I heard the squeak of the front door opening and was impressed at how natural Knox sounded.

  “Hey, Ash, what’s up?”

  “Hey.” My brother’s voice sent my heart into overdrive. “Came to see if you wanted to go to a movie or bowling or something. Why is my sister’s car in your driveway?”

  Max’s leash was lying next to his bed and I quickly clipped it to his collar. “C’mon, boy,” I whispered. “It’s time to save your new dad’s ass.”

  Chapter Eight

  Knox

  Shit. I was going to have a goddamn heart attack. I sprinted out of the bedroom and ran down the hallway as Ash knocked on the front door a second time. He opened it and walked in, grunting in surprise when I blocked him from moving into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Ash, what’s up?”

  Christ, could I sound any guiltier?

  “Hey. Came to see if you wanted to go to a movie or bowling or something. Why is my sister’s car in your driveway?”

  I stared at him as all of the fucking spit in my mouth dried up. I was seconds away from ruining my friendship with Ash.

  “Okay, well, I walked him around the back yard and I didn’t see him limping or anything, so I’d suggest keeping an eye on him for a few more days. If he’s still favouring the leg, bring him to the vet and…oh, hey, Ash.”

  At the sound of Isabelle’s voice, I whipped around. She was standing in the hallway behind me, holding onto Max’s leash and smiling at her brother.

  “What are you doing here?” Asher asked. “And when did you get a dog?”

  “It’s not my dog, dork.” Isabelle unclipped Max’s leash and patted the side of his neck. “It’s Knox’s dog. He adopted it from the shelter. He sent me a text earlier because he thought Max was limping. I offered to come by after work and take a look at him.”

  “You got a dog?” Asher gave me a look of surprise.

  I nodded. I still didn’t seem to be capable of saying anything. Apparently, having my life flash before my eyes rendered me mute. At least my imminent heart attack seemed to have abated.

  Max wandered over to Asher. The big man rubbed the side of the dog’s head as Max leaned against him. “He’s skinny.”

  “He’s been a stray for months,” Isabelle replied.

  I was unbelievably impressed by how normal she sounded and acted. Five minutes ago, she’d been riding my dick, and now I could almost believe that she really had been out walking my damn dog in the backyard.

  “You’re gonna have dog hair all over your house,” Asher said.

  “Uh, yeah, I know.”

  Asher studied me. “What the fuck is up with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  Asher turned to his sister. “You been fucking with Knox, Izzy?”

  Thank God there was no spit left in my mouth, I would have choked on it.

  “I’m here doing him a favour, ya dink.”

  “Well don’t be your normal bratty self. It’s bad enough I have to put with your behaviour, Knox shouldn’t have to as well.”

  “Cram it up your cramhole, Asher.”

  Asher grinned at her. “Get outta here, Izzy. Knox and I are busy tonight.”

  “Oh yes, I’m sure the bowling alley can’t wait for you two to show up and throw around your manballs.”

  Isabelle’s retort made zero sense, but I laughed like an insane hyena anyway. Both Asher and Isabelle stared at me, and I shut my mouth with a snap.

  “Okay, well, I’m gonna go.” Isabelle swept past us without even looking at me.

  “Uh, thanks, Isabelle, for, uh, looking at Max.”

  “Yeah, don’t mention it.” She opened the front door and paused when her brother called her name. “What?”

  “Why is your hair wet?”

  Fuck me sideways.

  Isabelle rolled her eyes. “It’s called showering, Ash. You should try it sometime, Luna would probably appreciate it.”

  “You didn’t stop in at the house after your shift.”

  “Maybe you just didn’t hear me,” Isabelle said.

  “You weren’t at the house,” Asher replied.

  “God, what are you, the showering police?” Isabelle gave Ash a huffy look. “It’s none of your business where I shower.”

  “Was it at Elijah Thomson’s house?”

  I clenched my hands into fists as Isabelle crinkled her nose at her brother. “What do you know about me and Elijah Thomson?”

  “I know you were dancing with him last night at Ren’s.”

  “So what if I was? And how do you know anyway? Are you spying on me?”

  “Small town, Izzy.”

  Isabelle glared at Asher before a wicked look came over her face. “What’s wrong, Asher? You don’t like the idea that maybe the hot fireman is using his big hose to put out your baby sister’s fire?”

  Asher made a gagging noise before trying to put Isabelle in a headlock. “You’re disgusting.”

  She backed away and flipped him the bird. “If you don’t want to hear about my sex life, stay out of my business, butthead.”

  “See ya, pimple face.”

  “Later, booger breath.”

  Isabelle slammed the door shut and Asher grinned at me. “Ready to go?”

  “Yeah, just give me a minute to change.”

  * * *

  “What?”

  “What the fuck is up with you tonight?” Asher tossed a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

  I shifted in my seat and stared at the movie screen. “Nothing.”

  “You’ve been acting fucked up all night.”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “Oh yeah? Because back in the concession line, that cashier was hittin’ on you hard and you didn’t even fucking flirt with her.”

  “I’m just tired tonight.” I took a sip of my drink. For the first time in my life, a woman flirting hadn’t done a goddamn thing for me. In fact, I’d just found it annoying. I was Isabelle’s man, and I had no interest in…

  Shit. I sucked up some more soda. I was not Isabelle’s man and thinking that way was ridiculous.

  “You got a woman you’re having issues with?”

  I nearly spilled my fucking drink. I shoved it into the cup holder and gave Ash a cautious look. “Why would you say that?”

  He shrugged and ate some more popcorn. “You got the look of a man with woman trouble. Sure as shit, I’ve never seen it on your face before, but it’s hard to miss. You dating someone I don’t know about?”

  I swallowed compulsively. Fuck, I hated lying to Asher, but technically I wasn’t dating his sister, I was just…having sex with her.

  “No.”

  “You sure?” Asher had stopped eating his popcorn and was staring at me intently. “You know you can tell me shit, right?”

  Yeah, I did know. Besides my mother, Asher was the only person who knew how
much my own fucking father hated me. I’d spilled the entire story to him when I was nineteen. I wasn’t even drunk, I just had to tell someone. Even if it meant losing my best friend.

  We’d only been friends for three years at that point, but I should have known even then that Asher would have my back. Asher was tough and could be a right bastard when he wanted to be, but he was also extremely loyal to the people he loved.

  The night I’d confessed, he’d listened without judgement, said a lot of the same shit my mother was always telling me, and then never brought it up again.

  I stared at the mostly empty theatre. “I know. I’m not dating anyone.”

  “But you’re having woman troubles.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Fuck yes, you are.”

  “Just drop it, Ash. You know I don’t do relationships and you know why I don’t, so just let it the fuck go. All right?”

  “I know you’re spending your life alone for no good fucking reason. If there’s someone out there that you love, man, you gotta go for it. Doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or says, either. Just be happy, you asshole.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Since when did you become a fucking relationship guru? You get yourself one girlfriend and now you’re an expert at relationships?”

  Asher grinned at me as the lights dimmed in the theatre. “What can I say, Luna makes me a better man.”

  * * *

  My palms were sweating, and my guts were churning, but I plastered a smile on my face when Isabelle opened the door.

  “Hey, how are you?”

  She gave me a surprised look. “Hi. I’m good.”

  “Good, that’s good. Can I, uh, come in.” Max was already straining at the leash to get to Isabelle.

  “Sure.” She stepped back, petting Max when he squirmed past her. I unhooked the leash and he sniffed his way into the kitchen as we stood awkwardly in the hallway. Isabelle crossed her arms over her torso. She was wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head and she wasn’t wearing any makeup. I’d never found her more beautiful.

  “Um, Asher isn’t here.”

  “Yeah, I know. He told me last night that he would be at Luna’s apartment tonight.”

  “Oh.” She picked at one nail. “Did you have fun with him last night?”

  “Yeah. We went to a movie and then grabbed a beer afterward.”

  “Good, that’s good.”

  There was an awkward silence and I rubbed my palms against my jeans. Before I could say anything, Isabelle cleared her throat. “Why are you here, Knox?”

  “I wanted to say thank you for yesterday. That was some quick thinking on your part.”

  “Yes, well, we couldn’t have your scared little ass getting beaten to a pulp by my brother, could we?”

  I didn’t reply, and Isabelle’s face fell. She blinked rapidly, and I could see the shine of tears in her eyes. “Shit. I’m sorry, Knox. That was a real bitchy thing to say, and I didn’t mean it.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “It isn’t fine and I’m really sorry. I just – I spent last night and today being mad and frustrated and…”

  Now the tears spilled down her cheeks and I pulled her into my arms. I kissed her forehead and hugged her as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

  “Don’t cry, baby. I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. You’ve been perfectly clear what this is. I was just mad because I…”

  “Because why?”

  She shook her head. “Never mind.”

  We stood in silence for a moment, neither of us letting go of the other, until I finally kissed her forehead again. “I should probably go.”

  She lifted her head and I wiped away the tears that still lingered on her cheeks. She studied me solemnly. “Is saying thank you the only reason you came by, Knox?”

  “I…yes?”

  She gave me a ghost of a smile. “Liar.”

  “I missed you,” I whispered.

  “I missed you too.”

  I captured her mouth with a kiss, pushing at her lips with my tongue until she let me in. We kissed until my cock was hard and throbbing, and she was rubbing against it with those soft little moans that drove me fucking insane.

  “Come upstairs with me, Knox,” she whispered against my mouth.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “You should.” She reached down and rubbed my dick. “We could finish what we started last night. If you want that?”

  I groaned. “Fuck, yes, I want that.”

  “Good.” She led me upstairs and we undressed each other in record time. In under two minutes, I was lying on my back in Isabelle’s bed and staring at her glorious naked body as she straddled me.

  I cupped her pussy and rubbed her clit with my thumb until she was gasping and moaning. I slid two fingers into her, loving the way she began to fuck them immediately. I rubbed her clit with firm, hard strokes, and watched as she threw her head back and came with a hoarse cry. Her body shook, and her tiny pussy squeezed around my fingers as she dug her nails into my hips.

  When her body relaxed, she grasped the base of my dick, rose up on her knees and slipped me into her warm, tight wetness.

  “Fuck!” The word exploded from my mouth.

  Isabelle smiled down at me, and I gripped her thighs as she rose up and down on my cock in a slow rhythm that sent shivers up and down my spine. I watched her slender body move, watched her tits jiggle as she bounced harder and faster on my cock, and tried not to lose my fucking mind when she squeezed my dick with her tight pussy.

  I cupped her tits, kneading them gently as she braced her hands on my abdomen and rocked back and forth. She closed her eyes and then squealed when I immediately flipped her onto her back. I pushed her thighs apart and entered her again, dropping down onto my forearms so that my chest was pressed against her breasts. Our faces were only inches apart and I pressed a kiss against her mouth.

  “Hi,” she said with a breathless little laugh. “Didn’t like that position?”

  “Loved it,” I said, “but I want you under me, want your smooth thighs around my hips while you take my cock.”

  She immediately wrapped her legs around me, hooking her feet behind my back and slid her arms around my shoulders. I kissed her again before fucking her in a hard, deep rhythm. She met each of my thrusts, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony as we stared at each other.

  I kissed her again, my tongue licking and tasting every inch of her mouth. She returned my kiss with an eager abandonment that made my thrusts speed up, made my body scream for relief. We rocked against each other, our bodies slick with sweat and our groans of need intermingling.

  “No, don’t look away,” I said when her eyelids began to drift shut.

  “Close,” she moaned.

  “I know.” She stared up at me and when her eyes glazed over and her entire body stiffened beneath mine, I let myself go over the edge with her.

  I buried my face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin and kissing her warm flesh as we came down from our high together. Her hands were stroking my back, and I kissed her throat again before rolling off of her.

  She immediately snuggled into me and I held her close, stroking her upper back when she rested her cheek on my chest. We didn’t speak for almost twenty minutes, and I thought she’d fallen asleep when she lifted her head and smiled at me.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.” I stroked her cheekbone with my thumb. “How are you?”

  “Much better.”

  “Good.”

  She kissed my chest and I stroked her back again. “What were you mad about?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Earlier, you said you were mad about something. What was it?” I held my breath and waited for her to tell me it was because I was a chickenshit who needed to grow a pair.

  She traced her fingertips over my chest. “I was mad that Asher got to spend time with you last night and
I didn’t. So, I guess jealous more than mad.”

  “I would have preferred to spend the night with you.”

  “Yeah?” She lifted her head and gave me a gleeful look. “Man, I wish I could tell Asher that. He’d be so pissed if he knew that I’d won.”

  I laughed. “It’s not a competition.”

  “Everything’s a competition with siblings,” she said with a grin. “Anyway, I -”

  My stomach growled, and she laughed. “God, I’m starting to think you have a tapeworm or something. You’re always hungry.”

  “Gross,” I said. “I’m hungry because I haven’t eaten supper yet.”

  “It’s almost seven.”

  “Yeah, I know. I didn’t have much of an appetite earlier. I should probably go. It’s getting late and I need to eat, obviously.”

  She sat up. “You could stay. Asher and Luna are spending the night at her place. I’ll cook dinner and we could watch Netflix.”

  I hesitated, and Isabelle shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I know what you want from me and just hanging out isn’t it.”

  She started to slide off the bed and I grabbed her arm. “I would love to have dinner and watch a movie with you, Isabelle.”

  A soft smile lit up her face. Christ, what I wouldn’t do to make her smile like that every day for the rest of her life. “You would?”

  “Yes. Very much.”

  “Well then,” she leaned over and kissed me with a loud smacking sound, “get your cute butt out of my bed and let’s go downstairs.”

  Chapter Nine

  Isabelle

  “That was a terrible movie.”

  “It wasn’t that bad.” I closed my laptop and moved it to the coffee table before smiling at Knox.

  “The acting was terrible, the plot was non-existent, and I could have done a better job with the special effects using silly putty and glitter.”

  I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes. Knox grinned at me and slid an arm around my waist before hoisting me into his lap. I straddled him and ran my hands across his naked chest. After dinner, we had moved to the couch and watched, admittedly, a terrible sci-fi movie. Knox was wearing his jeans and I was wearing his shirt, and dammit if we didn’t look like the perfect couple just enjoying a night in together.