by Rie Warren
“I don’t either.” I smoothed the hair down her back, helpless to make the hurt go away.
When at last her tears stopped, I passed her a tissue. “I wish I had all the answers. Wish I could fix everything for you, honey. I really do.”
“You don’t have to fix everything. Just be my dad.” She dabbed at her eyes, forcing a smile. “And chocolate cake helps.”
“Hey, you want to watch a movie with me? We haven’t done that in a long time.”
“Sure. Only if we can have popcorn too,” Cecilia bargained, that time her smile brighter.
“I think I can manage that.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, honey.”
****
Over the next week, I started waiting for Stevie on the porch every morning. She always arrived before the rest of the crew, once again demonstrating her strong work ethic.
I always had a mug of coffee prepared for her, heavily laced with sugar, just the way she liked it.
Sometimes we talked.
Sometimes it was just quiet.
Sometimes our hands brushed or our gazes locked, and it was so obvious what was going on between us.
Morning coffee, a ritual we both looked forward to, everyday the attraction growing. One particular day, we sat on opposite sides of the steps, facing one another. Dew glistened on the grass, the birds chirped from the trees—it was a beautiful morning, but nothing compared to Stevie’s beauty. Every time I saw her, my heart beat a little faster. I wanted to run my fingers through her hair. I wanted to cup the nape of her neck and feel the heat of her skin.
Most of all, I wanted to kiss her until her lips were swollen and her body melted against mine. Thoughts of her, increasingly filthy and definitely sexual, kept me awake at night. I imagined the color of her nipples, the softness of her breasts, the taste of her pussy spread and wet for me. And every morning I wakened looking forward to this one moment together with no one else around.
“You shouldn’t look at me like that,” she murmured, her own gaze boldly dropping to my groin where I’d casually draped my wrist to disguise another hard-on.
“You’re one to talk.” I smirked lazily.
“You know what I think?” She put down her coffee and inched closer to me. “We should just kiss already and get it over with.”
Surprise rattled me, but I recovered quickly. “How very romantic.”
“We probably don’t have any chemistry anyway.” Her fingers stroked smaller and smaller circles on my thigh.
My stomach tightened, and I almost lost my grip on my cup. I managed to set it down then drew a hand up one of her bare arms. Chills sprinkled her skin along the path I took.
“Definitely no chemistry between us.” My voice lowered to a roughened tone.
“One kiss and we can just get it over with and we never have to do it again.” She sounded breathless.
“This proposition just gets better and better.” My gaze dropped to her softly parted lips when she licked them with the tip of her tongue.
“Just to prove there’s nothing between us.” She sat so close, her breath whispered across my skin.
“Right now?”
Stevie’s hand coasted to my chest where she had to feel my heart hammering. “I’m game if you are.”
Before she could change her mind, I swooped down.
The moment our mouths met, I groaned with pent-up hunger, hauling her into my lap.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Stevie
THE STRENGTH OF KANE’S kiss caught me by surprise. With no hesitation, he dipped his tongue into my mouth to twist with mine. He dragged me closer, my breasts mashed against him, and I greedily slid my fingers into his hair.
Angling my neck with his large hands, he slanted us better together before both palms skimmed down my back, squeezing my ass.
He drew me in tight until I felt the thick hard bulge in his pants, and he pressed deliciously against my slit, right where I wanted him buried deep.
I moaned into his mouth then sucked on the tip of his tongue like I wanted to suck the ripe fat head of his cock. And when Kane bucked up against me, heat rippled all through my body to pool in my breasts and simmer in my pussy.
Heated.
Intense.
Perfect.
His stubble burned my lips, and I loved every taste of him, every touch of him.
Twining my hands around his neck, I ground down on his impressively thick dick trapped between us.
Kane pulled away just for a moment, grunting out, “Jesus, Stevie.”
His lips slipping down, he took a little bite at my chin before sucking, licking, nuzzling the most sensitive areas of my neck.
Head tossed back, I rode against him, and he held me with his arms around my waist.
I was wet and hot and close to coming.
We dove into another wild kiss that made my body pulse in the most delicious ways. Kane took control again, his tongue rubbing against mine the way he rubbed my body against his much bigger, much more muscular one.
With a harsh groan, he tore his lips from mine.
“We have to stop or I’m gonna lay you out on the porch, and I won’t be able to stop there. I want you too much. Want to be all the way inside you too much.”
In that moment I wanted nothing more than for him to have his way with me. But he was right. We’d gotten carried away. Really fucking fast.
And to think Brian and Frank could’ve driven up on us.
Kane moved me back to the step, setting me away from him with jerky movements. His brown eyes black with desire. Chest pumping in and out. Face stern and jaw tight.
“We can’t do that again.” Voice gravelly, he pushed up against the opposite side of the porch.
“I know.”
“It was a mistake.”
I tried to slow my breathing, but my body still vibrated. “I didn’t know that would happen.”
With a dry chuckle, he raked both hands through his hair.
Then he slanted a look at me. “Really, Stevie?”
“Did you?”
“I don’t know. But it was never that . . . extreme before.”
With Alice, he didn’t say.
“For me either.”
Which had to mean something, but next he said, “You’re too young for me.”
Ouch.
“And you’re not over Alice,” I answered quietly.
His jaw clenched even tighter, then he blew out a long breath.
And all I felt was a yawning sadness inside.
****
After that morning we kept our hands, and our mouths, very much to ourselves. Kane still made a point of the coffee ritual, and there wasn’t really a moment that went by when I didn’t want to launch myself at him. Damn the job, damn the consequences, and damn my heart because it already felt broken, and I hadn’t even given it to him yet.
One afternoon I returned from lunch break to the tune of not two but three hammers going to town on the back deck. The one I’d had to fight tooth and nail with Kane over just to get him to agree to cedar-planking. Now I suspected he argued with me just because he liked to get my blood boiling.
He didn’t have to instigate fights to accomplish that. All the damn man had to do was look at me.
Yanking on my toolbelt, I strolled around the house to find Kane working right alongside Frank and Brian. Those two fast food junkies back from lunch before me? Something was up for sure.
But I barely registered them because I couldn’t stop staring at Kane long enough to snap my jaw shut.
He had the kind of forearms I just wanted to bite. Lick. Feel wrapped around my waist. And around his lean hips he wore a worn leather toolbelt.
Kane Bishop was the type of man built for a jobsite instead of riding a desk downtown.
He should ride me.
Brian and Frank noticed me first, and—yep—they were definitely in cahoots about something, because they elbowed each other before slipping hammers
into their belts and lumbering to their feet.
“Just gonna check on the whatsit for the thingamajig,” Frank blustered.
Whatsit? Thingamajig?
One of my eyebrows arched high.
Brian tossed a wave my way. “He means, see if we need more grout sealer for the shower tiles in the master bath.”
“The bathroom’s completely done. We took care of all that stuff like two days ago,” I said.
“Just shut up,” Frank muttered to his cohort.
“Then move your fat ass,” Brian grumbled back.
Super. Were they opening a new business on the side? DIY Matchmakers. I could just see the show on HGTV now.
I stared after them with suspicion rolling through me.
Then I strutted toward Kane. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Swiveling easily on the balls of his feet, he swiped that muscled forearm across his brow. “Buildin’ my deck.”
His drawl suddenly obvious, I blinked. He’d only spoken in cultured tones before, except that one time he’d jacked off to a fantasy of me, all the while ordering me to take his cock in my mouth. And Oh Lord, why did I let my gaze swerve between his thighs, to the tight juncture of his jeans that nestled his more than generous dick so snuggly?
Is he just doing this to torture me? Torture us?
We couldn’t touch each other.
We’d decided we’d never kiss one another again.
We really shouldn’t even be alone together judging by the massive amount of hot, sexy, insane chemistry beating between us as thick as the muggy May day.
“Well”—I pursed my lips—“I don’t have business insurance to cover you on the worksite.”
“I’m not about to injure myself, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart?
“I’ve known my way around a hammer a lot longer than you have.”
“I bet you have, old-timer.” Take that, you gorgeous stubborn man.
“That the best you’ve got?” When he grinned, I nearly fainted at his feet.
I hated his stupid sexy smug face.
Hated how much he got to me.
I loved how alive he made me feel.
I squinted at the work in progress. “Are you sure the boards are even level?”
“Got a laser level of my own, boss lady.”
Damn laser levels . . . I should leave mine at his house more often. Maybe I’d get another chance to see him shuck his corn.
“Seriously, you’re around here so much I’m beginning to wonder how you even have any clients left.”
“One of the benefits of owning your own business.” All easy smiles and sexy bod.
And I realized I’d never seen him in a T-shirt and jeans before. Lord, but he was brimming with muscles from his thick shoulders to the hills of his biceps to his wide chest. And that ass though.
Should. Not. Be. Legal.
I dragged my gaze away. “Well, we’ll be out of your hair for good in about two weeks.”
With those words, reality set in.
Kane looked at me, deep brown eyes suddenly somber.
“So the sooner we get the deck laid, the better, right?” I persisted.
Except moving on to a new build was the last thing I wanted.
Not seeing Kane on a nearly daily basis . . . that was gonna hurt.
Throughout the afternoon, I tried to remain cheerful.
Tried not to let my eyes linger.
Tried not to think about that one single kiss that’d affected me more than all previous kisses combined.
Frank and Brian made up more and more excuses to remain scarce during the afternoon, leaving Kane and me alone. I tried not to appreciate the sure strokes he took with his hammer. Or the way he smoothed a hand over a well-laid board. He moved efficiently, gracefully, tirelessly.
The corners of his eyes crinkled whenever he laughed at all my muttered comments about the many ways I was going to murder the disappearing duo.
And Kane and I worked seamlessly together, as if we’d been doing it for years.
By the end, we were both sweaty. Both grinning. Both chugging from bottles of water.
“Looks good so far.” Kane followed me into his house.
“Good? It looks fucking awesome, you mean.”
He barked a laugh, and the sound made my tummy flutter once again.
I turned back to him only to be brought up short because he was so close to me. I stumbled, and his arms came around me.
Once he’d steadied me, he didn’t let go.
I peered up at him, and he lowered his head.
“Woops,” I whispered.
His gaze fell to my lips.
My heart raced in my chest.
He released his grasp on me. “Didn’t want you to fall.”
Too late for that.
I backed away a step, silencing the silly notion he’d been about to kiss me again. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
Well, I wondered if he’d whip it out and stroke it for me again knowing I watched.
I bit down on my lip before my inner slut took over.
Once I trusted myself to talk again, I asked, “I’ve got this thing to go to tonight—starts early—so I was wondering if I could clean up here?”
“Of course.” He watched me carefully. “What’s the occasion?”
I debated whether to tell him before admitting, “It’s my birthday. There’s a party.”
I watched surprise cross his face.
Then he said, “How old are you now? Twenty? Twenty-one?”
I slugged him on the shoulder. “Oh, ha ha ha. I’m twenty-seven, I’ll have you know.”
“Happy birthday, Stevie.” His voice lowered, deepening with intensity.
“Thank you.” I gazed up at him, willing him to kiss me. When he didn’t make a move, I asked, “Cecilia won’t mind if I use her shower, will she?”
“Use my bathroom.”
His bathroom? I hadn’t been in it since we’d retiled and fitted the new shower. Gotten rid of that hideous double-sink combo. Besides, I always thought of his room as off-limits . . . Alice and all.
“But—”
His jaw hardened, and he all but ordered, “You’ll use my bathroom, Stevie.”
Well ooookay.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Kane
ALL OF TWENTY-SEVEN. JESUS. And here I was lusting after her and wishing I’d known it was her birthday. I’d have gotten her a present. Maybe a new sledgehammer wrapped up in a pretty bow. She treated her tools like most women treated jewelry, like they were precious belongings to be well cared for.
But how inappropriate would that be? Giving her a gift. No more inappropriate than wanting to join her upstairs while she got ready for a night out.
I tried to stay away. I really did. But after Stevie had retrieved a backpack from her truck, she swept past me and headed to the stairs. She was in my bedroom.
She was naked in my shower.
And she’d be leaving soon. Almost finished with the remodel. I’d have no excuse to see her again.
I couldn’t forget the kiss that had shredded every last bit of my control, leaving me more aroused then I could ever remember. I’d felt nothing for any other woman since Alice. Not until Stevie. And this was different than it’d been with Alice. Fiery. All-consuming. Immediate.
Hell, I’d almost fucked Stevie on the porch in broad daylight. Even that one moment when I had her in my arms again minutes earlier, I’d had to marshal all my willpower to step away from her.
Now the house was empty of everyone but her and me.
Cecilia was at a sleepover.
Brian and Frank long gone.
I was lonely.
I wanted Stevie.
After cleaning up a little, scrubbing my hands up and down my face, pacing a path from the kitchen to the living room and back again, I formulated an excuse and headed to my bedroom. The shower was still on in the ensuite, door firmly closed, and Stevie hum
med something just loud enough to be heard.
A painful spike of arousal slammed me in the groin. Placing a palm on the door, I felt the heat from within, heat that would combust if I stepped inside. But I wouldn’t do that to her.
Instead, I rapped on the bathroom door, balancing a stack of fresh fluffy towels on my other arm.
Her humming ceased.
“Sorry. Just bringing you clean towels.” I set them down then moved away, but I didn’t leave.
Hours could’ve passed while I sat on the edge of my bed, head down.
Eventually the shower turned off.
The door cracked just far enough for her to grab the towels then shut again.
I heard the distinct noise of a hair dryer, which she must’ve brought with her. More humming, a tune I couldn’t place. Objects clattering on the vanity, reminding me of all the beauty rituals women performed—the perfume, the lipstick, the body creams.
Things I missed.
I’d give anything to be in there, simply to watch Stevie brush her long glorious hair until it shined.
Finally, the door opened.
My gaze went straight to her feet. Feet encased in heels that had myriad straps that wrapped around her ankles and possibly raised her height another four inches.
“You’re still here.” Her voice warbled a little, but she didn’t sound too surprised.
I nodded, arms resting on my thighs, hands folded between my legs. I hadn’t moved from the edge of the bed. And I still hadn’t fully looked at her yet.
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Her soft tone was a balm to my fractured emotions.
“You and me?”
“Yeah.”
“It is.” Giving a dry chuckle, I looked up. “Jesus, Stevie.”
The light blue dress molded to her incredible body like a second skin. Sleeveless, it showcased her peacock tattoo. With a low neckline, it exposed the inner curves of her breasts. She wore her hair up, the rows of earrings glimmering like the bangles on her wrist.
“You’re stunning.” So stunning I couldn’t look away.
My cock swelled, and I longed to haul her against me so I could lick the line of her cleavage, hands cupped against her ass in the silky sheath.
“A nice change from my usual toolbelt and steel-toed boots, right?” She pivoted slowly around then angled a leg in a purely feminine fashion.
