Page 34 of Ten Kisses

But I liked Salem.

There was no way of telling what would ultimately happen between us, but I was attracted to him, and the wheels were already set in motion for me to go over to his house today.

***

It was over an hour later when I pulled out of my driveway.

I called Salem first thing.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey, so sorry I'm late. I'm on my way right now. I'm in the car."

I was a little out of breath because I had gotten changed in a hurry and had run out of the apartment.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I just felt bad about being late, so I ran. I'm out of breath."

"No worries," he said. "I go into a different space and time when I'm working. I didn't even realize what time it was."

"What are you working on?"

"That mantlepiece, still. I'm going from that to a set of barstools. I just started those."

"Are they for you or someone else."

"They're for me. We usually don't do small stuff like that for work, unless a client's willing to pay dearly for it. These are for me. They're going to be fun."

"I can't wait to see them," I said.

I had gigantic news to share with him. I thought it would come up when he asked me why I was late, but he hadn't been stressed about that. I decided to wait and tell him in person.

I was only on the phone with Salem for a minute before I hung up with him.

It seemed to take forever to get to his house. I had been thinking about the way he was dressed nicely at lunch with my family. I could picture him, five seats down, in that light blue shirt. I had been trying to keep my feelings at bay, but there was no denying my attraction to him.

My excitement built by the second as I reached his new neighborhood. The yards were large and I had to make my way past several established homes before I found his lot. It was lined with trees, and I turned down his driveway, loving the wooded feel. I made my way through some trees to the construction site. His garage and shop were detached, and it was the first structure he built, so it was finished on the inside and out. I knew that was where I would find him.

The house was coming together and I smiled, noticing the steps and small deck that led to the side door, all of which were new. Salem had been planning on building stairs to the door, and I suggested the small porch when I saw his plan. I loved that he went with my idea. It looked amazing and I felt touched at the fact that he took my suggestion even though it was in passing.

I expected him to meet me outside, and I kept an eye on his shop door, waiting for it to open, but it never did.

I knocked, but nothing.

There was music playing inside when I opened the door.

"Hello!" I called, but the music was too loud. It was guitar music—something bluesy. "Hello?" I called again.

"Hello!" I heard Salem say.

"Hang on, I'll be out in a second. You can turn the music down if you want."

He was calling to me from the back room. I knew where his stereo was located, so I went over there to turn it down a little. I liked the music, so I didn't turn it off, I just made it where we wouldn't have to strain to speak to one another.

"Sorry," he said, coming into the room.

I turned to glance at him over my shoulder. I was already wound up and eager to see him, and the sight of him shirtless made me jump back and gasp out loud. I put a hand to my chest, feeling stunned and looking him over. It was impossible to ignore the shape of his body. It was impossible not to notice his abdomen. My eyes met his again, and I made a face at him.

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