Page 21 of No One But You

“My favorite books.” I opened the door to the goat house and was followed by the three impatient goats pushing and shoving for both attention and food. I fed them quickly, gave them hay, checked their water, patted them all, and promised to spend time with them tomorrow before we left for the night.

“Won’t Baby Goat get out again?” Kai asked.

“No.” I latched the gate. “It’s like he knows it’s nighttime. He won’t get out until he hears me close the back door tomorrow morning.” I checked the chickens and gathered six eggs.

“Cool. I’ve never collected eggs before,” Kai said. “Or had fresh eggs for that matter.” He picked up one of the eggs and brushed my fingers as he did.

A tingle went up my arm. I glanced quickly at him. Did he notice that? Luckily, he was focused on the egg, so he didn’t see how large my eyes got or the blush I was sure crept up my face.

“So how do you clean them?”

“What do you mean?” I was totally confused.

“The eggs. You know. How do you clean them so they’re safe to eat?”

I chuckled. Was he serious? “You don’t clean them. Just crack and eat.” I watched him and cocked my head to the side as he turned the eggs over in his hand. “I’ve never thought about someone not knowing about fresh eggs. I’ve grown up with chickens. Eating our own eggs is a part of my life.”

Kai shook his head and motioned toward all the land and the animals. “All this is just something I saw on TV or out my car window. I love it though. This is why I’m here.”

I stared at him. This man. This hot man who irritated the shit out of me last week was now making my insides all muddled. I watched as a shadow crossed his features and he became closed off. But as quickly as the shadow appeared, it disappeared and was replaced by amazement as he looked out across the dark pasture.

I followed his gaze. It was beautiful and peaceful. There was the soft sound of crickets chirping, and somewhere off in the distance, a squirrel chattered, and a cow mooed lowly in the pasture across the street. “It’s my favorite place. I couldn’t wait to get out of college and get back home, teach in the elementary school I grew up in, find a husband, and raise my family right here in Orlinda Valley.”

“So far you’re living that life.”

“Except for the husband. That’s one bad thing about growing up in a small town. You know everyone, and all the good guys are taken, or we’re in the friend zone. It’ll take an outsider to get into my heart.” My eyes met his, and my heart skipped a beat as our gazes held. I sucked on my bottom lip. A nervous habit. Did I really just say that out loud?

“No husband material in town yet?” Kai’s voice was rough, yet quiet.

I’m so glad it’s dark. He couldn’t see the blush that again covered my cheeks. I really needed to get a grip on my feelings. One minute he was annoying the hell out of me and raising my blood pressure because he was the most irritating thing I’d ever met, and the next, my blood was pumping to other parts of my body, causing me to feel things I wasn’t prepared for.

“I can’t picture being so into the town I grew up in that I’d want to move back.” Kai’s words pulled me back to the now. “I couldn’t wait until I was able to escape from my hometown and everything about it. Not that it ever felt like home.” He shook his head. A mischievous grin filled his face. “So, do you consider anyone in town husband worthy?”

Those crystal eyes of his danced with amusement under the glow from my outdoor lights, and maybe a little heat as well. My voice eluded me, so I just shook my head. It was safer that way.

“Good to know.” He responded as his eyes held mine.

The oxygen got sucked from my lungs as I melted into his gaze, and that tingling sensation—I was determined to ignore—sent my ovaries into overdrive and caused my desire for Kai to erupt like a volcano. I swallowed and took a large step away from him.

“Thanks for showing me around. I hope we can see each other again soon.” He smiled and that dimple appeared.

God, I itched to reach out and brush my finger against that dimple. Instead, I shoved my hands in my back pockets, not wanting to give them the freedom they desired. If I touched that dimple, who knew where my hands would slide next. My eyes wandered down his body. I cleared my throat and averted my eyes to focus on a tree behind him. “I’d like that,” I said. Damn, I hope that didn’t sound too desperate. I watched Kai's ass as he walked back to his truck. The rear view looked as good as the front view.

“Hey, Kai?”

He opened his door and leaned on it with his brows raised.

“I never thanked you properly for the help with the tire. I really appreciate it. I know I was a bit . . .” I wiggled my shoulders up and down. I was never good at apologies. “Bitchy. I’m sorry. It amazes me how sweet I can be from seven thirty till three Monday through Friday, then as soon as I step out of the school, it all evaporates.”

He nodded.

“And thanks for the ride home.”

“Anytime you need anything, just let me know.”

A shiver ran through me, and desire ignited within my core. Good Lord, leave already, Kai.

Chapter 9

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