Page 43 of Roar & Lizzy: A Forever Kind of Love

"Every Norwegian man knows how to braid." His deep voice caressed her.

He divided the hair into three sections. She inhaled swiftly. It was such an intimate task.

"Have you...braided a lot of women's hair?" she asked, knowing he was talking about his hair which she'd seen braided on numerous occasions.

"Ja." The back of his hand brushed her neck. "I have three sisters. They're all younger than me."

She smiled, biting down on her lip. It was hard to believe that a man his size and strength ever performed such a gentle task but here he was, doing it, and it was wonderfully exciting.

"Do they live around here?"

"No. Two are living in Seattle, and my baby sister lives in Norway. They're all married. The two oldest ones have children. Anna, the youngest is pregnant."

"It must be hard to have her so far away when she's expecting your niece or nephew." She held up the rubber band for him.

"She's coming back to Seattle with her husband after the baby is born." He let go of her braid. "There, you're done."

Still holding the rubber band, she pulled her braid around to the front of her shoulder and studied the end. He'd used her own hair to make a tie.

She looked up at him and smiled. "How did you do that?"

He shrugged and stepped over to the mower. "Sit down and try and figure it out."

Without asking, he started the mower and walked around the yard, pushing the mower. Her insides warmed as she stood there watching him. How many men could braid hair and then push a mower wearing biker boots and a leather vest and look so damn cool while doing it?

There were so many questions circling her head. What made him come over? Had he planned to mow her lawn or had he wanted to see her?

Filled with nervous energy, she hurried into the house. "Coco?"

She walked into the kitchen and took two beers out of the fridge. Next time she went to the store, she'd need to buy another six pack if Roar was going to keep dropping by.

"Coco?" she yelled, walking into the living room. "Coco!"

"I'm here. I'm here. What's wrong?" Coco ran down the steps holding a towel around her body. "Did you hurt your....?"

Coco frowned. "You scared me to death. I just got out of the shower and heard you scream. Knowing you were cutting the grass, I thought..." She cocked her head. "Who's mowing our yard?"

"Roar's here." She gawked, hoping Coco could see the problem without her saying anything. "Mowing the grass again."

"O—kay." Coco stepped toward the stairs. "Thanks for the news announcement. It's not like I don't see him five days a week."

"He braided my hair," she blurted, tossing the end where he'd worked his magic tying the strands together over her shoulder.

Coco blinked. "Did you ask him to?"

She shook her head. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with all he's doing."

"He's our boss."

"I know." She sighed, sounding pitiful while remembering the awareness of having his hands in her hair. "I'm just going to keep acting like his attention means nothing."

"How's that working for you?" asked Coco.

The mower shut off outside. She stepped toward the hallway. Raising her hands, she gave a helpless shrug and turned around. Could Roar tell she had a crush on him?

Maybe she was giving off some kind of vibe that she was available. She moved both bottles to one hand and opened the door. Of course, she was throwing it in his face that she was open to whatever he suggested because he was so damn irresistible.

He'd taken her on a motorcycle ride. Sought her out every time he walked into the bar—though she was lead server and that was part of the job. Whenever he touched her, she got the feeling he wanted more.

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