Page 17 of Claimed By my Frenemy

9

MIA

There has beena forklift blocking the street for most of the day as Theo has materials delivered.

I haven’t spoken to him since our interaction at the hardware store yesterday, and honestly, I think it might be better this way. We’ll both work on our separate projects and then, when Theo eventually finishes his, he’ll move on to something else. I’ll stay here in my bed and breakfast and make it the most successful one that’s ever been run.

And we won’t have to see each other ever again.

I step out on the back porch, which is mostly shaded by this time of day, and settle down on the rocker with a glass of ice-cold sweet tea.

I glance over at Theo’s property casually to see what sort of materials are being delivered and if they’re almost done with the unloading.

I’m pretending that I’m looking at my phone, because I don’t want anyone over there tothinkI could be interested in what’s happening. But the truth is I can’t help but let my eyes wander over there every few minutes.

Theo is outside, and he’s wearing “work clothes.” His jeans are smudged with dirt. He’s wearing a T-shirt, but that’s smudged, too. Every time he moves a certain way, I think he’s about to take off his shirt. I want to see his smooth, muscled chest, the one I felt but didn’t see the other night.

It’s hard not to notice the way he moves with confidence, directing the delivery of materials, talking with his contractors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. His shirt is drenched with sweat within a matter of fifteen minutes, and it’s sticking to his well-defined muscles. I can’t help but wonder how easily he would be able to pick me up and putmewherever he wanted.

I take a sip of my sweet tea, feeling the cold liquid slide down my throat, but it doesn’t take away the heat that swells every time Theo calls out an order or grabs something heavy and moves it himself.

I want to be angry with him, but I can’t deny that Theo is still incredibly attractive. The years have only refined his rugged good looks, and the way he carries himself now is… Well, it’s stirring feelings I’d rather not acknowledge.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to explore the physical connection between us. We never had the chance as teenagers, and there’s an undeniable chemistry simmering beneath our arguments. I let my mind wander to the possibility of something physical.

I just imagine Theo turning and striding over to my porch. He would pick me up and whisper in my ear, “I think all this work has made us sweaty. Let’s shower together.”

And I would agree wholeheartedly. We’d go inside, and I would watch him strip naked and step into the stream of water. My mouth has gone dry just thinking about Theo showering, and I reach for my glass of sweet tea.

When I turn to Theo again, he looks up and catches me staring. Our eyes lock for a moment, and I quickly look away,feeling my cheeks flush. When I glance back, he’s already making his way over to my back porch. I have only a couple of seconds to gather myself so I don’t sound like some love-desperate teenager.

Leaning casually against the far side of the porch’s railing, he says, “Hey, Mia. Enjoying the show?”

I roll my eyes, trying to appear unaffected. “Just wondering when you’ll be done blocking the street. Some of us have things to do, you know.”

Theo chuckles, his grin infuriatingly charming. “I’ll make sure we’re out of your way soon. Just getting the last of the materials delivered. Then, the forklift and truck will be gone at least, though they’ll be here another few months.” Theo motions to a group of men who are maneuvering an excavator across the property.

I take another sip of my tea because my throat is feeling so, so dry. “Well, at least the constant beeping will be done. Some of us who live on this street don’t enjoy all the constant noise.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by my attempt to sound stern. “You mean the constant noise of turning an old house into a bed and breakfast?”

I glare at him, but there’s no real heat behind it. “At least my renovations aren’t inconveniencing the entire neighborhood. I think if you surveyed everyone on this street, you would win ‘most annoying’ of the two of us.”

“Sexiest, most hard-working, or most generous to the community maybe, but most annoying?”

I nod, sticking by what I said. “We could start canvassing the neighborhood right now. And sexiest? We both know I would win that.”

Theo shrugs, and I’m not sure how I feel about the way his eyes slowly scan my body. “Oh, come on. Admit it. You’ve beenwatching us all day. I think that says something about who might or might not win.”

I scoff, but I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “Don’t flatter yourself, Theo. I have better things to do. I’ve been painting. Am I not allowed to come out on my back porch and have a glass of tea without being accused of spying on my neighbor?”

“Sure, you’ve got lots of important things to do. Drinking tea is clearly one of them. Staring at your neighbor is another. Did you want me to take off my shirt? Is that it? Is that what you’ve been waiting for?”

“Oh, I’m not waiting for anything except peace and quiet, which judging by the pace you’re moving, won’t come for the rest of my lifetime.” My eyes linger on Theo’s torso, because even though I ignored his question about wanting him to take his shirt off, I know exactly what the answer is. It’s a resounding yes. I want him to take every shred of clothing off.

I want him to whisk me away upstairs, and… But these thoughts are dangerous. They’ll make me do something I’ll regret if I’m not careful.

Theo laughs, a deep, genuine sound that sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m glad I can at least keep things interesting for you.”

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