Page 58 of Everything I Crave

There are still a few guests on the books and it would be nice for them to be able to choose from a few breakfast items and snacks during their stay. We also grab stuff for lunch and dinner. We can’t survive off coffee alone, even if I try daily.

Emma leaves the kitchen to go tell the guys that lunch will be ready soon.

I’m working on making sandwiches for everyone and placing a big tray together of all the condiments when arms wrap around my waist.

“Hey, darling.” His deep voice whispers in my ear.

I spin in his arms, and face a sweaty, dirt streaked Gunnar. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find it sexy. A man who works with his hands is always sexy.

“Hi.” I smile.

In his signature move, he grips the hair on the nape of my neck and tips my face closer to his. I can taste the salt on his lips from a hard day of work in the summer sun.

“Ugh, gross. Over our lunch, seriously?” Emma walks back into the kitchen.

Gunnar pulls away from me while still gripping my waist.

I pout at the loss of his lips, now that I know where his kisses can lead, I don’t ever want to be interrupted.

“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll get you bent over this table tonight.” He winks at me and walks away, snatching a sandwich off the tray.

“I thought you were different, Willow. I thought you were stronger, immune to the Keaton charm.” Emma shakes her head at me.

“Who says he isn’t undermycharm?” I ask.

“The fact that you look like I stole your puppy.” She laughs and grabs one of the trays to bring to the table.

I furrow my brow before shaking it off. I’m totally under the Keaton charm, and I don’t want to get out from under it.

Chapter Twenty

Gunnar

Fuck, it’s been a long few days. My body is exhausted from the physical labor during the day, and showing Willow how much I love every inch of her incredible body at night, sometimes during the day too.

Memories of taking her bent over that kitchen island while she wore a sundress with no panties are burnt into my brain.

At this point, I’ve replayed it so many times, it’s my favorite memory.

We’re finally going home to Lupine Valley, and she’s curled up in the passenger seat writing in her notebook. I have my hand on her thigh, and the windows down. I couldn’t think of a more perfect moment if I tried to conjure one in my mind.

If one thing happened over the last few days, it’s that I fell fast and hard for Willow Harper.

I know when we get back I need to talk to Lorelei. She needs to know that I only want to take care of her daughter and make her happy.

“You’re thinking awfully hard over there.” She squeezes my hand. “What are you thinking about?”

“You.” I smile at her.

“Oh yea? About how amazing I am?” She chuckles.

“Exactly that.” I wink. “Thank you for everything these last few days. You didn’t have to offer to help my family, but you didn’t hesitate.”

“It’s what Harpers do.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but it’s a huge deal to me. “Besides, someone has to help Emma wrangle you boys.”

That’s true, although Emma gets into her fair share of trouble herself.

I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles before we settle back into an easy silence for the rest of the ride home.

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