Page 23 of Wild Dreams

I could pull her onto my lap so that she straddled me, running my hands over her hips, then higher to the sides of her breast. Would her breath quicken? Would her skin flush pink?

But this wasn't a date. I was having a difficult time drawing in a breath.

"This one has a little more action." Marigold reached past me, the side of her breast brushing my shoulder as she snagged the next book and held it in front of me. Was she trying to seduce me?

She flipped it so we could both read the summary. I couldn't take in any of the words. Then Marigold started to read it out loud, her voice low and husky. How could she make a thriller summary sound sexy?

We examined the next two books, and I decided to post two of them on our group chat to see what the other guys thought. "Thanks for researching options for me. I appreciate it."

"Of course, " Marigold said, setting them aside.

I was content to sit in her living room, watching the fire.

"Did you want to look at the bike now?" Marigold asked me.

"I almost forgot about that." I had no interest in moving to her garage. I enjoyed our proximity. But I followed her to the door to the garage, and she flipped on the overhead light.

Her SUV was the only vehicle inside. The second bay was reserved for trash cans, a lawn mower, leaf blower, and her bike. Everything was neat and tidy. Exactly how I would expect Marigold to keep her things.

Marigold wheeled out the blue mountain bike before engaging the kick stand.

"This is not the one I expected you to have." I saw her with a chrome bike, baby blue, white seat and handle bars, and maybe even a basket. Where did that image come from?

Her forehead wrinkled. "This is the one the guy at the store recommended."

"Where do you prefer to ride?" I crouched down, squeezing the tires which were soft. Then I examined the chain, which was off. It was also a little dirty. It could use some oil.

Marigold sat on a stool nearby. "I ride through the neighborhood and on the scenic trails. I haven't taken it mountain biking."

"That's why the guy should have recommended a hybrid. It's perfect for what you described." I tapped the metal. "But this one probably cost more."

"I was proud that I bought it myself." Then she nodded toward her vehicle. "Just like I was happy with how I haggled the salesman over my SUV."

"There's nothing wrong with this one. It will go everywhere you want it to go, and more." I looked around. "You got an air pump?"

Marigold hopped off the stool and grabbed the pump from a nearby shelf.

"You know how to fill the air in these tires?"

Marigold nodded. "I fill balls at the library for the kids."

We worked together to fill the tires. When we were done, I said, "I have to go out to my car to get the chain oil. Unless you have some?"

Marigold's nose scrunched. "I don't think so."

"You can have this one then."

She pushed the button for the garage door opener. I waited for it to raise completely before I crossed her driveway to the curb where my truck was parked. I reached into the bed to grab the tools and the oil I'd brought when Marigold said, "I don't think I can remember you driving anything but your work vehicle."

I hauled my things back to the garage, wondering if anyone was looking outside to see the man Marigold was spending time with. People could be nosey. "So everyone's been saying lately."

"What do you mean?" Marigold asked as she sat down on the stool again.

I could easily see more evenings like this one where she sat and talked to me while I fixed something or the other. A vision of constructing a crib together popped into my head, causing my heart to race. I wiped the sweat from my brow before I cleaned the chain and lubricated it, then checked for any rust or wear and tear. "It's in good shape."

"It's not super old. I bought it after I moved home. A few years ago maybe, and I never leave it outside."

"Yeah, you wouldn't want to do that around here. It would rust quick. Why don't you take it for a spin right here and check the brakes." I held the bike for her while she grabbed her helmet and buckled the strap under her chin.

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