Page 50 of Rowdy Hearts

Was he teasing me? Drawing out the anticipation? I could barely breathe now, and I had to put conscious effort into my response. Which basically consisted of, “Oh?”

He nodded. “It took me five off-seasons to get it to the point where I could actually live in it.”

“Did you do the renovations yourself?”

“Yeah, but I had a lot of help. My dad and brothers helped when they could, but Rain is better than all of us with a hammer and saw. She can build in bookcases in a couple of days and make them look like they’re original.”

“Are you going to show me around?”

“Are you asking to see my etchings?”

My lips curved again, falling a little harder for this guy with every word he said. Why? What was it about him?

No, no, no. We’re not going to overanalyze this now.

Bad Girl was right. No over-thinking. Just go with it. Whatever “it” is.

“Do you have etchings?”

“I guess you’ll have to come in to find out.”

“I’d love to see your home.”

“Then come with me.”

He opened his door and climbed out. The overhead light made me blink, but it was only for a second, and then he opened my door. He reached in for my hand, and I took it without thought. It was only after the warmth of his skin seeped into mine that I realized I was expecting it. Looking forward to it.

Sliding out of the truck, I looked up to find him watching me with that intensity I’d noticed earlier. Again, it quicklydisappeared, replaced by that grin. As much as I found that grin enticing, the intensity made my blood heat and my stomach clench.

This time, he didn’t release my hand immediately, and I didn’t pull away. I liked the feel of him, liked the way my fingers slid between his and his curled around mine. His hands were large and rough. They’d feel amazing against my naked skin.

Swallowing hard, I held his gaze but didn’t return his smile. I wanted him to know I was serious when I said, “Yes.”

He must have known what question I was answering, the unspoken one that lingered between us. His smile shifted, became a little sharper, a little harder. A whole lot sexier. He didn’t speak, just tugged me with him toward the front door.

The crunch of the gravel driveway beneath our feet was the only sound now. There was no traffic noise, no wind, no leaves rustling. Just stillness. We reached the porch, and he released my hand to open the front door with the keypad. I turned to look back down the road, marveling at the brightness of the moon that painted the woods silver.

I heard the door open and turned to see him leaning against the frame, soft light from the house spilling out around him. My breath caught as I thought about the fact that I was going to be naked and have his man wrapped around me sometime in the near future.

Unless I was seriously off-base, and he really did just want to show me his house.

But, of course, I wasn’t wrong.

“It’s so quiet.”

He nodded slowly, never taking his gaze off of me.

“This is my refuge. When everything else gets too noisy, I know it’ll be quiet here.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere more quiet. New York is always loud. And I’ve never been bothered by it. There are always sirens and car traffic and horns and people. Even in the Village, it’s never silent.”

I realized I’d just told him where I lived, not that he looked surprised. The man wasn’t stupid. My car had a New York license plate, and I’d looked like a freaking princess doll when I’d fallen into his arms last night.

And now, I was ready to go to bed with the guy.

Who was I?

Someone who knows what they want and goes for it.

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