Page 3 of Worthy

The machine seems to be sitting still off to the side and somewhat behind the house. I make my way toward it, gripping the straps of my backpack to keep it in place as I navigate the jumbled ground.

Rounding the corner of the giant contraption I run into a wall of muscle, eerily reminiscent of the one I encountered last night. This time there’s nothing covering it, and I get a very up close and personal glimpse of just how smooth and sculpted it is. It’s a view I’m both thrilled and disappointed to see, confirming that this guy is going to be just as much of a distraction as I sensed he would.

“We’ve got to stop running into each other this way.” A deep, silky voice washes over me. Yes, I’m aware silky is a strange way to explain a man’s voice, and no, I don’t want to change my description. I actually feel the words slide over me, same as I did mere hours ago, teasing goosebumps to the surface of my skin.

I take a breath and try to focus on the words, not the playful tone they’re spoken in, or the mouth speaking them. This one is dangerous. Between his voice, his leanly muscled frame and a face that’s so perfectly constructed it’s borderline angelic, he could have me eating out of his hand if I’m not careful, and I don’t have time for such a diversion. I need to ignore this guy, even if he’s got the prettiest face I’ve ever seen.

“You’ve got to start paying attention to where you’re going.” My tone isn’t as abrasive as I intend, so I cross my arms in front of my chest for good measure.

He smiles, amused. “This one’s all on you, handsome. What are you doing wandering around my construction site?”

“Yoursite?” I take a half step back.

“Yeah,mine. That surprises you?” The corner of his lip rises playfully.

“Kind of. I figured you for a bartender or something, not someone who gets up early for work.”

“How do you know I was up early for work?” He’s toying with me, and it’s making my nerves buzz. Plus, his sexy little grin is downright sinful, making it nearly impossible not to return. But there’s no doubt in my mind that would be bad, so I double down on my effort to appear unaffected.

“Can’t miss the racket you’re making out here.” I gesture to the massive yellow vehicle.

“Well, if you knew I was out here making noise why didn’t you come say hi?” His blue eyes twinkle.

“Why would I assume it’s you making noise?” I purse my lips, trying to keep my eyes on his rather than wandering over his chest.

“I’m the only guy in town with this machinery.” I know he’s referring to the backhoe, but he’s leaving another implication unspoken, which has me taking notice of the broad shoulders just below eye level. Gaze lowering, I find myself admiring the V that disappears beneath his low-slung jeans. He has the body of a man, all angles and hard planes, with a mischievous demeanor that suggests he knows how to have a good time. I hate that I’m curious, especially knowing what sort of a good time he likely got up to with the bachelorette party last night.

“I guess it’s a good thing I don’t know you then. I’d hate to distract you from doing actual work.” I placate him with a brazen smirk.

“And here I thought you were stalking me.” He leans against the giant beast as his eyes roam over me.

“I think you’d like that, but I just need you to move the trailer for yourmachinery.” I jerk my thumb toward the trailer. “It’s blocking me in.”

“Blocking you in? Wait, you’re Rick’s nephew?” His brows disappear under the sun-kissed blond hair that’s a tad too long without being sloppy.

Hair that looksreallysoft.

“Yup.” I’m enjoying his obvious surprise when a male voice rounds the backhoe and interrupts.

“I grabbed you a burger for lunch, cousin, extra pickles…” The dark-haired man pauses when he sees me. “Uh, hi. You’re the dude Cade bumped into last night. You follow him here or something? Should I be worried?”

I shoot a questioning look toward the man who’s run me over twice now. “Oh my God, you actually have people who stalk you.”

The guy is hot, but no wonder his ego is inflated. A grin teases the corner of his lip, which makes my stomach flutter a little, dammit.

“I wasn’t looking for him. And we didn’t actually meet,” I correct the dark-haired man. “Your friend here ran me over but never told me his name.”

“You didn’t tell me yours either.” The shirtless one stuffs his hands in his pockets, drawing my gaze to his perfect abs.

“Looked like you already made a dozen new friends, no need to add my name to the mix.” I dismiss him with an eye roll. “You wouldn’t have remembered it anyway.”

“I’d remember,” he says softly, the hint of a smile still on his lips.

I find that hard to believe given its abundantly clearobnoxious flirtis this guy’s permanent setting.

“You remember the names of all your new friends?” I raise my brows.

“They weren’t my friends, just people passing through town.” His eyes meet mine through the wisps of hair falling around his face. Iknow he’s trouble, but the flutter in my stomach is making the case I should ignore that fact.

---