Page 30 of Stick Work

My heart melts into a puddle at the bottom of the shower. Could this guy be any sweeter? Why the hell isn’t he taken? Oh right, something happened in his past and he’s not dating. But he is having sex.

With me…

“As much as I’d like for you to take me again, right here in this shower,” I begin and he cocks his head, like he’s in awe of me for some reason, I continue, “We can’t. No way do I want Grandma questioning me over waffles, asking why I’m late.” I wave my finger at him. “She’s far too astute.”

“Yeah, discussing my sex life with her is not on my bingo card today.” I laugh at that and warmth moves into his eyes as he questions me again. “But you’re really not sore?”

“Not in a bad way.”

“Okay, maybe tonight, I’ll just use my tongue.”

A hard quiver goes through me and he grins. “Elias.” I reach around him and whack his cute backside. “You can’t say things like that to me before I’m about to go downstairs and be with your family.”

“I mean, I can. I just shouldn’t,” he counters.

I roll my eyes, and he cups the back of my head, dropping a soft, tender kiss onto my lips and I sigh, sagging against him. God, I love the way this man touches me. Once he finishes washing me, he guides me under the spray and I quickly wash my hair as I focus on his hands and the way he’s running them over his own body. It really is hard—no pun intended—to do nothing as he strokes his steel-hard cock.

“Maybe I’ll use my mouth later too,” I tease and he groans.

“Yeah, okay. I deserved that.” He gestures with a nod. “Go, get dried off and I’ll meet you in the kitchen later.”

“You need some alone time?” I ask, and he groans again.

“I need something, and if you don’t get out of here right now, you’re asking for trouble.”

I laugh and step from the shower. “Nah, you won’t touch me when you think I’m sore.” Grabbing a big towel, I dry quickly, then turn, offering him my backside as I lean forward to wrap my hair.

“Jesus Christ, Taylor.”

Laughing as he turns the water to cold, I hurry to the bedroom and pull on a pair of jeans and sweater. I do have a dress for dinner, but breakfast doesn’t require anything fancy, plus I’m cooking and I’m not the tidiest person in the kitchen. I usually get more food on me than on the plate.

I put my damp hair up in a ponytail, and forgoing makeup, make my way downstairs to find Grandma in the kitchen, reading on her kindle as she sips coffee. Her face lights up when she sees me and for a second my heart stalls. Damn, I don’t want to hurt her. I can only hope that Elias finds someone he can love forever and soon.

My throat takes that moment to tighten.

What the hell? Why do the thoughts of Elias with another woman suddenly not sit right with me? That’s ridiculous. I’m here to play a role and we’re having a little fun while playing it. I mean, we do need to make these lovely people think we’re intimate. The only way to do that was by having sex, right?

Sure, Taylor. That’s the reason you seduced him.

“Good morning.” I gesture to the e-reader in her hand. “Anything good?”

“Hot romance novel,” she tells me as she waves her hand in front of her face. I can’t help but grin. This woman is full of surprises and I love her all the more for it. “Do you read romance?” She stands and makes her way to the coffee pot. She arches a brow and I nod.

“I do, and did you know that one of the players for the Seattle Shooters…” I glance over my shoulder to make sure the coast is clear, and when Grandma comes back with the coffee, I lean in and whisper, “He’s a romance novelist. Goes by a pen name, but I can hook you up. Our secret, though.”

Her eyes go wide. “You’re kidding me?”

“Wouldn’t kid about that,” I tell her with a bob of my head. I pick up the little pitcher of milk from the tray and add a splash to my coffee when I notice she’s gone quiet, thoughtful.

Blue eyes lock on me when I lift my head. Oh God, is she going to talk about our ruse? She puts her hand over mine and I sense things are about to get real. “Child, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother and the situation with your father.”

“Thank you,” I manage to get out past the lump in my throat. I swallow it down. “Dad and I are good now. It’s my brother who needs to work things out with him.” She gives me a tight smile. “I’m…Elias told me about Grandpa.” A warm, longing smile comes over her. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, dear.” The fine line around her eyes crinkle as a melancholy look comes over her face. “He would have loved you.”

My heart pounds so hard, I fear she can hear it. “I’m sure I would have loved him too.”

She squares her shoulders, and that’s it. The end to this conversation. We both said what needed to be said and she’s moving on. “Now hook me up.” She slides the e-reader my way.

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