Page 2 of Burly Lumberjack

He nods, looking past me to the porch boards. “My pleasure.” He smiles. “Jax said some of these were sagging. Mind if I take a look?”

I step aside quickly. “Please. Yeah. Go ahead.”

He moves past me, and just his nearness makes my core clench with a heat that makes me dizzy. I know I should try to make some chitchat, but my mind is completely blank as to what I’d even say.

Rowan crouches near the worst spot by the railing, running his hand over the warped wood. The sight of those strong fingers brushing over the splintered boards is strangely captivating. I wonder if he wants to touch me. Would he stroke my skin gently? Would he be forceful?

“I brought a few spare boards,” he says, not looking up. “Should be enough for me to get started, but I might need to pick up more stain.”

I nod mutely. He glances up and catches me watching him. My face goes hot. “Do you mind if I get started?”

“No, not at all. Um—I made sweet tea. If you want any. It’s inside. I can bring you some.” I force myself to shut my mouth. I’m chattering like an idiot, but I can’t help it.

He smiles at me, and my heart beats so fast I swear it’s going to burst out of my chest. “I will in a bit. Thank you.”

I sink into the chair near the opposite edge of the porch and try to act casual while he gets to work. He hauls a few boards from his truck, along with a tool belt and a drill. Then he strips off his shirt and tosses it across the railing, and I swear I nearly faint.

His chest is solid muscle—broad, sculpted, and tanned. A light sheen of sweat makes every line of him gleam. I clutch the arm of my chair and pretend to be checking something on my phone, but I can’t stop ogling his muscular body.

Watching him work is a kind of bliss mixed with torture. Every swing of the hammer makes his biceps flex, every stretch reveals the dip of his lower back. I’ve never wanted to touch someone like I want to touch Rowan. I want to know how it would feel to run my hands down his spine, to press my body against his and feel him respond. It’s torture because I know he’s probably not interested in someone inexperienced and chubby like me. Leesa was probably just trying to boost my spirits by saying he was interested in me.

I’m flushed all over. I know I should just go inside, but I can’t bring myself to give up even a moment of watching him–especially when he’s not wearing his shirt.

He looks up once, catching me staring again. This time, he holds my gaze, and something electric flows between us. I drop my eyes, afraid I’m being too forward or weird by sitting here watching him. My whole body is lit up like someone struck a match in my heart and fanned the flame to set my whole soul aflame.

“You okay?” he asks, voice soft.

“Yes!” I squeak. “I mean—yeah. Just warm. It’s warm today.”

“A little.” He smiles, and something in my chest squeezes so tight it hurts. He goes back to hammering, and I try not to make a fool of myself.

Watching him like this—on my porch, doing something real and physical—does something to me. It’s not just lust, though there’s plenty of that, too. It’s this strange sense of closeness, of intimacy.

When he pauses and runs a bandana across his face, I leap up to grab the tea from inside. He drinks it slowly, sweat dripping down his temple. I’m transfixed as his throat bobs with every swallow.

“This is good,” he says. “Sweet, but not too sweet.”

“It’s my grandma’s recipe.”

“Your grandma had good taste.” Rowan’s eyes crinkle as he smiles at me, making my core flames hotter. I’ve never been so interested in making a man happy—and I definitely want to make Rowan happy.

I blush again. “I’ll tell her you said that.”

He clears his throat, glancing at the boards. “Okay. I’ve done about all I can today. I need to get some more wood and some stain. I’ll be back tomorrow to finish up. If that’s alright.”

“Yes. Please. I mean—sure. Anytime.”

“Same time tomorrow afternoon work for you? I have some things to handle in the morning, plus I need to stop by the hardware store for supplies.”

I nod, heart pounding. From the beginning, I knew this probably wasn’t a one-day job, but it’s still overwhelming to know he’scoming back. Plus, he’s just been so nice and friendly, which I wasn’t sure if he would be since he’s always so quiet at the diner. I can’t wait to spend more time with him.

As he gathers his tools and loads up his truck, I realize my hands are shaking. I’ve never felt so out of control—so hot, soalive.An energy runs through me that I’ve never felt before. I don’t want to say goodbye to Rowan, but as I wave at him as he drives off, my heart keeps racing because I’ll see him tomorrow.

I can only hope that Leesa is right and that he’s interested in me. I certainly hope so.

CHAPTER 2

ROWAN

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