Page 56 of Raspberry Cake
“And what kind of show would you like?”
“The kind where you use those muscles to get us some firewood for tonight.”
Coming to a stop in front of her, Renley braced himself with one hand on the back of her chair, tipping her head back with the other. “Is that so?”
“Yes. And lose the shirt.”
“What do we say when we want something?”
Eveline blushed, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Please.”
With a kiss to her forehead, he straightened to his full height. “As you wish.”
“Fuck,” Tod groaned, pushing off the railing he’d been leaning against.
“You better take yours off too,” Laira shouted after her husband as they descended the stairs.
Renley pulled his shirt over his head, earning himself a cheer from Eveline and a frown from Tod. “Show off.”
“Hey, she’s the breadwinner here. I have to give hersomethingso she doesn’t kick me to the curb,” he chuckled, stuffing his t-shirt in his back pocket.
Tod chuckled and retrieved a couple of axes from the workshop. They set up the logs and got to work, with Laira and Eveline having the time of their lives behind him. The boysquickly joined in, with Tod handing them smaller axes and tinier chunks of wood. That made Renley nervous at first, but he quickly learned that they knew what they were doing.
After an hour, he returned to the porch, soaking wet with sweat. Eveline handed him a drink, raking hungry eyes over his body.
“Enjoying yourself?” he teased, gulping down the glass of water.
“Very much so,” she giggled, hooking a finger in his pocket to tug him closer. “So much so that I might not let you leave tomorrow.”
Renley used his shirt to wipe his face before he leaned over her, hand resting on the back of her chair. “Well… youarethe boss.”
Fingers spearing through his hair she hauled him close enough for a kiss. “Don’t tempt me.”
“Says the woman who ordered me to take my shirt off because she felt like it.”
“I don’t regret it. You look very handsome.”
“Let me take a shower and then I’ll help you with dinner.”
With another soft, passionate kiss she sent him off. As he walked away, he heard Laira snickering despite Eveline’s protests.
He was setting the table when the boys charged down the stairs and out of the door to greet their grandfather. Inhaling deeply, he made sure his shirt was tucked in properly. Eveline had reassured him to dress casually, so he’d settled for jeans and a black tee. As he walked over to Eveline, her father stepped in, greeting her with a tight hug before she reached for Renley.
“Renley, this is my dad, Curt.”
Renley held his hand out, met with the same kind eyes and gentle smile that Eveline had. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Curt gave him a tight shake. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“I’m keeping the embarrassing stuff for when we open the wine,” Eveline teased.
Renley was quickly let off the hook since the boys wanted their grandfather’s undivided attention. It was the same throughout dinner and it was only when Renley was washing dishes that Curt stepped up to him. “You will take care of her, right?”
“Of course.”
A squeeze to his shoulder, and he was gone.
