Page 26 of Man Glitter
I pointed to it. “That night when I cut my thumb, I began work on this wall.”
She studied it, her eyes taking in all the details. The fence was ten feet high, made from pine, each board water sealed to last longer out in the elements. Carved pieces of wood decorated the bottom of the fence on her side, the swooping curve of each board made to look like the ocean. But the exciting detail was in the center.
“It’s…beautiful…” Finnie trailed off, still studying it and probably wondering why I brought her out here to look at a damn fence along our property lines.
“It’s a sound wall. It has a layer of soundproofing material in the middle. Now if I’m out in the shop at night when I can’t sleep, it shouldn’t interrupt yours.” I stared at it, afraid I’d take one look at her face and beg her to give me a chance, which was definitely not part of the script I’d rehearsed. “I, uh, haven’t finished the design yet. I’ll carve some seagulls and add that to the wall, making it look like a day at the beach. Figured you could look out your window while you’re working and see something that make you stress less, you know?”
“Charlie…” she whispered.
“Listen, I know you don’t trust me, but I don’t want us to be strangers either. Maybe over time you can trust again. I just—I want you to be happy, no matter where you live, or if you’re even speaking to me. This wall is a way to give you the peace and quiet you deserve.”
“Charlie,” she said, full volume this time, with a tone that had me finally looking at her.
A single tear slid down her cheek and I cursed myself for making her cry.
Then she launched all five-foot-ten of herself at me, her legs coming around my waist, nearly knocking me over as she clung to my neck in a graceless leap.
“You made that for me?” she asked, her breasts pressed between us, scattering my brain. Her legs tightened, the juncture of her thighs heating my waist and providing a tempting distraction.
“Yeah. I’d do anything to see you smile, Rudolfina.” My hands flexed, grabbing a handful of her backside, unable to help themselves to the bounty that had literally landed in our lap.
Finnie slammed her mouth down on mine and made me see Jesus. It had to have been him, what with the blinding light and weightless feeling that came over me. Her tongue teased mine, her hands tunneling into my hair and tugging. A long while later, we came up for air, both of us breathing heavy.
She dropped her forehead against mine and I uttered a prayer of thanks to the divine perfection of this moment and this infuriating woman.
“You’re crazy, Charlie Boldt, but only in the very best ways.”
I couldn’t believe I had her in my arms, smiling and kissing me of her own free will. I didn’t mind so much being called crazy by Finnie. Fact was, I was crazy in love with her.
“Figures the only way to break down your walls was to build a wall,” I teased, giving her a wink before devouring that mouth of hers again.
12
Finnie
“Wake up, sleepyhead. We have somewhere to be,” I whispered to Charlie as he groaned and tried to cover his head with my pillow.
The satisfied smile felt natural and right on my face. I must have worn him out last night. After seeing the wall he’d built for me, the way he loved me without reservation, and even against my grumpiest behavior, I’d melted. I’d given up the tight fist of restraint that kept me from trusting Charlie. Life was meant to be lived fully and I couldn’t do that while holding him at arm’s length because of some other douchebag of a doctor. If I denied my feelings for Charlie because of not wanting to sully my reputation in town, I was just as bad as that doctor. Worse even, because I knew what it felt like to be on the other end.
I ripped the pillow out of his hands and then whooped loudly when his eyes sprung open and he grabbed me. We rolled, nearly falling off the bed.
“I want to stay right here all day, woman,” he rasped, his morning voice made sexier by the morning wood my woodworker boyfriend sported against my thigh.
I couldn’t resist tunneling my hands through his hair and pulling him to me for a kiss. I’d never tire of that. The way he always seemed ready and willing to kiss me senseless.
Before I was ready, I tugged on his hair to pull him back. “As much as I want that too, we have somewhere to be this morning.”
Charlie groaned and then stilled. “Oh shit, I gotta let Chester out!” He scrambled off me while I laughed.
My laughter died a sudden death seeing a naked Charlie run around my room trying to collect his clothes. Dear God, the man was built. “I’ll be over in a few minutes to pick you up,” I called after his retreating form.
Fanning myself, I got dressed and pulled my hair into a ponytail. A quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss and I was ready. I had minds to blow and reputations to defend. All before my first cup of coffee. Auburn Hill was going to finally get a real taste of Finnie Dorado.
I climbed in my car and tooted the horn twice. Charlie came out his back door and jogged over, his hair still a rumpled mess from my fingers. He slid into the car as I leaned forward to inspect his fly.
“Wow, you even zipped your pants today.”
Charlie gave me a look. “Figured if we’re going to your workplace, I should be a little more formal.”
