Page 42 of Unexpected Love
I blame his excellent-fitting jeans for my randy thoughts.
His gaze drops to my lips again, and my tongue immediately slips out to wet them. His gaze grows darker.
Maybe he can read my mind.
Or maybe the fact that I’m a case of raging hormones sitting next to him is as clear to him as it is to me.
I’m not supposed to be this turned on by him. He cannot be the one my hibernating libido chooses to perk to.One, he’s my neighbor. Two, he’s gotta be ten years younger than me. Three, he’s got a kid, for all practical purposes.
That’s still not stopping me from watching his ass as he climbs out of the truck. It’s not stopping me from admiring the curve of his shoulder as he passes around the hood. It’s not stopping me from devouring him as he opens my door and offers me a hand.
And when our palms touch, none of the reasons why I shouldn’t want him matter as the sizzle of awareness skitters up my arm.
All day long, we’ve worked side by side. Him building, and me helping when he needed an extra pair of hands. And all day, I have been keenly aware of how well his soft T-shirt clings to his torso. I know exactly what he looks like under that shirt, and I’ve been struck with the urge to run my hand over the ripples of those abs.
I am a ridiculous horndog.
He’s just spouted some really kind words about me, and I’m sitting here objectifying him.
But he’s also letting his gaze trail downward, over my face, down to my chest, lower. The baggy overalls I’m wearing, my favorite work clothes, are gaping, and he looks like he appreciates how tight my shirt fits.
He takes a step forward, leaning in ever so slightly.
The front door opens, and two screaming heathens run out, wearing capes and raising toy swords as they wail a warrior’s cry.
It’s enough of a cockblock that Cal steps away and lets go of my hand.
Inside the house, Nancy has the little kids in a large portable play yard, and cartoons blare in the background. My brother Mark and his fiancée, Morgan, are making an appearance, gracing us with their presence. Steve and Markare in a heated debate, while his fiancée hovers timidly by his side.
Cal looks interested in whatever it is they are arguing about, so I nod their way. “You go hang with the guys, and I’ll help Nancy get dinner finished.”
He looks toward my brother for a split second. “I’ll come help you guys.”
It was just a flash, but I saw it.Longing.
My insides go squishy because that tiny flash just hit me square in the heart. “Nah, you go out with the guys. We’ve got this. Plus, the kitchen is tiny, so it’ll be too crowded with more than two of us in there.”
“I heard that,” Steve yells, before welcoming Cal with a handshake.
“If Steve would ever get off his ass and get my kitchen remodel done, it wouldn’t be an issue,” Nancy pipes from the kitchen.
“Thanks a fucking lot, Jules,” Steve whisper shouts, shooting a glare in my direction.
From the kiddie kennel, a little toddler voice chimes, “Ass.”
Horror crosses Mark’s face. Nancy gasps, and Steve’s eyes light in amusement. Then another little voice pipes in with “Fuck.” And they close in exhaustion.
An unholy female shriek rings from the front door, followed by a deep male chuckle. My parents have arrived.
Steve groans and mouths a curse as my mother calls, “Steven, language.”
I turn to Cal. “Welcome to the chaos of my family. This is your chance to run.”
Cal grins back. “I think I’m gonna enjoy this.”
Nancy wasn’t wrong in griping about Steve not finishing the kitchen remodel. The plan was to knockout a wall between their tiny kitchen and the unused formal dining room and make it one big space. Something we will definitely need as soon as my mother walks in.
She’s a tiny, little petite thing who somehow manages to suck all the air from the room and simultaneously command everyone in earshot. She’s chiding Steve like a teenager instead of the grown-ass man he is, and I’m sure Dad is standing by with a twinkle in his eye, letting her do her thing.
