Page 47 of Pick Yourself Up
Amber nodded. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
Bill grinned. “I bet. I hope you’ll need another order in a few months. It’ll be great to see the progress you make.”
“You’re welcome to check on our progress anytime.”
Once he was gone, she surveyed the piles of tools and equipment filling the rooms. Excitement filled her and she couldn’t wait to fulfill the potential she saw in the stacks. Potential might be Jolie’s word, but everyone in her family loved it.
She looked up to find Jolie watching her with a wide grin. “Are you thinking it, too?”
Amber laughed. “I am. There’s so much potential in the house and in these supplies. It’s going to be incredible to dig in.”
Jolie hugged her. “I get it. It’s just like how I feel about the pond and increasing the biodiversity of the farm. You’re going to have a blast.”
“You’re right, Joles.”
It had taken most of the morning to bring the load in off the truck. The driver had used a small forklift, and they’d all chipped in with dollies and muscles. “I wish there was a pizza place nearby so I could treat you all for lunch. Instead, I’ve got soup simmering and sandwich fixings.”
Gray slung his arm around her as they locked up and headed back to the farmhouse. She couldn’t help looking back at the inn, making him laugh.
He squeezed her into his side with a chuckle. “Got it bad, don’t you?”
She looked up into his deep eyes and smiled. “I sure do.”
Gray’s steps slowed, and he turned to face her directly. For a long moment, he studied her eyes and his smile grew. “Me, too.”
Knowing he wasn’t talking about the farmhouse any more than she was, she leaned in to brush her lips over his. “We should probably do something about that.”
Desire flared in his eyes. “We probably should.”
“Soon, Gray, soon.”
“Hell, yeah.”
Gray’s body hummed throughout lunch. He wanted to toss Amber over his shoulder, race up the stairs, and follow her down onto his bed.
He wanted to strip them naked and make love to her until they collapsed. He also wanted to seduce her slowly, deliberately. Learn what her body craved, how she reacted to his touch.
Would she like feathery light touches? Would she be bold and take the lead?
His body was rock hard, and he closed his eyes briefly to yank himself under control. Sharing a meal with siblings wasn’t the place to have a raging erection.
He blew out a slow breath, covering the motion by blowing on a spoonful of soup. Soup that was no longer burning hot. Not exactly subtle, but it helped.
He tuned into the conversation about the renovations and contributed when he could, but his focus was on when and how to get Amber naked.
She dropped her soup spoon with a clatter and her pretty skin flushed. Her eyes twinkled when he caught her gaze. Knowing she was as turned on and distracted as he was only made his condition worse.
Hell, he hadn’t been a teenager for over a decade. He could control his body.
Deep breath.
Finally, lunch was done. Everyone helped clean up, and he wanted to shoo them away.
Instead, he walked along with Amber and Ford. At the farmhouse, Ford pulled out his tablet with his spreadsheet list. Color-coded lists ought to help Gray keep his focus.
He was utterly pathetic.
Boomer nudged Gray’s hand, and he squatted down to rub the dog. He kept his voice low. “Hey buddy. Are my bouncy nerves getting to you? I see you’re keeping a close eye on me and Amber. We’ll be okay. In fact, we’ll be spectacular once we take the next step. You think she’s ready?”
