Page 57 of Bad Boy for Hire
Lisa waved a hand in dismissal. “Honey, I already run Evergreen Cove.”
Chapter Seventeen
Xavier crossed his arms over his chest to brace against the cool evening air. It was the perfect night for a fire.
And since May was at Lou’s for girls’ night, he’d be enjoying the fire alone. He lit some rolled paper and placed logs in the fire bowl. He’d just cracked open a beer and settled onto a chair when his phone buzzed.
Want some company?
The incoming text was from May. He hadn’t expected to hear from her until tomorrow.
This is a nice surprise, he texted back.
He’d been working at Salty Dog more often than not over the last few weeks. He only had himself to blame. When he’d hired Cheyenne, it was with the understanding that she’d be taking a two-week vacation to the Poconos.
Unfortunately for him, there was no way he could’ve predicted that he’d have to choose between covering the bar or burning up the bedsheets with May. Which they’d done at every available opportunity over the last three weeks. He was beginning to wonder if he could ever have enough of her. Just last week, he’d gone to her house a couple of times. He’d surprised her with pizza one night and, on a particularly late shift for him, Salty Dog carryout on another. Both times they’d stripped each other naked and left the food cooling on the countertop.
Mostly though, she’d come to his house. She’d mentioned how comfortable it was in his bed and how much she loved the quiet. His house sat on a more private part of the lake. The channel was narrow enough that most boats didn’t bother navigating into the watery cul-de-sac only to have to maneuver through a complicated three-to-four-point turn to get back out again. And at night, when the stars were reflecting off the lake’s still surface, his dock made for the perfect relaxation spot.
While privacy was one of the main reasons he’d purchased this particular house, he was fairly sure that May’s wanting to be here had more to do with him. And, damn, did he love that.
This past Tuesday, she’d been wrapped in a blanket, warming herself by the flames, when he’d brought out a warm cup of tea. Beneath that blanket, she’d been wearing nothing but his T-shirt and a bulky pair of his socks. She’d complained that she was freezing but didn’t want to change.
Her wearing his clothes, at his house, while wrapped in his comforter, had caused a jolt in his chest. At first, he thought it was alarm. He’d dated since moving to the Cove, but hadn’t so much as whispered the word “relationship.” That jolt had made him wonder if that was where he and May were heading…and then further question if he was ready for that level of commitment.
As he’d watched the steam from her mug curl into the night air, he decided not to be alarmed. What they had was simple. And awesome. Great sex, great friendship, and mutual respect for each other. At most, he’d experienced two of the three in the past. Until May, he couldn’t recall having all three at once.
Can be there in ten, she texted.
Wanna talk about the app? he texted back. He chuckled when her swift response was the word NO in all caps.
May had introduced him to Jewell two weeks ago. The CEO was incredibly driven and could give Lisa a run for her money. Jewell had been enthusiastic about the app and about his involvement. Win-win.
Wanna get naked? he texted to May.
A seedling of doubt crept in when the response text bubble appeared and then disappeared twice on her side of the screen. In case she was having doubts, he reassured her with, Come over. I’ll be good.
“Damn good,” he said aloud. He didn’t text that. No sense in pushing his luck, though it was a safe bet if she was in his house, she’d soon be in his bed. Or on his couch. Or on the kitchen table, which had been a fun challenge he wouldn’t mind trying again.
About nine minutes after his last text, headlights sliced across his yard. He climbed the hill, meeting May in the driveway as she stepped out of her car.
She wore a one-piece pantsuit that was canvas green with a patch over her breast. The button-down front was open, revealing cleavage tempting him to dive in beard first. As long as he was careful around her thick gold herringbone necklace, he’d avoid injury.
He snagged the tie at her waist and tugged her close. She gave him a hesitant smile but then melted against him as expected. Neither of them had been able to resist the other’s pull since they’d given in to their mutual attraction.
“What are you doing here?” he murmured, his mouth an inch from hers. “And why do you smell so good?”
“You smell like campfire.” She stroked his cheek with her fingers before laying a gentle kiss on his lips. His cock jerked to life. She’d barely touched him, was dressed in an outfit that was going to take him way too long to slip her out of, and he was ready to go.
“You like the smell of campfire.”
Her face softened as she peered up at him. “I like the smell of campfire on you.”
Hell yeah, she did. Every other evening they’d spent together had started this way. With a kiss, him holding her, and then sex. Any recaps of their days were reserved for when they were both naked.
“We should take you inside before we’re carried away. Given our shared history, I can’t guarantee we won’t be fucking on the porch in thirty seconds.”
Her laugh was his favorite. Smoky and earthy. “I don’t know if that’s pathetic or admirable.”
