Page 4 of Built for Her Love

“Good luck,” Chelsea murmured.

I drew in a steadying breath before grabbing the glass Chelsea had given me and the bottle, following him to the table. He waited for me to sit before taking a seat as well. His thigh pressed against mine, and a shudder wracked through my body when he draped his arm around my shoulders, those calloused fingers brushing my upper arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“I thought you weren’t much for talking,” I murmured, looking up at him.

He hummed and poured some whiskey into my glass. Then, he grabbed it, handing it to me. After, he silently grabbed his own and clinked our glasses together before swallowing his back. I did the same, wincing at the burn it left behind, even though it was definitely the smoothest whiskey I’d ever tasted.

“I like talking to you,” he finally said. My heart skipped a beat in my chest. He nuzzled my neck before pressing a kiss right beneath my ear. My breath left me on a shaky exhale.

“Are you always like this with the ladies?” I bravely asked. I needed to know before I started hoping for something that would never happen.

He instantly shook his head. “Just you,” he muttered. He glanced over at me from beneath his dark lashes, those gunmetal gray eyes sucking me in. “Is it too much to say I’m a bit obsessed?”

I shook my head before setting my glass down on the table. Then, I swung my leg over his lap, my ass hitting the edge of the table as I settled myself on his thighs. Instantly, he gripped a handful of each ass cheek, his eyes burning with need. That heated look momentarily made me forget everything I was doing.

“No,” I finally whispered, leaning forward, my lips just brushing his, “because I think I’m a bit obsessed with you, too.” I nipped at his bottom lip, and he growled, his fingers tightening on me. I barely resisted the urge to dry hump him. “Did you know you’re almost nonexistent on the internet?”

He barked out a laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’re something else,” he rumbled. “So, I assume you know my name. What’s yours, baby girl?”

My entire body heated at the term of endearment. I smiled and ran my fingers along his beard, unable to go long without touching him.

“Athena,” I said softly. “Athena Larson.”

He released one of my cheeks and curved his hand around my throat, his thumb pressing right beneath my chin. My lips trembled when his gaze dropped to them for a moment before locking back on my eyes. “Athena, I’m going to kiss you. Do you have a problem with that?”

I shook my head. “Please kiss me,” I begged.

He slid his hand from my neck and into my hair, angling my head just right before he covered my lips with his, giving me the hottest fucking kiss I’d ever had in my life.

And that beard burn he left on my chin?

It was everything I’d imagined it would be and more.

three

Seb

Elliot reachedup and handed me the impact drill. I turned back to face what I was doing, grunting in thanks. We hadn’t even gotten to our lunch break yet, but the day already felt too long.

“So, a little birdie told me you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with a certain black-haired beauty at the club,” Elliot began.

I rolled my eyes.Here we fucking went. Chelsea just couldn’t seem to keep her damn mouth shut, I swore. She talked too damn much for her own good. She was a bigger gossiper than some of the older generation in this small town.

“What—no comment?” Elliot teased. He already knew I wasn’t going to say anything, even though I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me. Though I loved Elliot like a brother and he was definitely family, he really got on my fucking nerves more often than not. He was an instigator through and through. Still, I’d do anything in the world to protect him.

“Leave him alone,” Harlan commanded, shooting Elliot a disgusted look as he stepped into the room we were working in. “Seb, there’s a girl here to see you.”

I frowned. Who in the world would come to a job site specifically to see me?

I slowly climbed down from the ladder before pushing the impact drill against Elliot’s chest. “Finish the job,” I muttered before I walked away, heading out of the house. Elliot just cackled behind me, amused by my annoyance with him.

Athena was standing at the bottom of the porch, a wicker basket clasped in her hands. She was wearing a pretty, red sundress that complimented her fair skin perfectly, and her inky, black hair was pulled back into a French braid. Shades were perched on her nose, preventing me from seeing her stunning, green eyes. Immediately, I hated those damn sunglasses.

“Hey,” she greeted, smiling warmly at me. My heart skipped a beat in my chest at her beautiful smile. “I wasn’t sure when you guys take lunch. Adler said it depended on the day when I called Cecily to ask where I might find you.” She held up the basket, her smile now nervous, though she was trying to hide it. “I was wondering if you’d like to share this with me. I brought ham and cheese sandwiches, some apple slices, and a couple of sodas and bottles of water.”

I smiled at her, and immediately, she relaxed. “Give me a minute.”

Beaming, she eagerly nodded her head. I walked back inside the house we were working on and whistled, drawing the guys’ attention. They looked at me in question. I simply tapped my watch, signaling to clock off for lunch. Then, I went back outside.

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