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I quickly reach around him and open the door, feeling my chest brush against his arm. He smells so good. The notes of his cologne are doing something funny to my insides. Making me want to push up against him and kiss him.
“Um, there you go,” I mutter, taking a step back. I can’t be thinking like this. The cowboy is injured. He doesn’t need me jumping his bones.
I make sure he’s settled in the passenger seat before I move around to the front. As soon as I’m in, his truck seats try to automatically adjust again. I have to jam the button to stop it. I’m so much shorter than he is.
Despite all the chaos that was happening, Greer had me dial his brother on the phone. He explained the situation and demanded he get over there and fix the apartment. Noah texted Greer a few minutes ago to say the plumbing issues had been resolved and the painting job was finished. The place is ready for me to move into now.
I love that Greer was so focused on making sure I was taken care of. Even when he was in pain and uncomfortable, he put me first. He is a good man, and maybe if things were different—no, I can’t let myself think like that.
He clears his throat, interrupting my thoughts. “Can you tell me something honestly?”
My heart pounds at his question. “I’ll be as honest as I can.”
“Did you take a peek at the good stuff?” I glance at him, and he gives me a crooked grin. “When I was without my shirt.”
I chuckle as the thoughts of his perfect chest invade my mind. He was so big, his body covered in thick, dark hair. I wanted to touch him all over. “Don’t worry. I liked what I saw.”
He’s quiet for a moment, the tips of his ears turning red. “So then go out with me.”
I keep my tone light, teasing him. I hate what happened to him today, but I’m glad I got to spend time with him this afternoon. “Is this how you get dates?”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t date. There’s only you.”
My heart melts at his words.Only you.I want to tell him yes. I want to say that he can pick me up tomorrow for dinner. But I know what happens next. Everything will be fine for a few weeks or months then he’ll decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth. “I can’t.”
Without waiting for his response, I reach for the radio and turn up the music. We spend the rest of the drive to the Maple Farm in silence. It’s not an awkward silence. It’s just the silence of an impasse.
Eventually, Greer will find a nice girl. He’ll flirt with her, and she’ll fall for his easy charm. They’ll have a million inside jokes together and make pretty babies. The thought has me stomping on the brakes harder than necessary when I pull up into his driveway.
His home is a beautiful farmhouse with white siding. The wraparound porch has two rocking chairs on it with a bright red table between them. It looks cheerful and inviting. Is this where he’ll spend his nights, talking to his pretty wife about her day and doting on their kids?
“Wow,” I whisper slightly awed. “This is exactly what a home should look like.”
“Built it myself.” His chest puffs out at the admission. He feels for the door handle then turns back to me. “My whole life nothing I’ve wanted has ever come easy.”
I think of my life and how complicated it is. “I get it.”
Greer shakes his head. “You don’t understand. I’m not trying to get you to feel sorry for me. I’m putting you on notice. I’m coming for you, Evie.”
Chapter5
Evie
The next day I’m at work when I see Greer again. After I took him to his place, I left his truck in the clinic’s parking lot for one of his brothers to pick up. I got my brothers from the hotel, and we took our things to the apartment. We ate the good kind of mac and cheese to celebrate our change in fortune before watching an action movie and falling asleep on an air mattress.
Greer is still wearing sunglasses, but the eyepatch is gone. He pulls them off and tucks them into the pocket of his shirt then presents me with a bouquet of daisies.
I stare at his outstretched hand. I know I should accept them, but I don’t want to lead him on. I don’t want him to think that anything is going to come from this. “Greer…”
“These are to thank you for yesterday. I appreciate you looking out for me,” he explains as he skirts around the desk and stands in front of me.
I relent and take the flowers, feeling like a schoolgirl who knows the cute boy likes her. His attention shouldn’t warm me so much, but it does. “Thank you.”
“You deserve flowers every day,” Greer says softly and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
I close my eyes as his fingertips brush my cheek. “What are you doing?”
His voice is filled with conviction, arousing and soothing me at the same time. “I’m stepping up my game. I told you yesterday I go after what I want.”
