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“I’m surprised you don’t have a gardener tending to them,” I finish.
She frowns.
“Some things I prefer to do myself. Gardening is something for me. Not because of how it makes this museum look to outsiders,” she answers with her hand on her jutted-out hip as she waves her other hand at her house.
I like this side of her with attitude. Fuck, I think I like every side of Avery.
“I meant no disrespect,” I say as I raise my hands in the air to show I come in peace.
“If I ever mean to disrespect you, you’ll know it,” I wink at her once more with a grin.
Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s too easy to be like this around Avery.
She blushes. Thank God.
She’s trying to contain her smile by biting on her bottom lip. A lip I want to take between my teeth right now. I need to try and steer the conversation away from fake pleasantries.
“While I have you here,” I say, trying to formulate a reason to see her again.
“Interested in a walk to chat? I’m just going to do a cool down if you’re good with that.”
She’s trying to hold back her smile again but can’t resist flashing me her pearly whites. I love it when she smiles almost as much as the sadistic part of me that lives for the desperation I find in her sad eyes.
“I’d… really love that.”
Looks like she can’t resist these moments with me either.
She makes her way through her yard and catches up to be beside me on the other side of the fence.
I sure as fuck notice that she is shamelessly taking me in from top to bottom and back again. Fuck, her wanting me is the best goddamn feeling in the world. It’s a whole new kind of high I want to be chasing.
I’ve been hit on at church more times than I can count, but no one else has ever sparked this much attraction in me.
Her whole body lets out a shiver at our closeness. I know what she’s feeling; I’m experiencing it too. Now, it’s me who can’t contain my grin.
“The gala is coming up soon, and as you know, it’s a big deal in our community,” I begin as we walk slowly together.
She nods in response.
“For some reason.” I laugh, and she smiles up at me.
“Father Greg has put me in charge of it, but I’m getting to a point where I want to make sure the decisions I’m making are the right call. I trust the office staff, but they aren’t part of the society scene,” I share as we reach the end of her street.
We continue walking as she keeps bobbing her head along in agreement. I need to get her to do this with me.
“I would really appreciate your insights, Avery. If you’d be willing to help me for the next several weeks.”
“I would love to help you.”
“That’s my girl.”
I hear an intake of air from her and realize that wasn’t a private thought.
“Good,” I say more firmly.
No point in pretending I didn’t say it now. I just can’t let that slip define us.
Chapter 9
