“I don’t like your neighbors. Especially the one mowing his lawn.”
She’d probably really hate winter, when his neighbors fired up snowblowers in the pre-dawn hours so they could try to make it to work on time. Hell, she’d probably really hate the late nights after a big game when guys who’d had too much to drink in front of their buddies’ televisions stumbled down the sidewalks, hooting and hollering as they made their way back to their own houses. He’d suspected from the beginning this wasn’t her kind of place, but he could do without the confirmation.
“Maybe breakfast will cheer you up,” he said, hoping to get her out of the bedroom, which he’d chosen because the others were on the back side and quieter for the kids.
She gave him a sleepy smile. “I do like food.”
He pulled the sheet down far enough to bare her breasts. Then he bent his head and gently sucked one taut nipple until she squirmed. “I know what else you like.”
“I had no idea you’re a morning person.”
He grinned and pinched the same nipple between his finger and thumb, a little less gently. “I’m ayouperson. Any time of day or night, I want you.”
Chapter Eleven
On Tuesday morning, Olivia stared at Kelsey’s Keurig, reconsidering her life choices. Not all of them. Mostly just the ones that had led to her giving up caffeine.
She knew there was a good reason she had, but right now she’d be damned if she could remember what it was.
“You’ll be sorry if you do it.” Kelsey’s voice drew her attention away from the coffee-giving machine. “While I’ll personally never understand not drinking coffee, youdon’tdrink it and the caffeine will make you feel worse instead of better.”
“I know you’re right, and yet...” Derek was wreaking havoc on her sleep schedule and it was almost worth feeling jittery if it helped get her butt into gear.
“Noand yet. I’m right, so just drink your juice and read the notes. You have a busy day ahead of you, as usual.”
“A long one, too.” She groaned, casting another wistful glance in the Keurig’s direction. “Don’t forget I’m going straight from my last meeting to the Broussard Financial offices to meet Jessica, so I’ll be late. We can do the end-of-day review in the morning, I guess.”
“I can handle it. Then we’ll just do a quick end-of-day recap before we start work tomorrow.” She gave Olivia a firm look. “I’ve got this. Nothing’s going to fall through the cracks.”
“I know you can handle it.” Olivia frowned, resting her hand on her planner. “With the benefit only about six weeks away, there’s probably going to be more of this stuff popping up and it’s a little frustrating because they should have started nailing some of this down as soon as it was over last year.”
“That’s probably why they’re so happy to have you involved. Once you’ve seen it in action, you can map out the way to handle an annual event like that most efficiently, so next year they’re not overwhelmed at the end.”
“That’s my plan.”
“Of course it is.” Kelsey arched an eyebrow at her. “And does your plan also include seeing a certain firefighter after you’re done for the day?”
Olivia sighed. “He has to work, unfortunately, so I won’t be seeing Derek tonight. Or maybe it’s fortunately because I’m so tired and it takes forever to get there and back. But I spent a good chunk of the weekend with him, so it’s okay and he’ll call me if he gets a chance.”
“You guys talk every day?”
“Mostly, unless he’s on a call and doesn’t get a chance. But even then he usually sends me a text message, at least.”
“It sounds like he’s into you,” Kelsey said, but she sounded hesitant. “But you haven’t met his kids yet, right?”
“No, not yet. He talks about them a lot, but they were with their mom so they weren’t home.” When Kelsey made a sound but otherwise didn’t respond, Olivia gave her assistant her full attention. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I was just curious.”
“I can tell when you’re trying not to tell me something you think I won’t want to hear.” Kelsey would be the worst poker player ever. “And trying to figure out what you’re not saying will distract me, so just out with it, already.”
“It just means he’s not sure about you yet.” Kelsey shrugged. “You guys have been seeing each other long enough so it’s clear he doesn’t take introducing you to his kids lightly, so the fact he hasn’t yet probably means he’s not sure you guys are serious enough yet.”
It felt pretty damn serious to Olivia. “There’s a reason he hasn’t told them yet, and we’ve talked about it and I understand.”
Kelsey looked skeptical. “If he’s really serious about you, it would have to be a damn good reason for him to be keeping you a secret because he shouldwantyou to get to know them.”
“It is a good reason. And I’m not a skeleton in his closet or anything. You’re making it sound more sinister than it is.”
