“Kieran, your shirt is on fire,” Adrian says drolly, sauntering into the kitchen like some kind of arctic god.
“Fuck.” I stumble away from the stove I’d fully leaned over while ogling Goldie and rip the fabric off in one swift motion. I stomp out the small flames, my cheeks flushing.
When I look up, Goldie is staring at me with wide eyes, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her blue eyes glance down at my shorts and back up. “Maybe your shorts are on fire too? Best to take them off and check.”
Adrian chokes on his orange juice, a laugh bubbling up. His half grin is cute as hell, and I can see Goldie’s attention shift to him. For a moment, the old Adrian is back. The light that always glowed within him is shining through, the light that was snuffed out when Sylvia died.
Their eyes lock, and the attraction between my brother and Goldie is obvious. He looks away first, and she frowns slightly before returning to her food. It is now my mission to bring that happiness back to my brother’s life, and Goldie just might be the key.
“Say, Goldie,” I say, snatching her fork and stealing her next bite of food. “Before we get to the money and identity stuff for you, want to help me in the garden?”
Her smile is brilliant, and she nods eagerly. “I’d love to!My grandmother loved to garden, and it was always fun helping her. It’s been years now since she passed.”
I hold out my hand to her. “Let’s go then. Adrian and Marcus are going into the city for a bit this morning anyway.”
Adrian arches an eyebrow. “Oh really?”
I give him a wink. “Yes. Goldie needs some clothes. And Marcus can restock our wine to go with dinner later.”
My brother’s eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t argue. I pull Goldie away to the back of the house before he or Marcus can protest, as my elder brother enters the kitchen just as we exit. His eyes instantly find Goldie’s, and the rosy color of her cheeks increases at his lingering attention. I snag a pair of rubber boots on our way out the door and pause just over the threshold.
“For now, you can wear these.” I offer her the boots, and she holds my arm as she steps into them. It’s impossible not to laugh, because they’re clearly too big.
She punches my arm playfully. “Is this for my benefit or yours?”
“Can it be both?” I lick my lips, my eyes traveling down her front, and a groan nearly escapes my lips when I catch sight of her pert nipples. The thin shirt does nothing to hide her perfect breasts, and it’s all I can fucking do not to rip the clothing off her right here in the garden.
Goldie’s heart begins to race, and her scent changes slightly. My bear wakes, rumbling with desire for this beautiful creature.
“So,” she speaks, tempering the mood. “What are we gardening?”
“A few herbs and veggies to go with our steaks tonight.” My voice is rough as I attempt to distract my half-hard dick by pulling herbs.
Goldie is a perfect student. She recognizes several herbs Ilist off with ease. We work together for the next hour, gathering what I need to cook. The breeze is nice and cool against my skin, while the sun keeps us warm on the slightly brisk day.
When I turn to check on Goldie, my jaw falls open at the sight before me. She’s bent over, ass in the air, with her panties peeping out from under my shirt, which is long enough to be a dress for her. Her round ass tempts me, and I desperately need to sink my teeth into that unmarked flesh.
“Goldie,” my voice is more of a whine. “Sweetness. I need you to stop.”
She shifts her body to the side, still bent at the waist but enough to turn her head back to see me. “Stop what?”
A possessive growl builds in my chest. “Stop flashing that perfect ass in my direction, or I won’t be able to stop myself from having a taste.”
Goldie bites into her bottom lip, and I want to snatch it from her white teeth. “Hmm. Well. I wouldn’t… hate that.”
Her answer stops my heart, and in two quick strides, I’m on top of her. I lay her out in the dirt, and she stares up at me with wide, trusting eyes. Wrapping one hand around her backside, I squeeze her ass. She whimpers in my arms as I press her legs wide and settle between them. The shirt I gave her to wear the night before now falls back onto her belly, giving me an unobstructed view of her lacy white panties.
A feral smirk touches my lips when her scent changes to a mix of honey and spice. “You like this, sweetness?”
Goldie licks her lips and nods.
I use my free hand to brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “Say the words, Goldie. Tell me what you want.”
Her heart is racing once more, and her voice is barely a whisper. “I want you to touch me.”
My dick stirs in my shorts at her simple request. I lean forward, crowding over her. “I’m going to do more than that,Goldie.” I run my hand down her front, rolling one of her peaked nipples over the fabric. I love how her body reacts to my touch. “I’m going to worship this perfect body. You deserve to be adored. To feel pure pleasure.”
She whines as I massage her ass with one hand and the other drifts between her thighs. “Yes. Please.”
