“Would you please allow me to help?” My eyes are locked with hers, the rich, deep brown pulling me in.
She steps backwards into the house, keeping her attention on me with a wicked smile. “Okay, but I’m keeping my eye on you.” She points an accusing finger my way. “I know all about your kind.”
“My kind?” I chuckle as I follow her, the smell of strawberry and creamy vanilla filling the kitchen.
“Chivalrous. A dangerous, dying breed, if you ask me.”
I place the bags on the bench, then turn around, leaning back against the counter and folding my arms over my chest. “Happy to restore your faith anytime.”
Maevyn assesses me from the other side of the kitchen, fiddling with the bangles on her wrist, as her eyes drop to my chest. It’s then I remember I’m still sweating and bare-chested from my run.
It feels like the blood is zipping through my veins like an out-of-control pinball with the way her eyes map my body. My shoulders, my chest, all the way down to my thighs, before they jump up again. I take the moment to enjoy my own perusal of her. Her dark hair is curled in big, shiny waves, resting on top of her shoulders. Thick, black pencil lines her deep brown eyes and a heavy, metallic grey is dusted over the tops. More shimmer shines over her cheeks. The simple nose ring she usually wearshas been changed to a more elaborate design with sparkling little diamontes. She’s breathtaking. In every version of her I see. But my favourite was last week, out on our balconies, when she wore no makeup. It felt like I was seeing a part of her that’s normally hidden.
She clears her throat, then moves to the bags and starts pulling things out: whipped cream, maple syrup, pink sprinkles. “Well, thanks for your help,” she says, spinning on her heel and giving me a look of her perfectly round arse. Those damn jeans are painted on.
“No problem. Just wanted to make sure it all got inside. Would hate anyone to steal something.”
Maevyn whips around, momentarily stunned. “What?”
“Apparently, there’s a thief running around.”
A little giggle to the side of us has Maevyn shaking her head from its daze, and we both look over at Aurora. I didn’t even hear her come in, but she’s crouched down, scratching Patch, who’s lying belly up. I lean forward, yanking my shirt from where it’s tucked in the back of my waistband and tug it over my head. I’m sure she and her daughter don’t need a half-dressed man in the middle of their kitchen. Even if I detect a hint of disappointment in Maevyn’s eyes as I pull my shirt into place.
“Oh, really?” Maevyn looks at her daughter with a less-than-impressed expression, but Aurora seems unfazed. It must be a dynamic they’re used to.
“Are you going out tonight?” I ask.
That signature side smirk is back, along with eyes that sparkle with mystery. “Of course.” She shrugs. “Two lovely ladies such as ourselves? Our lives are constantly full of adventure and excitement.”
I can’t tell if she’s joking or not, but when I look over at Aurora, she just lifts a shoulder. “Yep, we’re a riot.” She grins. “Anyway, I should finish my homework. See ya later, Westley.”
I wave to her as she disappears up the stairs, then give my full attention back to her mother.
“I’ll get out of your hair then.” I push off the bench, and she follows behind me.
I whistle to Patch, and he slowly, without grace, rolls off his back to trot outside and over to our house.
“Umm, thanks again for bringing the bags in.” Maevyn follows me all the way to the end of her garage.
“Just doing my neighbourly duty,” I say over my shoulder.
“I’ve never had a neighbour do that.” I’m not sure if I was meant to hear her; she spoke so low.
I turn when I hear her stop behind me. “I’m happy to help anytime.”
She nods once, with a reluctant smile, as if the idea of accepting help is so completely new to her. I can’t help but want to know everything. I’m a pretty social guy. I love meeting new people and surrounding myself with friends, just as much as I enjoy time to myself, but this pull is new. She’s like a magnet, demanding my focus. “You look pretty, by the way.”
She chuckles. “Is that you doing your neighbourly duty, too? Compliments?”
I walk backwards to my front door, all eyes on the trickster before me. “Nah, that was the thief in me. Just wanted to steal your breath.”
7
“Do you think one truck will be enough, or should we hire two?” Caspian asks through the video.
Callie laughs. “I don’t have that much stuff.”
“I’ll just hire the biggest one.” I smile as I watch my siblings chat through the computer screen. Callie’s decided she’s moving to Heart City, sooner rather than later, so she can get settled before she gets any further into her pregnancy.
