“Because you’re talking to me.And because a house isn’t supposed to move like this.”
Where I’m from, all houses move like this.“Are you always this grumpy?”
“Yes.”
I don’t believe that.There has to be some scenario where he’s not eager to bite a person’s head off.Oh!I know a good one.“What about after sex?”I can imagine him growling during, but after?When he’s all sated and proud of himself for making his partner come seven or eight times?
My big, snarly bed buddy groans and throws both his hands over his eyes, scrubbing them down his face.“For the love of all that is holy, will you please just go to sleep?”
Would if I could, but I can’t now that I’ve got sex on the brain.It feels like forever since I’ve had any.
Let’s see… there’s this cute guy named Steve, who’s been coming to Inner Shores with his family every summer for the last four years from New York.He takes me out when he’s on the island, but we didn’t properly hook up until last July.After that, there was…
No other name or face comes to mind.
Don’t tell me it’s been almost a year.
No wonder everything this grumpy man does turns me on.
I’ve enjoyed hanging out with Ethan, hearing about his passion for working with his hands and getting a glimpse behind that stern exterior.When he spoke about his brothers and his family, he seemedalmosthappy.
When he started talking about work, though, he sounded tired.
My job isn’t as stressful as Ethan’s, but running a business comes with its own responsibilities.Being the person in charge of everything, making all the final decisions, is tough.I can’t imagine the pressure of having not only other people’s livelihoods, but also theirlivesresting on your shoulders.I don’t care how strong those shoulders are, that shit has to get heavy.
Sometimes, you need a friendly neighbor to help take your mind off those burdens.
I press my tongue into my cheek to keep from giggling.“Answer my question first, and maybe I will.”
“No.”
“‘No,’ you’re not grumpy after sex, or ‘no,’ you’re not going to answer?”I roll over so I can study his silhouette through the murky darkness.His facial hair is a bit longer than when we first met, and that messy hair of his falls just right.What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers through it, scrunch it up, and see how many curls I can coax to life.
His face turns toward me, and although it’s hard to tell, I’m pretty sure he’s glowering.Default-mode engaged.“We’re done talking about this.”
“You don’t know me very well, so I’m going to let you in on a little secret,” I reply.“When I have a question, one way or another, Iwillfind out the answer.”If that means I need to sleep with this man to learn the truth, then I will gladly sacrifice myself in the name of science.Given the current state of our sleeping arrangements, that should be a lot easier than it feels.“You know, I’ve gotta admit, all the books I’ve read have not prepared me for the disappointing reality of the ‘only-one-bed’ trope.”
“What the hell are you talking about now?”
“In romance novels, when the hero and heroine are forced to share a bed, they’re expected to get up to something.”And that something isn’t lying around talking.
“I’m not a hero, Chloe.”
He could be.Throw on a cape and mask and he’d make a damn fine superhero.“I don’t know.I think you could pull off the spandex.”His ass plus spandex is a surefire way to save the world.
“Do you always talk this much at night?”
“Only when I’m horny.”
The way he sucks in a breath, then groans, makes me giggle.
Usually, I’m the first person asleep.Despite being exhausted from a shitty day and terrible first half of the night, right now, I feel like I could run a mile.Or have some really hot storm sex.
I know exactly what would be happening if I’d gone back to an empty house after seeing Ethan in those wet sweatpants earlier.Here’s a hint: it would involve a glass of wine and my vibrator.
Would I still be attracted to him if we got all this tension out of our system?
Who knows… Sometimes the build-up is more pleasurable than the actual deed.
