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Waggling it back and forth some more, she glanced up as a bicyclist zoomed around the corner on a black mountain bike. The guy slowed as he approached, and though she couldn’t tell if he was looking at her with those mirrored sunglasses, she offered a friendly smile and half-wave. His fingers lifted slightly in response before he made a sudden turn into the driveway of the house across from her.
She watched with increased interest as the garage door rose. Looked like she’d get to meet her first neighbor.
Please let him be nice.
Her gaze traveled over his athletic build as he got off the bike and reached up to remove his helmet. Black shorts and a black sleeveless T-shirt emphasized broad shoulders, trim hips, and very nicely defined arms, ass, and thighs. He hung the helmet on a handle bar and shook his head before reaching to run his fingers through dark hair that was a little longer on top compared to the sides and back.
She smiled to herself. The view across the street was almost as impressive as the Rocky Mountains to the west.
Absently working the sign post back and forth, her focus remained on the man as he wheeled his bike into the garage. Only when he disappeared did she notice the back of what looked to be a blue Camaro SS. She would recognize that rear end anywhere, and man, would she love to get a look at that car up close. Yesterday, she’d nearly drooled when she’d watched that ’57 Chevy that had driven by.
Maybe she should walk over and introduce herself. The car could be the perfect ice-breaker.
Just then, the guy came back out of his garage without his sunglasses, and Honor’s stomach bottomed out as she sucked in a gasp of surprised dismay. Even with a dark shadow of scruff on his jaw, she recognized the photographer from last night—hard to forget that unsmiling face.
She quickly returned her attention to the stubborn post, shoving hard, then jerking the wood back toward her while her entire body flushed with heat.
Un-freakin’-believable.
She fought the urge to turn and go back into her house immediately. Not only would the retreat be too obvious, but she didn’t run away from anything.
Then again, if she got the damn post out, she’d have a valid reason to go back inside and avoid acknowledging the jerk.
There was a good inch of wiggle room on each side by now. Bending her knees slightly, she braced her shoulder under the part that held the sign, then pulled up with her hands while pushing with her legs. The wood bit into her shoulder, but the post rose a few inches. Another forceful shove back and forth loosened it some more as she spotted Hot Photographer Neighbor Guy walking down his driveway, water bottle in hand.
Seriously? He’s coming over after being a jackass last night?
Maybe he was going to apologize now that he realized they were neighbors.
He better apologize.
Resentment from last night fueled her second attempt on the post. The four-by-four burst free more suddenly than she expected, and the momentum threw her off balance. She stumbled under the weight before landing on her back in the wet grass, hugging the wood for dear life.
A few blinks to clear the stars from her vision brought a pair of amber eyes into focus overhead. The heaviness of the sign lifted from her body, and then her neighbor crouched at her side. Her fingers twitched with the desire to reach up and brush aside the damp hair tumbling over his forehead. She fisted her hands against the odd urge.
“You okay?” he asked.
She pushed up to sitting and realized too late the move put her very, very close to his face. A deep, shaky inhale to calm her nerves ended up being an even bigger mistake. Mind-muddling waves of heat radiated from his body, infused with the scent of sweat, citrus, and morning sunshine. Up close, with his shadowed jaw and sexy hair, he looked good enough to eat for breakfast.
Too bad he didn’t have more frosting on his lips—this time she’d be tempted to lick it off. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. Time slowed. She swallowed hard, and could’ve sworn he did, too.
And did he just move closer?
Honor lifted her gaze to his and suddenly drawing a breath of air into her tight lungs was impossible.
Who needs frosting?
He shifted his attention past her, to her house. When his gaze returned, his eyes were cool and shuttered. Any awareness she may have imagined disappeared as fast as the man had last night.
She clenched her fingers in the cool grass as his stinging rejection flooded back. Sheesh. One look into his mesmerizing eyes and how quickly she forgot.
He shifted away from her, and when he held out a hand to help her up, she pretended not to see it. If looking into his eyes could so effectively mess with her common sense, touching was absolutely out of the question.
Once on her feet, she turned awkwardly for a glimpse of her wet shorts while forcing a smile into her voice. “I’m fine. The only thing hurt is my pride.”
“And your leg.”
Honor twisted back around as he knelt in front of her. His palm closed around her calf as he leaned in closer. The thrill of his warm touch was tempered by the sight of blood trickling down her shin and a sudden stinging sensation in her leg. She braced a hand on his shoulder for balance, then had to fight the urge to run her fingers over firm muscles and heated skin.
