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“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” I watched as his jaw tensed again, his muscles hardening against his cheekbones. Waves rippled through his arms as he opened and closed his fists, flexing his tendons. His reactions were intoxicating.
“True. And you’d be missing out on one of your firsts if you didn’t accompany me this evening.”
My mouth dropped.What was he talking about? Was he implying that…He watched me, amused as confusion flickered over my face.
“I’m not sure what you’re suggesting Mr. McLean, but—”
“I can assure you, you’ve never tasted steak like mine.”
My breath hitched.
“Pure, 100% grass fed beef. It’s from a farm a few towns over.” His dimples popped up again and I let out the breath I had been holding. He was always joking, always toying with me. It was really starting to drive me crazy.
“I see.”
“Have I convinced you or do I need to keep begging?” he asked.
“Oh, is this you begging?”
“You haven’t seen me beg yet, baby.”
My breath caught and my throat bobbed, sending me into a coughing fit. Brenton just laughed, a look of triumph crossing his face.
“Are you going to leave here without a yes?” I finally mustered out between coughs.
“Nope.”
I tried to think of another clever response, but I was helpless.
“Then fine.” My voice was raw and coarse.
He smiled and my breath was gone again. His teeth were white and perfect and his lips were mesmerizing. I watched as he ran his tongue over them and my head fell to the side. He laughed and I straightened out.Shit, did he notice that?
“Great see you then Miss…”
“Washington.”
“Washington? As in—”
“Ah ah ah. Questions at dinner.” I stopped him before I had to discuss my family any further and ushered him back out my front door. Brenton looked entertained, like he was watching a comedy unfold before him.
“See you this evening, Helen. Say, 7?” he asked with a smile. I nodded and shut the door.
After Brenton left, I recollected myself. I had been nervously fiddling my fingers for our entire conversation and hoped he hadn’t noticed. I couldn’t place what it was about him that made me so unnerved. His confidence and his sheer size definitely had something to do with it. That and the fact that I was horny as hell and hadn’t been with a man in far too long. There was something sexy about how he towered over me and made his presence known, but also came off as a bit of a recluse, someone who preferred nature to people. I never understood people like that. I much preferred human interaction and A/C.
I checked the clock to find I had just three hours to get ready and cried out as I looked in the mirror. I was an absolute mess. My hair was tangled and my face was makeup-less. I rushed upstairs and plugged my curling iron in. I poured the contents of my makeup bag onto the tiny amount of counter space Dudley’s master bathroom offered me. As my wand heated up, I applied waterproof foundation and mascara. I considered eyeliner, but it was dinner by a pool. I figured the look could be a bit more casual. I spent the next half hour perfecting my curls. My red hair framed my face beautifully when I was finished. It felt good to pamper myself, made me feel more like me.
Next, I went to Dudley’s all-too-small closet that currently housed a few of my dresses. My clothes were practically bursting from the dresser drawers already and I had been extremely disappointed to find that Dudley only had a sum total of 6 hangers. I picked out a yellow sundress with a white flower print and went back to the bathroom to complete the look.
I walked to the only full length mirror in the house, in an upstairs bedroom, and smiled at my reflection. I looked good. Even though the rude mountain man, who I’d guessed hadn’t trimmed his beard in at least two months, probably wouldn’t even notice, I liked getting dressed up for myself. Plus, the man was probably too self-absorbed to notice me; the good looking ones usually are.
I spent my remaining hour cleaning up some of the rooms I’d be spending most of my two weeks in. Dudley had a home office where I set up my remote work supplies and I did a sweep of the kitchen so that it would be fresh for me to bake in as I wished. It was five to seven when I stepped into my beige wedges and headed out.
I was to meet Brenton in his backyard by the pool, so I left through the gate in Dudley’s backyard. I supposed I should start calling it my backyard along with my home, but none of it felt like mine yet. The yard was a bit hilly as I made my way to the gate and my ankle kept giving out when I stepped my wedge onto an uneven surface. Within seconds, I had grown frustrated and kicked my shoes off. I held them in my fingers and walked the rest of the short distance barefoot.
The walk took only a couple minutes and would have taken less had I been wearing proper shoes. Brenton’s land engulfed Dudley’s. It was actually quite peculiar. The winding drive to Dudley’s went around and practically through land that I could only assume was Brenton’s, considering it housed a plethora of apple trees. Dudley’s backyard was nestled tightly among the trees, surrounded on all three sides by apples. I would have to ask Brenton about the weird property lines.
I found my way to the pool, tucked among trees just as Brenton had said. I hadn’t noticed it when I was surveying his land from my deck before because it was hidden among the leaves. It was almost entirely shaded, which was probably on purpose due to the California heat. Beautiful gray stone formed a patio that led to the pool. It was an infinity pool, making it look as if the water was overflowing into the trees. Next to it sat an above ground hot tub. Baskets of apples, both ripe and not, were scattered around the patio.Jesus, I wasn’t wrong: he really had a thing for apples.
