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“You look to be in deep thought.” Her voice filters over the distant sound of the ocean, and the sawing on the back patio, soft and tranquil.
My eyes connect with hers and my heart rate kicks up a few hundred beats. Will I ever not feel something when I look at her? This gut-clenching desire that swirls in my belly and thunders through my veins like an approaching tornado?
Probably not.
“Sorry, I was,” I respond, glancing back out at the backyard.
“Problems?” she asks, coming to stand beside me.
Normally, I wouldn’t bother to discuss the issue with the homeowner. I’d tell the nursery to send the right shit, and that’s that. But something pulls deep inside me, begging to tell her all about my day. My soul calls to her, just as much as it did every day all those years ago, and I don’t know what to do with that.
I know I should excuse myself to deal with the shrubbery mess. I know I need a little distance between the sweet honeysuckle permeating from her skin and the salt in the air. I know I shouldn’t open my mouth and tell her all about my shit day, but even knowing all of that, it doesn’t stop my lips from moving before my brain has a chance to catch up.
“The wrong shrubs arrived today. I can’t use them for what I had planned around the patio.”
“Can you send them back?” she asks.
Nodding, I confirm. “Yeah, I can. They’re really nice bushes, but not what I envisioned in the space. Since they’re already dug up, they’ll have to try to sell them right away, but that’s not really my problem.” I shove my hands into the pockets of my blue jeans and gaze back out at the vast yard.
“Can you incorporate them somewhere else?” she asks, bringing a voice to what I’ve already wondered.
“I don’t know.”
I hear her walk off, but keep my gaze on the new seating area we’re building at the back of the property. The last thing I need is to have a problem with my dick perking up at the sight of her ass. It was hard enough (pun intended) after our phone call last night. So hard, in fact, it took two showers to relieve the ache I had in my balls. Just the thought of her in that damn bathtub was enough to send every ounce of blood I possess to one concentrated area.
Stepping toward the sitting area, my mind starts to picture the new space we’re creating. I want to give her privacy from those in the water, yet award her a great view of the ocean at the same time. Not as easily done as it is said, considering you can’t see through shrubbery.
Unless…
“What are you thinking?” she whispers, coming to stand beside me, the softness of her arm brushing against mine.
“What if we plant the bushes here,” I say, drawing an imaginary line with my hand that runs the complete northeast side of the new space. “It will create a wall, of sorts, between your property and the neighbors.” There’s already plenty of space between the Elliott mansion and the much smaller house to the north, but it would create a little more privacy when said neighbors come down to the beach.
“Keep talking,” she encourages.
“I’m thinking if we plant them along this property line, you’ll have a little privacy in your new seating area, while still giving you the unobstructed view of the ocean. We’ll keep those shorter shrubs over here,” I add, motioning to the place where the yard meets the beach. “This way, you can still watch the waves. Plus, I’m creating a walkway that’ll worm through this part here. I think it’ll be the perfect private oasis for you.”
Excitement courses through my blood as I take in the slightly altered picture I’ve created in my mind. Yes, I think this will work. Kate still gets the private area she was looking for, and I can use the plants the nursery accidentally delivered. It’s a win-win. Especially if I get the product at a considerable discount, which I’m sure I can arrange, considering they won’t have to try to sell them quickly on clearance.
“I love it.” Her words are a balm to the very pain I carry deep down in my soul.
Turning back to face her, a smile plays on her lips, matching the one on my own. “Okay, I’ll make the adjustments and call the nursery,” I tell her, reaching for my cell phone to let them know of the change in plans. I’ll still use the gorgeous flowering shrub they’ll deliver tomorrow, but I’ll be able to use the wrong ones too.
I glance around, the itch to dig tingling up my spine. Everyone is gone for the day, including the other contractors. “Would it be all right if I stayed a bit and got these in the ground?”
“Sure,” she replies with a shrug.
As soon as she gives me the okay to hang around and keep working, I head to my truck for a few tools. Tossing them in the bucket of my small tractor, I steer the machine to the backyard. I’m surprised when I come around the corner and find Kate there, carrying a folding chair. I stop the tractor and jump off, anxious to get these bushes in the ground.
When I glance her way, she gives me an unsure look. “Is it okay if I watch?”
My heart does a little gallop in my chest. She used to show up when I was working in high school and watch me mow. She always said it was relaxing, watching me do what I loved. My tongue is thick and I’m not sure if words will actually spill from my lips, so I just nod instead. Kate settles into the chair, looking around to make sure she’s not in the way. She is, but I’m not going to tell her that. I can maneuver around her and work from the opposite side. The good thing about this phase of the project is the canvas is clear and unobstructed for the most part.
I get to work, clearing a spot for my tools and readying the shrubs for planting. It doesn’t take me long to fall into my zone, all while keeping Kate in my peripheral vision. She doesn’t move much, just watches me work.
Since the ground is already prepped for planting, I have the eight new plants in the ground fairly quickly, even while working solo. As I start to fill in the holes around the roots, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Kate gets up and heads to the house, probably desperate for something to do other than watching me work. I’m sure she’s bored out of her mind.
As I head up to the house to grab the hose, I’m surprised when she returns to her chair, carrying two glasses of what looks like lemonade. When I place the water source at the line of new shrubs, she gets up and brings me a glass.
