AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What about your dad’s business?Did that happen organically?”
He rolled his shoulders as he took the exit.“At first, yeah.Someone had to take over, at least temporarily, and I knew some carpentry, because Dad had taught me the ropes when I was younger.Every damn summer break from when I was twelve, I worked with him.Back before I got a wild hair ‘bout escaping Redwing Falls an’ seein’ the world,” he chuckled.“And the damn thing about it was, Ihatedhelpin’ him out over summers as kid, but then, during downtimes on deployments, what did I do besides read?Carve stuff.Funny how that works out.”
He shook his head, smiling, before he continued.
“It was a steep learnin’ curve, though.But I found that I liked it, much more’n I expected.Much to my dad’s amusement.I like making things with my hands, producing somethin’ that makes someone happy.”
“You and me both.You’re clearly extremely good at it, according to Tori in the diner, anyway.”
He ducked his head, but I saw his mouth tip up.
He was adorable.
“You want a ride tomorrow?If you’re plannin’ on deliverin’ your aunt some books and such.”
Realization dawned.“Oh, God.Will you have time?How will you fit it in with work?”
“I do have some estimates to work up with my dad tomorrow, but if you need me, I can make it happen.”
I chewed this over, my heart warmed by his offer.“I have to run the bakery full time with Aunt Laurie out of commission.I was going to chat to Jenny first thing, to see if she wants some hours.She can bake like a dream and she seems like a fast learner.Would your parents have Toby, do you think?”
“I’m sure they would, in the short term.They’d be pooped.”He smiled as he made the turn into his street.“But I think they would.Especially as it’d help the community out.Also, they adore Toby, so it wouldn’t be a hardship that way.”
The sun had almost fully set by now, and the houses looked pretty in the twilight.Rick shut off the engine and walked around to open the truck side door for me.
“I’ll walk you to the door.”
“I am stayingliterallynext door.”
“Even so.”
I told myself not to get used to this as he walked me across the front lawns and to the door of Jess’ house.When I got to the porch, I looked up, and our eyes met.He cupped my cheek with one big hand.
I leaned into his palm.
I desperately wanted to ask him to come in, to throw all caution to the wind, with my arms around his neck and kiss him until I forgot my own name, forgot that my time here with him had an expiry date.
His gaze flicked to mine, a question in his eyes.I threaded my fingers into the soft hair at the nape of his neck and tugged his face closer, answering him without words.
It was time.I was ready to kiss him, and I wanted itsobadly.
A shiver rippled through me at the first touch of his lips on mine.His kiss was gentle, exploring, soft.After a few moments, I opened for him and heard his sharp intake of breath.Our tongues tangled.He kissed like a dream.Not too wet, not too possessive; gentle with a fiery lick of need.
I stepped back, my shoulders coming into contact with the door, and Rick slowly pushed forward, crowding me in.I welcomed the press of his big body, sliding my hand under his shirt to meet warm, smooth skin.Tilting my chin up gently to get a better angle, he groaned softly into my mouth.The sound made a beeline to my lower body, pulling everything tight.His other hand settled at the small of my back, settling me closer to him.
As if I wasn’t already in thrall to this wonderful man.
Almost unconsciously, I moved against him, feeling the hard ridge of him almost right where I needed it.
I sighed his name, and he muttered a quiet“fuck.”
“Bit soon for that,” I joked, softly, with a touch of regret.
He huffed out a soft laugh.“I’m not after that, Maddie.Well, not now, but it’s sure hard to say good night when you’re near me like this.All soft’n warm and kissable.”
I groaned.“You’re not making it easy for me to go inside alone.”
He smiled, pressed a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.“I’ll see you tomorrow.At the game.All right?”
