AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He tugs me closer, and leans the rest of the way, sealing our lips in a promise. When my rear hits the seat, he starts. “We talked about my brothers and your dad yesterday. Tell me about your yard. What’re your plans?”
Yard design is an easy subject to carry, pointing out the area I’ve completed, including the koi pond I started this afternoon. He listens intently, asking appropriate questions, letting me know he can see the same vision.
By the time I’ve finished explaining, my burger’s gone. “Ugh, I’m done. I can’t eat another bite.” I exclaim, shoving my plate away dramatically.
He chuckles but keeps eating his second. “I’m free the rest of the evening. When do you want to head to your dads?”
Hand on my stomach, waiting for it to explode, I respond sluggishly. “We can go now or later; dad doesn’t usually eat early.”
He licks his fingers. “Sounds good to me.” Then tosses the unfinished burger onto his plate. “I’m spent. Very good burgers, kitten.”
The nickname warms my cheeks in remembrance. The independent woman in me wants to reprimand him for giving me a pet name. But the wonton deviant that lives inside shivers instead, appreciating the endearment.
His smile stretches, purely mischievous. “You like that, don’t you?”
The same sass comes out to play. “Maybe…”
“You trying to seduce me, kitten?” I swear the question causes him to puff his chest. A peacock presenting its goods. And boy, does he have goods.
Again, “Maybe.” My wink is saucy as hell.
He swoops in, growling, and locks his lips to mine. “If you want to see your dad with freshly fucked hair, keep it up, Kitten. Keep it up.”
While I’m dazed, he stacks the plates and takes them to the kitchen. Once my racing heart is under control, I bring the last two plates with the condiments. He’s already putting a plate together to take to dads.
“Oh, thank you! Two burgers for him, too.”
Once the food’s packed, dishes in the sink, we plop the leftovers in the fridge. “We can leave the dishes. I’ll finish them later.”
He tilts his head disapprovingly, coming over and trapping me against the counter with his arms. My heart rate skyrockets, pounding like a drum against my chest. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you clean up after me? How about I wash, and you dry?” He leans in, weakening my knees with his proximity.
“Okay.” I mumble and swallow down my nervousness.
“Okay.” He trails one hand down my arm, as he leans in and kisses the top of my head, then turns and starts washing the dishes. For a moment, I’m dumbstruck until he bumps me with his elbow. “This is nice.”
“Yes, it is.” My breathing is regulating, calming down after the marathon.
“What would you like to do after we finish the dishes?” He concentrates on the cup he’s washing.
“Not sure. What do you want to do?” I ask, flashing a smile his way.
“You said you like to swim. I noticed there’re a few swimming holes in the river over by the highway.” He suggests.
“I’ll do you one better. There’s a place on the back side of the lake that has a nice swimming hole, and few people know it’s there. I found it hiking a few years ago.”
“Does this mean we’re hiking?”
“Yeah, but if you don’t—”
“I’d love to.” He’s cuts me off, wiping his hands off with the extra towel.
The hike itself is more of a walk, only a half mile around the lake’s edge, but the terrain is rough. I explain this to him and then realize he’s in nice clothes. “Do you have different shorts?”
“Yeah, I do. They’re in my car. I’ll get them when we’re done.” He cleans the countertop with one last swipe. “Why don’t you get your suit on, and I’ll drive us there.”
“Okay, be right back.” I hurried to my room, eager for us to spend more time together.
He calls after me. “Avery, I’m going to step out and grab my trunks.”
