I finished taping around the doorframe. “He’s picking up new windows.”
“I think that’s him now,” Kara said excitedly, her eyes lighting up as Brax backed into the driveway.
This would be really awkward. Last night he’d responded to my text with a brief, MY PLEASURE. That was it. I couldn’t read anything into that message, and I almost regretted sending one to him.
I just needed to act like nothing had happened, that we hadn’t kissed and I hadn’t practically begged for him to bone me…and everything would be perfect.
“So I suppose we should act like we’re actually doing something other than standing here ogling him when he walks in?” Kara picked up a roller and handed one to me. “Time for us to look busy.”
Brax knocked, and before I could move Kara was at the door, throwing it wide open. “Good morning!”
He had on dark jeans with a rip at one knee and a white t-shirt that you could see his ink through. “Good morning,” he replied, flashing dimples. He glanced at me. “You managed to talk a friend into helping. Well done!”
I grinned and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Is that a bruise on your jaw?” Kara asked.
He rubbed his jaw. “I ran into a door last night.”
She lifted a brow and glanced at me. I don’t think either one of us bought that story. Of course my mind immediately went to the worst possible scenario – that he rushed to his ex and she’d been so upset, she’d roughed him up.
Setting a paper bag of supplies on the floor, he headed for the door. “I’ll grab the windows and bring them in. Your brother should be by in an hour to help.”
“Tell me you’re not paying Toby,” Kara said, her eyes shifting to Brax’s tight ass.
Brax glanced back, and she lifted her gaze just in time. “I’m paying Toby.”
“Why do I suddenly feel screwed?” Kara’s tone was sarcastic and flirty. God, I’d kill for her confidence.
“Talk to the boss.” He nodded toward me. “She’s in charge of the budget. Maybe she can turn loose a few bucks to pay you.”
“Maybe with a hall pass,” I said under my breath, and her gaze snapped to me.
She actually blushed. A rarity, since I had never seen her embarrassed…ever.
He walked outside, and Kara turned to me with her brow lifted high. “Being that hot should seriously be illegal. Today is going to be an incredible day. Marcus better watch it because tonight he’s getting the special treatment.”
“The special treatment, huh?”
“Yep, better do some manscaping because I feel like going downtown,” she said, wiggling her brows. “I suppose I should be grateful he’s not hung like Mr. Hotpants there, but he’s plenty satisfying for me.”
For the next two hours, I got to hear the local gossip. I had painted the majority of the room, and although Kara did more talking than actual painting, I enjoyed having her around. Time seemed to fly by.
When Brax and Toby took off to get lunch, she turned to me. “So are you going to come clean about what really is happening between you two?”
“What do you mean?” Oh my God, was I that transparent?
“You two were practically eye fucking each other all morning. I’m a bit surprised your brother didn’t catch on. There were a few times when you were bending over to roll your paint in the pan where I thought Brax was going to put a nail through his thumb.”
Really? I hadn’t noticed he’d been checking me out. I’d been careful not to stare too hard at him. Sometimes I couldn’t help myself though and I’d chance a lingering glance. Eye fucking though? I didn’t think so.
“You have to spill the goods before I leave here. Seriously, I’m not leaving without a play-by-play.”
I hesitated. “Okay, maybe we had a moment when he took me for a ride on his Harley.”
“Wait, what? Why didn’t you tell me he took you on a motorcycle ride?” She set the roller down into the pan. “Seriously, you can’t withhold those kind of details. I’d tell you anything, you know that, right?” It had been a long time since Kara and I had been the best of friends, where we could talk about anyone and anything. I wanted to trust her, but I was afraid to say too much to her about Brax. I knew how small towns worked, and especially hearing that Brax was a hard guy to tie down—the last thing I wanted was word getting out to anyone that we were seeing each other, dating…or whatever it was we would be doing.