“Sure, maybe I can teach you something new.”
“Well, I'm a fast learner. I did just graduate from college.”
His eyes widen as his brows arch high. “Wow, that's great. Congrats. What'd you study?”
“Sustainable agriculture.”
He peers at me for a long second, his eyes squinting slightly. “And that is. . .”
“To put it simply, it's farming. The science of crops and soil cultivation and managing it all with dwindling resources and a changing climate. It's also protecting natural resources, stuff like that.”
“So, let me make sure I understand this, you're going to play with dirt?” he asks, his eyes veering playfully.
“What can I say? I like getting dirty.” Smiling back, I flash my teeth and wink.
I'm hoping and praying that my mom is watching right now. I want her to freak out a bit, maybe go a little crazy, let her see me flirting with this man. She deserves a little scare for what she and my father are doing. I can only imagine her running to her phone, dialing my dad, and giving him a panicked call.
“Me too,” he says, looking down at himself. “If you can't tell.”
“Why do you think I came over in the first place?” I tilt my head as I twist my toe into the dirt.
He's not going to let this go much further. My father hired him for a job, anymore of this and he risks losing it. But a little bit of teasing and friendly flirting isn't going to hurt anyone.
It's obvious that this is only going to go as far as this fence. This man isn't stupid enough to get sidetracked by me and destroy his career. You don't mess with a lawyer's daughter and think you'll walk away unharmed.
Besides, my goal isn't to get him in trouble, it's just to rile my parents a little, forcing them to hear me out. I'll promise not to flirt with him anymore if they don't make me work for my father.
His eyes run up and down my body as his smile thickens. “I just thought it was because you were curious, but if it's to get dirty, I can make that happen.” He winks back at me, running the very tip of his tongue across his bottom lip slowly and sensually.
My stomach tightens and my pulse quickens as his eyes drift around my face, pausing on my lips, then moving down my body. His eyes penetrate me to the core, making my thighs clench and my pussy wet.
Pursing my lips, I give in. I let myself continue this little game we seem to be playing. “Oh really?” I ask, my lids lowering seductively. “And how are you going to do that?”
He holds out the hammer, jerking his head for me to come closer. “Come over here and I'll show you.” My smile thins as I move to stand in front of him. I reach out to take the hammer, but he quickly pulls it away. “I didn't catch your name.” he says.
“I never gave it, but it's Millie. You?”
“Hardin.” He holds out the hammer again, this time letting me take it. “Have you ever used one of these before?”
“Not one this big.” The hammer is heavier than I expected, dragging my arms down instantly. Re-positioning my hands around the neck, I hold it tight, trying to keep it up high.
Hardin grins as he strokes his jaw. “Not one that big, huh?” He chuckles softly, and then it hits me why he's laughing.
Dick joke.
“Oh, I know how to handle a big hammer,” I say with confidence.
His smile widens as his thumb bounces across his bottom lip. “Well then, show me what you got.” He takes a step back, crossing his hard muscular arms over his chest. Hardin straightens his back, his eyes steadying on me.
I look around, finding a loose stake in the grass. Picking it up, the wood post comes up to my waist. I hold it at the top, attempting to lift the hammer up over my head.
“Hold on, let me help a little so you don't hurt yourself.” Hardin takes a long step over the spray painted outline and steps up behind me. He wraps strong arms around my body, his entire presence wrapping me like a warm blanket.
His chest presses against my back. I feel him breathe in, bringing him even closer. He's so close, my eyes dart to the house, expecting to see my mother's scowling face in the window, but she's not there.
“First, grab the hammer with both hands.”
“But the stake—”
“Don't worry about the stake.” I release the wood post and let it fall to the ground. “Now, take the hammer in both hands. Have you ever held an ax?”
“No, actually.”
“All right,” he says, placing his hands on mine. His touch sizzles on my skin as he moves my hands on the handle. His thick fingers curl over mine, and his chest presses even tighter against my back as he leans his face over my shoulder.