"Ew," she groaned. "I'm going to be covered in slobber. Make it stop."
"Rory," I whistled. "Come on, let her up."
I grinned as Rory backed away from her and climbed up my leg. I rubbed his head and pulled a treat off the top of the fridge before I tossed it at him. Rory snatched it out of the air and ate it in two seconds while Joanne stood herself up.
"There's a bathroom down the hall," I said with a grin on my face.
Joanne narrowed her eyes. "Not funny."
"Then why are you trying so hard not to smile?"
I watched her flip me off as she walked away and I chuckled under my breath. My eyes stayed glued to her frame as she strolled down the hallway.
Once she was out of sight, I sucked in a deep breath.
Friends don't stare at friend’s asses.
I quickly headed into the kitchen. Rory had his nose in the grocery bags and I knew that if I didn't move fast he'd steal something and be gone with it in an instant. I washed my hands after and started making dinner for us.
Joanne came back out and looked refreshed. Water droplets clung to her skin and rolled down the middle of her chest and into her shirt. My eyes watched each drop as they disappeared until I coughed and made myself look anywhere but at her breasts.
"Your place is amazing," Joanne said as she sat down and broke the quiet spell.
"Thanks. I've been working on it bit by bit but it's still a work in progress."
"Work in progress? This is breathtaking."
I glanced around my house. I guess it wasn't so bad. The house was simple on the outside, made of brick and the hunter green trim surrounding the windows and doors. It was only one storey, but I hadn't wanted a big house. I wanted something small that I could enjoy for myself. Nothing to show off to other people. I didn't care about having a huge home, just something warm, comfortable and cozy.
The inside had been done nicely with wood floors and warm colors. Even my kitchen was pretty big with a breakfast nook that looked out over my land. I loved my house. It was perfect for me.
"How's your place back in Vegas?" I asked as I unwrapped a package of steak and laid it on a cutting board.
"Tiny," she laughed. "Expensive too. I got it because I wanted to be as close to work as possible, but sometimes it's a little too much. I don't mind it though. I mean it's my sanctuary."
I started seasoning the steaks and she walked over and leaned on the counter. I watched the way her red hair clung to her neck and I wanted to brush it off. Instead, I focused my hands on the food that I needed to prepare and tried not to stare at her.
It's hard not to.
We'd always had so much in common and I had a crush on her since we were just wild kids.
How come we never got together?
I couldn't understand that. We would have made a good couple. We probably still would.
I laughed to myself and watched as she peered at me curiously. I only shrugged and continued to work. Why am I thinking about a relationship? I hadn't been with anyone in ages, it wasn't my style. Mostly my nights included meeting someone, hanging out and watching them disappear by the time the morning rolled around. That was about as much of a relationship as I wanted to have.
"What are you making?" Joanne asked.
"Steak, potatoes, and veggies. You didn't go vegan or anything did you?"
Joanne laughed. "Me? Please. My favorite thing in the world is still a good burger and steak." She touched her stomach. "I can't wait to eat. Oh, do you have a phone charger?"
I nodded my head toward the living room. "There should be a couple in there plugged up. Go ahead and snag one."
She patted my back and I came to life under her touch. Heat spread over my skin and I locked eyes with her. I watched her chest as she drew in air, but her lips parted and they begged to be kissed. Before either of us could act on our instincts she quickly smiled, took her hand away from my body and walked into the living room.
My breathing started back up and I sighed.