Through the door she heard the doorbell ring, followed by Bo’s bark. “Shoot, what time is it?” She’d left her watch on the nightstand.
“A few minutes before nine.”
Already? She’d known it was getting close, but she thought she had a little more time. “Can you get the door for me?”
“I’m on it.”
“Tell him I’ll be right down,” she said, although she wasn’t sure if Kristen heard.
In the past, she’d mentally roll her eyes when she saw women at the beach or pool wearing makeup. This morning she joined their ranks and applied both foundation and lip gloss. Half the fun of visiting the beach was swimming, and she intended on doing some today. Since she’d prefer to not resemble a raccoon at any point during the day, she skipped the mascara and eye shadow.
“Don’t ramble today,” she said to the reflection in the mirror. “And avoid staring at his lips.”
More than once she’d caught herself doing that very thing while he spoke. Considering the man had a gorgeous mouth, it was hard to keep from staring. The final time she’d done it in the parking garage, she’d almost kissed him. She’d stopped herself in the nick of time. Well, more or less stopped. Most would consider the peck on the cheek she’d given him a kiss, but at least it wasn’t the type of kiss she’d given him later in her dream. Kissing wasn’t all they’d done in her dream either. She couldn’t remember ever having such an erotic dream in her life. Just thinking about it now made her face warm.
She found Kristen and Brett in the living room chatting away like long-lost siblings. No matter the person or situation, Kristen could carry on a conversation with them. Since her sister worked in sales, it came in handy. Despite whatever conversation they were having, Brett stood when she entered the room.
“Sorry, I’m running a little behind this morning,” she said.
Unlike when he greeted her Tuesday night, this morning he gave her a brief hug and a brotherly kiss on the cheek, causing her heart to jerk wildly in her chest.
“I’m in no rush. Take your time,” he said.
Behind him, Kristen gave her a thumbs-up before petting Bo, who had jumped on the sofa near her.
“I’m all set.” She glanced back at her sister. “Bo’s leash is in the kitchen.” With no idea how late she’d be back, she’d asked Kristen to take the dog for the night.
Considering whom the man called family, she expected an Italian sports car worth more than her house to be in the driveway. Instead, a jet-black Corvette was parked behind her sister’s new minivan.
Before she could do it, Brett opened the passenger door. “If you give me your bag, I’ll throw it in the trunk with mine.”
“This car has a trunk?” Corvettes always caught her eye on the road and in parking lots. Although gorgeous vehicles, she assumed they didn’t provide their owners with much empty space.
He nodded and held out his hand. “It’s not big, but it’ll hold what we need today.”
Brett waited until she sat before he closed the door. In the side mirror she watched him walk to the back of the car. Tuesday night he’d worn khakis and a polo-style shirt. She thought he’d looked good then. Somehow today, dressed in cargo shorts that hugged his ass and a plain gray T-shirt, he looked even better. Images from her erotic dream surfaced and heat washed over her.
No, no, no. She squeezed her eyes closed. Carrying on a conversation would be impossible if she kept envisioning the man naked and making love to her.
Warmer air filled the car, and she opened her eyes as Brett got behind the wheel.
“Did that tree come down during the storm last weekend?” Brett turned the key and the powerful car roared to life.
Jen looked in the direction of where her new shed had been. Now the tall oak tree, which had come down during the storm with enough force to rip the roots from the ground, was on top of it.
“
Yeah, but better my shed than the garage or house. I have a tree company coming this week to take care of it.” If the tree had landed on her garage, it would’ve damaged her new Mustang. She’d lusted after one for years, and after getting her promotion, she’d traded in her Mazda and bought one. She hated the monthly car payments but loved the car.
Brett shifted into reverse and backed into the street. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve brought my chainsaw today and taken care of it for you.”
She watched him shift into first gear, and itched to ask him for a chance to drive. Unlike a lot of people, she drove a standard. Dad had made sure he taught all his children how, and although her previous car had been an automatic, when she bought her new one, she’d made sure to get a standard. While shifting during rush traffic was a pain, she found driving a standard to be a lot more fun, especially on deserted side roads. And she knew driving this car would be an absolute blast.
She tore her eyes away from his hand as images from the recent dream he’d starred in resurfaced. “You own a chainsaw?” Dad owned every power tool imaginable, including a drill press, and even he didn’t own a chainsaw.
He nodded. “I didn’t lose any trees but a lot of large limbs came down during the storm. I bought one to take care of them. Spent a few hours Thursday cutting them up. I found it oddly satisfying, and now I’ve got some firewood for the winter.”
“Next time I’m in the need of tree work, I’ll call you.”