The first house is just to the right, but I can see more as the road winds back toward the forest. I decide to park next to the first one. If this isn’t right, then I can always ask for directions.
I check my make up in the rearview mirror one last time before I climb out of my car and head up the front porch steps.
The house is actually really pretty. It’s a two story with a wrap around porch and another balcony on the second level. I bet the views are gorgeous from up there, especially watching the sunset. The land is incredible, and I can just imagine sitting on the balcony, wrapped up in fuzzy blanket, watching the sun melt into the rolling hills.
Too bad I’m here to beg for a job instead of watching the sunset. It’s a nice thought, though.
I ring the doorbell and try to give myself a pep talk as I wait for someone to answer.
You can do this. You practiced the interview questions. Just be respectful and calm.
I ignore my mother’s negative, needling voice telling me I’m no good, and focus instead on everything I bring to the table. I’m attentive, detail-oriented, and can anticipate needs. I’m a quick learner and I can adapt to any situation.
The door opens, and I blink my eyes open only to groan. Any situation but this one.
“You,” I snarl, my eyes narrowing as I clench my jaw. Griz’s blue eyes light up, and that easy grin stretches across his handsome features.
“Me,” he agrees with a chuckle. The sound travels through me, making my lower belly tighten. Damn him.
Griz is wearing a pair of dark brown jeans that mold to his legs perfectly. A plain white t-shirt streaked with dirt stretches over his chest, letting me appreciate his sculpted pecs and round shoulders. I bet he could bench press me, which is saying something. I’ve always been on the bigger side, even more so after a few months of stress eating.
Don’t think about how good he looks, I warn myself.Don’t think about his hands on your body, or what it would feel like to be pressed up against those hard, packed muscles.
“The job is with you?” I clarify, hoping this is some cruel joke. Griz nods. “Did you know last night?”
“No,” he’s quick to answer. “My brother, Kai, is hiring too. I think a few of my brothers are hiring, actually. You could have been interviewing with any one of my other brothers. I was hoping it was me though,” he admits with a sheepish grin. Oh lord, is he blushing? The six and a half foot tall man dips his head down, running a hand over the back of his neck. Why does he have to be adorable on top of being the sexiest man to ever walk the face of the earth?
“Great,” I mumble, making Griz laugh.
The sound is deep and somehow calming, despite my nerves and frustration.
“Come in, darlin’,” he says, giving me another smile. This one is different than the charming grin he flashed at me earlier, or the cocky smirk he gave me last night. There’s something softer in his eyes.
Still, this is all too much. I debate just turning and leaving right now. I mean, there’s no way that he hires me, right? And if he does, I can’t imagine that working for him will be a lot of fun. I slapped him, for goodness’ sake! Plus, do I really want to work for a playboy who hit on me within the first five minutes of meeting me?
Suddenly a summer in Fallen Peak is sounding better and better.
Griz is already turned and walking down the hall, so I take a deep breath and follow him inside. I definitely don’t look at his ass or appreciate the way his jeans cling to his sculpted thighs.
The inside of the house is just as nice as the outside. There are so many windows, letting in the natural light and letting you see the green fields dotted with horses. It’s truly not fair that Griz won the looks lotteryandthe dream house lottery.
He leads me into the kitchen and heads over to a coffee machine.
“Want a cup?” he asks as he fills up his own cup.
“No, that’s alright.”
“Have a seat,” he says as he walks over to the big kitchen table by the window.
I sit down on one side and he takes the chair across from me.
“I knew you couldn’t resist me,” he says with a wide smirk. I want to smack him all over again, but I manage to restrain myself. I didn’t realize I had such a violent streak, but this man seems to know how to push all of my buttons.
“It’s easier than you might think,” I deadpan, looking down at my nails as I feign indifference.
He chuckles again, the sound rich, deep, and soothing. Griz sips his coffee, studying me for a moment. I stare right back at him, not giving into the urge to crawl under the table and hide. Or worse, crawl into his lap and curl up against his broad chest. Something tells me he’d like it too much. Or maybeI’mthe one who would like it too much.
“Your resume looks good. What did you do at Sweetie Pies?” Griz asks.