I don’t half-ass anything, and I bake as well as I fuck…which is really damn well.
Javier is in the middle of selecting another cookie when the back door opens again. This time, it’s Knox.
His eyes land on Javier first and a look of frustration paints his features.
“Javi, the fuck are you doing? I need you to help me set this stone before the concrete dries, man. Get your ass out here.”
“Coming, boss. I’m just sampling the cookies Taylor made. Let me use the restroom and I’ll be right out,” he says around a mouthful of cookie as he backs away down the hall.
Knox swings his gaze to me, and I watch him fight the urge to lift the corners of his mouth as he takes in my outfit. “You wear that well,” he finally says.
“Careful, Knox. That sounds dangerously close to a compliment,” I tease, my heart pinching in sadness for the lonely man in front of me. I point toward the cookies. “Hungry?”
I’d have to be blind to miss the way his eyes flare at the word. His pupils dilate, taking over his colored irises, and when he takes a step forward, it looks like he’s finally going to give in.
But then a toilet flushes down the hall and snatches the moment away from us.
“I’m good, thanks.”
Knox turns and walks out the door.
In one interaction where we were never closer than five feet, this infuriating man managed to drive his hooks in even deeper, making me have to adjust my swelling dick as I imagine how his short beard would abrade my sensitive skin.
Coming back into the kitchen, Javi grabs another cookie and holds it up. “Thanks!” he says before rushing out the door.
When it’s lunchtime, I watch through the windows as Phillip and Javier talk to Knox. It looks like they’re urging him to come with them, but Knox shakes his head and waves them away while he continues to work out back.
Javier’s words replace Knox’s as they bounce around in my brain.He used to go out to lunch with us. Now he just scowls at us, does the job, and goes home to his empty house.
Still in my maid’s outfit, I carry two plates of chicken salad and fruit out back. I watch my step so as not to stand on any of the settling stones or anything with mushy concrete. It’s a bit of a dance, but I manage the route gracefully. The table and chairs are out by the pool, so that’s where I head now.
Knox looks up at the sound of my approach.
“Come eat,” I command, leaving no room for argument. “It’s too hot to work for ten hours with nothing but water in your stomach.”
I go back inside for the lemonade I’d poured and smile when I return to find that he listened to me. Knox is sitting at the table, waiting for me to take my seat before diving in. It’s hot as fuck out here, so I put the umbrella up to give us some shade. My skin can’t take the harsh UV rays. I’d thought about asking him to come inside and eat, but was afraid he might feel cornered and decided it was better if I went to him.
“Aren’t you hot as fuck in that thing?” he asks, not looking at me.
I chuckle. “It’s cooler than the jeans and T-shirt you’re wearing,” I point out. Sweat has darkened his shirt at the collar, the armpits, and just below his pecs. “You’re welcome to cool off in the pool if the heat becomes unbearable, though, just so you know.”
I’ll be damned…the man smiles. Well, half smiles, but there’s movement in his lips. It’s sexy as all fuck, and feels like a win.
“Sounds like you’re trying to get me to take my shirt off again.”
I shrug. “Wasn’t really trying to be discreet about it.” When he doesn’t respond, I look up to find him watching me thoughtfully, so many questions swirling in his eyes. “What do you want to know?” I prompt.
I expect his questions to be along the lines ofHow old were you when you knew you liked guys? Do you only like guys? How often do you get harassed? Why do you wear shit like that? Etc.
While I’m trying to decide if I should keep it light or dive a little deeper, my phone dings on the table.
“Excuse me a second,” I say, reaching for my phone. I snort when I open the message from my mother.
Mom
Hi, Bird. Could you ask the builder if it’s too late to add stone to the stairs like we’d talked about? I changed my mind. Love and hugs.
I handKnox my phone and let him read the message.
