His grin widens. “I don’t have to. I’ve got a shovel, charm, and barn cats on my side.”
I laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet space between us.
“Fair point.”
Sam leans a little on his shovel, casual, but his eyes are anything but.
“My turn,” he says. “Are you single, Charlie?”
Something flutters in my chest—light and sharp all at once.
“Yeah,” I say, holding his gaze. “Are you?”
“Very much so.”
Somehow we’ve drifted closer. Not enough to touch. Not quite. But every breath I take brings me closer to brushing his chest, and he doesn't move away.
“Good to know,” I murmur. “I’d hate to have to fight someone for you.”
He whistles low. “A woman after my heart.”
His voice is playful, but there’s heat behind it. Weight. A slow burn I feel all the way down. We’re close now. So close. When I exhale, my chest brushes his. His gaze drops to my mouth, just briefly.
“Next question,” I say, my tone feather-light, but we both feel the shift.
His brows lift slightly, intrigued. “Hit me.”
“When’s the last time you had sex?”
That gets him. His eyebrows shoot up like I’ve tossed cold water straight down his shirt. But the corner of his mouth curves, slowly.
“With myself or someone else?” he counters, his voice going rough.
“Both,” I say, not flinching.
His eyes darken. His head dips just a little closer, and his voice turns to gravel. “Been a while since I’ve been with a woman.”
I don’t speak, but something must show on my face because he keeps going.
“But myself?” His lips twitch. “This morning.”
Oh.
Heat curls deep in my belly, winding lower with every breath.
“In the cold shower?” I ask.
“In the cold shower,” he confirms.
There’s a tension between us so thick it’s almost physical,and the air feels electric like all it would take is one word, one touch, to tip everything over the edge.
He leans just the slightest bit closer. “Your turn, Charlie.”
My pulse drums in my neck. My fingers tighten around the rake I’m still holding because, if I don’t hold on to something, I might grab him instead.
I tilt my head, eyes locked with his. “Last night.”
His brows lift slightly. Not with judgment. Just interest.
