“You can,” I countered. “I’m a professional at staying up too late and staring at a computer screen until my brain leaks out of my ears. Besides, I don’t have to wake up early and run into burning buildings, so . . .”
“But—”
“No buts.” I pushed the chair he was sitting in, turning it toward me and away from the computer. “I told you I wanted to help today. C’mon. Get up.”
He didn’t move at first. Just stared at me, the muscle in his jaw ticking, the shadows under his eyes darker than usual. Then he finally stood—and I realized too late that I’d trapped myself between him and the corner of the L-shaped desk.
The edge of the wood pressed into my ass, grounding me in a moment that suddenly felt like standing on a live wire. He stoodand towered over me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his skin, smell the faint mix of smoke and pine that clung to his tight undershirt.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. His gaze flicked down to my mouth, then back to my eyes. My pulse jumped.
If I leaned forward, I could kiss him. If I was reckless enough, I would.
But before I could even inhale, he shifted sideways, brushing against my chest as he passed. My nipples pebbled. The brief slide of his body against mine sent a spark through me so sharp, I almost forgot to breathe. Thankfully, I was wearing his thick shirt to hide it.
I cleared my throat as I sank into the chair. “Go,” I said, pretending to focus on the computer. “Before I change my mind.”
He hesitated then tossed the keys onto the desk, the metal clinking against the wood. “Do you know how to drive a side by side?”
“I’m sure I can figure it out.” I tried to sound casual, even though my pulse still hadn’t calmed down.
“Alright,” he murmured, tugging on his jacket. “Take the main road around to the long driveway. Don’t go through the woods. I don’t want you getting lost on the property.”
I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my mouth. “Yes, sir.”
He stilled mid-step. The air went tight again, like the world was waiting to see what he’d do with that. Then he exhaled, low and rough, and kept walking out of the door, away from me, leaving the scent of smoke and tension hanging in the air.
A few hours later, the whole office was spotless, all the folders and paperwork organized on the shelves alphabetically. All the voicemails and emails had been looked over or listened to. And now I knew why Lachlan was working himself to the bone to keep this place open. Last year had been bad. He’d ended uphaving to sell all of his farm animals just to pay the taxes on the land, on top of falling behind on bills. I had seen some stacked up at his house, but after going through all the paperwork and emails, it was a lot worse than Lachlan had made it seem. He was struggling to keep this place running. I started brainstorming on how I could help him, as working together would look good with the cops watching us.
I yawned, looking at the clock. It was past midnight now. Definitely time to head back. I called for Tony and we walked out of the front. There was only one other key on the keychain, so it made it easy for me to lock up the place. Tony loaded up in the passenger seat as I started the side by side and blew warm air into my cold hands. I hoped Lachlan had made it okay. Wait, why did I care about a man who’d kidnapped me and gotten me into this mess? I guessed because he was also the one saving my ass. He was my alibi, after all.
I listened to Lachlan and took the main road around to the driveway and then drove up and parked. I quietly climbed the steps on the porch before slowly opening the front door. Lachlan was on the couch, his breaths long and even with sleep. The man hadn’t even made it to his bedroom. He still had his boots on for crying out loud. I tapped my leg for Tony to follow me to the guest room, but he just hopped on the couch with Lachlan, curling around and laying his head on Lachlan's lap.Traitor.
I quickly went to my bedroom, grabbed some clothes, and then went to Lachlan’s room and took the longest shower of my life, desperately ignoring the throb that had started between my legs from thinking about how good Lachlan had looked today while tending to the trees, the scent of his shirt when he’d given it to me, the feel of his hard chest rubbing against mine. Fuck. I was a grown woman. These needs were normal and totally not because I was living with a grumpy lumbersnack with murderous eyes and way too many muscles. How long had it been since I’dgotten laid? Maybe I needed to remedy that, sooner rather than later, because this thing with Lachlan was just pretend. I needed to remember that. But we were both adults. Would two consenting adults agreeing to no-strings-attached sex be all that bad? I was sure it would help with all the tension that came with the predicament we had found ourselves in.
I snaked my hand down my body and started touching myself at the thoughts of him. Regardless of this all being pretend, a girl could dream . . . . The stroking started slow, but as the pressure bubbled up inside me, I brought my other hand up to pinch my nipples and knead my breasts. I knew the thoughts I had about Lachlan would never be my reality, but I couldn’t stop myself from picturing his calloused hands in place of mine, the way his stubble would feel between my thighs, and knowing he was asleep in the other room made this all the dirtier. Maybe that was why I had left the bedroom door open and the bathroom door cracked with the hope he’d come in here and say fuck it and have his way with me.
I had to stifle a moan as I came so hard, I saw stars, thinking about the man I shouldn’t be.
Chapter 10
Lachlan
Iwas fucked in the head because when I noticed the door was open to my room and the shower was running, I should have closed it. Simple as that. But instead, I slipped my boots off and got up off the couch.
The living room was dim, lit only by the stove light in the kitchen, casting shifting shadows across the floor. I moved carefully. I knew this house like the back of my hand. I’d memorized exactly which boards would creak under pressure. I stepped around them instinctively as I crept forward.
I was sneaking through my own damn house like a burglar. I stopped just outside the bedroom and leaned in slowly, just enough to see into the bathroom.
Logan was in there, back to me, peeling her shirt off like she didn’t have a care in the world. My cock hardened as her shoulder blades shifted under the smooth expanse of her skin. Her red locks fell down her back as she tossed the shirt to the floor. It was late, and I was sure she was tired. Maybe I shouldhave gone through all the emails and calls tonight instead of leaving it to her, but she had insisted and I had been so damn exhausted.
She continued, unaware that I was watching. The little voice inside my head was screaming now, telling me to turn the fuck around. That this wasn’t right. That I was already past the line. That she’d just been careless when she’d left the door open . . . but I ignored it.
My cock was rock hard in my pants the moment she started to take off her bra, her back still turned toward me. She moved slowly, probably trying to be as quiet as possible, but her methodical movements only made this that much fucking hotter. On top of knowing that she was entirely unaware that I was standing just beyond this door. My cock was leaking at the thought and she wasn’t even fully naked yet.
Her bra fell away and I got the glimpse of her side boob and perky nipple, desperate to have my mouth on them. The curve of her wide hips as her red, wavy hair fell loosely down her spine had my gaze falling straight down to her round ass the same moment she bent over, pulling her pants and rosy panties down all at once. Leaving me to admire her bare ass and pretty pink pussy on perfect display for me as she got her ankles free of her jeans. My breathing went ragged as I imagined wrapping her red curls in my fist and bending her over the counter to fill her with my cock.
This woman had me wanting her like a fish needed water from the moment she’d moved into my house—like I couldn’t breathe right when she was too far away. And yet here I was, getting glimpses of her through the crooked view of a half-opened doorway in my bathroom mirror. I didn’t have the right, but I’d never wanted more of something in all my life. Maybe If I just had her once, I could get her out of my system?
