“Hey,” I call out as she starts to head back the way she came. “You’re sexy as hell when you’re grumpy.”
She gives me a look then leaves.
I finish dressing, pour my coffee into a travel mug, then pick up my Stetson. I’m looking forward to the moment when it’ll be just the two of us and I lay claim to her sweet curves. I can’t wait to be balls deep in that woman.
That thought makes my day suddenly get a lot better. Whistling, I head out to get started on the chores.
Chapter 6
Melody
I left the cupcakes at the ranch and had to turn around to go get them. Thankfully, I hadn’t driven too far before I realized that. I rush into the house and scoop up the containers, then start back toward town again.
The kids are quiet in the backseat as they listen to a kids’ program on the radio. I tune it out and unfortunately, that lets my thoughts drift back to the cowboy I don’t want to think about.
I had managed to put up a good front by telling him my heart is out of bounds. Truthfully, I’m scared shitless. Because each second spent in Jonas’s company, I can tell he’s not as bad as I thought he was. And that’s not good for me. Because I don’t want to get fooled again.
Before the last blind date, the one from hell, I didn’t walk on eggshells at the idea of getting into a relationship. Of possibly giving my heart away.
That blind date guy tried his best to sweep me off my feet. By our fourth date, I was starting to lower my guard thinking maybe I’d found a guy who thought I was interesting and cute. I’d thought he’d really liked me.
Then I’d overheard him talking to his friend that he was only dating me because of my family’s wealth and the fact my grandfather is a judge. He’d said it would help his law career and he wouldn’t have to work so hard to be successful if he married into connections.
His friend had asked, “Are you sure she’d be willing to marry you?”
“Her pathetic fat ass is grateful for any crumb of attention she gets.”
“You never know. You might end up falling for her,” his friend had jeered.
Blind date asshole had laughed. “Melody’s not the kind of woman a man falls in love with or stays with. She’s just a temporary plan.”
“Aunt Melody! You passed the school,” Kaden says.
I snap back to the present. “Sorry, honey.” I relax my strangulation hold on the steering wheel and turn the car around.
I drop off the kids then drive to the flower shop. It doesn’t take a therapist to tell me that I have “unresolved issues” when it comes to relationships. I know that’s why I refuse to think about having anything but sex with Jonas.
If I’m going to be a temporary plan, it’ll be a plan I make. I’ll be the one who does the walking away instead of getting my heart walked on. As soon as I have hot and wild sex with him a time or two. Or three, then I’ll be done. We’ll each go back to our separate lives with hearts intact.
Feeling better and more settled now that I’ve reaffirmed my goal, I begin rehydrating the flowers that need it. A couple of hours go by while I wait on customers in between starting inventory. Taking inventory is my least favorite part of this business.
My phone rings while I’m in the middle of searching for a missing box of floral tape and wire and when I see Jonas’s name on the screen I immediately answer, my heart racing. What if he got injured working on the roof?
“I’m on my way to the school,” he announces.
I glance at the tulip-shaped clock on the wall. “They don’t get out for a while yet. What’s wrong? Is one of them sick?”
“No. Apparently Marianna cut her hair with scissors and she’s upset.”
Been there, done that. “Pick me up. I’ll go with you.” I work until Jonas arrives, then lock up and hop into the truck beside him.
He looks concerned. “Her teacher called again a few minutes ago and said she’s crying hysterically now.”
“Poor Marianna.”
We meet the teacher at the school, and she leads us toward an office where Marianna’s sobs carry through the closed door.
Jonas rushes in and scoops her up. “I’m here.”
