Maybe he was right. Maybe I haven’t been having enough fun, and it’s about time I start.
THIRTY
Hale
When she fell, I thought I’d seriously fucked up. I’ve never seen Kady looking anything less than impeccable—perfectly pressed clothes, like she walked straight off a magazine cover. Seeing her sitting in a pile of dirt, mud splattered over her face, could have spelled out disaster, but how she laughed, and that snort? So freaking adorable.
A warm fuzziness spreads through my chest as we reach my parents’ vacation cottage. It’s been a great source of passive income, and it helps to keep Mom busy. Caring for my dad is a full-time job, and now that they can’t travel as often as they used to, the influx of guests has helped keep her entertained.
A flush creeps up Kady’s cheeks as she catches her breath at the cottage door.
“I told you farm life could be fun.” I rummage around under a potted plant for the spare key.
It’s the first time I’ve ever brought a girl to my home, excluding the ‘girlfriend’ I had in middle school, who I’m pretty sure was only dating me to get a free ticket on the hayride.
“This place is adorable.” Her eyes flit around, taking in my special place. This is where I feel most comfortable. Surroundedby nature. The animals. My family. The only thing I’ve been missing is Kady. And she’s right here.
Unlocking the door, I motion for her to enter. “Sorry.” I wrinkle my nose as I help her out of her ruined coat. “I’ll pay for it to be dry-cleaned.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She gazes around while I hang it on the porch railing. “I’m pretty sure I own two anyway.”
A slight chill hangs in the air and seeps through our socked feet on the stone floor after shrugging off our muddy boots. When Kady shivers, I rush over to turn on the heater. It’s a small space, so it won’t be long until we’re toasty.
“This place is pristine.” Kady surveys the snug, open living area and kitchenette.
I peel off my socks then my shirt.
Kady swallows audibly. “What are you…?” Her eyes sweep over me.
“Mom will kill me if we get mud everywhere.”
She bats her eyelashes. “Are you sure this isn’t your way of trying to get me out of my clothes?”
Fuck, is that what she thinks? Usually, I don’t sleep with a woman until at least the third date. Helping Kady through her heat spike was my only exception.
“Hale.” She flashes me her perfect teeth. “I’m only joking.”
“Shit.” I laugh, trying to expel my nervous energy. “You had me there.”
I tug off my mud-soaked pants, thinking of something that isn’t going to get me hard. It’s difficult to not have a constant erection when I’m with Kady. I keep getting hints of an intoxicating floral and musky scent slipping through.
“Joking, huh?” I can’t help but smile as I scoop her up into my arms, tossing her over my shoulder.
She squeals. “What’re you?—”
“Just so you don’t think I’m only trying to get you out of your clothes.”
I carry her up the stairs, being careful to duck at the low point of the ceiling to avoid banging my head before cautiously lowering her down in the upstairs bathroom.
“You can shower first.” I reach across her to grab some body wash for her to use. “The shower pressure isn’t amazing, but?—”
Kady’s soft index finger trails down my chest, stroking my chest hair, and sending a lightning bolt of desire straight to my cock. So much for not getting hard in her company.
“You could,” her voice thickens with lust, “join me?”
God, how I want to. “Are you sure?”
She undoes the top button of her blouse then the second one, revealing a slice of her creamy skin and the tops of her pert breasts. “Does that answer your question?”
