He dropped his truck keys on the island countertop and cut me an amused smile. “Not me. The previous owners. I liked it and didn’t want it ruined, so I covered it.”
The kitten suddenly leaped off me and onto War.
He sighed, cradling the furball in his muscular arms. “I can’t carry you around, Crash. You need to go and play. I have work to do.”
“Crash?Really? I thought he’d be Puck or something.”
The corners of his mouth tipped up in a smile. And my belly squeezed seeing this softer side of him.
Trying to keep my attention off him, I glanced out through the scenic kitchen window, and my jaw dropped, taking in the nightmare outside. Jesus. There were super thick bushes on the sides of the property line and a massive tree on the left with branches stretching out, dropping leaves, but the grass and weeds alone were a veritable wilderness.
The only highlight was the sunny white daisies growing abundantly around the large, terra-cotta tiled patio and steps, brightening the forlorn state of the overgrown yard. “The flowers are so pretty.” But heck, he wasn’t kidding about the weeds. “This will take weeks,” I moaned.
“Are you offering?” he teased, setting the kitten down and coming to stand next to me. “I’m in for free slave labor.”
Without thinking, I smacked him in the abs with the back of my hand. Heat rushed to my cheeks, my breath tangled in my throat at the contact of all those hard muscles.
“As if. One week, and I’m out of here.” I quickly pivoted for the old, scarred table near the window and dropped my tote on it. But the feel of his tough body, brief as it was, remained imprinted on my skin, scattering my thoughts.
Then, all casual-like, as if not affected at all, I walked across, opened the door, and stepped outside into the cool morning air, gently caressing my face. I inhaled deeply, the scent of sea and grass teasing my nose.
The trees at the edges of the property allowed fleeting glimpses of the beach, and the ankle-tall grass swayed—
Shit! I hurriedly stepped back, searching the place for anything slithering in the grass, but found no suspicious movements. Just the breeze, then.
Okay, okay. Good.A relieved sigh escaped me.
“You’ll be safe,” War drawled, joining me outside and enfolding me with his tempting pine forest and woody scent. “I read somewhere that when you have a cat around, then there isn’t much snake activity.”
Ugh, really? But I heard the smile in his voice.
“Crash’s one tiny baby, and snakes are…” I shuddered. “Devious!” I cut him a quelling stare, causing his amusement to grow.
“Don’t worry, Blue,” his voice lowered. “I’ll save you.”
My stomach dipped. Gah, this man!
“If you remove some of those overhanging branches,” I hastily waved a hand at the giant oak tree, listing a little to the side, to get the conversation off me. “You’ll have an amazing view.” The place under it was grassless and sandy, carpeted with decaying leaves. “And the grass would grow back.”
“That’s the plan,” he murmured as the kitten joined us. Then Crash shot into the overlong grass and started stalking a butterfly.
“I’d show you around, but there’s not much to see,” War said, the wind tousling his sun-streaked hair. “Upstairs has the master bedroom leading out to a sundeck. Down here, two more bedrooms. Feel free to explore.”
“Maybe later.” I was curious, but I didn’t want him to know that. “Let me get started. Where do you want cleared out first?” I asked as we entered the house. I removed my hoodie and tossed it on the table.
“Anywhere you like. I have someone coming in to remove that tree.” He nodded to the side of the massive yard where the oak grew at a slanted angle, appearing as if it was about to tip over. Its enormous roots disrupted the even flow of the garden.
“Come on, I have gardening tools in the garage.”
Five minutes later, armed with the implements I needed, and after watching War fill the kitten’s bowls with kibble and water, I stepped out into the sunlight. Man, such a beautiful morning, and I had to weed.
War’s cell rang, and he answered it with a quick, “I’ll meet you out front.” Then to me, he said, “They’re here. I’ll be right back.”
No wonder he dragged my butt out of bed so early.I might as well get started.
AirPods popped into my ears, I cranked up the music. As Billie Eilish crooned huskily, I started on the weeds…I was hacking at a stubborn-ass one with tall, dark green blades, when War and three guys walked past. One carried a chainsaw, another a ladder.
War didn’t look my way, deep in conversation with the older man with graying dark hair. I lowered the volume on my AirPods. The men nodded in greeting, then War’s blue stare met mine briefly. Someone called out a “Hello.”
