“Yeah, sexy-guy glasses. And the tattoos?” Rina made a choked sound. “I wonder how far they go over his body.”
That, I had a pretty good idea about.
A huge design of tropical leaves and flowers covered most of Grayden’s back. His right arm was mostly unmarked except for a starburst on his bicep. But an intricate sleeve of ink covered his left arm and stretched up to his shoulder, where the design extended across his upper chest to the stylized roses just visible right now above his collar.
I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off him when he stood there shirtless in my living room. I’d remembered him being in good shape back when I was a teenager. But not likethat. There was no way his upper back had been that broad years ago, or that his pecs had been so…round.
I’d gone to bed with my blood pumping, my nipples peaked, and very naughty ideas swirling in my brain.
At his table, Grayden turned a page of his paperback. Lifted his tiny cup to sip the espresso.
Then his eyes shifted upward and met mine, which made me jump and duck back into the kitchen.
Yeah, he probably hadn’t noticed.
Getting flustered around handsome men was not something I did. But Grayden O’Neal wasn’t just a random hot older man. He was a guy who’d spent the night on my couch a few days ago, then vanished by the time I stumbled out of my bedroom the next morning.
Which was fine by me. Not like I’d cared either way about seeing him again. I cared about Grace being happy and working out her siblings’ differences, but this wasn’t aboutme.
I had no idea what he’d done since. If he’d gotten a hotel orended up sleeping in his truck for the rest of the weekend. Maybe I should’ve asked for his number to check, but he’d made it clear he didn’t want my help or my interference. Grace and I hadn’t texted much the rest of the weekend either.
“I guess he’s okay looking,” I finally said to Rina.
That was definitely a lie.
“What are you two staring at?” Dillon asked behind me.
Rina turned around. “Only the sexiest man to set foot in Silver Ridge, Colorado, since history began. Even if Piper won’t admit it. You were there, weren’t you?” she asked me under her breath. “Is it true he and Ashford got into a knock-down, drag-out fight, MMA style? Please tell me you got some video footage.”
“That isnottrue. And no, there’s no video. It’s a family matter, and the O’Neals deserve privacy about it. As far as we’re concerned, Grayden is just another customer.” I was determined to view him that way. “Now we all need to get back to work.”
Dillon huffed. “Pretty sure I’m the only one who was working.”
“Don’t argue with the boss,” I said, winking as I headed back toward my office.
Not because I planned to hide from Grayden. Not at all. I simply had a lot to do.
“Piper, wait.” Dillon followed me into the kitchen. “Is that guy a problem?”
I spun to face him. “You mean Grayden O’Neal?”
He dipped his chin in a nod. “I’ve heard about him. If he’s bothering you, I can get rid of him.”
I almost laughed. Dillon was always being thoughtful, but he had the wrong idea about Grayden.
If anything, I was the one who’d been sexually harassing the man with my eyes.
“No. It’s nothing like that. But thanks. I doubt he’ll stay too much longer anyway.”
“At Silver Linings? Or in town?”
“Both.”
Dillon was still frowning as I turned away and escaped toward my office.
Unfortunately, the moment I closed the door to my tiny office space and glimpsed the stack of waiting bills on my desk, I remembered what else I’d been avoiding. Dang it.
Bills, invoices, and more bills.
