“That’s … wow! Thank you, Rex.” She felt tears filling her eyes as a new hope emerged.
“But there’s still one more question before we can finalize everything.”
Squaring her shoulders and attempting to resume an air of professionalism, she stared up at him.
“When can you start?”
She smiled, then ran over and hugged him before she could think better of it.
Thankfully, Rex laughed.
***
Rafe was standing outside his truck, leaningagainst the passenger door, when Bailey emerged from the B and B, grinning ear to ear.
Jesus, she could knock him down with just her smile. He was easily as fascinated with the way she tried so hard not to skip when it was obvious her excitement was attempting to break free from her body.
“Well?” he asked when she approached.
Her smile somehow managed to grow wider seconds before she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck. “I got it! I got the job.”
Every bit of air was expelled from his lungs the moment he had her in his arms. He held on tight, soaking up her lavender scent and the sweet sound of her joy. It took tremendous effort to release her and pretend he hadn’t just witnessed the equivalent of the Second Coming just from having her in his arms.
“I can’t believe it,” she said, her tone urgent. “Two weeks. Rex said they’ll be moved out in the next two weeks, and I can move in.”
Disappointment landed like a boulder in his gut. “You and Seth are movin’ in here?”
She flinched back, frowned. “Absolutely not. Just me.”
Relief gripped him by the throat, but he choked it down. “Are you … uh…?”
“Breakin’ up with him?” Bailey nodded. “As soon as I have a place to go.” Her eyes widened. “I mean … I know that sounds bad, but I’m not usin’ him. I swear it. I just … he’s not the guy I thought he was, but I—”
Rafe placed his finger over her mouth, effectively silencing her. “You don’t have to explain it to me.”
A soft gasp whispered between them as her breath caught, her soft, glossy lips parting as he forced his finger away from her mouth. She had the nicest fucking lips. He couldn’t count how many times he’s fantasized about all the places those lips would go on his body when they were naked together.
Jesus.
His traitorous cock fought to break the damn zipper on his jeans.
“Come on,” he said, opening the truck door and gesturing for her to get inside. “I’ll drop you at the bookstore.”
When she got in, he shut the door, adjusted himself in his fucking jeans, and marched around to the driver’s side. He climbed in, refusing to look her way as he started the truck and put it in gear.
“Rafe?”
“Hmm?” He busied himself by reversing so he could avoid drawing attention to his extreme discomfort.
“Could we go somewhere else? I mean, before the bookstore?”
“I’d be happy to drop you anywhere,” he said, shifting into drive, then heading toward the parking lot exit.
“Not me,” she clarified. “We.”
He had no choice but to look at her as he waited for an oncoming car to pass. His mouth opened with an instant rejection perched on the tip of his tongue. But as soon as his gaze locked with hers, he knew he couldn’t reject her. He would do anything for this woman.
“Where?” he asked softly, admiring her beautiful face.
