Page 54 of Harvest Heat

A few hours later, Rhys pulled into a parking space a block down from Cloud Nine. He knew they couldn’t keep working together in secret much longer, even if he wanted to, so he decided not to worry about someone seeing him entering Cloud Nine after hours. He was far more worried that he’d made the wrong choice about dinner, but it was too late now. He didn’t have time to get something else or run home. If Caleb didn’t like the charcuterie, Rhys could walk to the pub and get them something else.

He was about to get out of the car when he saw Caleb through the windows. He was wearing dark jeans and a dark green button-up with the sleeves rolled back. He looked incredible. No wonder Tessa had commented on his outfit. Rhys would’ve been happy to get on his knees and lick Caleb’s forearms.

Maybe he would before the night was over, but first, he had to actually go knock on the door.

CHAPTER 20

Caleb paced back and forth as he waited for Rhys to arrive. He had way too much on his mind. No matter how hard he’d tried, he couldn’t let go of how much it had hurt for Rhys to pull away from him in front of Jonah. He’d been prepared for it. He’d agreed not to tell anyone they were even working together, much less… whatever they were doing. But it still hurt.

When he wasn’t worrying about where exactly their relationship was going and how deep his feelings for Rhys had become, he was trying to figure out what Rhys was reading. He’d hadn’t gotten a good look at the book Jonah had brought out for him because Jonah bagged it quickly, but he’d seen enough of the cover to see a shirtless guy in a cowboy hat. Was it a romance? He would never have thought Rhys would be reading something smutty. Should he ask Rhys about his secret reading life?

Caleb was so lost in thought he didn’t even notice Rhys parking out front. Rhys’s knock startled him, and when he turned around, he saw that Rhys had a picnic basket, a wicker one lined with gingham like a fairy-tale princess.

“What’s this?” he asked as Rhys entered the shop.

Rhys winced. “I look ridiculous, don’t I?”

“No, I love this, though a cute little frolicking dress might set it off even better.”

Rhys glared at him.

“I’m serious. Do you know how hot that would be?”

Rhys narrowed his eyes, clearly trying to figure out if Caleb was joking or serious. “It’s just a picnic basket.”

“And what’s in your basket, Little Red Riding Hood? Did you bring something for the Big Bad Wolf?” Rhys didn’t say anything, but he also didn’t look away. Caleb could see desire in his eyes. Would he enjoy some Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood role play? Caleb could get into that if Rhys wanted it. “Tell me what’s in the basket.”

Rhys glanced down at the basket as if he needed a reminder. “It’s just dinner. I made dinner. I mean, I put it together. It’s charcuterie. I don’t cook much, but I thought… I’m sorry I pulled away from you at the bookstore like that.”

Caleb hadn’t realized how much he needed to talk about that moment. Rhys’s apology melted all his tension. “I understand. I know you didn’t want Jonah to see us holding hands. I wish we could be more open, but I’m okay with things for now.”

“That’s good. I wish it wasn’t like this either.”

Caleb didn’t think talking anymore now would help, so he changed the subject. “Before you tell me more about dinner, why don’t you tell me what you’re reading.” He loved the shock on Rhys’s face. Rhys clearly hadn’t been expecting that question. He set the basket down on one of the tables and rubbed his hands up and down on his thighs, which Caleb knew was a sign that he was nervous.

“I’m not going to judge you. I’ve read all kinds of things. Smutty things. Things that made me question exactly why I liked them.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Rhys scrunched up this face. “It’s Jonah’s fault.”

“Jonah’s fault? Did he force you to read it, or did he read it aloud to you?”

“He challenged me. He likes to pick out books he knows I’d never choose for myself and challenge me to read them. Then I get to tell him if I actually like them or not.”

“And how often is he right?”

“He’s always right.”

“Always?”

Rhys sighed. “He’s had two misses in almost ten years.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. So have you read the book he gave you the other day yet?”

Rhys looked down at his hands. “It’s… um… It’s the third one in the series. I had him order it for me. He gave me the first one, and I swore I wouldn’t like it, but I did. It was hot.”