Page 86 of Special Delivery

“You know there’s no need for you to do that? I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself,” I respond.

“I don’t doubt it for a second. But I’m still going to do it. You sit back and enjoy the view.”

A girlish giggle fights to escape, but I shove it back into my throat. “If you insist… I’ll go do some work inside.”

Ryan tips his hat to me, looking ridiculously hot, and I scatter back inside. My skin itches, feeling his gaze on me. Entering the house, I finally release a breath that was trapped in my lungs.

My weight shifts from foot to foot, needing to keep busy. My gaze connects to my collection of plants, and I decide it’s as good a time as any for their weekly shower. Pot after pot, I bring them to the bathroom. I keep sneaking glances at the attractive man in my backyard as my skin builds up a sweat and my breath quickens.

When was the last time I exercised? Maybe I should go for a run with Emma? She keeps asking me, but I keep saying no.

Why am I even considering this? Running is hardly a thing I like to do. But my body is full of restless energy, and a jog suddenly seems like a great idea.

Filling my shower to the brim, I turn the faucet to cold and turn the water on. My lips form a smile. My plants love this shit. They also look beautiful after it, and I just know they feel beautiful, too. Some might find it weird thinking about plants’ feelings, but that’s who I am. After a nice, long shower, I leave them to drain, dry my hands and return to the kitchen.

Just as I do, Ryan enters through the back door. His skin glows with the newly earned tan, and I bite my bottom lip to keep my tongue from falling out of my mouth. He licks his lips when he notices me, pulling the cap off his head. His hair is thick and unruly, damp with sweat.

“The lawn’s done, Ma’am,” he says, smirking.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Please check to see if you’re satisfied with my work.”

It takes me a moment to realize he’s messing with me, but I still make my way to the wall of windows, as if I’m checking the yard. “It’s great.”

“Just great?” I feel his breath on my neck as he approaches me, the heat of his body heating my skin.

“It’s pretty good,” I say, my voice now breathy.

“That doesn’t sound too good.” He almost sounds disappointed. “I aim to please.” His words are a whisper under my ear before he nips it with his teeth.

I release a shudder.

“If the lawn isn’t up to your standards, I’ll need to find another way to please you.”

His voice prickles my skin, pebbling the sensitive tips of my breasts. He takes a step closer to me, and I feel his chest rubbing against my back.

“You’re dirty.” There’s no conviction in my words.

“Oh, Paige, darling. I think you’re forgetting dirty is just how you like it.”

He presses his mouth to my skin, and I let out a moan. He sucks and nibbles on my neck, pulling me back to feel the stiff ridge of his cock. Then he turns me around, snaking his hands into my hair and kissing me deeply, passionately. We’re a mess of tongues and limbs as he devours my mouth and I jump up to wrap my ankles behind his back.

We don’t emerge from my bedroom until it’s dark out, when I make us dinner, once again needing to busy myself. I don’t know what to do with all these butterflies wreaking havoc on my stomach. I feel giddy one second and sick the other. My mind’s a mess, and my body craves to be near this man twenty-four seven.

Textbook infatuation.

If I were braver, I might have used a different word, but that word seems far too dangerous. Even though I feel safest in his arms. Even though my heart pumps just a little harder, and my lungs expand with elation every time he’s around. Even though my brain can’t stop imagining him in every single scenario of my future.

“This is great, thank you.” Ryan wipes his mouth after swallowing a bite of food.

“Don’t thank me. You did way more than I did today.” My gaze is firmly planted on my plate.

“Paige…” His hand reaches mine, forcing me to look up at him. “I like doing things for you. And I like spending time with you.”

My throat constricts. “I like spending time with you, too.”

“I’d say that’s a pretty good deal, then.” His warm, honest smile makes me blurt out my next words.