Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
I shrug. “Wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world, would it?”
“Oh, give me a break,” she scoffs, crossing her arms and glaring at me. “An avalanche could threaten to take us out, and I still wouldn’t let you near me.”
The words are sharp, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes—a spark, a challenge. And damn it if I’m not tempted to take her up on it.
I take a step closer, the smirk fading as I let my gaze linger on her flushed cheeks, her parted lips, the way her chest rises and falls as she struggles to catch her breath. I can see the outline of her nipples through her thin dress and it takes everything in me not to drop my head and suck one into my mouth right now. The air between us thickens, charged with something I can’t quite name.
“Tessa,” I murmur, my voice quieter now.
She swallows hard, her eyes darting to my lips before she quickly looks away. “Don’t,” she says, her voice barely audible.
“Don’t what?” I ask, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.
Her breath hitches, and for a moment, we’re frozen—her, clutching the still-buzzing vibrator like it’s a lifeline, and me, staring at her like she’s the only thing keeping me tethered to the ground.
Then, just as I think she might lean in, she pulls away, tucking the toy under her arm and spinning on her heel.
“I—I’ve got to go,” she says, her voice unsteady.
I watch her retreat, my hands curling into fists as I resist the urge to follow her. Shep whines beside me, his ears drooping as if he feels the tension radiating off me.
“Yeah, I know, buddy,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.
I watch her walk back to her garden, the sunlight catching in her hair, the sway of her hips making it impossible to look away. She’s a storm I can’t quite weather, a fire I shouldn’t touch—but damn if I don’t want to get burned.
And as she disappears into her cabin, slamming the door behind her, I realize something I’ve been trying to deny for weeks.
I don’t just want her.
I need her.
Chapter Five
Tessa
The evening sun is low in the sky, relentless, and still blazing. My garden hose has been sputtering for the past twenty minutes, and if I don’t get this water flowing smoothly, my flowerbeds are going to stage a mutiny. Kneeling in the soft dirt, I tug at the spigot handle and curse under my breath. It’s only then I hear the low rumble of his voice.
“What the hell is going on over there?”
I whip my head around, and there he is—the grumpiest man alive, standing on the edge of his yard with his arms crossed and a scowl set deep into his stupidly handsome face. His broad shoulders are tense, his dark hair glinting in the sunlight, and Shep is happily wagging his tail beside him, entirely unbothered by his owner’s perpetual grouchiness.
“Just saving my hydrangeas from the brink of death,” I shoot back, glaring at the nozzle as if it’s personally responsible for my misery.
He takes a slow step closer, his boots crunching against the gravel. “It sounds like you’re trying to summon a flood.”
“You’re welcome to help,” I mutter, yanking the hose again. It kinks somewhere behind me, and I know if I don’t fix it fast, I’m going to lose my temper.
Finn doesn’t move. Of course, he doesn’t. Instead, he just stands there, his infuriating gaze burning a hole into my back.
“You know,” he drawls, “it’s not rocket science. You twist the hose, unkink it, and voilà—water flows like magic.”
I grit my teeth and rise to my feet, turning to glare at him. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. Your assistance has been invaluable.”
He smirks, a slow, irritating curve of his lips that makes me want to both slap him and... well, do other things. Not that I’d ever admit it.
Before I can bite out another sarcastic retort, the hose finally jerks free. Water sprays out in a powerful stream—unfortunately, directly toward Finn.
“Oh, shit!” I yelp, scrambling to adjust the nozzle, but it’s too late.
The icy water hits him square in the chest, soaking his T-shirt and jeans. His jaw drops as he steps back, holding his hands out as if to fend off more of the assault.
“Are you kidding me?” he growls, his voice low and dangerous.
I’m frozen, clutching the hose like it’s a live wire, but then a laugh bubbles up before I can stop it. “I—oh no—I didn’t mean to—”
Finn wipes his face with one hand, his expression a storm cloud of annoyance. “You think this is funny?”
“A little,” I admit, the corners of my lips twitching despite my best efforts.
His eyes narrow, but then his gaze shifts, sweeping over me with a slow intensity that makes my skin prickle. The light cotton of my sundress clings to me in places, damp from the overspray. His gaze lingers on my neckline, then dips lower.