I laughed. “I see you got a gift bask… box? Container?”
“Yeah, some guy that’s obsessed with me sent it.” He tried not to laugh but couldn’t help himself. The sound of his laugh started a bolt of lightning at the base of my spine, then ignited everything inside of me. I wanted to push him against the counter and devour him one inch of skin at a time. I reached up and rubbed my neck, trying not to fixate on the images in my brain.
I turned around and adjusted myself. I was already rock-hard. If River made me this hard just by laughing, what would happen when things were intentional? I realized again how this man was unraveling me one thread at a time.
“You also got Charlie’s sleep boxes? How do you like them?” I wasn’t going to correct him about being obsessed. He wasn’t wrong.
“They are gorgeous!” I put them around the house. He pointed to one on the counter. “Check it out.”
“Has Charlie tried one yet?”
“Oh yeah. Charlie was curled in one most of the day while I worked. It took him about thirty seconds once I showed it to him before he climbed in.” I was glad they were going to work.
“I ordered a different one for my bedroom since I don’t decorate it like the rest of the house, so it just doesn’t fit the decor.”
“How long have you been in this apartment?”
“I bought it while it was still under construction. A big-shot construction company was rebuilding the block. They do excellent work. I haven’t found a single flaw, even adding a few extra things I wanted when I purchased it. So, what eight or nine years? I love the apartment, to be honest. Just wish it wasn’t in the city.”
“Some big shot? You don’t know the company?”
“Nah, the apartment is great. No reason to.” He looked over at me and smiled. “Why don’t you open a bottle of wine since we are both off work and hang up that nice jacket.” He grinned at me.
“Some guy that is obsessed with me gave it to me.” I couldn’t help but beam at him. He laughed that deep, rich laugh again. I walked over to the wet bar and opened one of the reserve stock wines. I filled two glasses generously. I knew this wine was excellent and easy to drink. We’d need to eat before we had a second glass.
“Speaking of obsession. You didn’t go through everything in the gift I sent you.” I looked up at him while I bent over the trunk, looking for something specific.
“I didn’t put it away, but I saw everything. Did you know there were banana bread toaster pastries?”
“Here it is.” I found a box tied with a gold bow.
“Here what is? Did I miss something?”
“You did, but it’s okay. I am sure you would have found it as you worked through it. I might have sent too much over, but I was very appreciative.”
“You were appreciative for what?” He smirked at me. “Let me put dinner in the oven, and we can discuss it.”
“Sounds good to me.” I walked into the living room, where Daisy and Charlie were still dancing around each other. They seemed genuinely enchanted with their new friendship. I put the wine and box on the coffee table. I removed my cowboy boots and set them next to the couch, wiggling my toes.
I watched River moving around in the kitchen. I couldn't get enough of watching him. He wore a tank top and open flannel. Looking at him, it wasn’t anything fancy, but he was utterly drool-worthy. Knowing what he had underneath made it easy for me to see every ripple as it clung to him. His chest was well-defined with firm pecs andslightly broad shoulders. A slight five o’clock shadow made him just that much sexier. Imagining how those whiskers would feel against my skin gave me chills.
“You look happy.”
“I enjoy watching you. Now, come sit with me.” I handed him a glass of wine. “Try this. It’s damned good, in my opinion.”
He swirled it and sniffed it like a proper wine snob. I stared at his mouth, and the ruby-red liquid slipped between his lips. When he swallowed, I thought about other things I would like to have him gulp down. “Oh wow! That is amazing.” I didn’t even try to pretend I wasn’t lusting over him.
“It’s good, right? The Sun Harvest reserve is one of my favorites.” I took a drink from my glass. “Now for the box.” I handed it to him.
He picked it up and shook it. “Well, that told me nothing. I’m sorry I missed it.”
“Don’t be. I sent you so many things. I can’t even remember what I sent over, and I wanted you happy.”
He pulled the ribbon open and pulled off the lid. It appeared that Matt had gotten everything other than a ball cap. He pulled out the emerald green polo shirt. Sarah said it was a good color for us and matched my eyes.
“We are trading company swag. I love it.” Then he stopped and ran his fingers over the gold embroidery on the dress shirt. “Gentry Construction? Why does that sound so familiar?” He got up and nearly ran to the windows that faced the street. I knew a massive banner with the company name and logo on the side of the building we were working on could be seen from his window.
He turned around very slowly. “You arethat, Gentry?” I nodded. “You built this building.” I nodded. “You are building like three other buildings on this block?”
