Dan
It was still raining heavilywhen I arrived at Ross’s. The gravel road was already slick with claylike mud, and the collection of potholes along the access road and his drive were brown puddles.
I smiled despite the lashing rain, ease already circulating through me at being on Ross’s small property.
When I’d first returned home about seven months ago, it hadn’t taken me long to recognise that absence had not put a damper on my attraction for Ross. As I eased myself back into the quieter way of hinterland life, his small property became one of my favourite places to be.
I rented a small place in town, which suited me just fine when I’d relocated. Still, each time Craig had headed over to his brother’s place to help out with some remodelling—or whatever Ross needed help with—I was all over it without a second’s hesitation.
It quickly became the norm for me to rock up at Ross’s without Craig, my attraction growing for the man inordinately. We’d always been comfortable around each other, but now, with this change in our relationship, hell, I still struggled to wrap my head around that he was my boyfriend, and we were giving this a real go.
My past relationships had been nothing to write home about—even my last disastrous one. I liked to think perhaps my subconscious tripped me up on purpose, making me hold out for Ross, but honestly, such ideas were even too fanciful for me.
All I knew and felt was Ross and I had something good going. Just the thought of him had my heart pounding that much harder and my dick thickening till I was sure a single touch would have me shooting my load in five seconds flat.
But when I was with the man—the sexy-as-hell librarian, who was so damn smart and witty and kind, and alongside all that, he still knew how to work a tractor and wrangle cows—hell, a calm like I’d never known before wrapped around me, as comforting as a spark of light in the darkness.
As I pulled up, Ross opened the front door and stood on the veranda, squinting a little through the heavy rain and the gloom of the late afternoon. Grabbing my bag and my keys, I raced to greet him and get my butt out of the relentless deluge.
“Hey,” Ross greeted, hands immediately on my waist and hauling me towards him. Our mouths touched all too briefly before he eyed my damp face. “Let’s get you dried off.”
“Wetter, actually.” I chuckled and followed him inside, tugging my rain-splattered glasses off. “I reek of work so need a shower.”
Appreciation shone in his gaze when he eyed me up and down. That he’d only just noticed I was in my work clothes, I liked a lot. “I like how you smell.” He took a step towards me after closing the front door. Light kisses trailed along my neck, and my dick thickened, goosebumps rising.
“You do, huh?”
“Uh-huh,” he mumbled, not stopping with the kisses.
I shamelessly angled my neck, giving him better access, and clutched at his waist, nudging his crotch with mine and expelling an appreciative groan on contact.
His snort had me pausing and angling back, my eyebrow cocked.
“Sawdust is something I hadn’t bargained on.” He grinned, sticking out his tongue and swiping at it.
I snorted. “Shower it is.”
He grinned and took a couple of steps back. “I made pizza.”
“Madepizza?”
“Well, I bought a pizza base and threw all the good stuff on it.”
“The good stuff we both like?”
His grin turned into a smirk. “Maybe. Go get the stink of work off you, and I’ll throw the pizza in the oven.” He turned and headed towards the kitchen, and I had no issues in watching him walk away. He was already out of his work trousers and shirt and wore the grey trackies I loved so much.
“Stink,” I hollered. “So much for liking my sexy scent.”
Dark eyes peered back at me from over his shoulder. That stare hit me hard, drawing forth an easy smile and an increased beating of my heart.
There it was.
The peace he evoked in me.
I had no idea how he did it: worked me up, leaving me almost panting while a comforting calm spread in my system, settling soul deep.
He didn’t speak, and neither did I. Instead, unable to resist him, I took the few steps needed, clamped down on his hips, pushed against him, and kissed the back of his neck.
