“You’re a menace.” Dean wipes his face with the hem of his shirt, giving me a peek at his abs and my body tenses.
That man has no business looking so good.
Once he walks away, in a different direction, I hit the green trail and get back to my house. Kicking my muddy boots off on the porch, I head inside and start peeling off the layers of expensive threads I’ve destroyed with plans to make a few more videos about the clothing’s durability. I’ll post them once I have it all washed, and I’m sure the stains come out. Not that I have a clue where the laundry room is. Or how to use a washing machine.
A sudden knock on the door startles me.
With my heart thumping, I swing it open, coming face-to-face with Dean. His red and navy-blue flannel shirt paired with the mud caked all over him makes his brown eyes pop with the colors of cognac and amber. Wow, they’re pretty.
“I don’t mean to bug you, but…” His gaze sails down my body and I realize I’m only in a tight tank top and my pants are unbuttoned and folded down to reveal the top of my panties because I was just about to take them off next.
Instead of hiding my indecency, I relish the way he just snuck a peek. I like him looking. And I love that’s he’s trying to force himself to look away as if the door frame between us is the most fascinating thing on the planet.
“But?” I repeat, teasing him a little.
“Huh?”
“You said you didn’t mean to bug me,but…”
Dean swallows hard and rubs the back of his neck before looking at me again. “Do you mind moving your car? I need to clear that area for a delivery later.” His eyes roam down my body once more and his brow pinches. “What the hell happened to you?”
For a split second, I think he’s asking about the shitshow that is my life, but then I realize he’s likely asking about the fresh mud I’m covered in.
“Mud bath.” There’s no way I’m telling him about what I just did by the stream. It’ll be even more embarrassing if my plan doesn’t work out with the video clips I made for social media. “Let me grab my key and I’ll move my car.”
“I can move it for you, so you don’t have to come back out. It’s… cold.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll do it myself.” Snagging my key from the coat I left on my floor, I brush past him, getting a whiff of rugged man that has my head spinning with lust and rush to my car.
Barefoot, with no coat.
This is so unlike me. I think this mountain air is making me crazy.
My nipples are harder than rocks. Is it from the chilly temps, or the way Dean just devoured me with his gaze?
I’ll blame the weather.
Getting in my car, I start the engine and a song from my favorite musical blasts through the speakers, startling me. I quickly turn it down because I can’t back up without complete silence, and I drive over to a clearly marked parking pad I hadn’t seen when I drove in. Now I feel like an idiot.
This is why I always use valet.
And since I’m here, I might as well take my stuff out and unpack.
My trunk and backseat are filled with suitcases and bags. I stack them as best I can and start dragging them towards my cabin.
Dean rushes over. “Here, let me help.”
“I’ve got it.” Waving him off, I move faster, but there are so many divots in the dirt drive that my wheels aren’t cooperating. Two bags topple off my heavy suitcase and the biggest one on my shoulders falls to my elbow, making me tip.
“Just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean you have to.” Dean picks up my fallen bags and brushes them off. Then he lifts the carry-ons, grabs the big bag from my arm, and turns into a pack mule, lugging all my stuff into the cabin.
I carry the lightest thing I own, my purse, and follow behind him. “Thank you for helping me with all this.”
He sets my luggage down just inside the door and laughs. “Staying just the weekend then, huh?”
“Oh no, I…” Wait. That’s a joke. “Yeah.” My smile feels weird on my face. “Just a day or two.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy your time here.” He dips out and just before he closes the door, he pops his head back in and says, “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. My number is on the fridge.”
