One kind desire, p.10
One Kind Desire, page 10
“The way I see it, Birdie,” my mom says, “the universe threw you two together. Could be for the specific reason of falling in love.”
Love? No one said anything about love. Lust, maybe. Love? C’mon.
“Let’s drop the topic for now, okay? Especially while he’s right outside.” I fling an arm toward the window where Dad is now gesturing to the rough-hewn garden bench he made my mom for her birthday last spring.
“Fine. I’ll infuse these sandwiches with amorous intentions then.” Mom wiggles her fingers over the frying pan.
“Are you planning to dress up as a witch again this Halloween?” I grab the pickles from the refrigerator and steal one from the jar.
“Of course. It’s tradition at Maplehaven Elementary for me to drag out my hat and cauldron for some scary stories.”
Every year, my mom goes full witch with green face paint and warts to recite scary stories former students at the high school write for her. It’s a genius way to keep in touch with her students and keep them writing all the way to the twelfth grade. The other teachers love having this assembly to look forward to on Halloween as well. Being stuck in a classroom with kids eager to trick-or-treat is not fun from what I can tell. Corralling them all together in the auditorium for a show where teachers can share the burden of supervision is much better.
And it’s just like my mom to be the one to provide this respite for her colleagues and fun for the students. She’ll follow the scary stories up with a pumpkin decorating contest that lasts until dismissal time.
Some heroes wear witch hats.
Dad and Daniel come in as my mom plates the grilled cheese sandwiches. Daniel’s cheeks are a little red, and he’s not making eye contact with me again.
My dad claps Daniel on the back then points to me. “I like this one, Birdie. He’s much nicer than that last guy.”
Chapter Fourteen
X-Rated Fantasyland
Daniel
Lunch was... interesting. Robin’s parents are the nicest people I’ve ever met. They fed me, included me in their conversations, asked me questions to get to know me, and gave me quite a bit of encouragement to date Robin.
It’s that last bit that worries me.
While I was outside with Theo, he showed me his incredible woodworking projects. I’m amazed by the craftsmanship, especially because his shop is so small. The end products looked as if they’d been made in a state-of-the-art factory or something, but Theo explained he was able to get precision from having sharp hand tools. That statement may have been a warning to me in regards to his daughter. Still, I had the sudden urge to take up woodworking myself.
Then Robin’s dad brought up her last boyfriend, some professor dude. She had apparently been happy with him, but both Theo and Cora hadn’t liked him.
“A stuffy intellectual who thought he was the smartest person in the room,” Theo called him. “I didn’t like his arrogance.” He’d shoved his hands into the pockets of his flannel coat and kicked some dirt off his boots. “When he broke my daughter’s heart, I didn’t like anything about him.”
The disgust in Theo’s brown eyes could have its own zip code. He didn’t go into more detail, but Robin had mentioned a harsh breakup. Part of me had wanted to ask for the dick’s name and address, but I’d managed to keep my mouth shut.
When Theo told me he could see the happiness I brought Robin, I should have opened my mouth. Should have told the man that Robin and I didn’t have a relationship. That we weren’t together.
Those words wouldn’t come out though. When we went inside and her father announced he liked me better than the last guy, I thought Robin was going to set the record straight.
But she didn’t either.
She gave her mother a look, but Cora was all smiles as she picked up two plates of grilled cheese sandwiches and brought them into the sunny dining room.
“Let’s have lunch,” she said so everyone followed her and took a seat at the table—the table Theo had made of course. Talk turned to the table’s construction of wood right from the property, and the topic of Robin and me faded into the background.
Now that we are in front of her family’s cabin and it will be just the two of us here tonight, I can’t stop thinking about the topic of Robin and me.
Robin’s hands are tight on the SUV’s steering wheel as we sit in the front seats. She’s staring out the windshield, and everything about her is still.
Except for where she’s worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
“That grilled cheese was great,” I say.
“I’m sorry about my parents,” she says at the same time.
Our gazes connect for a moment before she looks away. “She gets the cheese from an organic dairy on the edge of town,” Robin says. “It’s the secret to amazing grilled cheese along with her homemade sourdough.”
“You don’t need to be sorry about your parents,” I say. “They’re wonderful.”
“They think we’re together,” she says. “Or going to be.”
“And I should have corrected your dad outside when he insinuated we were a couple.” I smooth a wrinkle in my pants. “My apologies.”
“I could have set him straight too.” She pulls the keys from the ignition.
“But you didn’t,” I note.
She shakes her head. “I didn’t.” Without another word, she opens her door then grabs her laptop bag in the back seat.
I do the same and meet her at the front door of the cabin.
“Let’s focus on work for the next few hours, okay?” She unlocks the door and pushes it open.
I follow her inside. “Okay. Good plan.” I gesture to my dress clothes. “Let me change. Where do you want to work?” I pray she doesn’t say she wants to work alone. Technically, we could retire to separate floors and do our own parts, but I’m not ready to be without her company.
Not yet.
Remus lets out a bark from the basement.
“That’s his I-gotta-pee bark,” I say, earning a small tilt of Robin’s lips as I back toward the stairs.
“We can work down there so your pup doesn’t have to miss you,” she says. “How about if we regroup in say... thirty minutes?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I descend the stairs before she can say she wants to work by herself. If she doesn’t show up in the basement in thirty minutes I will be disappointed.
What does that mean?
Remus bitches me out the moment I set foot in the basement. He wears a path in the floor between me and the sliding door, his fluffy tail swishing back and forth.
“Okay, okay.” I let my laptop bag slide off my shoulder and rest it on the couch.
After taking off my tie and unbuttoning my dress shirt, I clip on Remus’s leash and lead him outside. His nose immediately hits the patio stone and he sniffs a line to the mums I knocked over last night. I tug him toward the woods because I don’t want him yellowing up the grass around the cabin.
We wander down a little path for a few minutes before Remus finds an acceptable place to whizz. When he’s finished, he pulls on the leash, wanting to go deeper into the woods. I oblige him for a few minutes, but I’m not dressed for a hike, my leg is a little sore, and I don’t want to miss Robin coming downstairs.
“I promise we’ll see about a hike tomorrow, buddy.” My dog is used to more physical activity than he’s gotten in the past two days. If I don’t exercise him, he’ll get into trouble.
I let Remus investigate some mossy boulders and paw at fallen leaves then I wrestle him back toward the cabin. He protests when I nudge his furry butt back into the basement, but I toss him a few treats then recall the bag of kibble still in the back of the SUV.
“C’mon, I’ll give you a bonus walk to the front to get your food.” I lead Remus back outside and he gives me a thanks, Dad look with his big blue eyes. “It’s only a few more minutes of walking, big guy, but I’m glad you’re grateful.” I lean down and ruffle the fur on his back.
We circle the cabin to the driveway. Remus sniffs the tires of the SUV, no doubt smelling small-town scents he’s never encountered before. He’s been strictly a San Fran dog with short jaunts to places along the California coastline but never to this side of the country. I wonder what his brain makes of all this.
I’m still trying to figure out what my brain makes of all this.
After opening the back of the SUV, I grab the kibble bag and hoist it up to my shoulder. I close the back door and give Remus’s leash a light pull. “C’mon, pal.”
He follows me, but he keeps jerking on the leash, wanting to chase a bug or smell a mum. Between the weight of the dog food, the uneven gravel of the walkway leading to the backyard, and my dog pulling me, my leg is not happy.
“Dude, cut me a break, will you?” All I need is to take a tumble and have Robin find me sprawled out on my ass out here.
No sooner than that vision sketches itself into my brain, a fox darts across the backyard and Remus sees this as go time.
“No, buddy!” But my words fall on big, deaf dog ears.
The leash is looped around my hand, so I can’t let go right away. Instead, my arm jerks as Remus bolts in the fox’s direction. I fall forward and the kibble bag flies off my shoulder, breaking open onto the patio. My bad knee crashes to the hard, unforgiving stone, and a pained shout bursts from my throat. I put my hands out to reduce the chance of my head cracking on patio stone. That works except bits of gravel embed themselves in my palms.
By the time I look up, Remus and the fox are nowhere.
“Oh my God!” Robin’s feet come into view where I’m on all fours. Well, all threes really because I’ve angled to the right a bit so my left knee isn’t touching the patio anymore, but it hurts like a motherfucker. “Are you okay?”
She kneels next to me and helps me to sit on my ass. Taking my left hand in hers, she brushes away the gravel and surveys my palm. Then she takes my right hand and does the same, while I sit there, reveling in her tender touch.
I should be raving mad at my dog for putting me in this position. My knee is throbbing. My dignity is in the toilet.
But I like Robin’s attention right now. Like it too damn much.
“Daniel, are you okay?” Robin repeats, her gorgeous green eyes searching my face.
“Umm...” I throw a glance toward the woods where Remus barks and twigs snap as he runs about in there. “Yeah. Remus saw a fox.”
“Shit.” Robin stands, grabbing a handful of spilled kibble on her way. She lets out a loud whistle, and the crashing around the woods stops. “Come here, Remus! Want some food, big boy?”
I watch as she jogs to the woods and enters on the little path. A moment later, she returns with my big lug of a dog beside her. She coils the leash around her hand a few times and leads Remus over to me. My dog licks my face, but when he notices free kibble all over the patio, Robin navigates him around the mess and puts him in the basement.
After sealing Remus in, Robin crouches beside me again. “Why don’t you take a few minutes before getting up to make sure you’re all right? I’ll go grab a dustpan and broom and salvage this kibble.”
I nod like a dope as she walks toward the four-season house and opens a tall storage shed. While she’s rummaging around inside it, I straighten out my left leg, wincing at the ache. My dress pants are still intact so I don’t think I’m cut, but I’m sure to be bruised. I bend at the knee a few times, and though it hurts, I don’t think any hardware got dented or any screws got loose in there.
By the time Robin returns, I’m pushing to my feet. She immediately lets the dustpan and broom drop to the patio and puts a supporting hand on my back and another on my left arm.
“Go slow.” Her voice is soothing. The last person to take care of me was my dad and that feels like so long ago.
She guides me over to a wrought iron patio chair, a question on her pretty face.
“I’m okay. Really. Just a clumsy fool.” I rake my hand through my hair, hoping I don’t have leaves in it or anything.
“No, I’d say Remus should take full responsibility for this one.” She turns to the spilled kibble and picks up the broom. “And now he’ll have to eat kibble with leaves and other natural elements.”
“He won’t care. I’ve seen him eat entire sticks before.” I wave a hand to the woods. “He didn’t... the fox is...”
“The fox is fine,” Robin assures me. “I saw him stick his tongue out at Remus as he bounded away.”
That pulls a laugh out of me, but it’s short lived because I catch sight of Robin bent over to sweep dog food into the dustpan. She hasn’t changed out of her skirt yet, and I’m offered a prime view of the back of her bare thighs leading up to a tight ass that stretches at the brown fabric. Those globes were made for palming and my hands want the job.
My dick also wants to submit a resume.
Watching someone pick up kibble should not be fuel for erotic fantasies. I should not be filled with lust after falling on my bad leg. Tearing every scrap of clothes from Robin’s magnificent body should not be the Number One thing on my to-do list.
“There.” Her voice snaps me out of my haze. Partially. Some of me is still in X-Rated Fantasyland. I rest my hands in my lap, hoping to hide what she’s doing to me.
Robin points to the pile of swept kibble. “I think I have a bin inside we can put that in because the bag is shredded.” She pats my arm as she passes.
But I grab her wrist to stop her.
Chapter Fifteen
Sexy Dark Dress Socks
Robin
My gaze flicks down to Daniel’s strong fingers wrapped around my wrist. The heat of the contact shoots up my arm and pinballs throughout my body, scoring points as it lights up my core.
And then the contact is gone when he releases me. The urge to climb into his lap is overwhelming. I half think he’s daring me to. His pupils nearly drown out the brown of his eyes as he looks up at me.
“Thank you.” He gestures to the pile of dog food then motions to himself. “For cleaning up and not laughing at me.”
It takes me a moment to find my voice. “I do usually laugh when people fall. Maybe I didn’t this time because I thought you were seriously hurt there for a minute.” I stare at his left leg which he has stretched out in front of him. “You’re not, right? Seriously hurt?”
His hand slides down his thigh and covers his knee. He uses his index and middle fingers to press around the area. I daydream about where I’d like those two fingers of his instead. His dark brows lower in concentration, but I’m relieved when he shakes his head.
“Nothing feels off,” he says. “I mean, it’s sore, but I’ll be fine. Pretty sturdy materials are in there.”
“Good.” I hesitate, my brain suggesting he take off his pants so I can make sure he’s not injured. That would be an official Bad Idea. “I’ll be right back.”
I race around to the front of the house so I don’t have to open the basement sliding door and risk letting Remus out again. In the spare bedroom, I find the bin then stop in the kitchen to grab Daniel a glass of water. He’d probably like something stronger, but I don’t think alcohol is a good idea. For either of us. I’m barely keeping a grip on my behavior. If I get myself under the influence, I’m a goner.
Sucking in a breath and puffing it out in one long stream, I take the bin and the water out to the patio. Daniel is on his feet now, limping along in a slow circle. The desire to care for him explodes inside me.
“Do you want some ice for your knee?” I ask as I hold the water out to him.
He shakes his head as he takes the water, and I get busy scooping the dog food into the bin.
“I’ll take it easy as we work this afternoon,” Daniel says.
He still wants to work. Yay! My libido throws pom-poms.
“Sure.” I finish collecting all the kibble and seal the lid on the bin.
“I can take that in this way.” Daniel motions to the sliding door where Remus has his black nose pressed against the glass. “My God, he’s an absolute clown.”
“A really cute one though.” Am I talking about the dog or the man?
Daniel limps to the bin and picks it up. “I’ll see you in a bit, yeah?”
I nod and open the door, catching Remus by the collar when he tries to wiggle out. “Oh, no you don’t, you rascal.” I pull him out of Daniel’s way then shut the sliding door once Daniel has hobbled into the basement. I desperately want to ask him if he needs help changing his clothes... or at least removing them. Getting dressed again could be totally optional.
Instead I nearly bump into the table behind the couch as I head for the stairs. I catch a vase that almost falls to its death and right it on the table. My cheeks are on fire, and I’m willing to bet they are bright red.
“Okay. I’ll change and grab my toplap... laptop.” I’m an idiot.
Daniel’s chuckle follows me up the stairs. At least my bumbling left him with something to lighten the mood.
I step into the bedroom, remove my boots, and peel off my skirt and sweater. Searching my suitcase, I locate a pair of black leggings and a cozy purple-and-black plaid flannel shirt. I slip those on with a pair of black fuzzy cabin socks and cuff the sleeves of the shirt before stopping in the bathroom.
Yeah. My cheeks are flushed for too many reasons to count at this point. I splash some cold water on my face.
“Get your head on work, dummy.” I give myself a stern look in the mirror then finger comb my hair and apply a little lip gloss.
Because my lips are dry. Yeah. That.
“You’re going to go down there and work it... I mean... get work done.” I jog in place for a few seconds, hoping to activate my willpower. I try conjuring up the memory of Daniel calling me a lap dancer years ago so I’ll have some fresh animosity.
It doesn’t work. It’s like his apology—and subsequent charming behavior—has completely erased the douche image I had of him. The image I was pretty certain had been burned into my gray matter. But it’s gone now. I just see Daniel as a tall, dark, and handsome Popsicle I want to lick from top to bottom.
