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Oh, hello, neighbor. Back to telling me what to do again? Swimsuit? Where are we going?
I ignore her sass and text back immediately.
It’s a surprise. See you soon.
I pocket my cell, grab my things, and load up my truck. It isn’t often I play hooky from work, but the sun is shining, and I want to see her again. Jumping in my truck, I call Griffin as I drive.
“Hey, Tanner,” he answers immediately.
“Hey, can’t talk long,” I say as I start to pull out of my driveway.
“In a hurry?” Griffin asks.
“Just heading to the neighbor’s place,” I tell him honestly.
“Connor tells me you fancy her?” Griffin asks, and I bite my back molars.
“Don’t believe everything my kid tells you,” I grumble, although he isn’t wrong. Shit, the way her body was responding to me yesterday has had me harder than wood in my pants all day.
“She has a lot of talent. That sketch was amazing, and the way she has made so many simple changes to the property already that have had a major impact is pretty impressive,” Griffin says as I turn the truck into her driveway.
“I thought so too. Glad you agree. It is a hobby of hers, I think, but I can see her potential,” I say, a small amount of pride filling me as I talk about her.
“So what about your other project?” Griffin asks me, and I know I need to focus on that.
“We will need to get started on the plans for the accommodations. We can put them on the east side, grow some trees for privacy…” I say, thinking out loud. Marie’s property was always my number one choice, but like any smart businessman, I always had a backup. While the east side is not as pretty and doesn’t have the mineral springs, it will still bring in people and be a success. The fact that my new neighbor is renovating and planning to stay fills me with something new. Kind of feels like hope. Now that I know she is staying, I don’t want the fact that I wanted her place to be front of my mind so I am letting it go. With that out of the way, I can progress my accommodations elsewhere on the property and get to know her better. On equal footing. Because every time we are together, whether we are arguing or kissing, it is the best damn time I have had in a long time.
“I think it will be fine there. That was always plan B.”
“Sounds great. I’ll be back next week to go over plan B and to pick up that limited edition whiskey that is now mine after giving you my day yesterday.” I can tell he’s smirking just from his tone.
“Thanks, Griff. I appreciate it,” I tell him honestly.
“Good to see you interested in something other than the distillery. It looks good on you,” he says sincerely.
“She would look good on anyone.”
He laughs before I end the call and pull up in front of Victoria’s house.
I sit in my truck for a moment, spotting her in the yard. She hasn’t seen me yet, so I watch her working in the garden, her knees in the soil. I admire her work ethic. It is something that runs strong in me as well. Her hair is down and around her shoulders, her hands in gloves. They are bright pink with frills, and I wonder where the hell she got them from. But just like the bright-pinkfootwear she had on the other day, I am starting to see she has these little out-of-place wardrobe choices that, in the city, no one would bat an eyelash at, but here, she pops brighter than the sun. I like it, a lot. I have never known anyone to move to the country and settle in as quickly as she has. And that brings my thoughts back to how good it felt to kiss her yesterday. How our banter and bickering has softened us both. That kiss is burned into my brain and was one of the best kisses I have had in all my years on earth. Now that I have had a taste, there is no doubt I need more.
“Planning on coming in or just watching me like a stalker?” she yells out, and I smile. I should have known she knew I was here. Jumping out of the truck, I walk over.
“Ready to go?” I ask, though I know she isn’t.
“Where are you taking me?” She stands from the ground, brushing off her gloved hands to get rid of the dirt.
“I have somewhere special to show you,” I tell her, not giving anything away.
“And I need my swimsuit?” She sounds intrigued as she narrows her eyes at me playfully. My eyes canvass her body in the cute sundress she has on, and I nearly groan. She looks good in fucking anything.
“Do you have any swimwear?” I suddenly realize she might not have packed any. She looks at me for a minute before a smile appears on her face.
“The mineral springs?” she asks with a little pep, her eyes wide, having just figured it out.
“’Bout time you saw exactly what your propertyoffers, isn't it?” I’m itching to have my hands on her. Stepping closer, her smile widens as my hand wraps around her waist.
“Give me five minutes,” she says, almost jumping with excitement in my arms, and I smirk as I squeeze her waist.
