Page 46 of Dandelion Sighs

“I am.” Not for whatever was in that. Would she let me lift her onto the workbench? She was in her normal black shorts and polo shirt. They weren’t a simple strip of fabric that was easy to move out of the way, but I could be an imaginative guy when I needed to be.

There went my dick again, growing at the thought of her. Each time my head hit the pillow at night, I’d see her, spread for me in my pickup, her face glowing and her pussy dripping. Then I’d have to talk myself down because I was in a guest room at my brother’s. I didn’t need a boner under his roof.

She handed me the cup, and I took a long pull from the straw. Lemonade. Cold and refreshing. “Thanks. That hit the spot.”

She beamed. “You’re welcome. I saw you baking out there and wanted to do something.”

“You were watching me, boss?”

Rolling her eyes, she couldn’t suppress her smirk. “Maybe.”

I grinned way too much for such a simple statement. The energy in my body was coiling again just having her so close to me, and we’d done nothing but greet one another. “I’ll do the trimming tomorrow.”

“It’s going to be even hotter tomorrow.”

“I’ll keep my shirt on.”

She frowned. “That’s a shame.”

Only because she wanted to see me without it. I didn’t care about anyone else, but professionalism and all that. I sucked down the lemonade until the ice clattered in the bottom.

“How are Laila and Lee?” She leaned against the workbench instead of rushing off. Had she been missing me as much as I’d missed her?

“Good. They’re worried about Daisy’s mom, but I guess she’s doing okay. Daisy just wanted to be with her for a couple of days after, and Alder wanted to be around just in case.” I tapped my chest. “Her mom has heart problems and had a GI bleed from the thinners.”

“That’s stressful.”

“Yep, but she’s on the mend. They plan to be back for the kickball grill-out this weekend.”

A brow lifted. “Kickball grill-out?”

“We wouldn’t be able to compete against Jensen and Poppy in soccer, so we play kickball. It’s fairer.”

“I didn’t know people still played kickball. I used to love that game.”

“Then you’ll have to come.” The invite was out, and I wasn’t going to take it back. I’d been fishing for a way to bring it up without it seeming like a date. Dating was off the table, and the messing-around aspect was still up in the air. No matter what, I just liked spending time with her. “It’s the whole crew, and you’ve been subjected to them already.”

Her lips curved up. “Subjected isn’t the right word.”

“It will be if you go. They’re relentless. Laughing and joking. Excellent burgers and brats. Salads—none of them contain lettuce.”

She kept her smirk. “I wouldn’t expect them to. We’re still considered the Midwest in Coal Haven.”

“The desserts, though.” I groaned as my taste buds came alive at the options there’d be. “Those will be hard to get through.”

“Oof, are you talking like pies and cakes?”

“Worse. Cookies and bars. Fresh Rice Krispies bars.”

Her eyelids fluttered. “Mmm. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve made fresh Rice Krispies?”

“As long as it’s been since you licked the bowl after?”

“I preferred the spoon.”

I pictured her licking the spoon, and there went any professionalism. The slow trickle of need in my veins turned into a flood. “I’m having way too much fun seeing that in my head.”

A series of emotions played over her face. Disbelief. Shyness. Then confusion. “You make me feel sexy.”