Page 59 of Gunnar

“That’ll work,” I agree.

I grab my toolbox from the corner and pull out a hammer and a handful of nails.

“Here, I can hold those,” she says.

She cups her hands and I deposit them into her palm.

“Thanks,” I say gruffly.

I take a nail and hammer it into the far corner.

Every time I need another nail, she offers them to me in her cupped hands.

I don’t rush it. I could stay here all afternoon, standing beside her, breathing in her intoxicating scent while my fingers brush against hers again and again.

When I’m done, I string the twine between the nails and step back.

“This what you had in mind?”

“Yeah,” she says. “Perfect.”

My chest warms.

I love doing things for this girl. I know I’d do anything in the world to make life easier for her.

“Time to test it.”

I flip the lid of the washer. It sticks, then gives with a pop. I reach into the drum for the wet clothes⁠—

“Stop!” She grabs my hands. “I’ll take it from here.”

I go still, desire charging through me at the touch of her soft little fingers on mine.

Then I get it.

And maybe there’s a matching bra in there too.

“Right,” I say.

I step back from the washer. “I’ll… give you a minute.”

She nods quickly. She can’t meet my eyes, but her cheeks are flushed prettily.

I step out into the cold air.

She doesn’t want me to see her panties.

Fair enough.

Won’t be long before I’m pulling them off her myself.

13

Alexandria

“Dinner’s ready,” Gunnar calls from the far side of my bedroom door.

The sound of his voice reverberates through me, sending little tingles all over my body.