Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 68538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“Dealing with the contractors,” he admitted. “They like you to think that building a house is this great experience but honestly, it’s like herding a bunch of cats. And I’d obviously known that building was hard, first my parents, then all of my siblings built. They each had their share of problems come up. But me?”
My brows rose. “What happened?”
“What didn’t happen?” He chuckled as he leaned forward and took another bite of his pizza. “First, the framers started building a whole different house. They were using some plans from their previous job, which was literally three thousand square feet more than mine. I was supposed to have this fairly large wraparound porch, as well as a sizeable carport and back porch area, and they built this house, making it fit onto a concrete pad that wasn’t made for it. Then, when they realized they’d fucked up, they got mad at me because I didn’t correct them.”
“You are a house builder now?” I wondered, watching as he caught another slice of pizza and devoured half of it before answering.
“Well, I knew immediately that the plans they were using weren’t mine when I saw the framing finished. The only problem is I was away in Scottsdale for a SWAT team class and didn’t see it until they were completely through. The builder was pissed as hell because that was 40K he couldn’t get back because the framers left when they realized what had happened. He asked if he poured me a new back porch area and extended the roof line out to cover it, if I would accept the new plans. I accepted, though I told him anything extra that was required—paint, flooring, or anything material wise—I wasn’t covering. Which he accepted. But I think he got me back here and there where he could get away with it.”
“And do you like the house plan?” I took another slice of pizza myself.
“I like it a lot,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I would because it looked a lot like Quincy’s, but I changed the coloring around. The back porch is different, as well as just the extra square footage.”
“Now you can fill that house with a bunch of kids,” I teased.
He scoffed. “I only want one.”
“One?” I asked. “Why only one?”
“Because one means that I can handle them on my own.” He shuddered. “Have you ever had to deal with multiple kids before?”
I was already shaking my head. “Truthfully, kids scare me.”
He flashed me a smirk. “I’ve seen you handle my nephews and nieces quite a few times. You’re good with them.”
“The three minutes they were in the bakery about to get a sweet doesn’t count,” I giggled.
He winked at me, making my heart stutter in my chest.
This man with his light, curly blond hair, chocolate eyes, tattoos, and ‘fuck everyone’ attitude was captivating. And with all of that attention focused solely on me? It was making my brain misfire.
God, was he really at my house?
I…
His phone made a strange sound, and he groaned.
“What?” I asked.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and grimaced.
“SWAT call,” he grumbled, tossing the phone onto the table and standing up.
He went to grab all the trash, but I stopped him by placing a hand on his forearm, right over the bright green lizard tattoo.
He stilled, his eyes coming up.
“I got it,” I said softly.
He pulled away but kept his eyes on mine.
“Raincheck?” he asked as he started to back toward the front door.
I nodded. “Definitely.”
He turned and walked to the door. “Come lock this.”
Not a suggestion.
Definitely not a suggestion when that kind of order came from a man like Auden Carter.
“Sure,” I said. “Despite not getting along with my father, he did teach me basic common sense.”
Auden chuckled. “The world is a bad place.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
My heart was pounding as I watched him walk down the manicured front walk and stop to take a look at my peonies by the mailbox.
With one last look over his shoulder at me, he walked toward his truck, got in, started it up, and drove away.
I watched him go until I couldn’t anymore, then did that girlish squeal that all girls do when the man they’ve had a crush on for-like-ever kisses them and says something sweet.
I’d just locked the front door when I heard the sound of a motor heading back in my direction.
I peeked out my peephole and felt my heart start to palpate in my chest as I watched Auden park haphazardly in the street and start running my way.
I opened the door to find him running down my walk, hopping over my rose bushes.
He came to a stop directly in front of me before saying, “Your brother is going to rip me a new asshole for this but…”
Then he kissed me.
My toes curled in my shoes.