Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“Shit.” I look down, realizing my paintbrush is dripping paint onto the floor. I kneel to clean up my mess.
“I got you.” Easton drops the nail gun, grabs a towel, and leans across me to wipe the floor. I would help, but I malfunction when his thick bicep brushes against my breasts. The smell of sweat and pine teases my senses, and I bite my bottom lip. “Gotta be careful.” He pulls back, catching the daze in my eyes. “The primer will soak into the wood and show through the stain if you don’t wipe it up quick.”
My brain is screaming for him to wipe me up with his tongue. “Get that lip outta your mouth, or we’re not getting anything else done.” That’s a shame. I slowly release my lower lip, and he just as slowly retreats, picks up his nail gun, and gets back to work.
The next couple of hours go by as slow as molasses. I knew I said I enjoyed a man who knew how to use his hands, but I’m starting to get jealous of all his power tools. I was the one who suggested we table anything concerning us, so I can only blame myself if I’m mad he isn’t trying to jump my bones.
It’s for the best, anyway. The lines of right and wrong are becoming blurred. Great sex cannot be the reason we give in. We have serious issues to work out. And even if we manage that, it doesn’t mean anything for after. What would after even be? A future? Reconciliation? I snicker at that insane thought.
“You good over there?”
“Me? Yep. Peachy.” I dip my brush into the paint for the third consecutive time.
“All right. Let’s go.”
“What? Where? I’m not done.”
He stands. “I know that look. Let’s go.”
“Uh, I don’t think so. I have no interest—”
“Not talkin’ about sex, babe. Even though you can lie out your teeth all you want. Change of scenery. Get changed. Gonna take you on a little adventure.”
“Adventure?” I ask, dropping the brush. “What kind of adventure?” The last part comes out strained because the way he says adventure has my mind in a tailspin and my lady parts clapping for joy.
“Gonna have to wait and see. Clean up. You have ten minutes.” Then he walks out of the room.
Fuck!
***
Ten minutes isn’t enough time to shave my entire body. But he did say no sex, so I’m half banking that’s the case. Half banking he likes a woman with hairy legs.
Also, what does one wear on an adventure? Survey says jeans and a sweater because that’s all I have. It’s on my agenda to ask Easton if he can attempt to get into my car again since I have no underwear.
I walk out of the bathroom twelve minutes later. Easton is already by the door. “How do you get ready so fast?”
“Magic. You ready?”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure what I should be ready for.”
“Get your jacket and snow pants on. I wanna show you something.”
“This isn’t where you take me into the woods and kill me because of my horrible paint job, is it?”
“No, that’ll be later. Come on.” We head outside to the snowmobile. “Did you want to rock paper scissors for who straddles who?”
“Did you want to know how having my fist in your mouth feels?”
He laughs and climbs on. Taking my hand, he guides me to the sitting position in front of him. Just like before, he tucks me up against his chest. “Hang on,” he says, zipping through the forest. After a bit, I relax and enjoy the scenery. Easton squeezes my waist, getting my attention, and points into the distance.
I jerk against him. “Oh, hell no!” I yell, staring at a mother bear and her cubs.
“Don’t worry. We have other plans.” Easton follows some trails through a ravine until we come to a stop. “Where are we?” I ask.
“Wait and see. Climb off.” He helps me off the snowmobile, and we take a few steps until my mouth parts, releasing a soft gasp.
“Easton, wow. It’s. . . beautiful.” I stare out at the scenery. We’re surrounded by snow-covered trees that teeter off a cliff, offering a view of a white landscape for miles.
“It sure is.”
“How’d you find this place?”
“Not really sure how I fell upon it, but it’s pretty damn gorgeous.”
“Do you come up here often?”
“Yeah. I do a lot of thinking up here.”
I look up at him. “What do you think about?”
“Not sure you want to go there, Baker.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agree, staring off into the ravine.
“Places like this make me glad I left the city. Makes you appreciate the little things and see life through a clearer lens.”
I want to ask him so bad what he means, but he’s right. Once I open that can of worms, there’s no shutting it. “Hmmm. . .” is all I say and return my eyes back to the stunning view. “Well, I can see why you come here. It’s very peaceful.”