Falling back on the bed, I close my eyes and see him. Standing there in the middle of town looking like a god among men. Looking like the type of man that would take what he wanted and ask questions later.
In my mind, a fantasy forms. The stranger stomping over to me and grabbing me by the waist. His full lips coming to mine, me being carried away by him. His size and strength no match for me. I feel the heat between my legs pulse.
I tell myself I’ll pack later… This vision is too good to stop now.
Chapter 3
Blake
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I stop in my tracks, turning to look at Ben, one of the hands who’s been working for me for a few years now. He leans against one of the posts on my wraparound porch and stares at me. I’ve been pacing in this spot since the sun started to come up. It’s all I can seem to do at the moment.
“You got a fucking shirt or something?” I toss my own question back. He glances down at his bare chest. It’s not uncommon to not have a shirt on around here, but it looks like I’m going to have to make a new rule or something. That shit won’t be flying once Luciana gets here. Which should be any minute. I don’t like the idea of her seeing anyone without a shirt besides me.
“That’s actually why I came over. Ripped the shit out of mine on a fence and I wanted to see if you had one I could borrow. I’m doing field work today and don’t want the sun on my back burning the hell out of me,” he says, still eyeing me like I’m acting funny. Probably because I am. I’ve been acting funny since Luciana came into my life, and each day is getting worse. I’m hoping having her here will cool the edge and help me revert to not being an asshole. It’s almost like Ty and I have switched spots. Now I’m the asshole and he’s the one who can’t stop smiling like he doesn't have a care in the world. I used to be like thatcarefreeuntil the world showed me what I was missing.
It’s then I see the ripped shirt in his hand. I shake my head and take another deep breath. Recently I’ve been trying it to calm myself. The counting thing wasn't working, but this doesn't seem to be either. Nothing is. One would have thought I’d cool down a little once Luciana took the job. But I haven’t. In fact, I think I’ve only gotten worseknowing how close I am to having her under my roof. Knowing each night when I go to bed she’s under my roof, and I have no intention of ever letting her leave.
I feel like a teenage boy who’s never talked to a girl before. She’s about to show up here and I’m probably going to make an ass out of myself. The always calm and collected me is anything but at this moment.#p#分页标题#e#
“Yeah, come on.” I open the front door and heads toward my room to grab the shirt. When I get back to the living room Ben’s standing there looking all around. I hand him the shirt, but he’s still not looking at me.
“What’s happening here?” he asks, motioning at the room. I feel myself actually start to fucking blush. I turn to mask it, walking over to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. It’s the only thing in the kitchen I can make without burning, and that’s only because Dolly got me some fancy machine that pretty much works itself. It’s even on a timer.
I pause as I doctor my coffee. “Wanted a change,” I finally reply. I don’t offer him one because I don’t want him sticking around. People say I’m a flirt. Ben has me beat by a mile. I don’t think there’s a skirt in fifty miles he hasn’t lifted, or at least tried to.
I don’t really get that. Maybe when you’re young it isn’t so bad, but what happens when it’s time to settle down? You want your wife hearing that shit? Every day having to see women you fucked to get off? My ma would have skinned my dad alive. I smile thinking about the fire they always had for each other. Ma would get so worked up over something and Dad could cool her down in a second. I want that. To have someone who is your other half to balance you out. They needed each other to function. I want that. And I know Luciana is that person. I can feel it. I’ve always been this way. Can tell with one look what can and can't work.
I wonder what kind of fire Luciana will have. I can tell by the way her dark eyes narrow on me that she has it in her, and I can’t wait to see that fire on full display, aimed my way.
“Are those flowers?” he asks, picking up a vase I’d filled this morning. It makes my hand tighten around my coffee cup. “Oh shit. Not you, too.” He looks over at me. “I remember when Mary-Jane got here, Ty decorated his house to try and win her over. I see you two have the same taste.” He laughs the last words, and I can’t even argue with him.