More than that, I feel dizzy with anticipation of seeing Lorne.
I had plenty to do this afternoon, none of which included seeking him out. But I wanted to.
Maybe I should get my head examined, because I miss his moody ass.
The outside door to the mudroom opens and closes, followed by multiple footsteps. Then silence.
I move to the stove as Jarret strides in, wearing a t-shirt and boxer briefs. No dusty jeans or mud-caked boots.
A smile stretches my cheeks. “I set out shorts.”
“I tried to tell him.” Maybe walks in, clad in the cotton shorts I left for her. “By the way…” She wraps an arm around my shoulders and leans in. “You’re kind of badass.”
“I don’t know about that.” I laugh, warming at her compliment.
On my other side, Jarret reaches around me and lifts the lid on the pot.
“No, you don’t.” I grab the wooden spoon and swat his arm with it. “Go clean up. We’re eating in ten.”
“Your stomach can wait.” Maybe hugs Jarret from behind and kisses his spine. “Because you’re going to take a shower with me.”
That gets him moving.
As they step out of the kitchen, Conor pads in, barefoot and donning a pair of Jake’s gym shorts.
“I love the sign.” She smiles at me with tired eyes. “It’s about time someone spanked some respect into those boys.”
“Spanking will be a challenge with the oldest one. He’s difficult.”
“And distant,” she says quietly. “I’m trying to give him space and time and… I don’t know what he needs.”
“It’s only been a week. He’ll come around.”
“I hope you’re right.” Pulling in a breath, she stands straighter. “Thank you for cooking and keeping things clean. This is…” She waves a hand at the set table. “We’ve never had anything like this. Never had someone taking care of us, you know. It’s nice.” She cocks her head. “How are you doing? Is Lorne…?”
Pissing me off? Driving me crazy? Twisting me up? Making me want things I shouldn’t want?
Yeah. All of it.
“He’s a good instructor,” I say.
She sucks on her lip, scrutinizing me. “There’s more you’re not saying, but I’ll let it go. For now. I need to go clean up.”
When she leaves the kitchen, the restless flutter in my chest returns. A flutter that’s reserved for Lorne and the confrontation that always awaits us.
I grin as the sound of boots enter the mudroom. A moment later, the kitchen door opens behind me.
My eyes remain fixed on the stove while the rest of my body beats and warms with the hard throb of my pulse.
The pads of his approaching footsteps indicate no shoes. He stops at my back and presses in, with his hands on my hips and his nose in my hair. “Smells delicious.”
A thrill races up my spine. “Chicken and dumplings.”
“That smells good, too.”
I suck in a breath, bringing the addictive scent of him into my lungs. No man should smell that sensational, especially after a workout in the summer heat.
His chest feels like a steel press against my back as the long length of his body edges closer, harder around mine.
In my head, I see every indention, carved ridge, and muscular curve of his physique. In reality, I’ve seen all of him in the buff. Except his cock, which is currently swelling against my ass.
I’m wearing one of the outfits he bought me. A green cotton slip dress that stops above my knees. The fabric is so thin the heat from his skin spreads across mine.
Is he wearing any clothes? My mouth dries as I reach back and touch his waist.
Warm, tight skin.
I slide my hand lower, tracing the shredded grooves of abs and hips. When my fingers meet the dense, round, bare curve of his butt, I spin to face him. “Why are you naked?”
The assertive glimmer in his eyes dares me to look down and investigate the extent of his nudity. I don’t.
“The sign…” He hitches a thumb in the direction of the mudroom, his lips curving into a half-grin.
Have mercy, that dimple.
“Since when do you follow orders?” I prop a fist on my hip.
“When it puts that flush in your cheeks.”
He brushes his thumb across my cheekbone, his mouth slightly open and bathing my face in Lorne-scented allure. Then he pivots and strolls toward the living room, giving me a jaw-dropping view of the remarkable beauty chiseled into his Adonis body.
Heat soars through my veins, cooking me from the inside out. Perspiration forms on my brow, and my breath trembles past my lips.
He can’t just walk around like that. It’s criminal.
“Your sister!” I shout after him.
He lifts off his hat and holds it at his side as he vanishes around the corner.
I turn to the sink and pat a wet towel across my face.
He’s such a tease. What would he do if I chased him? I could walk into his room, wrap a hand around his cock, and own him in two seconds flat.