CHAPTER EIGHT
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LIBBY
I blew it. I was in my head way too much with Carson, and instead of living in the moment, I blew it. I’d already made this rule for myself, not to get intimate with him in any way. And once I put my mind to something, I stick to it. Like super glue.
So, of course, when I see Carson sitting there and the need to kiss him is so bad, it raged a huge war in my mind.
I’m not supposed to be doing this.
The words kept repeating over and over in my head until finally my brain won.
The thing is, though, Carson wasn’t pushing. He didn’t encourage that moment any more than I did. It was a choice, and it pisses me off.
Because maybe…maybe I realize one of my rules was made by mistake. After all, Carson has been a perfect gentleman. He hasn’t pushed anything and he’s a hard worker. Too hard sometimes.
Like yesterday. And today.
Since our kiss outside in the rain, he’s done nothing but work. The kitchen’s taking shape. He patched up the ceiling where we removed the extra wall, and the appliances are going to be ordered soon.
Which, of course, makes me feel bad. Sitting at the counter in the kitchen, I check my calendar. We’re two days ahead of schedule and it’s all because Carson has been working his ass off. He needs a break. Maybe I do, too.
I walk outside, where Carson is using a circular saw—one he let me use last week. But this week, he’s been way too focused to teach me anything new. In fact, he’s barely talked to me at all. After the incident in the rain.
“Hey,” I say when the saw quiets down.
He shifts a few boards and nods. “Hey.”
Then he starts the saw back up, effectively cutting off the conversation. I swallow and try again when he stops cutting.
“It’s almost dinnertime,” I say.
He glances up with his eyes narrowed, like there’s a clock on my face. “Yeah? I know you cooked the last two nights in a row—you don’t have to make me anything. I’ll grab something later.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Shit. He’s being nice. That’s even worse.
He starts up the saw again, and this time I huff out loud. I know he can’t hear it above the noise of the saw, but I swear he smirks anyway.
I fold my arms, but keep waiting. Now I’m on a mission and I’m not going to back down.
“You really don’t have to worry about dinner,” he says when the saw quiets again.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
He shrugs. “Getting there. Got some frozen burritos.”
Yuck. “You’re not having that.”
“Why not? Easy clean-up, too, since I know what a stickler you are about cleanliness. I’ve been doing my part. Following the rules.”
“I know you have—Carson, don’t you dare turn that saw back on.”
He pulls off his safety goggles and crosses is harms, mirroring my pose. “I get the feeling you have something on your mind.”
I grit my teeth, then narrow my eyes when he chuckles. “I want to go out.”
“Excuse me?”
“Let loose, take a break. You deserve it,” I say.
His eyes lock on mine. Finally, after so long I feel like he’s just going to start sawing again, he says, “We deserve it.”
Victory! “Good,” I say, trying to keep my cool. “Then pack a bag for overnight.”
“Wait—”
“Let loose!” I yell back at him, and then disappear in the house.
Inside, I let out a laugh. Part relief and part amusement. I think that’s the first time I’ve surprised him. Maybe there’s something to this whole letting loose thing.
I change into a skirt and tank top, cool and sexy. In anticipation of an even sexier evening. I’ll show Carson that I really do know how to let loose.
When my phone rings and I see Cheyenne’s number, I pick up immediately. “Cheyenne!”
“That was enthusiastic.”
“I’m going out.”
“Yeah? Getting cabin fever in that big house of yours?”
“Yes. So much yes.”
Cheyenne laughs. “I would, too. So, is it a total nightmare? How’s that contractor working out for you?”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me. He kept putting off the date to start working. I had to find someone else.”
“You did?”
“Yep. I…” I close my mouth. Probably not the best idea to tell her I ended up hiring the man who’d broken into my house. It feels like so long ago—like a dream. “I found someone who knows what he’s doing and we right on schedule.”
“Good. I’d love to come see the place sometime.”
“You should. I’ll give you a call soon.”
I finish getting ready. Cheyenne would die if she knew I hired a perfect stranger. But instincts. One thing my dad always said was to go with your gut. And I had. Kyle had been a mistake—in fact, I’d only gone with his company because he had good recommendations. I knew the houses he’d worked on. Or his partner had—although I’d never met his partner.
I went with someone I wasn’t entirely settled with because it looked good on paper. And that hadn’t worked.
Carson…something about him rang true. Just one man, but I knew from that first day he wasn’t in this for the money. He was in it for the love of the profession.
I spritz some perfume on my wrists, dab my neck, and then spray right between my breasts as well. I’m letting loose, right?
When I walk downstairs, Carson is already by the door, his shoulder against the trim. I swallow hard. He’s in dark jeans and a plain t-shirt, but it’s enough to make my knees nearly buckle. He looks so good—so hot. Why haven’t I gone for it before? Let loose and kiss him? Press my body up against his and let what happens happen?
When nerves start to sneak in again, I force myself to relax. I’m not making a mistake—I hope. Just because this isn’t on my list of rules doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
His eyes travel the length of my body as I walk up. I can feel the heat in them, searing me in all the right places. The places I want him to touch with his hands, and his mouth.
“Looks like you’re taking this very seriously,” he says. “The letting loose thing.”
“I am,” I say confidently.
His lips curve into a smile. “We’ll see.”
We drive into town and I take him to the bar right next to one of the town’s more popular B&B’s. I’ve been wanting to check it out anyway.
When Carson steps out of the car, I grab his hand. “Drinks and dinner first.”
“First?”
I nod, tugging him to the bar.
“What’s second?” he asks.
Him and me. Our bodies joined. His mouth all over me as we come together in the darkness of a cool room.
It’s what I want. But all I say is, “We’ll see.”