Joshua

Imagine my surprise when Teagan comes strolling back around to where I’m working. I thought she would disappear into the house and hide until I left. I’ve never seen anyone as embarrassed as she was when her friend told me she was a virgin, and who could blame her? Teagan surprises me again, when, instead of going back over to the lounge chair near the pool, she lifts her chin and heads in my direction.

She stops a couple feet from me and wraps her arms around her stomach. “I know I’ve already said I’m sorry, but I feel like I owe you at least three more apologies.”

“Well, that’s one…” I hold up my finger and grin.

Teagan looks startled and then grins back. “I’m sorry,” she says, catching the game.

I hold up a second finger. “Two.”

“And…” She raises her eyebrows and nods once as she says: “I’m sorry.”

I lift a third finger and then let my hand drop. “And there’s three.” I rake a hand through my hair. “So, now that’s out of the way and we don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Teagan lets out a long breath and nods. She licks her lips, then opens her mouth only to close it and nod again.

“Didn’t you just finish telling me that your mouth runs before your brain has time to catch up?”

Teagan blushes. “Yeah,” she says, laughing lightly.

“Right now, it looks like you have something to say.”

“I do.” She bites her bottom lip. “I just don’t know what to say other than I’m sorry. I guess this time, my mouth is trying to run before my brain even knows what’s going on.”

“Was that your sister?” I should be putting the finishing touches on this damn pergola instead of chatting this girl up, but Teagan has my full attention.

“Nope. I’m an only child. That was my friend, Lola. Although we’ve been friends so long, she might as well be a sister.”

“That explains it, then. She’s … uh … direct.”

“She is most definitely direct. She’s in the middle of this whole, I don’t even know what to call it. Sexual revolution is what came to mind, but it’s more than that. She says she’s tired of playing life by the rules. She’s all about following her heart and listening to her soul.” Teagan widens her eyes. “I don’t usually mind, as long as she doesn’t hurt herself.”

“And you don’t believe in following your heart and listening to your soul?”

“I don’t know. I guess I do. But, she flits from one interest to the next, one person to the next. I worry that she’s not going to be ready to take care of herself when the time comes. How is she ever going to buy a house or settle into a job or, you know, what about retirement?”

“Retirement?” I raise an eyebrow. “How old are you guys?”

“Twenty-one.”

“Teagan. I’m all for planning, but I’m also for living, too. Your friend might be onto something, especially given how young you are.” And sexy. And adorable. And she has a nice sense of humor. Holy shit, I’m a goner.

Teagan frowns and looks at her hands. Her freckles dance as she scrunches up her nose. “I just want to end up in a place like this when I’m older.” Her gesture encompasses the property. “And I don’t think you get here by following every whim and doing exactly what you want all the time.”

“You might be surprised.” I came into my wealth by chasing my dreams and following my gut. I worked damn hard while I was doing it, but I certainly didn’t follow all the rules society deems part of the ‘right path.’

Teagan runs her hand along the mostly-finished pergola. “This looks amazing.” She smiles, her gaze locked on mine, sending a jolt of hell yes on a direct line to my dick. “I think I’m going to go inside now,” she says, suddenly shy. “It’s been really nice talking to you.”

And then she commits a cardinal sin. She puts her hand on my arm, her skin like silk against mine. Electricity courses through my body. Her lips part and she gasps, staring down at where her hand rests against the corded muscles just below my shoulder. After a few silent seconds, she brings her gaze to mine, her eyes hooded and burning with lust.

I drop my gaze to her mouth and she licks her lips, leaning in closer, angling her head ever so slightly. She wants me to kiss her and I am more than happy to oblige. I brush my fingers along her arm. She shivers as goosebumps flare across her skin. I thread my fingers into her hair, letting my thumb graze her cheekbone as I do. Her breath catches in her throat. I move closer and then pause. She softens into me and that’s all the invitation I need.

I kiss her.