Air mattresses suck. Not horribly, but I can’t wait to get into my bed. One night didn’t kill me, yet I can feel it in my back. Unfortunately, the spring chicken I once was, is no more. Not that thirty-one is old by any means, but when I was twenty-one, I could sleep anywhere at any time, waking up refreshed and alert. Now, I need comfort sleep.

When loud thumps come from the front door, I grab my cell to see it’s nine thirty. Crap.

Flinging off my one blanket, I toss my long, golden brown hair up in a messy bun. It’ll just have to do because Carter and whoever he has with him are here. Damn, I thought I set my alarm at least, wanting to brush my teeth before they came. Luckily, I washed my face before I went to bed, so at least my blue eyes won’t look like raccoons.

I fling the door open and, just like at the grocery store, my breath catches. Luckily, one hand is still on the door to help hold me up.

Carter stands so damn tall and broad, wearing yet another thermal, this one navy blue, bringing out his eyes. His jeans hug his hips like they were made specifically for him. His hair is a little damp, but the way it falls around his face is remarkable. Long hair on men never did it for me. For Carter, it does.

There are several men behind him, but my focus is only on one.

“Hey,” I greet as Carter’s eyes move down my body. It’s as if my breasts feel him looking, because my nipples pebble. It’s then I remember what I went to bed in, which isn’t much. No bra because, who wears a bra to bed? I firmly believe in letting the girls be free. In that decision, though, my nipples stand to attention in the thin spaghetti strapped tank I have on.

Carter’s eyes move down, and he heaves in a breath. My legs are long, and with these short as hell sleep shorts on, they probably look like miles. I’m curvy, all tits and ass, so I have no doubt both are on full display.

“We wake you?” Carter asks as he pushes his way through the door and slams it shut, blocking all his men out.

My mouth drops open. “You just slammed the door on them.”

“Damn right. They’ll see what I do, and it’s not for their eyes.”

I look down at my clothes and notice exactly what he’s talking about. My first instinct is to hide, but I stand tall.

The heat in the room turns up like the gates of hell are at my feet. Each prick of the warmth sends goose pebbles up my skin. Then, when he touches my arm, that fire blazes where our connection is.

My instinct is to pull back, but for unknown reasons, I don’t. Instead, I stare into eyes that beam desire and lust. My core tightens.

“I just got out of bed.”

With his other hand, he cups the side of my face, making that spot red-hot, as well. I inhale at the touch as he sweeps his thumb ever so softly over my bottom lip. The urge to lick his thumb hits hard. Instead, I concentrate on breathing. Passing out in this moment isn’t an option.

He watches intently as he traces my lip, like I’m the most important being on this planet and he only has eyes for me. No man has ever looked at me like this before. It makes my chest compress. The gesture so mundane to some holds so much meaning to me. I feel like I could stay like this all day long.

A thump comes to the door, and Carter closes his eyes. “Baby, get some clothes on so my boys won’t look at you.”

Clearing my throat, my feet take me back a step, losing his touch. I want it back so desperately, but only nod, and then go to get dressed.

As I’m upstairs, my clothes now on, low growls and laughter can be heard from downstairs. The noise makes the big house seem even more like a home, like a family. Shaking my head from my thoughts, I make my way down the stairs and follow the chatter.

Stepping into my new kitchen, all conversations halt and all attention comes to me. Seven pairs of eyes, to be exact. Each roaming, each appraising, but it’s the navy ones that hold me as I give a slight smile.

“Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming. I don’t have any …”

A large man with golden-blonde hair holds up a box of donuts, while a dark brown-haired male holds up coffee. I dart toward him, needing my caffeine fix, so damn happy they got me a cup of joe, too.

“Thank you!”

A growl comes from behind me, but the brown-haired male just smiles.

I turn to see Carter standing there.

“Did you just growl at me?” I ask, sipping the brew.

Instead of answering, he says, “Boys, outside and wait for the truck.”

“They don’t have to go outside,” I argue. It’s not freezing out, but it’s not the warmest, either. “At least let me meet the guys who are helping.”

I turn back to the brown-haired man who was holding the coffee. “Hi, I’m Izzy.”

“Gar.”

I make my way through the men and note that someone’s missing. “Where’s Owen?”

Carter’s nose flares. “He had to work.”

“Yeah,” Jack, one of the men, grunts, and Carter’s focus goes to him.

“Now, outside and wait.”

All six men move from around the kitchen island where they were standing since I have no chairs yet, and out the door.

“That wasn’t nice.”

Once the door clicks shut, I watch as Carter’s body visibly relaxes. His shoulders lose a bit of their tension and the lines around his eyes soften. It’s as if having me away from all his men gives him calm, which is totally preposterous to even think. I’ve seen the man twice. There is no way my presence would do this.

He moves so quickly until he’s in front of me, his hand on my arm, sending tingles in its wake. “You’re absolutely beautiful, Izzy.”

Some of my steam from his rudeness evaporates at his kind words, and I feel my face softening. Then the door swings open.

“Where do you want this?”

That breaks whatever Carter and I had, but it keeps me busy for quite a while so I don’t have to think about the way Carter makes me feel. The want that burns so deep for the man I just met. Directing the furniture is my escape … for now.