by Selena Blake
Project managers and developers were spread all over the world and worked remotely. And while she didn't mind that at all, she'd grown to love her time in Spain, especially the community they'd developed during her time there. The structure, the face time, the after-hours camaraderie was something she hadn't realized she'd been missing out on.
She was eager, not only to travel but to gain that kinship again.
Once that email was sent, she searched for her shoes and poked her head out the back door.
The Greek God at the end of the garage wielding a chainsaw was the last thing she'd expected to see. So that's where the racket was coming from. He maneuvered the deadly machine with ease, slicing through the brush, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
A shorter guy, obviously not related to the God, hauled the remains around the side of the house.
“Everything okay?”
Dylan's voice startled her and she spun to the right. He stood several feet away in a flowerbed. An actual, honest to goodness flowerbed. Except, it was completely empty. It seriously needed some color; maybe a few rows of flowers.
“Um. Yeah. Just seeing what all the noise was about.”
“That's Perseus. He's a friend of Greg's.”
Of course he was. The neighbors could be forgiven for thinking they were running a modeling studio over here.
“The flowerbed looks good.”
He glanced down at the strip of bare dirt surrounding his boots. “Couldn’t save anything.”
He winced.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, fine.” He met her gaze. “Thinking how upset gram would be to lose her rose bushes. And the hostas.”
“You did your part. You hired someone to take care of them. It’s his fault he didn’t keep up his end of the bargain.”
His lips curved up. “You sound like her.”
Which was a true compliment. Mabel had been a sweet, smart lady.
“Thanks.” The chainsaw revved, ending their conversation. “I’m heading out to lunch,” she called.
He nodded and she stood there for a moment longer taking in the sight of him. Tall, strong, shirtless…sweaty. So completely different than the men she worked with, the boys she’d gone to school with.
No wonder she fantasized about him day and night.
She was halfway to the cafe when the call came. Secretly, she’d been expecting it but her heart hadn’t wanted to believe.
Pulling over into the nearest parking lot, she hit the talk button that connected her car’s speaker system with her cellphone.
“Reya, darling, I’m so sorry.” Lola’s voice filled her car and there wasn’t an ounce of apology that Reya could hear.
“Something came up?” Reya squeezed the poor steering wheel in a death grip.
Lola started off on a tirade that would have lasted longer than lunch. Reya’s heart hurt. They’d been friends for almost twenty years. Even during the rough adolescent years when Reya’d been in different foster homes every year or two.
This wasn’t the first time her friend had canceled plans. Reya knew plans changed, things came up, but this wasn’t just life getting in the way of friendship.
Reya had no idea what it was, other than annoying.
This was the third time since she’d returned from Spain that Lola had canceled on her. Three times in a week was a record, even for Lola. And listening to her friend now, she realized it’d be the last. She deserved better. She deserved friends who listened as much as they talked. She deserved to go on fun lunch dates with girlfriends and have them actually show up. Not just show up on time, but actually show up.
Having developed a good head of steam, she cut Lola off. “I’m gonna have to go, Lola. We’ll talk later.”
She hit the end button and doubted that she’d ever hear from her friend again. “Unless she needs something,” she muttered.
Heart bruised, not feeling hungry any more, she debated crying it out right there in the parking lot. But that would be messy. So she held her tears back as she headed to Mabel’s house and let the snark fly.
Hungry, PMSing and thoroughly annoyed was a dangerous combination. She parked at the curb and slammed her door shut. Dylan came around the side of the house before she could make it to the front door.
She’d hoped to make it inside, to the privacy of her room, which was really Mabel’s room, but no luck there.
“Back already?” he asked, concern lacing his words.
“Yeah, because you know, why would a friend of twenty years actually want to have lunch with me?”
She stabbed her key into the lock and gave it a hard twist.
Silently, he followed her inside.
“What happened?” he asked, as she tossed her purse onto the end of the couch and sank down next to it.
“The usual. Lola and I make a date to get lunch, see a movie, whatever and she waits until the last minute to cancel.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “That’s not it. It’s the fact that we’ve made plans to get together three times since I’ve been home from Spain. And all three times she’s canceled. And this isn’t even the third time it’s happened. Over the last year, it’s happened dozens of times.”
“She doesn’t sound like she values your friendship.”
Reya gave an unladylike snort. “I’m starting to think that myself. And the thing is I have no idea what’s going on. She talks and talks but it’s not like she’s taking care of a bambino or her grandmother.”
He squatted down in front of her. “People change.”
“You didn’t. You’re still the rock solid guy I’ve known for half my life. And I bet you’d have the balls to tell me you didn’t want to be friends anymore.”
His lips twitched and he reached up, wrapping a finger around a lock of her hair. “I'll always want to be friends with you.”
Just friends? The question was like a living breathing beast, but she didn't let it out of the cage.
“Thanks.” She sent him a smile while trying to control her need to shout and/or cry. Neither would be pretty so she took a deep breath and focused on his eyes...and the fact that he hadn't released his grip on her hair.
“I can't speak from experience but maybe you should focus on your other friends.”
He made it sound easy, as if Lola didn't know her life story. But he was right, people did change. Lola had changed and if she didn't have time for Reya, why was Reya always making time for her? Especially when she did have other friends she should be hanging out with. Especially when the timing was finally right for her and Dylan. Well, right for seduction.
“That's pretty good advice.”
“Good. Now about these other friends—”
She cut him off with a kiss. Unlike three years ago, she made the first move this time. Closing the distance between them, she slanted her lips against his, held a firm pressure and almost grinned when he groaned.
The hand toying with her hair slid deeper and his lips moved against hers with panty-melting purpose. She moved her hands to his shoulders as wave after wave of pleasure washed through her. He tightened his grip in her hair and the sensation made her breathless, made her lips part on a sigh.
Dylan took immediate advantage, sweeping his tongue into her mouth. As kisses went, she liked the way the French did it the best, and right now, she was pretty sure Dylan Harper was as French as he could get. Hot, wet and masterful, he moved in and out of her mouth, tracing and teasing.
She dueled with him, letting her tongue dance against his, mating so thoroughly, she didn't hear the knock at the back door until he leaned away. His hands slid from her hair and dropped to his thighs, but when she started to topple forward, they shot up and steadied her.
Blinking and out of breath, she mentally shook her head. What had just happened? How long had they been going at it like love sick teenagers? Did she look as thoroughly bemused as he did?
“I'd better see what he needs,” he said, standing.
She leaned against the arm rest and nodded. Part of her wanted to call him back and say who cares what Perseus needs? The yard can wait. I need you. I've needed you for years.
Okay, all of her wanted to call him back, but she didn't. Instead, she sat there and held her fingertips to her lips, reliving that kiss.
5
That evening, Dylan strode through the back door, caked in mud and sweat, praying for another meal like the paella. But the house was quiet and no delicious scents wafted from the kitchen.
His disappointment was short lived. Reya breezed into the living room, hair swept up in a messy do that left bits and pieces cascading around her neck and face. The cherry red blouse stretched across her breasts and a deep V showed off killer cleavage. The skirt hid her thighs but showed off her calves.
“Going out?”
She fiddled with an earring. “Mmm huh. And you're coming with me. We're going to hang out with people who actually want to hang out with us.” She strode toward him as she spoke.
He memorized the swing of her hips, longed to say forget about hanging out, let's stay in. His palms itched to slide around her waist and pull her close. He wanted to find out if she tasted as good as she smelled, if her skin was as smooth as he imagined.
But those were bad ideas. Dangerous ideas. Even with Teo's endorsement ringing in his ears, he knew she'd have a hard time understanding his darker side, his strange tastes. Besides, what did he have to offer her?
She was a friend, a temporary roommate and for the first time in almost twenty years, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do with his life. The indecision chafed worse than the sands of Iraq.
She headed into the kitchen, swatting his ass as she went by. “Go shower. We leave at...” she glanced at the clock and seemed to do some mental math. “Nineteen hundred hours.”
Her attempt to sound all tough made him smile all the way to the shower. Halfway through said shower he heard the door open.
“Dylan, sorry, I forgot my lipstick.”
Just knowing she was on the other side of the curtain was torturous. In some ways more so than anything he'd experienced since boot camp.
All he had to do was slide back the curtain and reach for her. She'd reached for him earlier. That kiss had knocked his socks off. But he was naked and she had plans. Plans that didn't involve getting off in the shower.
Or did they?
The door clicked shut and he let out a breath. Disaster averted. For the moment, anyway. But his cock was down with quickie shower sex and as much as he hated to let that particular part of his anatomy rule him, he knew he was going to have a hard time controlling it with her dressed like she was.
Somehow, he wasn't sure how, he managed to keep his cock in check. It was hard when Reya nestled closer to accommodate a late comer, her thigh pressed against his. They were bunched around a small table at the little coffee shop they’d fallen in love with in downtown Roseville.
The owner, Jillian, approached the table. She was pretty in a retro sort of way and she always seemed to have a smile for her customers.
“Hi everyone. I’m Jill. I’ll be taking care of you.” She took everyone’s order, mentioned the specials and hustled off toward the small kitchen.
Dylan draped an arm over the back of Reya’s chair and she stayed glued to his side, talking and joking, pulling him into the conversation with the charm of a diplomat.
Several cups of coffee and a great dinner later, her girlfriends talked about going to a club. He was too old for that type of event and the club he belonged to would curl their eyelashes.
He was relieved when they decided work would come early and they'd had enough fun for one night. But as he drove home, he couldn't stop thinking about how easy it was to be with Reya. Everything about their evening had felt completely natural, as if they were an ordinary couple enjoying a night out with their friends.
His body could be forgiven for thinking that the evening wouldn't stop with a goodnight kiss on the front stoop.
But that was a dangerous line of thought. Pursuing Reya meant coming clean with her and deciding on his future. Did he stay in Atlanta or head somewhere else? He longed to stop with the limbo crap, yearned to make up his mind.
Despite Teo’s blessing, he wasn’t sure he wanted to pursue her when he had nothing concrete to offer her. Sure, he had savings and a house, but at the moment, little motivation or direction other than getting Mabel’s home ready to sell. The depression he’d suffered from since the accident was easing slowly. Too slowly.
And what about her job possibility in Switzerland?
“Have you had any luck with the apartment hunt?” he asked. She’d said she only needed a place to stay for a little while and had mentioned getting a corporate apartment. But since then, she hadn’t said a word.
He felt the instant change in her, the freeze as she went from happy and bubbly to cool and distant.
“No. Not yet.”
“Let me know if you need any help.” Not that he had a clue what he could do to help, but offering her his assistance was as second nature as breathing.
“Thanks.”
The night didn't end in a good night kiss. She thanked him for a great evening, murmured a few pleasantries and then disappeared into her room. The click of the door sounded final and ominous and he was left wondering why she'd shut down like that.
She knew that he was selling the house.
Standing in the dim hallway, he debated with himself. Did he knock on her door? Go to bed? He hated indecision; he hated feeling conflicted about his decisions.
But this house wasn’t for him. He knew that, he’d known that since Gram said she was leaving it to him. Luckily, she’d never expected him to keep it and make a home here. But where?
The best compass in the world is in the middle of your chest, child.
Grandma Mabel’s words haunted him but he knew she was right. She’d been right about so many things. But what did he do when what he wanted contradicted with what he needed?
The next morning, Dylan woke refreshed and full of energy. He was still working out his game plan, but it started with coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. He put a pot on and ate a bowl of cereal. Early morning light streamed through the front windows, emphasizing just how dirty they were. One more thing to add to his to do list, one more thing he'd do later.
Mug in hand, he headed back to his room. Perseus' team was planting grass and aerating the front yard today. Dylan was going to take care of adding a few shrubs to the back yard and then he was calling the yard done.
After finishing his coffee, he grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom. He collided with Reya who squeaked in surprise. Dropping the clothes from his hands, he clasped her upper arms to steady her. She clutched a towel around her chest. Her hair was wet, loose around her shoulders and her gorgeous brown eyes were wide.
“Sorry,” she murmured.
“No one's fault. Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“There's coffee.”
She nodded and he could see that she was still not quite herself. He had no idea how to fix it, but he was going to do as Gram said and listen to his heart.
Pulling her closer, he watched her for any signs of distress.
“You'll have to forgive me for whatever I said to put those clouds in your eyes.”
“I do, do I?”
Ahh, there was a little bit of her spark.
He nodded.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.” He cupped her cheek and slanted his lips against hers. She moaned and ran her hands up his chest.
Inside, he roared with victory. She'd given in so easily, as if she wanted his kiss as much as he wanted to kiss her. He only hoped that was the case because she was quickly becoming an addiction.
He slid his other hand lower and encountered a damp towel. Her hips pressed against his and the beginning of an erection blossomed against his boxers. As if sensing his condition, she undulated ag
ainst him, her body doing a sexy little shimmy as she made eager sounds in her throat.
The tip of her tongue touched his lips and he was blown away by her eagerness. Tightening his grip on the back of her head, he parted his lips and sucked her tongue inside. Her whole body froze for a split second. Then she moaned.
She came to life again, all of her moving against him as if she could merge with him. It took his breath away.
A loud noise outside made him jerk back and spin her toward the inside wall. While his muscles were acting on memory, his brain knew that there was likely no danger, but that didn’t stop his heart from accelerating or adrenaline trickling into his system.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“It’s okay.” She ran a soothing hand down his cheek.
He tamped down on the frustration that always assailed him following a loud noise and his instinctive reaction. Then he reminded himself that it was going to take years, not weeks, to stop reacting the way he’d been trained to.
“Flashback?”
He shook his head. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. But dammit, it felt so right, she felt so right. And hadn’t he waited long enough, sacrificed enough?
The knock on the front door further cooled his ardor.
“That’s probably Perseus.”
She nodded but made no move toward her room.
“I don’t want to do yard work today.”
“I don’t want to manage a bunch of geeks today,” she said, her lips curving in a soft smile that bewitched him.
He could happily go for the rest of his life seeing that smile every day. The realization should have shocked him. He’d always put off thinking of the long term, but it seemed like with her under his roof, he couldn’t not think about where he wanted to be a year from now.
“I guess we kind of have to, don’t we?”
She nodded. “Yep.”
“See you at lunch?”
“You just want me to cook,” she teased.
“I just want to kiss you again.”