“Yep. Looks like there was a hole under the sink that didn’t get repaired correctly during the remodel. We’ll keep them out with this for now, and I’ll call the contractor to come back and do this correctly.”
“I’m sure Aunt Cara will be relieved that you solved the case.” I check the time. “I’m going to go get some work done before dinner.”
My little house is new and sits on two acres less than half a mile from the house I grew up in. Josh and Dad gave me the two acres as a birthday gift for my twenty-fifth birthday a couple of years ago, and I got to work building my place.
It’s a farmhousestyle ranch house, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It has plenty of room for me, especially given that I don’t plan on it being more than just me living here.
I’m not going to have kids. After the early childhood I had, I shudder to think what kind of parent I’d make.
Hell, I don’t even plan to get married.
This house is perfect for a life-long bachelor.
I kick off my fishing boots, strip out of my sweaty T-shirt and make a beeline for the shower.
* * *
“Out of practice,” Gage says with a laugh when I miss the pocket.
“I don’t exactly have time to just work on my pool game,” I remind him as I reach for my beer and watch him circle the table. “How’s it going with your client? Is Tate starting to feel better?”
Gage frowns and then nods slowly. “It’s a damn slow process. I’ve been working with her for three months now, but she’s standing.”
“By herself?”
Tate Donovan, a cousin of Aunt Cara’s, had a massive stroke last year. At just over thirty, it was a complete shock to everyone. The stroke was severe enough that it put her in a wheelchair, and she’s had to go through many months of different therapies.
Gage has been back from the Army for a few months now and took the job of helping Tate regain the use of her legs and balance.
“By herself,” he confirms. “But I found out she’s been doing too much on her own and fell the other day. Damn stubborn woman.”
I cock my head to the side, watching my friend. “Is something going on with you two besides the working relationship?”
“No.” He sips his beer. “She drives me nuts. Hard-headed, that’s what she is.”
“And you’re the picture of grace and patience. Not to mention flexibility.”
“Fuck you.”
I laugh, and then I’m pushed forward when someone stumbles into me from behind.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry.”
I turn, glance down, and feel my heart lurch.
Big blue eyes.
No, not blue.
Lavender.
“I think I spilled beer on your shoes.” The petite woman with the lavender eyes cringes and reaches for a pile of napkins. “I’m never this clumsy. I tripped on that barstool. I’m really sorry. I’ll pay for your shoes if you want.”
“It’s fine.” I touch her shoulder before she leans over to dab at my feet. “Really, it’s fine.”
She blows out a breath, and my dick twitches at the sight of those plump lips.
Jesus, this woman is beautiful.
“You’re not from here,” I say and gesture for her to sit on the stool.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’d remember that gorgeous face.”
A smile flirts over her lips and a single dimple creases in her right cheek. “No. I’m just in town for a couple of weeks.”
Before she can turn and walk away, I think fast. I don’t know what it is about this girl, but I want to hang out with her. Get to know her a bit.
Kiss those delectable lips.
“Want to dance?” I ask her and point to the live band up on stage.
“Oh. Uh, sure. I guess.”
I take her hand in mine and wink at Gage before I lead her out onto the dance floor. Her hand is dainty, but her grip is strong.
And when we start to dance, her body moves effortlessly. Her brown hair is up off her neck, and she’s in a tank top that shows off the definition of muscle in her arms and shoulders.
She’s in excellent shape.
And her jeans mold around her ass perfectly.
When one song ends and bleeds into a slow song, I pull her to me and we move lazily around the floor.
Her nose is pressed to my shoulder.
Her breasts push against my chest.
I’ve never been so turned on by a woman after only five minutes with her.
I glance up and see Gage wave at me. He’s headed out.
I nod in reply.
I’ll call him later.
When the song is over, and with my entire body humming, I escort her back to where I was sitting with Gage.
“You’re a good dancer,” she says.
“All the better for holding gorgeous women.” I wink and then laugh when she just raises a brow. “Okay, that was cheesy. But it was nice to touch you.”
“Are you always this forward?” she asks.
“No, actually. What’s your name?”
“Remi. And you?”
“Seth.” I shake her hand, and rather than let go, I link my fingers with hers and bring them up to my mouth so I can kiss her knuckles.
She grins and doesn’t pull away.
“Remi is a beautiful name.”
“Thanks. So, are you from here?”
“Yes.” I don’t count the years that I spent with Kensie. “Where are you from?”
“Southern California, originally. I’ve been doing some traveling, and I heard this part of the country is beautiful. So far, they’re right.”
“It’s a little late in the season.”
It’s mid-September. Most of the summer activities are closed for the upcoming winter.
“I like to travel when there are fewer people around. And I lucked out because the weather has been great.”
“We could get snow by the weekend.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Yeah, right. It’s September.”
“In Montana,” I remind her. “Could happen.”
“But probably won’t.” She shrugs and frowns at her drink. “I’m not drinking this. I left it alone for too long.”
“Good call. I’ll go get us fresh drinks. Do you want another beer?”
“That would be great.”
“You stay here. I’m not done with you yet.” I grin and make my way to the bar. The line is long, and by the time I get the two bottles, it’s been at least ten minutes since I walked away from Remi.
When I return to our seats, they’re empty.
But on the small table is a note.
Seth-
Sorry. I just can’t.
R
I take a swig of the beer and swear under my breath.
That would be my luck. She’s the first woman I’ve been truly interested in in a long time, and she ghosted me.
I set down the bottles and rack the balls on the table.
If I can’t flirt with a beautiful woman, I might as well work on my pool game so I can kick Gage’s ass the next time I see him.
Newsletter Sign Up
I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! For upcoming book news, be sure to join my newsletter! I promise I will only send you news-filled mail, and none of the spam. You can sign up here:
https://mailchi.mp/kristenproby.com/newsletter-sign-up
Also by Kristen Proby:
Other Books by Kristen Proby
The With Me In Seattle Series
Come Away With Me
Under The Mistletoe With Me
Fight With Me
Play With Me
Rock With Me
Safe With Me
Tied With Me
Breathe With Me
Forever With Me
Stay With Me
Indulge With Me
Love With Me
Dance With Me
Dream With Me
You Belong With Me
Imagine With Me
Shine With Me
Escape With Me
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/with-me-in-seattle
The Big Sky Universe
Love Under the Big Sky
Loving Cara
Seducing Lauren
Falling for Jillian
Saving Grace
The Big Sky
Charming Hannah
Kissing Jenna
Waiting for Willa
Soaring With Fallon
Big Sky Royal
Enchanting Sebastian
Enticing Liam
Taunting Callum
Heroes of Big Sky
Honor
Courage
Check out the full Big Sky universe here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/under-the-big-sky
Bayou Magic
Shadows
Spells
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/bayou-magic
The Romancing Manhattan Series
All the Way
All it Takes
After All
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/romancing-manhattan
The Boudreaux Series
Easy Love
Easy Charm
Easy Melody
Easy Kisses
Easy Magic
Easy Fortune
Easy Nights
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/boudreaux
The Fusion Series
Listen to Me
Close to You
Blush for Me
The Beauty of Us
Savor You
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/fusion
From 1001 Dark Nights
Easy With You
Easy For Keeps
No Reservations
Tempting Brooke
Wonder With Me
Shine With Me
Kristen Proby’s Crossover Collection
Soaring with Fallon, A Big Sky Novel
Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella
By Sawyer Bennett
All Stars Fall: A Seaside Pictures/Big Sky Novella
By Rachel Van Dyken
Hold On: A Play On/Big Sky Novella
By Samantha Young
Worth Fighting For: A Warrior Fight Club/Big Sky Novella
By Laura Kaye
Crazy Imperfect Love: A Dirty Dicks/Big Sky Novella
By K.L. Grayson
Nothing Without You: A Forever Yours/Big Sky Novella
By Monica Murphy
Check out the entire Crossover Collection here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/kristen-proby-crossover-collection
About the Author
Kristen Proby has published close to fifty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats and dog.
Courage: A Heroes of Big Sky Novel Page 20