by Jaci Burton
Dammit.
So, instead, she nodded and took a step back, taking a strong breath so she could gather some oxygen into her lungs.
“Okay, on to faucets, then?” he asked.
She nodded enthusiastically and smiled, mainly because her throat had gone bone-dry and she couldn’t form words. Or maybe her brain cells had fled south, fueling all the quivering currently going on in her sex.
Her libido could just calm the hell down, because they weren’t going to have sex in the bathroom fixture aisle, either.
Deciding to focus on faucets instead of sex, she wandered the department, looking around until she had narrowed her decision down to two. She was surprised Rafe didn’t interject his opinion, but she was happy about it, too. Her ex would have never let her pick out her own kitchen faucets, since he was big into traditional gender roles.
“I know many people like the touchless ones, but I’m not sure having the fancy option is worth the money.” She looked up at Rafe.
“We had one for a while,” he said, “and then two years later the touchless feature stopped working. But that’s entirely up to you if you think it’s something you need. The other one you picked out is just as good; it just doesn’t have the touchless feature. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.”
And again, he left the decision up to her. She pointed to the nice stainless steel faucet that had the pull-down faucet, but without the touchless feature. “I think this one.”
“Nice choice.” He picked up the box and put it into their cart.
Now that they had everything they needed, she figured they’d head to the checkout. Rafe surprised her by deviating into the plumbing aisle.
She frowned. “Where are you going?”
“Your grandpa needs a new showerhead.”
“Really. And you know this how?”
“Because I gave him a shower that night he fell in the bathroom, remember? There are only like three holes working in that showerhead.”
She slanted him a disbelieving look. “I don’t think it’s quite that bad.”
“Maybe not. But it’s pretty bad, and since he sits when he showers, he needs a more powerful showerhead, one that offers a wider spray area.”
She couldn’t argue with that. “Okay, let’s get a new showerhead.” She’d figure out where to sacrifice in the monthly budget to adjust for the cost of that.
But when Rafe picked out some fancy rainfall showerhead that also had a handheld shower wand to go with it, she looked at the price and her eyes widened.
“I don’t think so,” she said.
Rafe turned to her and frowned. “Why not? This way he can be more independent.”
Dammit. “Yes, but that’s a little pricey.”
“But this was my suggestion, so I’m buying it, and I’ll install it.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
He laughed. “You can’t stop me from buying this. It’s my treat for Jimmy.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t need your charity, Rafe.”
“This isn’t charity, Carmen. Quit being so defensive. I like Jimmy. He’s my friend. And he needs the damn showerhead, so stop arguing with me and let me do this.”
She wanted to put her foot down, but since this was for her grandpa, she kept her mouth shut. And Rafe was right. Anything that would give Grandpa more independence was a good thing.
“Okay, fine.”
Rafe put the box in the cart and added a few more plumbing supplies, which made her give him a side-eye, but, true to her word, she didn’t say anything. Then they headed for the front of the store.
After checking out, they walked to the truck and she slid into the passenger side. As she was buckling up her seat belt, she turned to Rafe.
“Thank you.”
He smiled, and that smile could melt a million cold hearts. “You’re welcome. What’s next?”
She wanted to say the grocery store, since the thought of him going to the lingerie store with her made her skin tingle in a not-unpleasant way, but instead, she told him to head to the mall.
His lips curved, and all she could think about was Rafe hovering above and giving her that same hot smile while her legs were spread and he was just about to slide his incredible cock inside of her. Not that she knew if his cock was incredible or not, but she’d just bet it was.
Despite the air-conditioning blasting in the truck, she was sweating between her breasts because she was fantasizing about sex.
You are so doomed, Carmen.
CHAPTER 11
IT WAS A WEEKDAY, BUT IT WAS ALSO SUMMER, WHICH meant every teen was going to be at the mall. Not Rafe’s favorite thing to do, but since Carmen wanted to shop for underwear, he’d make the ultimate sacrifice.
Oh, who was he kidding? He was dying to do this with her. She was going to allow him to be in the same lingerie store with her, and that was an intimate thing. He recognized the privilege being afforded him, and he wasn’t about to do anything to jeopardize it, especially knowing how skittish Carmen was about the whole dating and relationships thing.
Not that he was big on relationships himself; he just wanted Carmen to get her feet wet with a guy who wasn’t going to lead her on or hurt her. And in doing so, help her remember that dating and sex were fun. She was young and vibrant and beautiful, and she should be out there leading men around by their dicks. Guys should be lined up at her front door begging for a chance to take her out.
He aimed to wake her up and make her look at herself in the mirror and help her see all the fun she was missing out on. Then, once she had her confidence again, he’d let her go with a smile and know that he’d done a good deed. And had some fun himself in the process.
“You sure you’re up for this?” she asked, standing outside the lingerie store with a dubious look on her face.
“I’m totally up for it. How about you?”
She stared at the lingerie store sign as if it was some gauntlet she had to run. “It’s been a while for me.”
Obviously, it had been a while for her for a lot of things. He was more irritated at her ex than ever. What the hell had this guy done to her?
He slid his arm around her waist. “Have I ever mentioned you have a fantastic ass, Carmen?”
Her eyes widened and she looked around. It was the middle of the afternoon. The mall was crowded, but no one was paying any attention to them.
“Rafe.”
Her voice had gone low. Cracked a little.
“Carmen.”
She inhaled, let it out. “Maybe I should do this alone.”
“Up to you.”
She nodded. “I think I’ll do this alone.”
He had to admit he was disappointed, but he understood. “Sure. I’ll be on the bench here. Take your time.”
She turned to face him and smiled. “Thanks for . . . understanding.”
“Hey, no problem.”
She walked inside . . . slowly . . . as if she were facing execution.
Rafe shook his head and went to find a seat on the bench.
ADMITTEDLY, CARMEN HAD PANICKED. THE THOUGHT OF rifling through underwear and bras with Rafe looking over her shoulder had made her break out into a sweat.
She could barely tolerate the idea of doing it by herself. With Rafe by her side? No way.
But now that she was inside the store and staring at all the options, she had no idea what to do.
Correction. Of course she knew what to do. It wasn’t like she had no idea how to buy underwear. She was a grown-ass woman. But the reason she was in here buying new underwear was the expectation that someone—that someone being Rafe, of course—would be seeing said underwear.
You’re way overthinking this, Carmen. That expectation is only in your head.
She wasn’t required to do anything she wasn’t ready for. Rafe hadn’t even said anything to her today about sex.
He did mention her having a nice ass, though, which had made her blush to about a thousa
nd degrees. But it also made her feel sexy, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
When was the last time she had thought of herself as a desirable woman?
Way too damn long ago. It was high time she womaned up and reminded herself that she was smart, beautiful and desirable. And the first place to do that was here, in the lingerie store.
With that confidence-building thought in her head, she plunged into the lacy underwear section, realizing she was doing this for her and no one else. It was time to push the past aside and start feeling good about herself.
She’d chosen the right day to shop, because the store was having a buy one, get one sale. The prices were way more reasonable than she’d thought. She ended up with six new bras and twelve new pairs of panties, in all different colors and fabrics, from satin to lace to the softest cotton. Some were more practical, and a couple downright sexy as hell.
She couldn’t wait to wear them all. She also couldn’t wait to throw out all her old underwear.
Fling the past aside. The new Carmen was about to be revealed. At least the new lingerie-clad Carmen.
Baby steps, right?
When she left the store, she looked over at the benches but didn’t see Rafe.
Huh. Maybe he’d had to go do some shopping of his own. She decided to wait for him on the bench, so she took a seat and composed a text message to Tess.
At the mall. Bought tons of new underwear.
Tess had the day off today as well, so it didn’t take her long to reply. Awesome! Did you buy any pink ones? I know it’s your fave color.
Carmen grinned and replied. Of course. And black, purple, red, white . . . all the colors!
Tess sent back a text that said: About damn time, along with a congratulatory emoji.
Carmen laughed and sent her another text. Spending the day with Rafe. Will fill you in at work tomorrow.
Tess replied: Want ALL the deets!
She would, too.
“Finished already?”
Rafe stood in front of her holding two cups. He handed one to her.
“Yes, finished.” She took the cup from him. “And thanks, shopping makes me thirsty.”
“I don’t know why, when it’s so entertaining.”
“Entertaining, how?”
He took a seat next to her. “Watching everyone go by. You know, people watching.”
She leaned back against the bench. “Oh, really? This is your favorite pastime.”
“I wouldn’t say favorite, but it’s entertaining.”
She took a sip of soda, letting the cold liquid slide down her parched throat. “Do tell.”
He motioned with his head to the group of teen girls walking. “They’re all on their phones while they walk.”
Carmen nodded. “Probably texting each other, too.” He laughed. “Probably.”
“I think it’s how they communicate now.”
“I guess. But keep watching them. They’re waiting for boys.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “I can tell.”
She looked over at him. “Really, how?”
“Hey, it wasn’t that long ago that I was a teenage boy, scoping out the girls at the mall. Just watch.”
It didn’t take long. Within five minutes, a group of boys around the same age walked up to the girls and started a conversation. There was a lot of hair flipping by the girls and thumbs hooked in pockets by the guys.
“It’s like watching a nature show on mating rituals,” Carmen said in between sips of her soda. “This is interesting stuff.”
“Told ya. And then there’s that couple.” He motioned with his soda cup to the young twentysomething couple headed their way. “They’re fighting.”
Carmen’s attention diverted from the teens to the couple. “How can you tell?”
“She’s walking three steps ahead of him, and he’s got his head down and his hands jammed into his jeans pockets as if he doesn’t want to be anywhere near her. And she’s got her chin held up high, her lips compressed tightly. It’s like she’s fighting the urge to turn around and yell at him.”
Carmen studied the couple as they made their way toward them, then walked past.
“You could be right,” she said. “It was like you could feel the tension in both of them as they walked by.”
“Yup.”
She chewed on the end of her straw as she smiled at him, then said, “You’re pretty good at reading body language.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
She laughed. “And you’re so humble as well.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
She rolled her eyes, then squeezed his thigh. “Come on, Mr. Humble. Let’s hit the grocery store.”
He wrinkled his nose. “My least favorite thing to do.”
“Oh, but you’ve never shopped with me. I make it so fun.”
As they made their way toward the exit, he dropped his arm around her shoulder. “Not even you could make grocery shopping fun, Carmen.”
She tilted her head back to look up at him. “But I’ll be cooking for you later. Does that help?”
“Does cooking include modeling your new underwear for me?”
She laughed. “I can’t even imagine what’s going through your head right now.”
He gave her a half smile, one loaded with steamy promise. “Yeah, you can.”
Which reminded her that her grandfather was going to be gone tonight. And that meant being alone with Rafe.
And being alone with Rafe tonight had infinite possibilities.
CHAPTER 12
CARMEN HAD TO ADMIT THAT RAFE WAS HANDY. WHILE she did some housecleaning, he’d installed the new showerhead and handheld in Grandpa’s bathroom, then the new faucet in the kitchen, and was halfway through rewiring the kitchen lights.
She’d made guacamole and salsa and put those in the fridge, then made a marinade for the flank steak she’d bought, intending to put it on the grill for fajitas. She sliced onions and peppers and put those in the fridge as well, then poured two tall glasses of iced tea, handing one to Rafe, who had just climbed down from the ladder.
“Thanks.”
“You’re sweating. You should take a break.”
He took a couple of gulps of tea, then set it on the kitchen counter. “I’m good. I want to get this finished.”
She resisted the urge to lean into him, to rub herself against his sweaty T-shirt and oh, God, what was wrong with her? She was turned on by man sweat? Then again, Rafe smelled good. Maybe there was just something about the guy’s pheromones that got to her. All she knew was she wanted to climb him like a rock wall and have her way with him right there on the kitchen floor.
She sighed.
“You okay?” he asked, tilting his head to the side in question.
“Oh. Me? Sure, I’m fine.” She picked up her glass of tea and took several long swallows.
Walk it back a bit, Carmen. The man is doing your lights, not you.
Unfortunately.
Clearly, it was time to try out the new underwear.
She watched his extremely awesome ass climb back up the ladder.
“Do you need help?” she asked.
“No, thanks, I’ve got this.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and balanced on the balls of her feet, making sure he wasn’t going to check on her. He was focused. Not on her.
“Okay, then. I’ve got to go . . . fold laundry in my room. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Sure,” he said, not even looking at her.
While his attention was diverted on her kitchen ceiling, she dashed into her bedroom, stripped out of her clothes and took a quick shower. She lotioned her body from top to bottom, then grabbed one of the new bras and panties from the laundry basket, happy she’d washed those first while Rafe had been busy plumbing her grandpa’s bathroom. She’d chosen the hot pink one because the color looked sexy against the bronze hue of her skin.
And she was so ready to be sexy.
Not wanting to be too obvious, she threw on a pair of shorts and a tank top, keeping things casual. She slipped on her sandals, quickly blow-dried her hair and headed back downstairs.
Rafe was just coming back inside when he saw her. “Hey, where’s your vacuum? I want to clean up the mess I made in here.”
“I’ll get it.”
“No, I’ll get it. Just tell me where it is.”
“In the entry closet.”
He nodded, grabbed the vacuum and cleaned the kitchen floor. And not just where he’d made the mess. He vacuumed the entire floor. She shook her head.
He just wasn’t like any man she’d ever known. Certainly not like her ex, who wouldn’t know a vacuum from a scrub brush, considering he’d never used either. Tod was an old-school traditional man who thought anything inside the house was a woman’s job to do. Even after she worked a twelve-hour shift, he expected her to cook and clean and do the dishes and the laundry.
Carmen, on the other hand, was a very modern woman who said bullshit to all that nonsense and expected a fifty-fifty balance of sharing the workload of household chores. Especially since when they were married they lived in a condo that required zero work outside the house other than taking out the trash, which Tod had complained about having to do.
Basically, the guy had been worthless. Not to mention a serial cheater.
Refusing to think about Tod any longer, she concentrated instead on Rafe.
What was it about a good-looking man running a vacuum cleaner that was such a turn-on? Maybe it was the fact that he was doing it so she didn’t have to that made it so damn sexy.
She expected him to finish up in the kitchen and put it away. Instead, he continued into the living room.
She took a seat at the island and grabbed her iced tea, feeling flushed while she watched him.
Rafe was every woman’s dream, and—for today at least—he was hers.
He finished in the living room, wrapped up by vacuuming the entry, then emptied the canister and put the vacuum away.
She sighed in contentment.
If he was as good at sex as he was at plumbing, electrical and household chores, she might just hold him prisoner here for the rest of his life.
He went to the sink to wash his hands, giving her an opportunity to watch him from behind, which was quickly becoming one of her favorite pastimes. His sleeveless shirt fit tight across his broad shoulders, and his shorts hung low on one very fine ass. He had biceps that just begged to be caressed, and all she wanted to do right now was press a kiss to the back of his neck.