Hot Property

by Lacey Diamond

  “Loving what you do for a living sure makes life easier.”

  “I prefer to think of it as rewarding.”

  More silence while their eyes had a second meeting and carried on a beautiful conversation.

  “You must enjoy your work too to be out here at this time of day,” Skylar said, and broke the stare by turning back around to make a final swing with the hammer before tossing it into his tool box opened on the floor.

  Betsy snickered. “I’m not working. I was out for a bike ride, saw old Betsy and thought I’d check out the progress on the house.”

  Skylar grinned as he spun back around to face her. “The old girl does seem to stick out.” He’d managed to move toward her before Betsy realized it. She could feel his breath on her when he spoke again. “So what do you think of the place so far?”

  The deep husky whisper sent a chill racing up and down her spine and she shivered. Before she had a chance to respond Skylar disappeared behind the room partition and materialized a second later with a jean jacket. He slid it around her. Once in place, his hands remained on her shoulders. .

  Betsy’s body temperature climbed to a record high in a matter of seconds. She was fully aware the jacket draped over her shoulders was not the reason why. The way his fingers rubbed over her created the heat. When they stopped moving she could feel the warmth from them penetrating through the material. His body heat moved through her, filling her to the core of her being with warmth.

  He leaned over so his eyes were even with hers and the inner heat increased. A fire broke out the instant his lips closed over hers. Her body molded into his. As he moved his lips ever so slightly over hers, and drew her closer, fitting her body into the curves of his, Betsy felt her body quake on the verge of some sort of spectacular eruption she’d waited a life time to experience.

  A blast of cold air slapped her in the face when Skylar suddenly withdrew his lips. He only pulled back an inch from her. When he began to speak, the heat from his breath chased away the cold. “I don’t know about you, but that sure warmed me up. Should we try it again?”

  His lips returned to hers before Betsy had a chance to speak.

  The second time his lips slid off hers, they made a quick swoop to her throat, tasting and teasing her superbly. As he worked his way back to her lips, Betsy held onto him, drawing him closer, wanting to absorb all of him inside of her.

  “You’re beautiful,” he groaned just before his lips collided into hers.

  “Yo, boss man.” Charlie Webber signaled his arrival as he approached.

  Skylar’s jacket slid off Betsy’s shoulders. She blushed as she straightened her shirt when the brute of a man stepped next to them.

  “What are you doing back here, Charlie?” Skylar asked.

  Charlie’s eyes lingered on Betsy. “Sorry, boss. Didn’t know you had company.”

  “This is my Realtor. Betsy Alexander, Charlie Webber, my foreman.”

  “Nice to meet you, Miss.”

  Betsy nodded and smiled a greeting because she simply felt too embarrassed to search for her voice.

  “The wife’s havin’ some candle party at the house. Figured you’d still be workin’ and I’d give you a hand.”

  “Well I won’t hold you two up from your work,” Betsy managed to say and began moving away from them. “Nice to meet you, Mr.Webber,” she tacked on without missing a step or a look back at the two men.

  She almost made it to her bike when Skylar’s voice rang out. “Hold up a minute, Betsy.”

  She obeyed and stopped in her tracks.

  “You don’t have to rush off. I’ll send Charlie on his way and--”

  Betsy stiffened before looking back at him. “No. I really need to go.”

  But she was having trouble moving away from the spot. She felt paralyzed as his eyes gazed into hers. God she ached for the touch of his lips on hers one more time, to feel his strong arms around her, drawing her against him. The thought caused her body to heat up all over again.

  He glanced at her motorcycle. “The deer start crossing on these back roads about this time of day. One could shoot in front of you.” His hand landed on her shoulder and gave a gentle massage. “Just let me get rid of Charlie and I’ll drive you home, okay?”

  Yes, send Charlie home so we can go home. And--it struck her. If Skylar drove her home there’d be no stopping the inevitable. Betsy knew she couldn’t handle a one night roll between the sheets with Skylar Blakewood. It wouldn’t be enough for her even though she believed it would suit him.

  She gripped the handlebars to her bike. “I’ll be extra careful.”

  Disappointment spread over Skylar’s face. “If you insist. But I’ll call you. Maybe we can meet for lunch tomorrow, dinner and then….”

  A great big smile landed on Betsy’s face. “I’ll be waiting by the phone.” She revved the motor and was on her way.

  She looked back over her shoulder a dozen times to him as she coasted down the hillside. At the bottom, she stopped long enough to return his goodbye wave.

  She rode toward home on cloud nine. Blinded to her surroundings, she saw only his warm smile and those captivating blue eyes. She ran her tongue over her lips to savor the leftover taste of him. She inhaled deeply and continuously just for an occasional whiff of the traces of aftershave his cheeks had left on hers.

  If she listened closely, she could hear his deep husky whisper. “You’re beautiful.”

  Did he really mean it? Reality began tugging at Betsy until she plummeted back to planet earth. He probably told all his conquest they were beautiful if it meant his sexual need would be satisfied.

  Betsy was fully aware it was Miss Sensible putting these thoughts in her head. She didn’t want them there, but decided to play it safe and keep her guard on standby.

  Miss Sensible hadn’t taken away her high spirits when she went in the door at home. As she tossed clothes in the dryer and jammed a second load into the washing machine, she unconsciously hummed the same rock ‘n’ roll tune she’d heard Skylar humming earlier.

  By the time she undressed and stepped into the shower, she put words to the catchy tune. She lathered with lavender scented soap, singing and whistling. As she rinsed, she became silent, closing her eyes and allowing the needles of hot liquid to prod and poke at her. She imagined Skylar’s fingers and tongue pleasuring her over and over again.

  The ringing telephone reached into her fantasy and dragged her kicking and screaming back to reality. She shut off the water and reached for a towel, trying to wrap it around her as she dashed out of the bathroom and into her bedroom.

  She picked up before the answering machine. “Hello.”

  “You made it.”

  The sound of his voice made her tipsy. Her fingers released the towel and it slid to the floor. “You weren’t worried that I wouldn’t, were you?”

  “I know you can take care of yourself. But there are all kinds of dangers on the road.”

  Betsy smiled, enjoying his concern. “I got home safe and sound.”

  Silence on the line. Betsy listened to his breathing and discovered her own had grown heavy with longing for him--the feel of his gentle caresses and the taste of his lips all over her trembling body.

  “Suppose I should say goodnight,” he said. “It’s just I really don’t want to.”

  Betsy wondered if he knew the sound of his voice was seducing her, or how feverish her body had become.

  “My body--” The sound of her voice startled her more than discovering she was stark naked.

  “You have a beautiful body.”

  Betsy giggled. “I meant to say I’m standing here dripping wet.”

  “Sounds interesting.”

  “I was in the shower when the phone rang.”

  “So you’re naked?”

  Betsy snatched up the towel from around her feet and covered her front. “I have a towel.”

  “I’d like to see that.”

  Betsy swallowed the lump in her throat. “I t
hink you were right. We should say goodnight.”

  “I want to come over, Betsy.”

  Betsy glanced down her front. “Now?”

  “I promise not to stay long.”

  Oh yes, do come. Please hurry, her body responded. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” is what she told him.

  Silence on the line again.

  “No, I suppose not. Can we meet for lunch tomorrow?”

  Betsy knew the day ahead was filled with appointments. No time for a leisurely lunch. No time for lunch at all. But she couldn’t imagine making it through the day without seeing him.

  “Lunch sounds wonderful.”

  “How ‘bout breakfast first? Lunch seems like forever.”

  Betsy melted all over again. Why wait until breakfast. Another minute apart from you is much too long. Miss Sensible intervened. “What time?”

  “Is seven too early?”

  Seven is an eternity to wait. “Seven is fine.”

  “The donut shop okay?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  At some point over the next several minutes Betsy put down the receiver. She assumed Skylar did the same.

  She pulled a flannel night shirt and a pair of cotton panties from her top dresser drawer and wasted no time putting them on. She crawled into bed determined to sleep fast so morning would come.

  Did he say she had a beautiful body? He did. Tiny in stature, but she had the slender curves of a woman. What she liked most about her body was the length of her legs. In shorts or a skirt they made her look all legs and a lot taller than her five foot two inch height.

  The longest night of her life ended at six in the morning when she began worrying she might actually nod off and oversleep. She slid back the covers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. A few arm stretches and neck rolls and she finally put the full weight of her body on her feet.

  There was no need to waste time with indecision about what she would wear to meet Skylar. Her lucky dress seemed the only thing in her meager wardrobe appropriate for the occasion. She felt like the luckiest woman alive. She was in love with life--with Skylar Blakewood, her confidence building that he felt the same.

  She could make it to the donut shop in less than five minutes. So she could take her time making herself beautiful for their meeting. The primping took less than thirty minutes. But she couldn’t survive spending the next twenty five minutes pacing around her apartment. She set out into the foggy morning.

  Spotting old Betsy already in the parking lot created panic. Betsy quickly checked her watch thinking she was late. According to her watch, she had twenty minutes to spare. But she hurried inside anyway.

  Skylar had swung his long legs out from under the table in a corner booth and was standing by the time Betsy stepped in front of him

  “You’re early,” he said.

  His smile was like a breath of fresh air to Betsy. “So are you,” she said, gazing up into his eyes.

  “I woke up early.” He blinked and snickered when his eyes greeted hers again. “The truth is I had trouble sleeping. I think I was afraid I’d oversleep.”

  Betsy smiled as he described her own miserable night. “I think we both could use a coffee if we’re going to be able to face the day.”

  Skylar reached for her hands, sliding his fingers between hers and drawing them to his lips. As he kissed each knuckle, his eyes gazed into hers. “I can face every day as long as I get a chance to see you.”

  Betsy’s insides turned inside and out. Her legs went out from under her and she was suspended in midair. It felt heavenly.

  “But I suppose we can’t live on love alone.” He said the words as nonchalantly as he’d let go of her hands. But Betsy knew he had said them. There was nothing wrong with her hearing. Skylar Blakewood had more or less confessed he loved her.

  The next thing Betsy remembered was sitting at the booth alone. Skylar returned soon after carrying a tray with two steaming mugs of coffee and a plate of donuts, twelve varieties in all.

  “I forgot to ask you what kind you like. But I think you should be able to find something here.”

  He sounded serious and Betsy couldn’t help but start to laugh. “I should hope so.”

  A big smile broke over his face. “It is a bit much. We’ll ask for a doggie bag. Though I don’t have a dog and I don’t recall seeing one at your place.”

  Betsy gently slapped his hand because she was laughing too hard to speak. The laughter seized the instant his fingers wiggled between hers on the tabletop and gently squeezed. Once again he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  Blissful silence.

  Minutes passed before Skylar gently placed her hand back on the tabletop and released her fingers. “Our coffee is getting cold.” His eyes never left hers until he finished his sentence.

  For the next half hour they ate, drank and talked business. Skylar did most of the talking. Betsy listened intently. Her eyes seldom left his while she nibbled on a cream-filled donut she couldn’t remember tasting. But she remembered vividly every word Skylar spoke. The most important were when he proclaimed the house on the hill would be completed before Christmas. He seemed adamant she have the house sold before the New Year.

  “I will try,” Betsy assured. “But with the holidays, December is not a good selling month.”

  “I’m planning a big celebration New Year’s Eve.” He snickered. “I may need the proceeds from the sale to cover the expenses.”

  “Must be some celebration.”

  Skylar tossed her a mysterious smile, then glanced at his watch. “As much as I hate leaving you, I must. My crew should be at the house and I have some changes to discuss with them before they get too far along.”

  “Yes, I have tons of paperwork waiting for me before my first house showing,” Betsy admitted grudgingly as she slid across her seat and stood.

  Skylar followed her lead and picked up the leftover plate of donuts. “Let me get a box and I’ll walk you out.”

  Betsy waited at the door while the waitress placed the donuts into a take-out box. The entire time, Betsy noted the gorgeous creature batting her long thick lashes at Skylar. She winked at him when she handed him the box.

  “A friend of yours?” Betsy snapped as she went through the door ahead of him.

  “You mean Georgia?” he asked with a look of innocence in those big blue eyes.

  “If that’s her name.” Again, Betsy’s tone had been short. But she really hadn’t intended it to be. After all, she had no reason to act jealous. But she was.

  “Georgia’s a nice girl. But hardly someone I’d call a friend. She’s more an acquaintance.”

  “Whatever that means,” Betsy grumbled under her breath and started to open her car door.

  Skylar stepped up and pushed the door shut with his knee. Betsy sensed his gaze. But she focused on the ground until Skylar’s fingers cupped her chin tilting it upward.

  “You can’t leave without a kiss.”

  Betsy saw his lips heading for hers. The instant they landed, she closed her eyes. Stars before the explosion of magnificent fireworks going off in front of her as his tongue parted her lips and explored inside. Touching and tasting everywhere before he withdrew and dragged his lips off hers.

  “Are we still on for lunch?” he murmured against her ear before tormenting her more as his lips tiptoed down the side of her throat.

  Betsy’s breath grew heavy and she wasn’t sure anything would come out when she attempted an answer. But the words did come, barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

  “Me either,” he whispered between kisses.

  “Where?”

  “I’ll pick you up at your office.”

  His lips returned to hers, sucking on them as if he wanted to draw her breath into his lungs. She gasped for air when he pulled back.

  He opened her car door. As Betsy started to duck inside, he dropped the donut box on the roof and took her in his arms, h
ugging her so powerfully that it almost hurt. When he let go, Betsy felt like he’d squeezed out all her body juices; then another kiss, giving back twofold all that he had taken.

  “I’ll be there for you at twelve sharp,” he murmured after slowly prying his lips from hers.

  He headed for his truck, leaving Betsy drunk from the passion his touch had unleashed. She wasn’t quite clear how, but had pulled out of the parking lot ahead of him and driven to her office.

  She was still smiling when she turned the key in the front door.

  It seemed a bit odd not seeing Mary hard at it behind her desk. But then, Betsy rarely made her way into the office before nine when Mary appeared promptly at her desk.

  As Betsy climbed the stairs to her office, she began looking forward to the next hour of solitude. She opened her window blind to fill the room with some of that radiant sunshine breaking through the early morning fog, then sat behind her desk. Still smiling, she leaned back and closed her eyes. The sound of Skylar’s voice seeped into the silence surrounding her. His image was just beginning to come to her when Stephanie Rogers’s voice intruded.

  “Betsy. Are you up there, Betsy?”

  Betsy flipped open her eyelids and shot forward. She knew she’d forgotten something when she stepped inside the front door. Now she remembered what it was. She’d forgotten to lock the door behind her.

  But not even Stephanie Rogers could spoil the best day of Betsy’s life. She wouldn’t allow it.

  “There you are,” declared the perky woman who seemed to fill the doorway to Betsy’s office. Her radiant smile showed off her sparkling white teeth.

  Nobody’s teeth were that perfect. With the quickness of lightning, it struck Betsy they might be false teeth. For a second she visualized a clattering pair of teeth falling out and Stephanie’s gums clamping together in her state of humiliation. Betsy nearly broke out laughing but caught herself just in the nick of time.

  “Steph, isn’t it a little early for you to be up and about?”

  “I like someone with a sharp memory.”

  Betsy watched her gracefully ease into one of the two chairs in front of her desk, while trying to guess what the manipulative and cunning beauty queen wanted.