by Riley, Alexa
“I wanted to talk to you about Barrett Copper. I have a feeling he’s said some crap about me.” He leans forward.
The desk still separates us, but I don’t like him moving in even a little. I shrug, unsure how to respond.
“Yeah, well, he’s a prick and doesn't like me because I stole a few girls from him.” He puffs out his chest like a proud peacock.
Yes, please tell me more about how you’re a ladies’ man. That will really have me wanting a second date. I have to fight from rolling my eyes.
“The things he said…” I trail off, not even wanting to repeat it.
“Let me guess, about his sister, right? She was just pissed I dumped her and went a little crazy. You know how some women can be.” He lets out an exasperated breath.
“No, I’m not sure how some women can be.” I can’t stop the bite of anger permeating my words. Mark sits up a little straighter, likely surprised by my anger. No one really expects that from me. It takes a lot to get me fired up, but he picked two hot buttons for me. Women and sisters. The real Mark is starting to show, and I wonder how I’d missed it all this time.
“No need to get so worked up, Ginny. You don’t really believe his shit, do you? I've known you for a few years. How long have you known him? Have I ever done anything to you to make you think I’m like whatever it is he told you?”
I shake my head because Mark has never made me think that about him before. But isn't that what predators do? Make you think they’re something they aren't?
I have to distrust Mark on some level. I found it easy to believe what Barrett had told me. Not only that, but Neal told me some stuff last night. There had been some rumors about him that he could be pushy and overbearing. Now that I know about it, I can see that he’d been that way with me.
“I’m only saying you haven't known that man long.” He tsks at me, and that further pisses me off.
“But why would he make up stuff about you?” I blurt out.
Mark’s jaw clenches. “Don’t be naïve, Ginny.” Mark stands and walks around my desk. I lean back, my eyes going to the door. I know people are out there in the hallway. It would only take a small scream and someone would come running. Mark gives me a small smirk as if he’s enjoying my discomfort. “He wants you. Not that I blame him.” His eyes roam over my body, making my skin crawl.
“Don’t be silly. A man like Barrett doesn't want me.” I try and laugh it off, but my own words hurt me.
Mark’s smirk drops away. “So you’re interested in him?” he bites out.
“I didn't say that.” But come on. Look at the man. Who wouldn't be interested? Well, except my sister, who still doesn't get what I'm talking about when I say Barrett is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Don’t get wrapped up in his looks and money like all the other stupid little girls around town. You’re better than that, Ginny.”
Once again he makes me feel like a chastised child. How does he keep doing that to me? Still, a part of what he’s saying hits home. Am I lusting after a man for his looks? I’m not sure. I’ve never lusted after a man before. It’s all new to me, but it has to be something more than looks. His eyes are soulful and he’s so down to earth. Barrett is a good old boy, as my mom would call him. And I believe he’s a good man.
“I really should get back to work.” I try to dismiss Mark by opening the book I’d closed. I don’t want to talk about Barrett with him. It feels wrong. Plus, I still believe what Barrett told me and want nothing to do with Mark.
“Let’s go get lunch. You gotta eat right?” He straightens up next to my desk.
I look up at him and he’s so different to me now. I don’t see him as the okay guy I ran into around work, the one who was always trying to talk me into a date. Now I swear I can see the darkness that lies beneath the polished look he tries to show everyone.
“I really shouldn’t,” I say as he reaches down to grab my arm.
“Don’t touch my baby sister.” Both our heads snap to the doorway where Gabi is standing. She always calls me her baby sister whenever she’s mad, even though I’m only a minute younger than her. “Didn’t your mom teach you not to go grabbing girls?” She steps into my office and places a bag of food on the side table.
Mark puts his hands up and Gabi looks at me. “Unless they want it.” She winks at me before turning a deadly look back at Mark. “And I promise you, she doesn't want it.”
I often find it hard to say rude things, but Gabi gives no shits.
“Gabi,” Marks laughs, like my sister is joking around, but we all know she’s not.
“I think you should go,” I add, wanting Mark out of here before Gabi really lets loose.
This time when the anger shows on Mark face he doesn't try to hide it before he stomps from my office.
“That man needs to stay the fuck away from you.” Gabi digs through her purse and pulls out her cell phone.
I get up and grab it from her. “That is not going to help,” I tell her.
I have a feeling Barrett already gave him a warning, and if that didn't work only the law will. It’s clear he doesn’t care or have common sense.
“He’s slimy. I wish I had known he was the guy who's been asking you out.” I hand her the cell phone back and watch as she texts. I assume she’s telling Neal. She slides it back into her purse when she’s done.
She picks up the bag of food she brought and pulls out small boxes. “I thought we could have lunch.” My stomach growls when I see she went to my favorite Chinese place. I grab a crab rangoon and break it in half before taking a bite. I skipped breakfast because I rushed out of the house in an effort to avoid embarrassing myself once again.
“I dropped by your house this morning and saw Barrett was there awful early.” She wiggles her eyebrows before picking up a fork and taking a bite of her orange chicken.
“Why did you drive by my house? Pretty sure that’s out of your way.” I pick up a fork, too, and steal some of her chicken.
She ignores my question and asks one of her own. “Did he stay the night?”
I wish. But I keep that thought to myself. I have a feeling he’d make a hell of a cuddle buddy. “No, he came over early to work.”
“He's not wasting any time on your place. You know his company has a wait list.”
“Don’t get any ideas. I’m pretty sure he just really likes the house.” I did a little digging on his company and they are known for amazing remodels. He’s even been in a few magazines about it. I find it super hot. A man who knows what to do with his hands is a major turn on.
“Ginny, I mean really? The man tracked you down to a restaurant to break up a date.”
“You and I know why he did that.”
I’m not going to let my mind play any more games with me. I did that enough last night in my head. I tried to break down every comment he’d said to me and every look he’d shot my way. I don’t need to set myself up for heartbreak.
“All I’m saying is I think he's into you. With everything you told me that went down and how he was there at the ass crack of dawn this morning…” She shrugs.
“I no longer trust your judgment of people. You didn't even notice how hot he was to begin with. You’re always trying to set me up, but you never once mentioned him.”
“I only have eyes for one man.” She smiles happily, and I can't help but do the same. I want what she and Neal have. To have a man who only has eyes for me. I know I could easily feel that way about Barrett, but I’m not sure that would be a two-way street.
“I heard he’s a ladies’ man.” I finally blurt out what I’ve wanted to say to my sister since yesterday. I didn't want to hear what she had to say on the topic. Maybe that’s why she never tried her match-making skills with him. I need a dose of reality with Barrett, and this might help.
“I’ve never heard that, but I can ask around.” She takes another bite of her food and I do the same. “But he’s so freaking nice. Just a good guy. I don’t see him playing aroun
d like that.”
“But do we really know him?” I’m clearly not the best at reading men. Mark is a perfect example of that.
“Neal likes him, and Neal doesn't like a lot of people.” I fight a laugh. “And I did try and set you guys up. He shot me down.”
Ouch. That hurts. “Did he know I was your twin?” She nods. Damn. Maybe I was right that I was dreaming up the way his eyes roamed over me.
We finish lunch and she leaves me with a pile of Chinese food to take home. I promise to text her when I get home safely. After Gabi is gone, I try and get back to work.
I know I still need to talk to the mayor about Mark. I check her schedule and see she's out of town until tomorrow, so I shoot her an email that I need a quick word with her when she gets a chance.
I spend the rest of the day getting a speech ready for her on the opening of a new wing in the children's hospital. I pull the history of the building and gather up as much information as I can until I see it’s time for me to go home.
I pack up my stuff then pick up my cell phone. I have a text from Barrett. My heart flutters and I curse myself for my inability to control my emotions.
Barrett: Got everyone cleared out for the day. You can come home and stop avoiding me now.
I glance at the clock and see it’s late. I wonder how late he stayed—and if he did it to see me. My heart flutters again and I push the idea away. Stop working yourself up, Ginny.
Me: I wasn't. Got lost in my work.
It’s not a total lie. I did have to make up for lost time when I was daydreaming too much today. This being away from him thing is definitely not working. It doesn’t help that I now feel sad that he shot down going out with me before. He clearly doesn’t think I’m pretty if he was going off what Gabi looks like. We’re identical.
Barrett: Liar
He adds a winky face and it makes me smile. I put my phone back into my bag, wondering if I should text him back, but I’m excited to get home and see what he got done.
I pull into my driveway and step out of my car, noticing flower boxes have been hung over the rail on the wraparound porch. I walk up the stairs and notice the step doesn't creak. I run my finger along one of the boxes. It looks custom made, not something you’d buy at the hardware store and just pop on. I reach for my phone to text my sister.
Me: Did you put these flower boxes on the porch?
She’s the only one I told about the idea. I did mention it to Barrett in passing when I showed him the house, but it wasn’t on his list of things to do.
Gabi: Nope. Take it you’re home?
Me: Yep.
I unlock the front door and stop to disarm the new alarm. I shut it behind me and then turn and put my purse down by the front door. I carry my leftovers into the kitchen but freeze when I see the wall separating the kitchen and dining room is gone.
“Holy crap.”
I stand there unable to move. The wall is completely gone and in its place is the start of a kitchen table nook. I talked to him about how I’ve always wanted one of those and that I wanted it to lead into a family room, and a formal dining room could go on the other side of the kitchen. But that was something I thought I’d do years from now, if ever. Maybe in the future when I had a family. I thought it would give it an open feel but also be cozy. Not only do I not have a family, but I don't have the money for this right now. Not unless I go and get a loan for it, which is something I don’t want to do.
I move into the kitchen and see the other side has a partition taken out that would lead into a formal dining room. My eyes water when I see how beautiful it is, but I can’t afford this right now.
I walk over to the sink and turn on the faucet and clean water comes out. I set my stuff down on the kitchen counter and pull my phone back out to text my sister.
Me: Did Barrett ever do things to your house that you’d talked about but never agreed on?
Gabi: No. We always had to sign a pile of paperwork before he got started on anything. He also gave detailed lists of things he’d done each day and we’d sign off on them. He’s super professional.
I look around. The only solid thing we agreed on was clean water, but I haven't signed anything. Nor have I even seen an estimate or a bill. Before I get myself worked up, I decide to settle this right now. I pull up Barrett’s number and hit call.
Chapter 8
Barrett
When I see Genevieve's name flash across the screen, I curse. I should have known she would call right away, but I thought I had time. I probably shouldn’t answer, but hearing her voice right now would be so fucking sweet.
“Hey,” I say and try to keep my voice casual.
“What did you do to my house? I don’t have the money to pay for this. I haven’t signed any contracts, so if you think I am about to go and take out a loan I can’t afford to pay for something you did on your own, you’re crazy.”
“Someone is feisty,” I say as I spread my legs wider and point my toes.
“Of course I’m feisty. I come home to thousands of dollars’ worth of work that I can’t pay for.” I can hear her feet on the hardwoods as she paces back and forth.
“Do you like it?” I have to bite my lip to keep from making a noise, but fuck I love how hot she sounds when she’s angry.
“Of course I like it,” she says in a huff. “It’s exactly what I wanted and it’s beautiful.”
This time I don’t hide my laugh as I relax even more. “Good. That’s all I want as payment. For you to like it.”
She’s silent for a moment and I hear her pacing stop. “What? It doesn’t work like that. This is expensive work and I can’t afford it.”
My grip on the phone almost slips and I have to catch it. Jesus, her talking to me right now is almost too much. But it feels so fucking good I can’t hang up. “Yeah?” I ask, my mind drifting to the sight of her this morning.
“Are you even listening to me?” She lets out a frustrated growl, and I want to do the same. “What are you doing?”
It’s then I realize I may have actually done it, and I still my movements. “Umm,” I say, glancing down at my slick cock. “Lying in bed.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, did I wake you up? It’s still early.” Her tone changes from pissed to apologetic, and I bet she looks so fucking adorable right now.
“No, I’m wide awake,” I say as I go back to jerking off my cock.
I couldn’t take it. All day I was surrounded by her things and the vision of her this morning was burned into my brain. I kept thinking about waking up next to her like that and sinking deep in her pussy before the sun came up. Everything about her has me strung tight and I need some release. So when I got home I stripped down and spread out on the bed. Of course she calls me right when I’m imagining bending her over that kitchen counter and making my dick disappear inside her.
“It really is beautiful,” she says, and for a second I think she might be talking about my cock. “It’s exactly what I wanted.”
“I know,” I say and squeeze my cock tight, imagining it’s her doing it. Her small, soft hand wrapping around me. “I just want you to have the house you love.”
“Why would you do this for me?”
There’s hesitancy in her voice, and I don’t know how to tell her that I’m doing this because I’m crazy about her. Some guys might have just bought her flowers or asked her on a date. I go in with a sledgehammer and take down a wall. I guess we’ve all got our own strengths.
“Because you deserve it. You deserve everything,” I say, closing my eyes and thrusting up into my hand.
“I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t have to do anything. Just let me take care of it.”
“Are you working out? You sound out of breath.”
I laugh, and it reaches deep down in my soul. “I’m not exercising at the moment, but my heart rate is definitely elevated.”
She’s quiet for a second and then it sounds like she’s back to pacing. “I th
ink we need to discuss everything you’re going to do to my house. And then we need to have a contract. I want it on paper what I’m paying for.”
“Anything you want, Genevieve,” I say, loving the sound of her name on my lips. “Why don’t I come over for coffee in the morning and we can talk.”
There’s a hesitation from her, and I wonder if she’s remembering the coffee from this morning, and how fucking sexy she looked.
“Can’t we do this over email or something?”
“Am I that terrible to look at?” I say, pretending to be offended. I don’t know why she keeps putting distance between us, when all I want to do is press my body against hers. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this attraction. I can see the way she looks at me. I can feel the electricity between us. “I’ll bring breakfast.”
“Fine. But I’m only in this for the food,” she says, and it makes me smile from ear to ear.
“If that’s the way I’m going to get you, then so be it,” I say, but I don’t give her a chance to respond. “I’ll see you bright and early. Make sure you’ve got some pants on this time. Otherwise I might not be able to control myself.”
I wait for a moment, and when I hear stunned silence on the other end of the line I laugh again.
“Goodnight, Genevieve.”
“Goodnight, Barrett.”
I end the call, toss the phone on the bed beside me and let out the curse I’d been holding back. Now I use both hands to grab my length and stroke it up and down while I think about her. I can picture her right now, with her big round ass bent over and her legs apart. In my mind she looks back at me over her shoulder and begs me to fuck her. To fill her pussy up and make her ache go away.
“Genevieve,” I groan and feel the release building up. I’ve been teasing myself this whole time, and now after hearing her voice I won’t be able to hold back.
The base of my cock throbs and my balls draw up tight. My hands are slick as they speed up, and the intense need takes over. My fingers begin to massage as the first splash of cum hits my stomach. “Fuck,” I grunt through clenched teeth when it intensifies and I keep cumming.