by Lea Coll
The side of her mouth quirked. “I can see that.”
Remembering Everett was nearby, I let go of her chin. “Is that okay? Because I doubt I’m anything like the men you’ve dated before.”
“You’re not.” She shook her head, then laughed.
“When we’re together I want you to feel everything.”
She nodded and swallowed. “I don’t want to change you. I just want you, Mason.”
“I enjoy spending time with Everett, but I want to be alone with you.” I wanted to take her on a date, get to know her better, was it too soon to ask her to watch Everett? At the same time, we were a package deal. If she wanted me, she’d be getting him by extension. I needed to know if she was okay with that idea before this went further.
Mia glanced over at Everett, then back to me. “Me too.”
I leaned back on the bench, my arm resting behind her. “I have something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What’s that?” Mia cocked her head, shifting slightly to face me, her knee drawn up on the bench between us.
“I have to be gone in a week and a half overnight from Wednesday to Thursday for work. Would you be able to watch Everett?” I forged ahead, not waiting for her to respond. “If it’s too much, I can hire one of the nannies I interviewed.”
“Were any of them a good fit?” Her face was pinched, her brow arched.
“I don’t feel comfortable having them overnight.”
She nodded as if she knew trusting a stranger in my space was difficult. “I understand that. What about your parents? I don’t want to step on any toes.”
“Honestly, it’s a burden for them. They lead busy lives, between work and their social schedules. They don’t want to drive him to sports or do anything with him. It’s a house for him to stay in, which is fine. I can ask them. Don’t worry about it.” I didn’t want her to think I was one more person asking her for a favor when it seemed like she had enough of that in her life already.
“I’ll do it if Everett’s okay with it.”
My eyes shot to hers, seeing nothing but sincerity in them, the tension in my body released. “Really?”
“If you’re more comfortable with me watching Everett then I’m okay with that.”
“I can pay you.”
Mia shook her head, her lips pursed. “No. I won’t accept money. It’s a favor for a friend.”
“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that. I don’t want to take advantage of you.” I was thinking of her girlfriends who seemed to demand so much from her, not me, but it was the same concept.
Her lips twitched. “You’re not.” She was quiet for a few seconds while we watched Everett playing with Joey, throwing the ball back and forth. “I’m taking a leap with you. I hope my trust isn’t misplaced.” Her voice was hesitant, soft.
I placed my hand over hers on her thigh, hoping I wasn’t wrong in opening myself up to her, trusting that she wouldn’t hurt us. “You can trust me.”
Mia’s gaze dropped to our hands.
I wanted to repay her in some way. I didn’t want this to be a one-sided relationship. “When can we come over and work on those built-ins at your house? Everett needs to work off the property damage claim at the school.”
Her eyes filled with excitement. “How about this weekend?”
I was happy to have plans to see her again so soon. “That works.”
“Have you asked around to see if anyone else needs Everett’s help? Maybe he could shovel snow from neighbors’ sidewalks? There’s more to do in the summer with gardening and lawns.”
“No. He does that for free. That’s not something I want him to expect payment for. You help your neighbors, period—whether it’s a single parent struggling with a few kids or one with a bad back.”
“I can respect that. You’re doing just fine at this dad thing without me, you know.”
“You think so?” I hated sounding so unsure when I was usually so confident, but this was new. I didn’t go to school for this or have millions of dollars’ worth of training and equipment.
“You’ve been home for a little over a month and Everett’s already trying out for the baseball team.”
I nodded toward the field where Everett was throwing a pop-up for Joey. “Hopefully, he’s making a new friend too.”
“What about at your work? Is there something he can help with there?”
I hesitated. She’d encouraged me to be honest with my employer, but Mark was out of the office the second time I was called to school. I hadn’t had to explain myself.
Her eyes scanned my face. “You haven’t told your boss, have you?”
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed. “He’s going to find out.”
“I know.” I’d tell Mark. Eventually.
Chapter Twenty
Mia
Mason stopped by Friday night with Everett to measure the two spaces I wanted shelves. I’d watched as he moved around the space, explaining what he was doing to Everett, jotting down notes on a small loose-leaf notebook. Something about the old-school way he took notes, not using an app on his phone, made him more attractive. The quiet and sure way he interacted with Everett was in contrast to when he first returned home. Both Everett and Mason were falling into a routine, developing a new relationship. It reminded me of my relationship with my parents, how my father took the time to sit with me, playing with my dolls, reading books, or painting.
If I found measuring attractive, how was I going to survive Mason getting out tools? Would he need a tool belt? I closed my eyes, leaning back on the couch to rest my head. Worn, ripped jeans, a leather tool belt slung low on his hips, sawdust covering a white T-shirt, straining against the muscles of his chest and biceps, construction boots on his feet.
“Are you imagining your shelves?”
The voice was closer. My eyes popped open, scanning the room to find Everett gone.
Mason stood facing me. “He went to the bathroom.”
I stood so quickly, I stumbled slightly. Mason steadied me with his hands on my hips. We were only an inch apart. I could feel every inch of the space he took up in the room, his warm presence, his masculine smell. My eyes flicked from the hands on my hips to his face. “I was daydreaming.”
Under his gaze, my cheeks heated. His fingers gripped my hips harder, he dipped his head to ask, “When are we going to have some time alone?”
His voice deeper somehow, making my insides melt. “I guess that’s up to you. I hate to ask you to leave Everett for a few hours if you’re not comfortable with the idea.”
“He’s old enough to stay alone. It’s a good test to see if he’s responsible.” He pulled me a little closer so that our bodies were touching. “When we’re done working on Saturday, I’ll take Everett home, shower, and come back here.”
An image popped into my head of Mason naked, his washboard abs I suspected he had on display. His broad shoulders, tapered waist, and muscular thighs dripping with water, as he touched himself with soap.
“What are you thinking about so hard? It can’t be your shelves.”
“No. I’m not.” My voice was rough, my throat suddenly dry, I licked my lips.
“Mia. We’re not alone.” His voice skated across my lips, as I strained closer, wanting his lips on mine.
The water turned on in the bathroom as Everett presumably washed his hands.
“We’ll be alone tomorrow night.” I wanted to ask what he had planned, what I should wear, were we staying here or going out, but new Mia went with the flow.
His hands moved from my hips to the back of my head, his fingers tangled in my hair. “We’ll see what happens. If we’re too tired, we’ll stay in.”
He closed the space between our lips, brushing my lips with his before the bathroom door opened and he stepped back.
When there was a couple of feet between us, he asked, “You’ll be around to help with the shelves, right?”
“I cleared my weekend so I could be here if yo
u needed me.”
He nodded, a satisfied smile on his lips. “I think I’m going to need your assistance.”
Everett was supposed to be his assistant, but the idea of spending my entire weekend with Mason and Everett, the possibility of a few hours alone was pure bliss.
After this weekend, I’d be gone for this man. There’s no way I could resist him. The way he was with Everett, the confident way I was sure he’d construct my shelves. He was sexy, unlike anyone I’d dated before, making him more attractive, not less. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m starving,” Everett interrupted when he walked into the room.
“How do you feel about pizza?” Mason asked, not taking his eyes from mine.
“I could eat pizza.”
I sat on the couch watching them bicker over toppings before concluding everyone would get their own large pizza. Toppings weren’t the only deciding issue, two hungry males could eat a lot, apparently. Mason started a fire in my fireplace while we waited for the pizza to arrive.
Everett commandeered the remote, finding some superhero movie to watch. Mason didn’t touch me, but he winked at me when Everett wasn’t looking. It was domestic. It was perfect. I was quickly becoming addicted to the three of us together. Friday nights eating pizza on the couch, watching movies, Mason and Everett working on the house. I wanted to sink into this reality and never emerge.
Mason
I dragged Everett out of bed at six a.m. If I wanted to complete the built-ins this weekend, we needed an early start. Plus, this was punishment for Everett. It should be painful. I finally got him out of bed with the promise of donuts.
Laden down with a large box of half-eaten donuts and a tray of coffees, I knocked on Mia’s door. The morning was chilly and quiet.
“Maybe you should have told her you’d be here at the butt crack of dawn.”
“Watch your mouth.” That comment was immediate. It was always watch your mouth, watch your manners, clean up this or that. I never thought I’d be one of those parents, but what I’d realized quickly was that parents who were present sounded just like I did. You couldn’t be deep in the trenches and stay detached.
“That wasn’t even bad.”
“Just watch it.” I knocked again, louder this time.
“You should have mentioned the time last night.”
“Didn’t I?” I tilted my head as if I was thinking when I knew I hadn’t said anything. I wanted to surprise Everett, but a small part of me wanted to see Mia first thing in the morning, rumpled from sleep.
He laughed. “No. You didn’t. I would have remembered being told to get up at the—”
“Enough. I get it.”
The door slowly opened. Mia stood barefoot, a silky pink robe wrapped tightly around her, hair a mess around her face. She blinked at me. “Mason? What are you doing here so early?”
Everett looked at the ground, covering his smile with his hand. “I told you.”
I could have said I was there to build shelves like we’d discussed last night, but I went with the more appealing excuse, lifting the box. “I have donuts and coffee.”
She pulled the door open wider, taking a step back. “You could have led with that.”
When I stepped past her, she grabbed a cup from the tray, immediately bringing it to her lips.
“I wasn’t sure how you take it.”
She took a long pull. “Hot and caffeinated.”
“Then you’re good.”
“Donut.”
I placed the box on her counter, lifting the lid. “Glazed or chocolate icing?”
“Chocolate.”
I placed the donut in her hand.
She immediately took a bite, chewing with her eyes closed as if savoring it. “This tastes so good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Mind if we get started on the shelves? We need to bring in the wood and tools.”
She waved a hand at us. “By all means, bring in the wood and tools.”
Another double entendre but she was too sleepy to realize what she’d said. Seeing her like this, relaxed and sleepy was worth the early morning. It was going to be a long day until we could be alone. I tossed the truck keys to Everett. “Get started. I’ll be out in a sec.”
“Got it.” Everett was all too happy to leave. Sometimes I think he had a sixth sense when we wanted or needed a few seconds alone. I hoped that meant he was okay with the idea of us being together.
I rounded the counter, pulling her into my body, her soft curves still warm from sleep against mine. “You’re irresistible in the morning.”
She cocked her head, tapped a finger on her lips, looking up at the ceiling. “Was it my crazy hair or pajamas? I’m fairly certain I look like I just rolled out of bed.”
“I’m sorry. I should have said what time I’d be here.” My lips twitched. I wasn’t sorry at all.
“You brought donuts and coffee, so you’re forgiven. This time anyway.”
I tipped her chin up, rubbing a smear of chocolate icing off her lip. She sucked in a breath. “I want to lick this off of you. I want to untie this robe and see what you’re wearing.”
My cock jumped at the idea she was naked under the robe, her nipples puckered against the silky fabric, swirling around her bare thighs.
“I’m not naked, so get that thought out of your head.”
I groaned, running hands up her sides, my fingers lightly caressing her breasts, careful not to touch her nipples. I leaned in, placing a kiss on her neck, whispering, “I wish we were alone.”
The front door clicked open. “Where do you want me to put this?”
I should have been annoyed that we were constantly interrupted but it built anticipation for when we could be alone. It heightened every sensation, the feel of her warm body beneath my fingers, her quick inhalation when I leaned in to kiss her neck, the darkening of her eyes when I’d lifted my head. “In the living room,” I called over my shoulder. “Be right there.”
“You better get dressed so I can work,” I said to Mia.
Her lips split into a playful smile. “I’ll be right back. Don’t finish the donuts. I want more.”
When she turned, I couldn’t look away from the curve of her hip, the swell of her ass, barely covered by the robe. I lightly smacked her ass, so Everett wouldn’t hear.
“Hey,” she said, but hurried out of the room.
I adjusted my cock in my pants. It was going to be a long day. Other than flying, I hadn’t looked forward to anything in a long time.
I set up sawhorses, wood, and tools on her front lawn. I had a few tools but when Mia mentioned this project, I’d bought more, thinking it would come in handy when I owned a home. I hoped the neighbors wouldn’t mind the sound of a circular saw this early in the morning.
Mia sat on the couch in leggings and a T-shirt, for the first half an hour, eating another donut, and drinking coffee while we walked in and out of the house measuring and cutting the boards for the shelves.
“You awake yet?” I asked when we had a sufficient stack of wood cut for the first half of the shelves. I fit one of the shelves in the space, to make sure we’d measured accurately.
“As awake as I get this early on a Saturday.”
I sat on the couch next to her, setting the board on the coffee table in front of us. “Did you want the ends of your shelves to come to a point or be rounded? I brought a miter so I could make it rounded if you wanted.”
At her confused look, I rubbed the edge of her coffee table. “This is an example of a rounded edge.”
She stood, considering the area we cleared for the shelves. “If the shelves start here and go all the way to the wall, I think it makes more sense for it to be right angles.”
“I agree, but wanted to make sure it’s what you wanted.”
Everett walked inside, carrying another stack of wood.
“Put that stack there.” I gestured to the second area for shelves.
“I’m so excited to see what th
is is going to look like.”
“What are your plans for the shelves?”
“Oh, you know, picture frames, books, decorative items. It will be nice to have space for holiday decorations.”
Her fireplace was on this wall, her TV mounted above it, the shelves would take up the rest of the empty space. The custom built-ins would add value to her small cottage. The fact that we were creating something she wanted motivated me to get moving on this project, hoping to complete it in one weekend so she could enjoy it as soon as possible. I didn’t want her living room to be a construction space for too long.
“Why don’t you help us with this part?”
I handed her one end of the shelf and Everett the other. Grabbing the level from my toolbox, I made sure the shelves were straight, marking the spot on the wall where they’d be hung. Then I marked the spot for screws on the shelf before pulling my safety goggles on and drilling. When I paused, rubbing the wood for any rough spots, Mia asked, “Can I drill the screws?”
“Why don’t you put on some sneakers and old clothes, then I’ll show you.”
“These are old.” She gestured down at her clothes but grabbing her sneakers by the door. Slipping them on, she stepped closer with her hand out.
“You need safety goggles. Everett, grab the spare set from my truck.”
Everett went outside without an argument, seemingly happy to have a break from working.
A smile tugged at her lips, as she eyed the board with excitement, practically bouncing on her toes. “I want to help.” Her voice rose as if she’d surprised herself.
“Have you ever worked with wood before?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized the double meaning.
She rolled her eyes. “There you go again with the wood comments. I’ve never fixed or built anything.”
“I know your father died when you were young, but your uncle never showed you?” My father showed me things, but I learned most of what I knew from shop class in school. Everything else I researched. I enjoyed creating, fixing things.