Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Thanks, ah, for dinner. It was great. Really great. I need to take Miller for a walk, so I should go.”
I nodded dumbly.
“I’ll hang the wind chimes tomorrow.”
“Yep.”
He paused, his gaze flicking to my mouth. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead. “Good night, Casey.”
And he left, Miller protesting the whole way.
I had to sit down, my legs too shaky to hold me up. I rested my head on my hand, and I swore I could still feel his mouth on my brow.
What the hell had just happened?
I shook my head. I wasn’t sure if I was glad the animals interrupted us or not. Jesse as a landlord was already a lot to handle—as anything else, that was unknown territory.
After I finished the dishes, I walked into the living room, sitting down in the chair. I stared at the wall in the entryway, not really seeing anything. I groaned as I realized how strongly I could smell Jesse’s aftershave on the fabric of the chair where he’d slept earlier. It was a stark reminder of what had almost occurred. And the fact that I was still unsure how I felt about it.
I rotated my neck, feeling edgy and tense. I looked around the room, needing to do something, but I didn’t feel like coding. I had no boxes left to unpack since I traveled light. I stared at the huge armoire in the entryway, its placement still bothering me. I had tried a few times to move it, but Jesse was right. It was solid, heavy, and not movable. I laughed to myself, wondering if I should bring my jack inside from my trunk and try it. Inspiration struck, and I went to the computer, bringing up Amazon and searching. A few moments later, I found what I was looking for—small furniture jacks that could lift up to a thousand pounds. I watched the video and ordered two sets, as well as a pair of appliance sliders. If I could lift the sides, then use the sliders, I should be able to move the armoire. It was worth a try since it bothered me every time I went past the big piece of furniture.
And since they were in stock, I’d have them tomorrow.
I shut off the computer and decided to read. I’d get lost in a story about a cold duke with wandering hands or a marquess gifted with beautiful eyes and a reputation for being a rake.
Immediately, my thoughts went to Jesse and his hazel gaze. Usually serious, often frowning, his eyes were stunning. When he smiled or became aroused, they were sinfully sexy. The mix of blue and green with flecks of brown was mesmerizing.
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.
Enough about Jesse.
Enough.
Chapter Ten
JESSE
Ipunched my pillow, trying to find a comfortable spot. Glancing at the clock, I grimaced. It was well past two, and I should be fast asleep by now.
But no matter what I did, all I could think about was her.
Casey.
The evening we spent together. The way she laughed. Teased. Moved around her kitchen, making everything perfect.
Her pot roast was incredible—something I expected, having tasted it once, but it seemed all the better for eating with her.
She was droll and funny. Intelligent. I was fascinated listening to her talk about computers. She was a fountain of knowledge yet never made me feel stupid for my lack of understanding them the way she did. When I told her what machine I had, she was horrified.
“I need to upgrade you, Thorne. You’re still in the nineties.”
“That was probably when I bought it.”
She lifted an eyebrow, her voice teasing. “Along with your T-shirts?”
I chuckled. “Probably.” Most of my shirts, I’d had a long time. Probably not that long, but I did like making her laugh.
And she did, the peals of merriment making me laugh with her, enjoying her teasing. Strangely enough, I didn’t mind her calling me Thorne. It felt affectionate. As if we were friends.
I was intensely private. A loner, many called me. I preferred a peaceful night at home by myself to a group of people in a bar. Working in the fire department, I was surrounded the entire shift by others. Most would call me quiet. I played cards on occasion, maybe shot some pool, but often, I would read, work out, or find something to stay busy with. Still, when my shift was over, I craved the solitude of my place. When Lou was alive, I would help her out, occasionally share a meal or a cup of coffee with her, but she didn’t push for more.
I found myself hoping Casey would.
And tonight, I had almost kissed her. She had been laughing over my teasing her—another first for me since I rarely spoke, never mind teased. She looked sexy in her simple shirt and jeans—nothing fussy or over the top. I liked hearing her laugh. It did something to my chest, and I found myself trying to do things, say things, that would make her laugh.