Chapter 1

JUNE

CHAPTER

ONE

Ugh. I hate it when the tours run over because that means I get off later than usual, miss the earlier bus, and have to wait another two hours for the last one. At least my favorite ice cream shop is still open, which I go to when I work late and every weekend. The owner likes to joke that he stays open just for me.

As per usual, I walk slowly down the street past the tailor, the shoe shine place, and the hardware store, which, if I am honest, my eyes linger on, always looking for the owner, Owen. You want to talk about fine, and not in the pretty boy sort of way. That man is Matthew Fox handsome, but not Party of Five Matthew Fox, no, he is Lost, gorgeous, with a toolbox and a ruggedness to him that makes my lady bits throb.

Continuing down the block, I finally come to the ice cream shop and sigh when the door opens. "Ah, there she is. I thought you forgot about me," Jimmy, the owner, says, smiling.

"Now you know that is not the case. I need my black cherry walnut." Nodding, he walks over to get my order. When he comes back, I pull out the money, and a hand slaps the bills on the counter before I can pay.

"I got her, Jimmy." Oh, man. I could recognize the growly voice anywhere. I turn to him, trying to hide how much he affects me.

"Thanks, Owen. You didn't have to do that." He looks me up and down. I swear his eyes are made of fire because I feel his gaze everywhere.

"I know I didn't have to, beautiful. I wanted to." Geesh. I put my hair behind my ear and look down, trying not to blush.

"Fucking pink cheeks," he says, almost under his breath, shaking his head. What does that mean? Once I have the bag of my ice cream, I say thank you, and when I turn to walk out, Owen follows me. The first part of the walk is quiet but comfortable, but I guess he doesn't like it. "So how is that new faucet working out?"

"It is great. It doesn't leak which is the important part." My landlord is a bit of a prick, so when I told him my faucet was leaking, he shrugged his shoulders and didn't fix it. Finally, I said forget it and paid for it myself.

"That's great. Oh, I got in that part for your pipes," he says so nonchalantly and with no innuendo, but all I hear is sex. God, am I that horny?

"Oh thank you. When do you need to install it?"

"Right now," I hear him grumble. At least, that is what I think he said, and once again, I hear nothing but naked promises. I have got to get a grip. I can't stop blushing, but I try. We make it to my door, and I turn and try to use a non-sexual voice.

"Well, thank you for walking me home, Owen. I appreciate it." Both of his knuckles lean against the wall as he cages me in. I swear he is going to kiss me, but he simply smiles.

"It's my pleasure," he whispers. I squeeze my legs together, watching him walk away.

"Lord, I hope so," I say to myself before walking inside. I have to lean against the door to calm my raging hormones. Not that it works.