Chapter 5

I'm standing in the middle of my workroom, doing very little work because all I can think about is the strange, yet beautiful, woman that showed up at my house in the middle of the night. Something about her feels… different. Hell, I even leashed my damn dog for her, so she'd be more comfortable.

Now, she's walked into my space, admiring my work, and Rusty had the balls to do what I couldn't; get her in my arms. With her lips planted firmly on mine, my thoughts have gone from semi-innocent to raging hard-on. I have to take a step back to not only right her, but myself too.

After making sure she's standing upright, I swipe my hands down my jeans and clear my throat. "Sorry about that. He's not used to being tied up." Tied up. I can think of someone else I'd like to have tied up.

"It's… okay," she stammers. "I have this irrational fear, according to my mother, of dogs. I know he didn't mean to." We take a seat on the bench together, and she asks me about my work. "So, do you make all this yourself?"

"Yeah, my dad used to play around with wood carvings, and it's something I started a couple years back as a way to get some peace. Now it's how I make a living. I love doing it." I smile, and she returns it with a beautiful one of her own. "You know, you don't have to leave right away. I know you traveled a good way, and you must still be a little tired." I don't know why, but I want her around a little longer. I haven't wanted any woman like this in a long time.

"I was actually going to speak with you about that today. I can't get a flight until at least tomorrow. You'd be okay with me staying another night?"

Darlin', I'd be okay if you never left.I shock myself with that thought. "Yeah, sure. What kind of host would I be if not? Matter of fact, I'll even cook you brunch, so you get the full experience."

Her eyes light up as she looks at me. "You don't have to do that, really."

"Oh, I insist."

"Okay, so this supposed AirBnB our mothers have created has now become a bed-and-breakfast. Thank you for your hospitality. Can I help with anything?"

"I'll throw a few steaks on the grill, so it's not going to be that hard. Just kick your feet up and rest wherever you'd like." I'm still shocked at how I went from this guy who doesn't want a woman around, to this man cooking her a fucking meal.

As I'm busying around the kitchen and back and forth outside cooking, I watch her get cozy on my couch, curl up in a blanket, and doze off. She looks so peaceful and relaxed. I don't really want to wake her to tell her that brunch is ready, yet I don't want her food to get cold either.

Decision made, I kneel down in front of her and gently stroke my finger over her forehead to brush away a fallen lock of hair that's covering her sleeping eyes. She wakes and smiles at me. The look in her eyes is one of happiness and content. That warms my damaged heart.

"Food's ready, sweetheart." The endearment slips out, but I won't take it back.

We eat and enjoy each other"s company sitting across another table that I made. It's actually a good feeling to be able to share my designs with someone other than my family. I never thought that would be the case, and I'm a little taken aback by the realization.

"Let me help you clean up. That meal was delicious," she offers.

"Sure, we can just rinse off the dishes and throw them in the dishwasher. How about a drink on the back porch?"

"That sounds lovely," she agrees as she picks the plates up from the table. I work to get all the rest of the scattered items put away.

"Wine okay?" I ask and grab my non-alcoholic beer from the fridge.

"Yes, please."

"I'll meet you out there in just a few minutes."

"Okay," she says and walks to the back door. My eyes follow the sway of her ass with every step forward she makes. Then, I have to take a moment in the kitchen to get my hard-on back under control. Damn, having a woman share my space, even for this short time, is unnerving, but in a good way. Dare I say I like this stranger being here? It's definitely an odd feeling.

For the next, however long, we sit in rocking chairs on my back porch and chat about random stuff. Our drinks turn into snacks, and before I know it, we're watching the sunset and the sky turn to only the bright moon and stars lighting the scenery before us.

"You ready to call it a night?" I turn towards her to ask.

"Yes, I think so. Although… This has been a great night, Ryan." She smiles at me, and her appreciation for what I've built here cracks another hardened layer of my heart.

I grab her glass and my empty bottle and lead us inside. Just after I set the contents in the sink, I turn and bump into Julia.

"Sorry…" My words die off as her lips are on mine once again. You bet your ass I'm going to capitalize on this situation. I'm not going to let it be lost again. I return her kiss with heated passion and back her up, holding her in place against the kitchen cabinets.