Page 45 of The Burbs and the Bees
“What did you do?”
“Put Jay’s digits in there. In case you need anything, you know.” He sucks on the strand of hay for a moment then says, “Yeah, it’s been a long time since Jay’s gotten rid of all that pent-up energy. He’s been working too hard and playing too little ever since—”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Jay asks, cutting him off. I turn to see him, and his jaw is set hard, his eyes narrowed in on his brother. His clothes are a rumpled mess, like he slept in them last night. Did he toss and turn as much as I had?
“Yes, Dad,” Tyler says and pushes up from the fence. He gives me a wink. “See you around, pretty lady.”
He disappears, and Jay looks to the sky, like he’s tossing up a silent prayer. “It’s karma,” he says.
“It’ll get you every time,” I respond, his heat and energy reaching out to me, awakening my body all over again. God, what is it about this guy? He’s tall, rough, and rugged. Sexy as hell. At every turn I get caught in his gravitational pull.
“Yeah, then what did you do to end up at an apple orchard?” he asks, a grin on his face, making him look hotter than ever.
I plant one hand on my hips and shake my head. “Still can’t understand why fate brought me here.”
Lesson or blessing.
“I hope those fit,” Jay says, pulling my thoughts back as he gestures to the clothes in my hand. “I had to run to town this morning.” He shrugs like it’s nothing, but it’s not nothing to me.
“Thank you. That was sweet of you, and I’m sure they’ll fit. They’re my size,” I say. Well, except the panties, but that’s best left unsaid.
“The underwear,” he says. “Trader Tim only stocks one size fits all.”
Or not.
Dear ground, please open up and swallow me whole.
He shrugs, a grin playing with his mouth. “I get they’re probably a bit big on you.”
“You think?”
“Well, I did kind of see you in your panties a couple times.”
“Right, well, thank you,” I say, as warmth invades my cheeks. “I wasn’t going to have time to get anything new before opening the market.”
“I figured as much.” He kicks at the dirt and rakes his hands through his hair. “About last night…” he begins, and I swallow. Is he going to suggest we pick up where we left off? A little harmless hookup? “We probably shouldn’t have—”
Guess not.
“You’re right,” I say. “It was a mistake.” I give a very unladylike snort, and he angles his head, his brow furrowed as he studies me. “There’s definitely something in the water here. I don’t usually go around kissing strangers.”
Stop rambling, Alyson.
“Are you saying you go around kissing people who aren’t strangers?”
“Yeah, I make out with friends all the time.”
“I guess I should be careful then. Yesterday, you declared us friends.”
“We’re neighbors,” I say. “I don’t even know you, and I’ll definitely pay for all this stuff. Just let me know. I have cash, or I can e-transfer the money. Wait, do you have an account so it can be done?”
He stares at me. “You’re in Canada, not Siberia, although I’m pretty sure they have e-transfer there, too.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest—”
“It’s fine.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Since I was responsible for ruining your clothes with cold, salty water, we’ll call it even.”
“It wasn’t really your fault,” I say.
