Turn Up The Heat: Love Won't Wait / Beach House Beginnings / Strong Enough to Love. Victoria Dahl
JESSE PRETENDED great enthusiasm about the door, Brick glanced at Merrily. When he saw her standing there watching him in something of a daze, he smiled to himself. If the flush in her cheeks meant anything, her thoughts ran the same course as his.
She’d spiffed up a little today. Her soft brown hair hung in loose curls, she wore a pretty sundress and she’d painted her toenails. It was sort of endearing that she thought he needed enticement.
Hell, he wanted her so much, she could probably shave her head and wear burlap and he’d still be panting for her. He had it bad—and only part of it was her innocence. The rest was pure Merrily, the way she smiled, how she watched him so intently.
The idea that she wanted him enough to give up her virginity.
How could any guy be immune to that?
Jesse managed to jab him with his elbow. Low, so that Merrily wouldn’t hear, he said, “I feel like an idiot. How long am I supposed to pretend to measure?”
“Long as it takes.”
“For what? It’s a standard-sized door. The one we brought will fit and you know it. You don’t need help with any of this, so tell me again, why am I here?”
As if on cue, a knock sounded on Merrily’s front door. Brick almost rubbed his hands together. He couldn’t wait for Jesse to see his surprise. “Because I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” He glanced at Merrily with curiosity.
Brick shoved him in the shoulder, making him stagger. “Not that, so don’t even go there.”
Jesse laughed as Merrily stepped out of view to greet her guest. “I wasn’t thinking that.”
“Bullshit.”
“Just because you salute every time she looks your way doesn’t mean I feel the same.”
Damn. His Johnson did do a lot of saluting around her, but luckily, this time Jesse exaggerated.
“She’s hot, Brick. I agree.”
His teeth locked.
“But I have a rule about these things.”
Yeah, he knew that. Jesse felt the same as he did. They shared almost everything—but never women. “Still,” he groused. “Don’t be ogling her.”
“Got it. When she talks to me, I’ll stare at the ceiling.” He used a shoulder to wipe sweat from his brow. “So what do you have for me? And it better be good since you have me working in this heat, on a Saturday night no less.”
Just then, Tonya’s husky but feminine voice joined Merrily’s in the living room. Jesse perked up, going on the alert. Brick gestured for him to come see.
Intrigued, Jesse stepped over to the doorway and peered into the other room. Awareness settled over him. With obvious appreciation, he gave Tonya a thorough once-over. In an aside to Brick, he asked, “For me?”
“Yeah.” The look on Jesse’s face was hilarious. “What do you think?”
“Damn, man, thank you.”
“All I can promise is an intro. The rest is up to you, but I figured—”
“Yeah, got it.” Done listening, Jesse unglued his feet and moved forward with single-minded purpose. “Hello.” Hand extended, voice deep, he said, “I’m Jesse.”
His sudden intrusion surprised both women.
For her part, Tonya widened her eyes with speculation. She looked at Brick, at Merrily and back at Jesse again. She accepted his hand. “Hello yourself.”
Huh. That went even better than Brick had anticipated. He filled in with more proper introductions. “Tonya is Merrily’s landlord.” To Tonya, he added, “Jesse is going to help me with the door.”
“It’ll be my pleasure,” Jesse told her.
Rolling his eyes, Brick stepped over to Merrily and slipped an arm around her lower back. Beneath the insubstantial sundress he idly explored the pronounced indentation of her waist and the firm swell of her hip.
Her curves were as appealing as everything else. He couldn’t wait to touch her bare flesh—and yeah, if he kept thinking that way, he’d embarrass himself.
Because she seemed more than a little confused by the turn of events, Brick said, “Why don’t we order a pizza? It’ll be my treat. After Jesse and I get the door switched out, we could all sit down to eat.”
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