I picked up my utensils. “I hope you can hear what my inner voice is saying right at this moment. In case you’re unclear, that’s not ‘hey, you.’”
She giggled. A full-out, girlie giggle that seemed so out of place given her outfit and the vibe she was putting off.
The sound made me want to smile.
Which pissed me off and I deepened my frown.
“Don’t you have corrupt city officials to bother instead of me?”
“Nope, I’m all yours.”
“Lucky me,” I said sarcastically.
“Where’s Cash?”
“Locked in the house, no doubt trying to figure out how to pick the lock and escape.”
She grinned. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out. He’ll know how to hot-wire the truck soon.”
I had to chuckle.
She snagged a home fry off my plate, chewing it slowly.
“Hey, stop that,” I snarled, trying to smack her hand when she reached for another one.
“I love their home fries,” she protested.
“Get your own.”
“I like yours.” Then she snuck a piece of my toast.
Little thief.
I rolled my eyes and cut into the omelet. It was filled with ham, mushrooms, onions, and dripping with cheese. I closed my eyes briefly as I chewed. It was delicious, and I was starving. I wasn’t much of a cook, and there was little in the way of food at the house.
Ava hummed across the table, and I opened my eyes, shocked to see her nibbling on a piece of my bacon with my coffee cup in her hand.
“What the hell are you doing?” I reached across the table and snagged the cup back. I was too late to grab the bacon. “That’s mine.”
“I love bacon,” she informed me, as if that made it okay to steal it off my plate. “And I needed a sip. I don’t see the problem. We’ve shared spit already.”
I almost choked on the mouthful of coffee I was attempting to swallow.
My God, she had a smart mouth and the balls to use it.
Luckily, Connie came over and put the toast in front of Ava, plus her own cup of coffee, then refilled mine.
“Get her an order of bacon,” I said. “Please,” I added.
“I’m good.” Ava waved her hand.
I met Connie’s eyes. “Another order.”
She was laughing as she moved away. I had to bite back a grin as Ava put a slice of her toast onto my side plate to replace the one she’d eaten. I had a feeling she’d take it back soon enough.
“You finished your hair,” she observed, stabbing another potato on my plate.
Where the hell had she gotten that fork?
I glared at her. “Stop eating my breakfast.” Then I turned the plate so she could get at the potatoes easier. She wasn’t going to listen to me anyway.
I decided to give as good as I got.
“I finished everything you left incomplete,” I said, eyeing her over the rim of my coffee cup.
She sputtered into her cup, setting it down and coughing into a napkin.
“I see. I hope it was satisfactory for you.”
I tried not to smirk. It had been more than satisfactory. With the scent of her still on my skin and the taste of her in my mouth, there would have been only one thing better.
Being inside her.
As if reading my mind, she spoke. Her voice was quiet. “I’m sorry we were interrupted.”
“I assume that was a brother?”
“Yes. Liam.”
I grunted, eating more of my breakfast. She picked at the potatoes, which I had to admit were awesome with tons of onions and paprika in them. Her bacon arrived and she pushed it my way, and we ate it between us.
“I love bacon,” she mused. “It should be its own food group.”
I chuckled.
“It’s best we were interrupted,” I said finally, pushing away my empty plate.
She tilted her head. “Oh?”
“You’re complicated, Ava. I don’t do complicated.”
“What makes you say that?”
I waved my hand. “Oh, let’s see. A huge, rich family that owns all the land surrounding my property and wants to get their hands on it. You have a complete lack of respect for personal space and a habit of turning up in the oddest places. I value my privacy. I don’t need your family or you pushing yourselves into my life. I’m here to work on the house, and that is it. I’ll be gone in the not-too-distant future, so there is no potential for us.”
I didn’t know what I expected, but her reaction surprised me. She wasn’t put out by my words. She shrugged.
“My family is huge, yes. Rich, yes. I’m not. I work hard and earn my money just like everyone else does. As for your property, they would like to buy it if it was for sale, but you’ve made it clear it is not, so they won’t bother you about it. They made your grandfather very generous offers that he declined. They tried to be good neighbors, although he made it difficult at times.” She paused, as if contemplating her next sentence.
“I understand wanting privacy. I like mine as well. I don’t recall asking you for a future, nor planning one with you. Let me remind you that you asked to sleep with me first, not the other way around.”
“I did,” I acknowledged, falling silent as she kept talking.
“You seemed to be just fine with my lack of respect when your cock was in my hand and your tongue was down my throat.”
I blinked.
Jesus.
She had a point, though.
I cleared my throat, tamping down my amusement. “But it’s best nothing happened. In the long run, we’d both regret it, I think.”
“I see,” she said. “So, you have no desire to have sex with me anymore.”
“It’s not that. Not at all. Frankly, I’d give my left nut to have sex with you.”
“Your left nut?” She frowned. “Are you left-handed?”
“No.”
Her eyes twinkled. Danced with mischief.
“So, you wouldn’t give your more predominant nut—the right one—to have sex with me. Only your slightly useless left one.”
For a moment, I stared. Then I began to chuckle. The chuckle became a guffaw, which turned into a deep laugh. The kind you have to hold your stomach while emitting. I bent over, gasping for air as I shouted my amusement into my hand.
Who was this crazy, outspoken woman? And how did she make me feel this way—lighter and more relaxed than I could recall feeling every time I was in her presence?
Finally, I wiped my eyes. “You’re a strange girl, Ava Callaghan.” I swiped at my mouth with a napkin and stood, looking down at her. Before she could say anything, I bent down and kissed her briefly. Hard. Not caring who was watching.
“And yes, I’d give my right nut.” Then I winked and tossed a couple of twenties on the table. “Breakfast is on me.”
I was still laughing as I walked out of the restaurant.
My smile faded as I pulled up to the house, finding a car full of women waiting for me. I climbed out of the truck, grabbing the bags.
“Whatever you’re selling, ladies, I’m not interested. And if you’re some sort of welcome wagon, consider your job done.”
I walked past them, nodding. “Have a good day.”