“No problem, I’m happy to help.” I string four bags on each arm and grab a twenty-four pack of water. “Where do you want me… I mean these?” I clench my teeth to keep myself from blurting out a four-letter word at my slip of the tongue.
“Follow me,” she replies without hesitation. Falling in behind as she moves, I order myself not to stare at her ass wrapped in faded, tight, blue jeans like a gift I can’t wait to open.
We enter the house through the garage, which is still jammed full of boxes. “One of these days, I’ll finish unpacking and be able to park my car in here.”
My eyes take in the organized mudroom separating the garage from her kitchen. Looks like she’s gotten some boxes emptied. “Unpacking sucks. I was young when my grandparents moved into their house, but I still remember my mother was miserable for weeks,” I say. “Every day we’d head over to help them. That’s time I’ll never get back,” I joke.
She laughs. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone enjoys having to pack or unpack. Both are equally horrible.”
“I think packing is worse,” I state.
“Really? Why’s that?” she inquires, setting the bags she’s carrying on the granite counter.
“Because once you unpack you’re done. When you pack, you still have more work to do on the other end.”
“Good point.” She winks, and my stomach lurches. “You can just drop everything on the floor and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Gently setting the water down, I place the bags on the counter along with the others. “I’ll go grab the rest.”
“Thank you, Emmett, You’re such a big help.”
“Anytime,” I call over my shoulder as I head back outside. Picking up the remaining bags, I close her trunk and retrace my steps back to the kitchen. Mrs.Thatcher is busy putting all the groceries away, so I set the remainder down on the floor. I watch as she reaches to place things on the top shelf of the pantry before bending over to stack cans on the bottom shelf. I could watch her put groceries away all night. But I can’t. I need to go home. “Do you need help with this stuff?” I gesture to the remaining bags to be polite.
“No, Emmett, that’s really sweet of you to offer, but you’ve done more than enough.” Straightening from her bent over position, she rubs her hands along the thighs of her jeans, calling attention to her legs. “Let me give you something for your time,” she offers, reaching for her purse.
“No,” I bark out louder than I intend. “Absolutely not.” I shake my head and scowl. “I won’t take your money just for being neighborly. Yard work is one thing, but five minutes of doing the right thing is completely different.”
“I guess I’ll have to figure out another way to pay you.” I breathe in her smooth, sexy voice like a hit of my favorite weed. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m more than a little curious about what she has in mind.
“That’s not necessary. I’m happy to help you with whatever you need.”
“Do you like baked goods?”
“Yes, ma’am. Especially if they’re homemade.”
She scrunches her slightly turned up nose. “Ma’am? I’m only twenty-eight.”
She’s ten years older than me.
“I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just using my manners.”
“I know you didn’t. I’m teasing. You’re such a polite young man. Your parents must be very proud of you.” I’m at a loss for what to say because I’m not so sure they are. I can’t remember them ever complimenting me like that. I jerk my shoulders in a quick shrug.
“You don’t have to be so humble with me. I’d like to think we’re already fast friends.” Her full, berry-red lips tip up at the edges, tempting me.
“My parents aren’t really the type to dole out praise. I imagine they’re proud, but they expect a lot from me,” I answer candidly.
“How old are you, Emmett?” she questions. Her green eyes appraise me, slowly moving up and down my body like a familiar caress.
How old do you want me to be?
“How old do you think I am?”
Her pink tongue peeks out to sweep the fullness of her bottom lip as she continues to study me. My dick twitches in reaction, and I quickly glance away. I can’t be getting excited by the thought of her tongue and what it could do to me. Fuck.
“I have a feeling you look older than you are.”
“I’m eighteen.”
The sound of her boot heels clicking against the hardwood floor has my head turning to watch as she glides smoothly toward me. Stopping when there’s only a foot of distance between us, she taps the tip of her index finger to her lips and hums while her eyes study me.
I can’t remember ever being so sexually attracted to someone I just met. Her spicy scent and the sexy little sound she made have me clenching both fists at my sides. I remind myself of the age difference, but it doesn’t help. At all.
My gaze locks on Mrs. Thatcher’s shiny mouth and visions of what she could do with those plump lips assault my mind. Fuck. I’m an asshole. Here she is trying to have a polite conversation and I’m lusting after her.
“I have to go,” I blurt out. Spinning on the rubber soles of my sneakers, I rush from her house as if I’m being chased. Grabbing my backpack from the front seat of my car, I hurry along the driveway to the side entrance. My fingers fumble as I insert the key into the lock. Once inside, my bag falls to the hardwood floor as I slam the door. My heart jumping like it’s skipping rope, I lean both hands flat against the steel, barricading it with my body. The absurdity of the situation crashes into me like an unexpected wave. Only, instead of getting doused with water, I’m awash with shame.
“That was a close fucking call, Hawkins,” I mumble, shaking my head in equal parts relief and disgust.
Chapter Three
Emmett
My fingers dig into her hips, rocking her against the hard length of my cock. She moans as I suck on the delicate skin below her ear. Her nails dig into the top of my shoulders when I add my teeth, biting her neck. “Oh… Emmett.” Her head drops back.“Don’t... mmm... stop.”
“No fucking way,” I growl, gripping the back of her head with one hand. My mouth trails down the length of her ivory neck, placing hot, wet kisses. She grinds on my lap, and my eyes squeeze shut at the exquisite pleasure. “God, I want inside you, baby.”
“Me too,” she whispers.
Capturing her lips with mine, I swallow her sighs of pleasure with a kiss. Our tongues tangle as I rock her back and forth on my dick, driving us both insane. She clings to me, and the twinge in my chest grows into a full-blown ache.
Tearing our mouths apart, I watch as she rides me, driving us both closer to release. I’m about to come in my pants and I don't care. I want nothing more than to be buried inside her, but my parents are due to come home any moment now. We definitely don’t have time for all I want to do to her.
Juliet’s cheeks are flushed pink and her lips are swollen from my kisses. She’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen with her passion-glazed eyes and tousled hair. I want to capture this moment like a snapshot in my mind forever.