“It’s never too late. You could get one now.”
“I know, but I’m not sure I’m ready. They’re a lot of work. I couldn’t imagine doing this sort of thing day in and day out.”
“You’re ready.” He says, wiping away more dried blood. “And you’ve got to remember, you’d only have one, not the twenty or thirty you take care of out here.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe I’ll think about it. Sometimes it gets lonely coming home to an empty house.”
“What about all the guys Mo has set you up with? They could come keep you company. Maybe next time Joseph wouldn’t bring his mother.”
I slap Trevor’s shoulder, and he laughs.
“You are not allowed to make fun of my love life, Trevor Allen.”
There’s a pregnant pause. I watch Trevor’s smile transform into something wistful. “For what it’s worth, Joseph doesn’t deserve you, and it’s his loss. Any man would be lucky to have you, Claire. Don’t ever think differently.”
My heart swells at his kind words. Trevor and I have known each other for ages, but we aren’t alone together often, and I don’t think we’ve ever just sat down and talked. But I like it.
A little too much.
“That’s worth a lot,” I tell him. “Thank you.”
He nods. “I also think you’re ready for that dog and you’ll make a great pet owner.”
I smile to myself. “I’ll think about it.”
Neither of us says a word as he finishes cleaning my wound. After he’s applied the triple antibiotic ointment and Band-Aid, he looks at me. “It’s not as deep as it looked. I don’t think you need stitches.”
“Good,” I sigh. “That’s good. Because that would not have been pretty.”
“But you will need a tetanus shot.”
“I’ll add it to my list of things to do.”
“I’m serious, Claire.” He gives me a firm look. “Soon. You need to have the vaccine within twenty-four hours of the injury.”
My eyes drop to where Trevor’s hand is wrapped around my arm. His thumb makes slow, circular movements just above my elbow, and I wonder what it would feel like to have his hands touching other places on my body.
I draw in a shaky breath and look up. “Okay. I’ll go after work tomorrow.”
“Good.”
His smile is so potent that I have to suck in a shaky breath. His lips are ruddy and full and look so damn soft—and screw his hands, I wonder what is mouth would feel like trailing across my skin, latching onto my breast, traveling down my stomach. And is it just me or did he move closer?
“Promise me.” His warm breath fans the side of my face, sending a shiver down my spine.
Even after a long day of work, he smells amazing. I want to yank him in, bury my face in his neck, and smell him some more, maybe take a little taste. Instead, I stand motionless, afraid that if I move he’ll move, and I definitely don’t want that. But I do have to squeeze my thighs together to suppress the growing ache. It doesn’t do any good.
“I promise,” I whisper.
I force my eyes to his. Tension thickens, heat creeping between us, and as if he’s reading my thoughts, Trevor’s eyes dip to my mouth. I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking, but judging by his erection, which is pressing against my hip, I think I have a pretty good idea.
“Good. That’s good.” His hand slides down my arm, and his head drops. He watches his fingers slip off my hand and land on my hip. When he looks up, his eyes are hooded, and I silently urge him to do it—just do it already.
Kiss me.
He takes a breath.
Sweet baby Jesus, this is it.