Wait for Me

Taron’s full lips cover mine, and my insides turn molten and slippery. He tastes like

salty sweat and fresh water, and he feels like a wall of granite. His hot skin is beneath my hands, and I want to wrap myself around him, feel every ridge and line of muscle. I want to trace my tongue over his collarbone and nip his broad shoulder.

All day today I’ve stolen glances at him working with the other men. He stomped around the shed in those boots with his faded jeans hugging his ass like a dare, making me sigh and shift in my seat.

Occasionally, his blue-green eyes would catch mine from under the brim of his ball cap, and it was like brushing against a live wire. I’d look away to keep from blushing, but I could feel the electricity simmering in my skin.

Digger also stalked in and out of the shed, his eyes on me like some kind of vulture. Every time I saw him, I’d immediately become engrossed in working with Betsy or Leon or Brenda or one of the other teens. When Taron pulled his shirt off in the midday heat, I’m pretty sure every female in the shed took a moment to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.

Digger’s oversized frown almost made me snort. Jealous much?

I had to fight a swoon, watching the muscles in Taron’s arms flex and bulge, the sweat tracing lines down his neck every time he’d lift a crate of peaches. Muscles rippled across his sides and down his back, and I wondered how it was possible to be so fine.

Now I’m holding him, and everything is hot, including my panties.

Our gaze meets and tangles. His eyes seem darker, and he slides a large hand over my cheek, pushing a lock of wet hair behind my ear. I think he’s going to say something, want something, and I know I’ll say yes. I’m playing a dangerous game.

Clearing my throat, I force myself to step out of his arms. “We should get back. I kind of ditched out on the teenagers. Sawyer’s probably wondering where we are…”

He grins as if he understands what I’m thinking, and butterflies flood my stomach. I’m not sure my older brother would like me making out with his new best friend—or all the X-rated thoughts I’m having.

“This time I’m driving.” He takes my hand, pulling me close to his side as we walk.

It’s so possessive and unexpected, I forget to care what Sawyer thinks. I just want to stay here with him. I pull on my boots and climb onto the back of the three-wheeler.

My arms wrap around his waist, and I rest my cheek against his warm skin, closing my eyes and imagining this gorgeous man as my boyfriend… or something.

Akela is in dog heaven, barking and running the whole way with us. She probably thinks we’ve lost our minds charging into that icy pond… or she might think we’ve lost our minds not staying there. She is a cold-weather breed, after all.

Taron pulls up fast behind the small house, and we hop off, jogging around and up to the peach shed where only a few people still mill around.

“Where have you been?” Sawyer’s voice is sharp, and I look down at my drenched clothes, realizing my shirt has gone transparent.

My face flames hot as a firecracker. Gripping the fabric in both hands, I pull it away from my body, going to where he’s standing, Taron right behind me.

“It was so hot, and Taron asked me if there was a place to cool off. I thought we could go to Bates—”

“You’re supposed to be supervising the teenagers, not running off with Taron.”

“It was my fault,” Taron starts, but I interrupt him.

“You said we were done. We were off the clock—”

“Noel.” My brother’s hazel eyes flash.

I don’t even know why I’m arguing with him. This isn’t my first harvest. “Sorry. I’ll check on the kids and tell them when to be back tomorrow.”

“I’ve already done that. Go inside and make us something to eat. Mindy’s waiting for you.”

I take one last look to where Taron is pulling his tee over his head. He catches me and gives me a fast wink, which sends a grin splitting my cheeks.

I snap my head away so my brother doesn’t see us flirting and jog up to the house. Halfway through the door, Mindy’s on my case.

“Who is THAT?” Her voice is too loud, and she stands in the window staring outside at Taron. “Holy shit! Is there a missing Hemsworth brother I didn’t know about?”

Standing beside her, I watch as he walks toward the shed with Sawyer. His damp hair is messy around his face, and I think about how the muscle in his square jaw moves when he’s thinking. I shiver remembering his kiss…

“I don’t think so.” Heading to the fridge, I pull out the dinner prep.