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MONTANA

“That was really fast,” I tell Asa the next morning.

With my plan in place, I emailed the human resources department last night to request a personal day.

Luckily, she was okay with it and didn’t even push to ask why, though I’m sure it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

The revolving door of associates probably says it all.

“What was?” Asa is in his signature workwear—a black cotton shirt with Hart Construction emblazoned on the back as well as the front on the upper left-hand corner, well-worn jeans, and his everyday work boots.

He’s drinking a cup of black coffee with one sugar while I scramble a few eggs to go along with bacon and toast.

“I just now texted Tanner asking if he’s still looking at bringing on an architect and that architect being me.

He told me to come in today around three.

” This morning, seeing how I wasn’t going into the office, I decided to actually get out of bed when Asa did.

The reward he gave me was freaking worth the alarm going off at six.

“Babe, he’s been begging for you to come to work for us. He’d be an idiot not to jump at the chance.” I turn off the stove and plate our food, giving him a lot more than what I give myself.

“Well, I know that. You’ve even brought it up a couple of times and then quit. I was worried it’d be too much until we spoke last night.” I shrug my shoulders knowing it’s fine. Everything will work out in some shape or form.

“Montana.” His gruff voice has me turning to look at him.

Asa takes my breath away every single time.

His hair on top is long and has a wave to it but is shorter on the sides, dark in color like the midnight sky.

He has a more than five-o’clock shadow that he keeps especially for me, knowing I love to feel that rasp on every inch of my body, and his eyes have me quivering from the looks he throws my way.

“Yes?” I question. His hands cup the back of my neck, thick fingers massaging it, something I don’t think he even realizes he does.

“If I had it my way, you would already be at Hart Construction. Told you that last night. Even if this ends between us,”—my deep inhale of breath has him pausing, and I could kick him in the balls right about now when he grins at me—“which I don’t see ever happening, I’d still want you with my family.

That’s how deep this goes, okay?” I nod my head, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Alright.”

“Good. Sucks I won’t be at the main office today.

I would love nothing more than to see you strut your sexy ass in there in your business get-up and nail the interview that you and I both know is just a formality.

Don’t worry, though; we’ll be celebrating you landing the job tonight.

” He tilts my head up, a wicked smile promising me all the things he’s going to give me.

“How about I get ahold of you after? If you’re not on a job site, I’ll come visit you. That way, you’ll get the full effect.” I watch as Asa’s eyes lower to my lips, his tongue sliding out to lick his bottom lip, and my pajamas are doing nothing to conceal the way my body reacts to him.

“I’ll be clearing my schedule. You come right from Tanner’s to me, and we’ll definitely celebrate.” Asa has seen me in all my clothes. Heck, last night, he was the one who stripped me out of them, so I’m not sure why today is a bigger deal than normal.

“Alright. My place tonight?” I ask. As much as I love Asa’s house, if I don’t at least take the trash out, water my plethora of plants, and maybe cook the food in my fridge, well, it’s going to be entirely too stinky to even walk through the door.

“Yeah, I think I’ve still got some clothes over there.

One day, Montana, one day, you’ll be living with me here in this place.

No more of this back and forth, us living out of a bag.

That day is going to come soon, too,” Asa states, then he takes my lips with his, promising me with not only his words but his kiss, too.

When our kiss comes to an end by the abruptness of his cell phone ringing, my nipples are pebbled and I’m squirming to ease the ache between my legs, and Asa is definitely affected, too.

“Yeah.” He answers it on the second ring, his hand gripping my hip, keeping me right where I am while he talks on the phone.

“Fuck, again?” My day might be starting off on the right foot, but something tells me Asa’s is slowly going to shit.

“Yep, leaving the house in ten minutes.” He pauses as he listens to whoever it is on the other end before saying, “Ten minutes won’t fucking hurt.

I’m going to eat my goddamn breakfast and drink my coffee.

Call Keller if you can’t figure shit out.

” Yep, today is going to be a bad day for Asa, one that I plan to make a whole lot better this afternoon.