Page 15 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

“No, there isn’t. A woman who’s going to stand up to me is the only kind I want in my life.”

Smirking, I move to walk around him and head for the passenger side. Suddenly, he grips my arms, and I’m thrust into his hard chest.

His strong arms protectively band around me as a dirt bike whizzes by.

“There are a million trails around this town. Why can’t they drive on one of them?” he grumbles. He pulls back slightly, looking down at me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I rasp out, realizing I have two handfuls of his T-shirt in my fists. “Sorry,” I say, and run my hands over his shirt to smooth out the wrinkles.

A shiver moves through his body. He lifts one of his hands up to tuck a stray hair behind my ear.

Evelyn opens her door a few inches. “I’m ready. I told you I could do it.”

“I guess we should go,” he says, but he doesn’t move.

His hands slide down my arms until they reach my hands. He gives them a gentle squeeze before releasing them and moves toward the driver’s side.

I drag in a shaky breath.

Oh no. This isn’t good.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Brooks

Settingdown the last box of supplies, I close the garage door behind me just like I told Maggie I would. When I turn back to the work truck, I freeze.

Hadley is running up the street, her brown ponytail swinging behind her. Toned muscles strain with each stride, and there’s a lot of her on display in a pair of tiny pink running shorts and a black fitted tank.

This woman is fucking delectable.

She slows to a walk, stepping from the street and onto the sidewalk in front of the house. She wipes at the sweat on her brow, trying to catch her breath.

“Hey,” I say, not wanting to just be the silent creep standing here staring at her.

She pulls out her earbuds. “Hey,” she manages, still breathing hard. “I’m used to running a lot, but this altitude is kicking my ass.”

“You also chose to come up this beast of a street at the end of your run. I’d say that’s kind of masochistic, but I don’t really know you that well.” I pause, winking at her. “Yet.”

She chuckles, sliding her earbuds into the pocket of her shorts.

“I need water,” she rasps. She stands there contemplating something for a moment before turning and walking around the side of the house.

I follow her because I need to make sure she’s okay and doesn’t have altitude sickness or something.Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

She grabs the garden hose off the ground, turning the faucet until water sprays out onto the grass. She leans forward, drinking the water right from the hose.

Why is that so hot?I bite my tongue to stifle a groan, watching her.

She turns, seeing I’m standing there. “Are you thirsty, too?” she asks, turning the hose in my direction.

“No, I’m alright. I was just enjoying the show.”

She slaps her hand over her heart. “Why, Brooks, I feel scandalized,” she says dramatically.

“Mmhmm, I’m sure that’s what you’re feeling right now.” I take a few steps toward her.

She turns, angling her body fully toward me. The hose is poised and ready in front of her like a weapon.