Page 20 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)

Fired Up

A few days later, Amber was glad the awkward feelings from telling her family about the attack had mostly disappeared. Everyone watched her carefully, and being the focus of attention was difficult, even when it was well intentioned.

She knew her family loved her, knew they wanted to help her and support her. Lawson and Burke alternated daily calls. Knox and Jolie hovered and even offered to take her turn for cooking duty. She shooed them both away.

She understood it, she did. After hearing of the danger Jolie and Thea had been through, she’d been the same herself. Same when her brothers had been on missions in the Army. It was just more difficult when she was the one worrying them.

After putting a hearty stew in the crock pot, she prepped the biscuit dough so it would be quick to pop in at dinner time.

Then she set some of the frozen soup she’d made into a pot on the stove to thaw for lunch.

Gray entered the kitchen, looking delicious in his worn jeans and a t-shirt that showed off the muscles she wanted to lick.

His eyes sparkled when she looked up and found him grinning at her. “Morning, Beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she knew she was smiling like a lovesick puppy. He kissed her sweetly, then brushed his thumb over her lips. “That’s an excellent way to start the morning.”

Which suggested even better ways to start the day. Gray’s eyes deepened at whatever showed in her face, and she reached up to kiss him again.

She fell in love with this man a little more every day. Her heart was a goner, and she didn’t mind at all. Falling in love was supposed to be a big, scary deal. For her it was a lovely slide into happy.

Which meant she was ready to take that next step with him. Ready to go way past kissing. All the way to mind-blowing sex. Because sex with Gray was going to be incredible. Every time he touched her, her body responded. All he had to do was exist, and she was drawn to him.

Gray’s eyebrow shot up. “I like what you’re thinking.”

She laughed. “You’re a mind reader now?”

He caressed her jaw, sending shivers down to her toes. “I hope so.”

She was about to answer when Ford and Jolie entered from the mudroom. “Ducks are playing with Hemsworth and we’re at your service.”

Gray nodded, but his eyes stayed on hers. “I’m definitely at your service.” His whisper barely reached her ear. She flushed and shivered. That sounded very good. Time to make room for a second date. A date that would be all about having her way with this amazing man.

He kissed her lightly and turned to their friends. Thea and Knox entered the kitchen as well. Gray smiled at them all. “Let’s get to it. The truck should be here soon.”

Amber shook herself out of her sexual haze and they headed to the B&B. After getting input from Ford, Sean, Aisling, and the rest, they had a game plan.

Ford had spreadsheets, organized by job size, priority, and budget. Seeing the entire spreadsheet and estimated costs made her heart quake. Even though the family insisted all the costs for the renovations and the gardens come from the inheritance, she wanted to put in her own money, make it hers.

It’s your dream. Don’t shirk at it. Fox’s voice echoed in her head. He’d wanted them all to find a dream and go for it. And if that one didn’t work out, to do it all again.

What would he think about her dream involving his brother’s farmhouse? She hoped it would make them both happy.

Amber unlocked the building, disarmed the alarms, and opened windows to welcome the breeze inside.

After days of having the air moving, the interior no longer smelled musty.

Although that probably had as much to do with the many hours she’d spent cleaning the floors and walls as it did with the fresh air.

Ford grinned as he looked around. “There’s nothing quite like a clean slate to begin a new project. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a work site so clean. You realize we’re going to mess it up with all the construction, right?”

Her cheeks heated as she smiled. “I do, but cleaning all the spaces means I know the house really well.”

The sound of a backup alarm had them all heading outside. A semi loaded with all the things they’d need for the initial stages of the renovation eased down the farm road: wood, drywall, tools, and so much more.

Ford moved into the road where the driver could see him to show him where to park.

Amber had to blink back tears when she saw the load. Gray hugged her. “You good?”

She nodded. “So good. This is the first time I’m doing a project for myself and I’m a little overwhelmed. In a good way.”

He hugged her again. When he released her, Jolie spun her into a dance. “It’s real, Amber. You’re going to rescue this farmhouse and bring it back to life.”

Her sister always got it. “It’s going to be amazing, Joles.”

“It is. And we’re all going to help as much as you want. I know you’ll want to do a lot of it yourself because it’s yours, but we want to help.”

Jolie knew her so well. Amber laughed and squeezed her sister. “Thanks. I definitely can’t do this huge place myself. It’s going to take a while, but it’s going to be amazing.”

They opened the double-door entrance to the B&B and, using equipment the driver provided, they brought everything into the main front rooms of the house.

The driver, Bill, shook his head. “This ought to keep you busy for a while. This is a big house.”

Amber nodded. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

Bill grinned. “I bet. I hope you’ll need another order in a few months. It’ll be great to see the progress you make.”

“You’re welcome to check on our progress anytime.”

Once he was gone, she surveyed the piles of tools and equipment filling the rooms. Excitement filled her and she couldn’t wait to fulfill the potential she saw in the stacks. Potential might be Jolie’s word, but everyone in her family loved it.

She looked up to find Jolie watching her with a wide grin. “Are you thinking it, too?”

Amber laughed. “I am. There’s so much potential in the house and in these supplies. It’s going to be incredible to dig in.”

Jolie hugged her. “I get it. It’s just like how I feel about the pond and increasing the biodiversity of the farm. You’re going to have a blast.”

“You’re right, Joles.”

It had taken most of the morning to bring the load in off the truck. The driver had used a small forklift, and they’d all chipped in with dollies and muscles. “I wish there was a pizza place nearby so I could treat you all for lunch. Instead, I’ve got soup simmering and sandwich fixings.”

Gray slung his arm around her as they locked up and headed back to the farmhouse. She couldn’t help looking back at the inn, making him laugh.

He squeezed her into his side with a chuckle. “Got it bad, don’t you?”

She looked up into his deep eyes and smiled. “I sure do.”

Gray’s steps slowed, and he turned to face her directly. For a long moment, he studied her eyes and his smile grew. “Me, too.”

Knowing he wasn’t talking about the farmhouse any more than she was, she leaned in to brush her lips over his. “We should probably do something about that.”

Desire flared in his eyes. “We probably should.”

“Soon, Gray, soon.”

“Hell, yeah.”

G ray’s body hummed throughout lunch. He wanted to toss Amber over his shoulder, race up the stairs, and follow her down onto his bed.

He wanted to strip them naked and make love to her until they collapsed. He also wanted to seduce her slowly, deliberately. Learn what her body craved, how she reacted to his touch.

Would she like feathery light touches? Would she be bold and take the lead?

His body was rock hard, and he closed his eyes briefly to yank himself under control. Sharing a meal with siblings wasn’t the place to have a raging erection.

He blew out a slow breath, covering the motion by blowing on a spoonful of soup. Soup that was no longer burning hot. Not exactly subtle, but it helped.

He tuned into the conversation about the renovations and contributed when he could, but his focus was on when and how to get Amber naked.

She dropped her soup spoon with a clatter and her pretty skin flushed. Her eyes twinkled when he caught her gaze. Knowing she was as turned on and distracted as he was only made his condition worse.

Hell, he hadn’t been a teenager for over a decade. He could control his body.

Deep breath.

Finally, lunch was done. Everyone helped clean up, and he wanted to shoo them away.

Instead, he walked along with Amber and Ford. At the farmhouse, Ford pulled out his tablet with his spreadsheet list. Color-coded lists ought to help Gray keep his focus.

He was utterly pathetic.

Boomer nudged Gray’s hand, and he squatted down to rub the dog. He kept his voice low. “Hey buddy. Are my bouncy nerves getting to you? I see you’re keeping a close eye on me and Amber. We’ll be okay. In fact, we’ll be spectacular once we take the next step. You think she’s ready?”

Boomer, who always understood more than most humans expected, licked Gray’s chin. “A sign of approval. I’ll take it. You’re a good wingman, Boomer.”

Ford’s phone rang and when he took the call, Gray locked eyes with Amber. Desire arced between them, and he wondered that the nearby boards didn’t flame up.

Ford laughed into the phone and then hung up. “That’s Jolie. She says she needs me for the afternoon, so you guys are on your own.”

Hell, looked like he had a wingwoman as well.

Ford slapped Gray on the shoulder as he walked by him. “Lock up behind me. Have fun.”

He shut the door in his buddy’s laughing face and then locked it.

Amber watched him across the room, a soft smile lighting up her pretty face. “Why don’t we check out the rooms on the second floor?”

Where they’d have more privacy, and there were at least a few soft surfaces. “Great idea.”

When he crossed the room to take her hand, he realized she was trembling. He lifted it to his lips. “You okay? We don’t have to do this now. Or here.”

Her cheeks flushed darkly, but her smile widened. “Oh, I think we do.”

He leaned in to kiss her. “Any time you change your mind, you let me know.”

She brushed her hand over his jawline. “Not changing my mind. I want this, Gray, I want you.”

Gray swooped her up into his arms and took the stairs two at a time. “Which way? You know the rooms best.”

Her hands were busy running over his t-shirt and playing with his muscles and she was kissing his neck, but she pointed down one hall. “Last room on the left.”

Of course, it was the last room.

Gray sprinted, making Amber laugh.

When they reached the door, Boomer barked. Then he circled in the hallway and flopped to the ground, hopefully, for a long nap.

“Easy guard, Boomer. Easy guard.”

He set her on her feet, trailed his lips over her face and down her neck. “I haven’t heard that command before. What does that mean?”

“What? Oh. It means there’s no danger and he can relax. But if anyone approaches, he’ll let me know.”

“I like that command. He’s definitely a good wingman.”

She laughed, and he kissed the sound, felt her joy fill up his soul. “You’re gorgeous, Amber, inside and out.”

Her hands slid under his shirt, and she played with his chest. “You too. Let’s see more of the outside.”

Grinning, he reached back and hauled his t-shirt off with one hand while the other held her close.

While he kissed her, their hands continued to explore. He trailed his hand under her sweatshirt and up to her bra. His Amber didn’t go for lace. He loved the soft cotton of the fabric, loved it even more when her nipples pebbled under his touch.

When he eased his hands up, she lifted her arms, and he drew the shirt over her head, leaving her in a sexy, soft purple bra that contained her glorious breasts.

“So damn pretty.” He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, watching her skin flush just above the material. He teased until her breathing sharpened and her body arched into his.

Then he slipped his hands around to the back and undid the fastening. Amber shrugged off the material, and he filled his hands with her breasts. “So pretty.”

He played and teased, watching what made her eyes go fuzzy and what made her shiver. When he leaned down to suck one breast into his mouth, she let out a soft gasp and looped her arms around his neck.

He banded one arm around her to help keep her steady and used the other to unsnap and unzip her jeans. Without taking his mouth off her breast, he slipped his fingers inside her jeans.

She gasped again when he brushed his finger over the waistband of her panties.

Purred when his hand slipped lower.

She was so wet, his own knees nearly buckled.

“Gray.” Her soft voice wasn’t protesting, so he moved his fingers, slid them into her heat.

He growled against her breast and teased her with his fingers. She panted his name. Asked for more. And when her body shattered with an orgasm, he’d never seen anything as beautiful.

He wanted to watch her again.

And again.