Page 20 of Salvation (Clover-Hills #1)
Blake
“ T his place is a dump.”
Elain and I stand in the middle of the living room of the new house, a couple of boxes behind us.
Today, we’re cleaning and throwing away anything that’s not staying.
Her parents gave her the go-ahead, seemingly happy to have her take on a job that doesn’t take money out of their pocket.
So, we got started on the house right away.
Scratching the back of my neck, I mutter, “I didn’t think it was that bad. ”
“She’s right. It’s a dump.” Wesley’s tall, broad frame comes into view, and Elain and I both jump at the deep voice.
I try my best to not ogle him like some love-sick teenager.
But I fail miserably. He’s wearing dark blue jeans that hug his thick thighs and cowboy boots that are all worn and dirty.
Nothing like the pretty and polished ones I’ve seen on the men in New York.
His black t-shirt makes his tattoos pop against his sun-kissed skin, and I have the sudden urge to trail my fingertips across every single one of them.
But mainly my attention is caught on the fucking backwards ball cap that has no business looking that good on him. I cleared my throat, praying that my wandering eyes went unnoticed. “What are you doing here?”
I don’t think they do because he smirks. Smirks.
“Welcoming my new neighbor to the neighborhood, of course.” He sets a basket of what looks like various cookies on the dusty countertop, and as he passes me, the scent of something woodsy and green fills my nostrils.
Did he bake these? The thought of Wesley doing something as domestic as baking makes my stomach flutter.
Then the idea of him in nothing but an apron has my thighs squeezing together.
I internally sigh. I s eriously need to get laid.
Elain’s looking at me like she can read my every thought, and my face flushes before I turn to look at the basket.
“Why? Did you poison these?” I snide and pick through them.
He smirks. “Don’t know. Guess you’ll have to find out.” Looking at Elain, his head dips and his voice drops into a whisper as he says, “Just don’t eat the chocolate chip ones.” He winks. She laughs in return.
“Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“We won’t.” I respond quickly.
He just keeps that insufferable smile on his lips. “Ladies.” He tips his head and turns around, heading back out the open front door.
“That’s your neighbor?” Elain whispers, even though he’s pretty much out of earshot now.
“Mhm.” I don’t even try to hide my gaze as I pop a piece of cookie into my mouth and watch the way those jeans hug his ass as he walks.
“He’s hot.” That has me choking on the cookie in my mouth.
This girl truly has no filter. I cough and slam my fist against my chest. He is hot.
I’m not stupid, even I can see that. But I would never give Wesley the satisfaction of saying those words aloud.
“Gross.” I manage to get the word out in between coughs.
“Right.” Then she grabs one of the cookies and bites into it before saying. “Damn, those are good.” I sigh. Also, true. I’d recognize Ana’s recipe anywhere. Then she’s returning my sigh with her own as she finishes her cookie and wipes the crumbs from her hands. “Where do we start?”