Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I hadn’t seen a whole lot of Stephanie since our interaction earlier in the week. Rhys worried she might do something to make me feel uncomfortable at work, but it never happened. My hope was she’d realised her jealousy was needless and decided to take the high road.
Rhys and I were embarking on a new friendship, and it was one of the few things I’d truly appreciated in my fresh start. I was aware I was being naive to call it that, especially considering the kiss, but entertaining anything more than friendship would be foolish on both our parts. I valued his company too much to mess things up by diving into something neither one of us was ready for.
“My feet are killing me,” I said as I followed him into a cosily furnished living room and then into a very masculine kitchen. There was a lot of exposed brick and a butcher’s block worktop. “Do you mind if I take my shoes off?”
I’d been wearing brown leather shoes that were fine for sitting at a desk at work. They weren’t exactly suited to standing for long periods and traipsing around potential rental properties.
Rhys’ gaze travelled over me, lowering to my feet before rising back up, his jaw flickering for some reason before he replied, “Why don’t you go sit on the couch and rest while I cook?”
He ushered me back into the living room and motioned for me to slip off my shoes before indicating I take a spot on the pale grey sectional couch, accented by navy and forest green cushions and a stone grey wool throw. I sank into the plush piece of furniture before releasing a pleasured sigh, closing my eyes. I didn’t realise Rhys remained standing there until I reopened them and found him watching me while rubbing faintly at the scruff on his chin. I wondered what he was thinking.
“I really like your house. You did a great job with it, and the floors are gorgeous,” I said, indicating the shiny hardwood beneath his feet.
“Thanks.” His hand dropped from his chin. “I’m happy with it.” He glanced at his watch. “If we have time, I’ll show you around upstairs after we eat.”
I swallowed down the nervous lump in my throat at the prospect of seeing where Rhys slept. I could just imagine him, this large bear of a man, sprawled out naked on a giant king-sized bed. The image had me clenching my thighs, and I was glad Rhys had already turned and gone back into the kitchen. He was so good at reading me I feared he might’ve seen my thoughts somehow if he’d still been standing there, intently watching me.
I could hear him opening and closing cupboards in the next room while I checked my phone for any new messages or emails. There was only one from Nuala. She’d sent me a bunch of prospective locations for our loosely planned ladies’ summer vacation. I smiled as I scanned through the options then heard what sounded like a small dog barking in distress outside.
Rising from the couch, I went to the window and saw an elderly man had stopped by Rhys’ front door. He had a little terrier on a leash, and it was going crazy barking at two Corgis across the street. The woman walking the Corgis swiftly turned the corner and disappeared out of sight, but the terrier’s distressed barking and jumping had caused his leash to get tangled up around his owner’s walking stick. The man was clearly struggling to maintain his balance, and, acting on instinct, I slipped my shoes back on and hurried outside to assist him.
“Need some help?” I asked, making sure not to pay any attention to the dog because it was still a little worked up. Though I’d never owned a dog, I knew not to touch or look one in the eye that was already scared.
The man startled, then frowned with mistrust. “No, thank you. I can—” He trailed off, struggling to untangle the leash. I sensed he was worried he might drop it, and then his dog could go running out onto the road and into traffic.
“Here, let me,” I said, holding out my arm, and he reluctantly took it. “Do you know Rhys?” I asked as he made better work of untangling the leash now that he had me to lean on. The dog growled faintly at my proximity, but I continued ignoring it.
“Uh, yes. I live next door. In there,” the man said, pointing to the house right next to Rhys’.
“Oh, well, I’m a friend of his. Wow, your dog is super cute. I don’t think she likes me very much, though,” I went on with a small chuckle. Complimenting the dog’s cuteness seemed to be the right angle because the man relaxed and warmed up a little.