Her Marine Next Door - Aliyah Burke Page 0,24
her on the cheek. “What are you doing?”
It warmed her to have him ask about her work. He actually seemed interested in it and the process she went through to create her pieces.
Skylar held up the paper and tapped it with the flat end of her carpenter’s pencil. “Something has been off about this since I finished. I just realized what it was. The design on the sides.”
His booted feet scuffed as he edged closer in an intimate manner and reached out with his right hand to touch the other side of the paper. Her right hand was between his and hers, still indicating the spot she wanted him to look.
“What are you changing?” The warmth of his breath skimmed along her cheek.
She bit the inside of her cheek and fought against her need to lock her knees.
“The design is off, so I focused on building it, figuring I could just adjust the carving after.”
“Baby, you’re fucking amazing with all of this. Where are you adjusting it?”
Tears pricked her eyes, and she swallowed hard. No one since Reggie had shown interest in her abilities. Aside from the customers, of course. But Reggie had taught her woodworking; it was different hearing praise from Parker.
After she finished, he plucked the paper from her hand and placed it atop the table, then faced her completely. “Can I tell you something?”
How the hell was she supposed to think straight when he was standing before her damn near naked? Skimming him with her gaze, she lingered at the happy trail leading below the waistband of his pants and down to the definite ridge. How long, how thick, how much pleasure it could bring her.
Heat coursed, and she swallowed hard a few times.
“Sure.”
He pushed her chin up with one finger. “Up here, baby.” His incredible eyes twinkled with amusement.
Oh, that’s just fucking embarrassing. She blinked as if he hadn’t had to redirect her gaze. With a haughty sniff, she cocked an eyebrow. “What did you want to say?”
His grin was 100 percent born of the devil. “So much I want to say.” A blatant roving of his eyes over her. “But this is about your talent. I watch you, and I just can’t believe how you can take that”—he gestured to the wood he’d just unloaded—“and turn it into this. Then with the carvings. I meant it the first time I said it. Fucking incredible.”
She flushed from his praise. “Thank you.”
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“So suspicious. I’m taking you out to dinner. You’ve worked hard. I almost worked hard. I mean, I did at PT. Cullen is with his mom tonight. Come on.”
Her gut soured at the mention of Cullen being with Gemma. A mental reprimand to remind herself that he was safe with his own mother. Wasn’t he?
“I’m not going to dinner like this.”
He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Want to share a shower?”
“Yes, yes, I do.” Wickedness spread over his features, threatening to pull the air from her lungs. “But,” she added, holding up a hand, “no.”
“No?” He gripped the sides of her shirt, pulling her closer. “I’m pretty fucking sure I’m a man who showers with his sexy fiancée.”
“That’s a ruse. For when people are watching. We shower separately.” She removed his hands and stepped back. “You go ahead. I want to finish up here first.”
He watched her for a few charged moments, but she wasn’t sure what to make of his expression. He gave a sharp nod and spun around, striding to the door.
Damn man looked as good going as he did coming.
She blinked, and he was right back in her space. He hauled her up by her arms and kissed her. Pushed his tongue deep into her mouth, and she welcomed him with a whimper of surrender. Their tongues danced together until he released her and vanished back into the house, the door closing silently behind him.
Skylar leaned against the workbench, heart pounding behind her ribs. Her hands shook as she reached for the paper and used her foot to hook the stool and bring it to where she could use it.
Damn good ruse.
About an hour later, they walked side by side down the sidewalk near a park. Not touching, but close enough she could feel his heat.
“What are you thinking?”
“How hot you are.” She smacked her face with her hand and groaned. “I meant how warm you feel. Oh, fuck it. I’m not saying another word.”
His deep laugh had her smiling despite her embarrassment. “Thank you.”
“Let it go,” she groused, wishing he didn’t