Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,279

just convinced you that a certain kind of lust is that spark. Think about it, hard. Do you think about me the same way you did with those other men? When we’re together, isn’t it different?”

His questions hits me square in the chest, and I realize I haven’t met this Fletcher yet. For the entire time I’ve known him, he’s been the goofy, emotionally weak, work in progress. The baby of his family, the injured one that they worry about and who takes the crutch they’ve given him and leans on it.

But this man? He’s wholly charming. Self-assured and giving me the business while he pulls zero punches. Shirtless, not to mention. He’s my dream guy on a silver platter, and even though I made a promise to myself, I feel that resolve weakening.

“Maybe it is,” I whisper, but we both know that in this case, maybe means definitely.

“Just give me a chance. We’ll go slow. Snail’s pace slow.”

It could be the sweat dripping down his chest, or the way his denim-blue eyes sparkle in the setting sun, but a sureness swamps me, stealing every last inch of will power.

“Okay.”

Just one word, but I feel my whole world go topsy-turvy.

20

Fletcher

In the days after the town hall dance, I made my bid to the town council about the clock tower.

I got a call that they’d chosen my contract and would love for me to build it.

Not only does it pay, literally, to be a hometown boy … but it helps that I probably bid thousands of dollars lower than the other builders in order to win this project. That, and they know I’ll do a hell of a job.

So, for the past week and a half, I’ve been working on it around the clock. From sketching in the silence of my new apartment, to rendering concepts on the design software Forrest bought me for Christmas, to spending time out in the barn, picking out the perfect materials. The vision for it consumes me, and all I want to do is work on it.

I have a deadline of five months from now, but I feel like, with all the creative energy flowing through my veins currently, I could get it done in a week. I know that’s not possible, there are mechanics to be worked out, and models to be shown and metal that will be welded over its frame … but I’m just so fucking happy to be doing something I love and showing it to our town.

There wasn’t a question where I wanted to bring Ryan for our first official hangout. I’m calling it that, because if I say the word date, I feel like she’ll freak the fuck out. But I want to show her a side of me that not many people see up close, so that she feels more comfortable.

That isn’t to say I’m not nervous as fuck as I lead her into the barn I use as my workshop.

“So, this is it …” I say, my voice wavering with struggle as I shove open the red, metal barn door.

Ryan insisted on driving here herself so that we didn’t ride over together. She can tell herself all she wants that this isn’t a thing. But, we both know that the minute I helped her out of her driver’s seat, and our hands touched, there was an electric current that sprang up between us and hasn’t stopped since. My flesh can feel its proximity to her, and I don’t miss the way she keeps rubbing the goose bumps off her arms.

“Wow, Fletcher …” Her face, so foxlike in its shape, alters into an expression of awe.

While she’s gazing at my pieces, I take the moment to study her. Her lashes are impossibly long, making her look utterly female, but with those sharp cheekbones, you know there is bite under the surface. She’s wearing a fire engine red T-shirt and paired with the black shorts and her jet-black hair, she looks like hell on wheels. But there is a softness there, too, one she’s only let me get glimpses at.

“You built all this? I’m … well, damn I’m so impressed. You’re really good.”

Ryan moves around the barn without permission, though she doesn’t need it. Once I let someone in here, they can look at whatever they like.

Her delicate hands run over a few chairs I’m in the process of staining, she takes a look at the drawings for the clock, has a glance at some tiny soldier figurines I’m