I can even hear the clock ticking on the mantle downstairs. It feels like even the birds have gone silent at the realization.
“I mean… because it’s plugged in here. That’s what I mean,” he says firmly to correct himself without turning around.
But now I do know.
It was him.
It is him, and he’s in my bedroom.
Only steps away from the bathroom floor I imagined my mysterious fantasy man to be stuffing me from behind on.
I want to ask him if he makes a habit of climbing trees to spy on lonely girls when the doorbell chimes again, making us both jump a little.
Chapter Four
Noah
I never did get to finish my climax, falling from the tree was probably a blessing in disguise. Now I know I’m saving it for her, all of it.
Spending the night up a tree isn’t my idea of fun either, but the truck’s only a little more comfortable, plus it’s the only way I could make sure I kept an eye on her all night.
I didn’t sleep a wink and I don’t feel any worse off for it either, far from it. I’ve never felt so alive, more invigorated in my entire life.
Nor have I ever had such a raging hard on either, how long is it before they say to get to a hospital when it doesn’t go down?
All night, through a light storm I watched her, catching glimpses of her full nakedness with the lightning and making out the rest of her only as a shadow until the gray morning light.
She’s a busy sleeper, or maybe just a heavy dreamer. If I wasn’t watching over her, I’d almost think she had someone else in there with the number of noises she was making.
Drives me wild with desire for her, and I can’t wait to stake my claim. She’s more important to me now than the case even.
I actually left it at the bottom of the tree half the night before even remembering it and carrying it back up with me, tucking it in a thick branch while I watched her sleep.
Waiting as long as I can, I’m ringing that front doorbell as soon as she stirs. I don’t know what else to do. Another minute of just staring at her through the window, and I’ll probably climb right through it.
Seeing her up close, having a name to put to that sweet face. It’s almost all I need.
But I know I already need more than just an introduction.
Fortunately, she thinks I’m someone else, somebody coming to fix her air conditioning. Well, that suits me just fine, and in no time at all, I’m watching that fine ass of hers shimmy up in front as we climb the stairs to her room.
Perfect.
I let slip about knowing she had her fan on all night and cover myself, I think.
But it’s the sensation of something else about to happen, followed by the doorbell chiming that has my back straightening right away.
“I’ll get it,” I tell her, standing from a crouch after examining her air unit, not even trying to hide my half hardness, which I’m pleased she notices.
“Uh, I think I’d better,” she says, flushing a deeper shade of red before she finally gets up, cutting in front of me at the top of the stairs.
I almost grab her, wanting to just swing her around and tell her. Tell her she’s mine now.
Watching her walk down the stairs, I realize that would maybe be too much right now.
I shake my head a little, surprised at just how crazy I’m acting.
And all because of a girl I just met.
I follow her down the stairs, our eyes locking in the mirror by the door. She’s chewing her lip again.
Anxious but not scared. A needful, pleading look in her eyes, but I can’t tell exactly what she wants from me.
Even though I know what she needs.
My eyes shift to the shadow outside as they narrow. A low sound of annoyance emanates from me.
She opens the door just a little, hugging the edge so I can’t see all the way past her.
“Oh hi, Faith! Your Dad told me to swing by… something about you’re A/C on the fritz?”
Friendly. Cheerful southern drawl.
Male.
Faith seems to know him and opens the door wider, the first thing he sees is me looming up behind her and his eyes widen as he gulps before taking a step back.
Toolbox, overalls. Younger guy, a kid really. Sort of barrel-shaped, glasses. Pig nosed.
He’s the local repair guy I take it.
Well, not today