Chapter 11 Is Something Brewing?
April
I am sitting in the middle of my living room on a blanket as Corran builds up my bookshelves. I did offer to help, but he refused. Now, I am enjoying the show a little too much. I am trying not to get distracted by his muscles flexing every time he moves. I shouldn’t be looking at him in such ways. It doesn’t help that he has a tight black tee on. I haven’t looked at a man like this in a long time or ever, except for Corbin. Corran seems to be oblivious to my staring.
“Are you enjoying the view?” Corbin chuckles, appearing next to me.
I haven’t seen him since he ambushed me in the bathroom. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t been here. It annoys me sometimes that he can be here without me seeing him. I swear he does it to tease me.
I turn to him, shaking my head.
“Yes, you are. You are loving his big sexy biceps.” He laughs.
“Stop,” I whisper, making sure Corran doesn’t hear me.
“Why? It is the truth. You want to jump his bones. You should.” He smirks.
“Go away,” I reply, feeling the heat rise on my cheeks.
His cheeky little smile that I love so much grows on his lips. “No. I am having fun watching you squirm a little.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop.”
The word came out louder than I meant it to. I soon feel Corran’s attention on me.
“Stop? Why? Am I doing something wrong?” he asks with furrowed brows.
Corbin laughs loudly and vanishes, leaving me to think of something to say.
“No, sorry. I meant to say, do you want to stop and have a coffee or some water?”
It is the best I could come up with. He has been building for a couple of hours. I picked probably one of the biggest and most complicated shelves to build. I am sure a break would be good for him.
“Sure, some water sounds good. It shouldn’t take too much longer.”
“I will get some. Do you want a glass or a bottle?” I bought a mini fridge when we were out to store a couple of things until my fridge/freezer arrives tomorrow.
I nod and disappear to the kitchen. The water from the taps here in Scotland is really good, clean and fresh.
“Did watching him make you thirsty, angel?”
I turn around to see Corbin before me, the same smirk on his lips from a moment ago. I rest my hand on my hip. “Can you not behave? I am not interested in him.” I whisper.
“You can’t fool me, sweetness. I know when you are hot for someone because you were hot for me multiple times a day and then again at night.”
“You are imagining things?”
“I don’t think I am. You should head back through. He is thirsty.” With that, he disappeared on me again.
I groan and stomp my foot like a child. No one knows how to get to me in the way Corbin did, still does.
“April, is everything okay?” Corran calls through from the living room.
“Yes, everything is fine. I spilt some water.” I call back.
I really need to be more careful. I am not used to having other people around. I return to the living room, smiling and hand a glass over to him.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Are you sure I can’t help? I am pretty good with DIY?”
I feel bad sitting around doing nothing.
Corran shakes his head. “No, it is fine, I got it.”
I nod, knowing there is no point in asking him again because I will end up with the same answer. After a few minutes, he returns to it. I sigh, trying to find something to do to distract myself from watching him. I grab a book, hoping this will be enough.
“Can I treat you to dinner tonight? A thank you for helping?” I ask, glancing over my book at him.
“You don’t need to.”
“I know, but I want to. It is the least I can do.” I smile.
I will be paying for it this time if she agrees, since he sneakily paid for breakfast. If he doesn’t want to, then that is fine. I won’t force him.
“Okay, then dinner sounds good. We could just order in rather than going out? There is an incredible Chinese restaurant that delivers. The food is so good. If you would prefer to go out, we can.”
“No, ordering in is fine. Chinese sounds good. I will order once you are done. As long as you don’t mind eating on the floor.” I chuckle.
Corran laughs. “I don’t mind.”
We could go to his place, but I don’t mind sitting on the floor eating. He smiles and returns to work. I excuse myself to go change into something more comfortable in my bedroom. I strip out of my jeans and hoodie, changing into some shorts and a lighter hoodie. It is too warm for the one I had on.
“Nice legs.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Hello, again, perv.”
“I am just telling the truth. Why are you changing? Are you feeling a little warm?”
I roll my eyes. “No, I am making myself more comfortable is all.”
“Are you looking forward to your date?”
I turn to face him. “It is not a date. It is dinner to say thank you for helping me.”
He doesn’t look convinced. I don’t say another word and turn away from him. He comes up behind me. The second he is close, my breath catches in my throat and my heart races in my chest.
“You should ask him out.”
“Corbin, please stop. I don’t want to ask him out. Stop trying to push it on me.” I sigh.
“I am sorry. I don’t mean to. I just want you to find someone else to take care of you in the ways I can’t, April. You may not want to admit it, but there is chemistry and tension between you both. You both know how the other feels. He would be good for you. You would be good for him.” His voice is soft with a hint of sadness in it.
I draw in my breath and face him. “I don’t need someone else, Corbin. I am not ready for someone else. Corran isn’t ready for someone else. I am happy with him and I just being friends, nothing more.”
Corbin sighs, but nods. “Sorry. You should get back out before he comes looking for you.”
I nod, and he disappears while I return to the living room. The second Corran hears me come back in, he glances up, his eyes falling on my bare legs. His tongue darts along his lips. I assume he is a leg man. He quickly pulls away and shakes his head. I don’t mention it. Is Corbin right? Is there something brewing between us, or is it just normal human behaviour for two people who haven’t been with anyone sexually in a long time? Either way, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t change anything between us.