Cameron "Thanks, man." I hopped out of Caleb's truck, slamming the door closed. He gave me a salute before driving away. It was dark by the time we finished at the site. The guys who did overtime with us were going out for beer, and Caleb with them, but I wasn't in the mood to socialize. I'd told Caleb I'd take a cab, but he wouldn't hear it. It was easier to agree than argue with the guy. I walked up my driveway, thinking I'd give up a limb for a shower right now. Ice cold beer, too. I just preferred drinking it after a hot shower. And having no one flapping their lips at me especially when I was this exhausted from a reno. The porchlight flashed as I walked closer to the front door, then stopped. And smiled as I spotted something in front of the fence. It was her rock. The one she used last night to boost herself up and climb the fence. I walked to it, my muscles screaming at me to take that hot shower as I crouched down to pick it up. It was pretty hefty. Did she lift this? Where the hell did she get it from? Did she bring it with her? I chuckled as I pictured her carting this thing from her car. She was resourceful if anything, I thought as I tossed the rock to the other side of my fence. It was her rock. And I was keeping it. Why was she trying to jump over my fence anyway? I wondered as I opened my front door. I took off my boots, so I wouldn't drag dried mud on the floors, stored them in the mudroom. I'd clean them tomorrow. I doubted she was trying to steal from me. I stripped off my dirty clothes, threw them in the washer, pressed the right settings. Then I hopped in the shower, programmed it. Closing my eyes, I groaned in relief as the hot water cascaded down my body, washing away the dirt and muck. I'd ask her why she was trying to get in my house next time I saw her. Which would definitely be on Monday. There was a whole day of not seeing her tomorrow. I reached for a towel, dried off, then tied it around my waist. The thought of shaving flitted in my mind for a second, dismissed it as I padded to the kitchen. Too tired, too exhausted for anything else other than a beer and the couch. Maybe order some pizza, watch tv then crash. I frowned as I opened the fridge, scowled at the various crap inside it. Caleb and Levi always brought snacks over and stuck them in there. I reached for a beer. Now why did I feel disappointed at the thought of not seeing her for one day? It had only been yesterday when I met her. I dismissed that thought too, popping open the can of beer as I strode to the living room. Ah. That's what I'm talking about, I thought as I took my first sip. The aches and pains from working manual labor were welcome to me. They were a distraction from my dark thoughts. I was exhausted, but that was what I wanted. Needed, even. I had a lot of energy and putting that to good use made me feel good. Useful. I sank into the couch, moaning in relief as I finally let my body relax. I lifted the beer to my mouth, eager to down it when the doorbell rang. What the hell. I leaned the back of my head against the couch, sighing at the irritating interruption. Pressing my fingers to my eyes, I willed it to go away. Who could it be? It was late. Unless it was Caleb coming by to insist that I go with him to wherever the hell he thought of this time. Pissed, I slammed my beer on the table, tightened the towel around my waist, and pulled open the door. She was standing outside of it. Mad as hell. Well, well. I smiled. "I was just thinking about you," I drawled. The fire in her eyes faded, glazing with desire as they slowly travelled from my face, lingered on my shoulders and stomach, froze on my towel for a beat, then snapped back to my eyes in an instant. She bit her lip. I grinned. "Had your fill yet?" I asked. She blinked at me slowly, her eyes still glassy. I didn't think she heard me. She was still wearing the same clothes from this morning—pants and the sweater the color of sunshine. Her face had been scrubbed of make-up. I could look at her all night. "Would you," I said, staring at her mouth for as long as I liked before looking back up at her eyes, "like to come inside?" She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Enjoying the moment, I leaned against the doorjamb. "Kar, he's asking you a question!" Surprised, my eyes shifted behind her. "Hey there! I'm Dylan." He waved, smiling widely as if he'd been my long lost best friend. "Her brother." The smile on my face disappeared. So this was the asshole who hit my motorcycle and f ucked off. I pushed away from the wall and fixed my gaze on him. The memories of yesterday morning when I found my damaged motorcycle came crashing back. The scratches, the cracks, the pain of seeing something you'd been taking care of so painstakingly disregarded so blatantly by someone who didn't even have the guts to own up to the crime. The lack of remorse on his face as if he was entitled to everything deserved a good punch in the mug, knock off a few of his teeth. That would be punishment enough. And then I looked at her. And held off. I clenched my jaw, turned my back on them but left the door open. Frustrated, I rubbed my hands on my face as I walked to my bedroom. "Hey! I'm talking to you. Where the hell do you think you're going?" I heard her voice catching up to me. I slammed my bedroom door closed and dropped my towel. She barged in. "Holy fuck!" she screamed. Shit. I expected her to avert her eyes, like a normal person would do, but she was still staring. I reached for the towel for cover just as she slapped her hands to her face, spinning around so fast she almost lost her balance. She sure had an eyeful. I let out a frustrated sigh, hiked up my pants, zipped them closed. Staring at her back, I pulled a shirt out of my closet, put that on.