More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
He’s a tattooed, blue-eyed jerk who has no business being a single dad. He’s also my next-door neighbor, and after negotiations, my grumpy employer for the summer.
Amidst the verbal warfare, I discover he’s hiding scars from a recent accident. I also find out his light eyes heat up to a smoldering icy gray when I give as good as I get. Makes me want to see just how far I can push him and what he’ll do when he boils over.
I sighed, taking a second to rub my pounding head, and then grabbed the dog. “Let’s go take that walk, huh?” “Okay, Daddy.” Her sweet little hand slipped into mine, and even with everything pressing in around me, I held my shit together. Barely. Always for her.
Me: Pretty sure Gannon Hart and gentleman don’t belong in the same sentence. I hopped to my room and slid my foot in the boot, pulling the Velcro tight. Grumpy Cowboy Next Door: Damn right and don’t you fuckin’ forget it, woman.
Worn jeans, a sweaty chest, and a baseball cap had somehow become my favorite look on a man.
Me: Definitely a male. One who’s hot, but sweet. Accomplished, but not arrogant. A perfect gentleman to my parents, but filthy in bed. Too much to ask?
And he’s not bad looking.” It was that last part that had me smiling like a pig stuck in mud. Paisley rolled her eyes, but dropped her shoulders. “Fine.” I shot her a wink. “There’s that enthusiasm I love to hear when I ask a girl out.” “This isn’t a date.” “It kind of is,” Keva muttered from the side. I pointed to her friend. “Fuck off, cowboy.” “Right back atcha, slugger.”
You can’t be climbing ladders.” “Says who?” My chest may have bumped into his crossed arms. I was not afraid to tackle his ass again if need be. His gaze flickered down to said chest before coming back to my face. “Says me.” I reached up and pulled on the neckline of his shirt and tried to peer downward. He lurched back, but I was a woman on a mission. I grabbed his belt and yanked him left and then right. “What the fuck are you doing?” He tried slapping my hands away. “I’m looking for your badge. Got the fucking safety police on my ass, apparently.”
“Morning.” She flashed a brief smile. “Any day above ground is a good one.” I loved Marlo. She was the dark cloud we all needed to balance out our endless quest for happiness.
Audrey was smiling ear to ear. “I get it. You don’t like him, but you do. He’s like a mosquito bite that you just have to scratch. You know it’ll make it worse, but you can’t help yourself.”
side. “I want to touch you, but I’m dirty.” I grinned against his lips. “I like you dirty.”
“Those are my standards for me, not you. Besides, having a scar doesn’t have anything to do with perfection.” “Says the girl who’s a walking example of perfection. Paisley, you gotta see yourself in the mirror, right? You’re fucking gorgeous. Perfection of the female form with a brain that rivals any scientist and a work ethic that makes me feel like a couch potato. How can I show my faults to a woman like that?”
“Please don’t cry. I meant to come over here to apologize and explain myself, not make you more upset. I can’t take a whole week of you ignoring me. I know it’s selfish, but I realized I’ve come to rely on our daily interactions. Our texts at night. Seeing your smile first thing in the morning. You’re my catnip, baby.”
“So, does this mean sex is now on the table?” I rubbed my thumb across her streak of yellow paint, feeling like this was always the inevitable destination for us. The moment I’d met this spark plug, we were on our way to right here. “On the table, in the bed, in the backseat of a truck, or in a tree. Wherever you want, baby.”
“I need you so fucking bad I’m about to get in a fistfight with your dad right before tossing you over my shoulder and marching out of here so I can sink into your heat and pound away my frustration because I know of any woman on earth, you can take it. Satisfied now, woman?”
“We do this, we’re dating. You get that, right? This isn’t just spectacular fucking. I want follow-through, Gannon.” His eyes lost some of the frenzied heat, but I’d never felt more connected to another human being. He wanted me, yes, but he also took my feelings seriously, which, honestly, was the only answer I needed. “I’m all in, Paisley, and my follow-through is epic.” I found myself smiling. “I’ll hold you to that.” “You better. Now take off that fuckin’ gorgeous dress so I don’t have to destroy it.”
“Come here, baby.” I hauled her up by her armpits because I couldn’t wait any longer, tossing her onto the bed again. “You like throwing me around?” she asked, that sunshine smile still in place. While I loved that smile, I wanted to see her come apart instead.
Pain-in-the-ass neighbor: I just smiled because of your text and looked up to lock eyes with my coworker. Now Gabe thinks I like him. Me: Who the fuck is Gabe? Pain-in-the-ass neighbor: Relax, cowboy. He’s like fifty. Me: You like older men, so no, I won’t relax.
Pain-in-the-ass neighbor: Quit sexting with me or poor Gabe will turn bright red. Me: What the fuck is sexting? Pain-in-the-ass neighbor: I take it back. You are old.
“I went to a therapist the other day.” His quiet voice pulled my eyes open. “You did?” He nodded, gaze on the pile of bubbles. “Got issues to work through.” His gaze shot up to mine. “And you’re worth working through them.”
“You’re not an asshole, Paisley. You’re sunshine in a gorgeous package. A badass Cinderella who can do anything she puts her mind to. You’re far too good for me, but I’m selfish enough to try to keep you. I have to have you. I can’t breathe if you’re not speaking to me. I can’t be the kind of dad Elise deserves without you reminding me of the good in this world. I need you in a way that frightens me.”
I wanted to plaster myself to him and never let go. “We’re going to make the best team, you and me. We’re going to be all the things we’ve each dreamed of, only because we’re supporting each other. You’ll see.”
“I went through hell and came out a better man. Not because of the pain or uncertainty, but because you were standing on the other side, ready to love me, scars and all. We’re gonna fight like cats and dogs some days, but I promise to always put you first, to support you in all you do. I have no idea what you want with a grumpy neighbor like me, but I’d be forever the luckiest bastard in all the county if you agreed to be my wife. Will you marry me, Pearse?”
I slid the ring on her finger and something clicked into place. Everything about this felt right. As if every single one of my thirty-six years was leading me to this town, this glamp-ground, and especially this woman.
She pinched my ass so hard I yelped. “Behave yourself, woman. Your parents are here.” Paisley snorted. “They know better than anyone I like riding the pole. Your pole, cowboy.” I gasped. “Talking dirty at your engagement party? For shame.”
