BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA
The Cottage Property- Present Day
“Straight flush,” Gavin said triumphantly and laid down his cards.
“How do you keep doing that?” This was his third straight flush.
“I’m just lucky, I suppose.” A wicked gleam entered his eyes.
If I didn’t know better I would think he was cheating.
“Hand over my candies.” He stuck out his hand for the aforementioned foil wrapped candies.
“Fine,” I grumbled and begrudgingly handed them over.
“Do ye want to play another hand?” He shuffled the cards.
I sat back in the chair and pulled my hair up into a messy bun. “No. I’m out of candy.”
“We can always play for something else.” He lifted his brow daringly.
“Like what?”
He rolled his shoulders. “Ye could always give me a massage, like ye did when we were back at Greystone.”
My mind went straight to the gutter as my face heated with the remembrance. “Now?”
“If ye like.”
“But I have to do the dishes and …” What is wrong with me?
His brows creased. “The dishes can wait.” He stood up from the table.
“Um…” Just thinking about giving Gavin a massage made me feel warm and tingly. “All right.”
He grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Where do ye want me?”
Anyway, I can have you. “How about the couch?”
He gave the couch a doubtful look. “Are ye sure it’s big enough?”
“Where do you want me to give you a massage?” I picked up the cards and put them away in the case.
“The bed is bigger.”
He had a point.
“Okay.” I fanned my face.
His grin widened. “Are ye undressing me with yer eyes again?”
“I am doing no such a thing.” I turned and put the cards in the drawer of the table to hide my expression.
“There’s no need ta lie to me, lass. I can see ye can no wait ta have yer hands on my fine form.”
“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, that was exactly what I was thinking.
“No need ta beg, lass.”
“I wasn’t…”
He laughed then—a deep boisterous one. “I am only playing with ye, lass.”
“I know that.” I wiped my sweaty palms on my leggings.
“Come, lass.” He crooked his finger and gestured for her to follow as he walked down the hall.