She crossed her arms and tilted her head to the right. Her expression and body language made it clear that she was listening, taking my suggestions seriously.
My heart twisted in an unfamiliar way. I hadn’t expected that. Mainly because my father had always brushed me off, telling me I had a great head for machinery but not for business. And I’d always believed him. I didn’t have a degree, and I didn’t do the spreadsheets like Owen did. Instead, I got my hands dirty and did whatever needed to be done. Strategy had never been my focus.
“You’re smarter than you look,” she said, the corner of her lips quirking.
I gave her a grand bow. “I’m not just a pretty face, Dragonfly.”
“Can you show me how far this sector extends and where you suggest we put up fencing? JJ will be pissed if I don’t take coordinates.”
I nodded, a flush of pride sweeping through me.
It was nearly dusk by the time we returned. We were both dirty and tired, but my entire body was lighter. Chloe hadn’t gone easy on me, but her current contempt was preferable to reliving our past.
This was her company now, and she needed all the gory details. I’d do my best to fill her in, because I wanted to help her make it successful. As much as I resented her for being here and making my days so much harder, I didn’t want her to fail.
This business meant too much to me and this town. It went against every one of my instincts to let go and let it die. So as much as it gutted me, I’d be here to help, no matter what.
“Wanna do a lap around the pond?” I asked after we’d pulled up next to the shop where the ATVs were stored. As hard as the last several hours had been, and despite how the sun dipped below the horizon, I didn’t want this day to end.
She nodded. “You’re on.”
Before I could even get my helmet back on, she was off, speeding down the trail and taking the first turn at breakneck speed. God, I’d forgotten how competitive she was.
Not one to slouch, I picked up speed steadily, hoping I could overtake her when we got around the trees.
But she had already left me in the dust, and by the time I returned to the parking lot, she was standing next to her ATV, a broad smile on her face.
I was struck by just how gorgeous she was. And how I’d happily lose and humiliate myself every day of the week to earn more smiles like that one.
“I forgot you were a speed demon,” I said.
She shrugged. “I love to ride the trails. You can take the girl out of Maine, but you can’t take the Maine out of the girl.”
Wasn’t that the truth? Her hair was disheveled, she had a streak of mud across her cheek, and her sleek black shorts were covered in trail dust.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
I stretched my shoulders, relieving the ache that riding along the bumpy trails had caused, and bit my lip. “That’s not the only thing that hasn’t changed.” Voice lowered, I spoke my mind. Told her exactly what I really thought. “You’re still painfully beautiful.”
Between one breath and the next, her smile turned straight into a scowl. “Excellent,” she snapped. “I enjoy causing you pain.”
My face flushed with shame. I should have kept my dumb mouth shut. She did not want to hear that from me.
She narrowed her eyes and took half a step closer. “Just out of curiosity. How much pain?”
Ah. She wanted to torture me? Two could play that game. I stroked my beard. “More than a stubbed toe…” I gave her a once-over, letting the confusing mix of lust, longing, and sadness wash over me. “But less than a gallstone.”
“Ugh. Gross,” she replied.
I shrugged. “You asked for specifics. And I’ll always give you what you want.”
She opened her mouth, clearly revving up to say something sassy, but snapped it shut again abruptly. Good. I wanted her speechless.
We stared at one another for a moment before I closed the distance between us.
She was too far away, and this day had stirred up so many feelings. Anger about my father and sadness at the loss of our land and company. And also hope for a different future.
But now, I was just thinking about Chloe and how long it had been since I’d touched her.
Tentatively, I reached out. “You’re still wearing your mother’s necklace,” I said, sliding my fingers along the chain around her neck until they reached the locket that lay heavily on her chest.
She closed her eyes as my fingers lingered for just a second. The feel of her smooth, warm skin made me desperate for more.
When she opened her eyes again, they were filled with heat. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. She was so tiny standing next to me, and I desperately wanted to sweep her into my arms.
Time and space stood still as I gazed down at her. The freckles, the long, long lashes, and the darkening brown eyes. My brain was screaming at me to kiss her, but I hesitated.
With a hand flat against my chest, she pushed me back. She pulled the scrunchie off her wrist and tied her hair back, putting more distance between us. “We’ve still got work to do,” she snapped, the haze of the moment officially gone. “I need you to review some documents.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. We’d been so close. And we’d just barely avoided disaster. Or had we? Kissing my ex-wife was a terrible idea. One of the worst. So why did I want it so badly?
Without a word, I hung our helmets, turned off the lights, and pulled the door down on the storage bay. Then I made sure to set the digital lock. We’d had too many break-ins and thefts recently to take any chances.
“Don’t pout,” she said. “It’s only a few documents.” Her tone was all business, but her face was soft. She was feeling things too.
With a deep breath in and back out, I held out a hand, signaling for her to lead the way.
