Real Men Knit(67)

Kerry changed into a pair of shorts and an old knit tank that Val had thrown in her bag. She didn’t see any other opportunity to wear the improperly blocked tank. She put a sports cami underneath and hoped most of the flaws weren’t too obvious. Anyway, what did it matter? They were working. It wasn’t like she was being judged. She piled her twists high on her head, then wrapped them up in a print scarf to further protect them from dust and potential paint splatters. She slipped on a pair of old flip-flops and a little extra courage to go along with the whole ensemble.

“You’ve got this,” she told herself before heading back downstairs. This wouldn’t be weird at all. She’d made it through last night and today. Well, she and Jesse had, without too much awkwardness. Sure, she didn’t get a bit of sleep and they didn’t talk at all about the moment in the loft nook last night, but they’d made it through. She didn’t know if Lucas or Noah would be staying over tonight and how they would handle things, or if Jesse planned on staying silent and continuing to pretend like nothing happened. She made a face as she remembered how she had tossed and turned last night. She had even contemplated reaching for her BFF, hidden away in Damian’s second drawer. But the thought of the potential noise and being in Damian’s bed had quickly ruled the idea out.

Kerry let out a breath. It was fine. She’d made a declaration last night and she was sticking to it. What she’d started, she was finishing. Somehow. And there was no way she was letting Jesse and his ridiculous fear of who knew what stop her—no, stop them both—from the potential of what could be a terrific orgasm.



* * *





One look at Kerry when she made it back down to the shop and the paint roller practically slipped out of Jesse’s hand. What the hell was she wearing and why had she made it her mission to actively try and destroy him?

“Um, little brother. You want to watch what you’re doing there. You’re gonna get paint on the floor,” Noah said.

Jesse blinked. Shit. Noah was right, and the soft salmon color on his roller was currently dripping from the sponge to his hand and ready to hit the floor. Jesse quickly shifted and put the roller over the paint tin. Crap. This was twice. No, three times. It was official, the woman was definitely out to kill him. Those shorts and the way they hugged her hips, not to mention what that top, if you could call that twisted pile of yarn a top, did to her breasts. The whole effect was just not fair. Thankfully Noah’s voice had penetrated his not-ready-for-the-afternoon thoughts, and he had pulled the paint roller up in time for there to not be a disaster on the floor. Also thankfully Jesse turned away from Kerry in time to not get fully erect and completely embarrass himself in front of her and his brothers.

Too late though. He looked at Noah and one glance at his smug-assed smirk let him know he’d been found out. He shot Noah a hard glare that turned totally glacial a moment later when Noah called Kerry over to steady the ladder for him. That little shithead. As if he needed the ladder steadied. “What do you need the ladder steadied for?” Jesse said. “You were fine with it a minute ago.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” Kerry said, walking over to Noah, who sported a shit-eating grin that perfectly fit the shithead.

Jesse let out a deep breath and went back to finishing his accent wall. He wouldn’t get riled up. Nope. Wasn’t going to do it. He knew when he was being played. He’d seen this game too many times to not know every move. She was probably mad because after Lucas broke them up last night, and thankfully so, he didn’t pursue her further, and this morning he’d stayed in his room until she was nearly out the door already for work at the center.

Sure, it may have been just a little cowardly, but right now he figured he just needed to bide his time and keep his distance, and then they could both come out of it all unscathed. No matter what she said, she wasn’t as strong as she let on. Jesse let his eyes slide over to where she was now no longer helping Noah but over with Lucas painting trim. They were laughing together, light and easy. She bent down to put a little more paint on her brush, and when she came up again, some dribbled on her thigh. Lucas quickly bent and wiped it off with a towel. Kerry laughed and, in that moment, looked lighter and more carefree than he’d seen her in a long while.

Jesse turned away, fighting hard to ignore the prickles of anger as they covered his neck. He swiped at the wall. Taking his frustration out on it. Finishing the second coat quickly. “I’m running out,” he suddenly said to no one in particular but the group in general.

Kerry looked at him, her eyes wide. “Where are you going? We still have a lot to do.”

“I’ll be right back.”

The words came out sharp, and she frowned at him. “Fine, just don’t go getting lost. Remember, you’re the one who came up with this whole idea of painting.”

He looked at her. “Oh, I remember everything.”

She laughed at him, the sound light, musical and totally unbothered. “Good for you and your impeccable memory.”

Jesse turned to head for the door but was stopped by the sound of Noah’s voice. “Hey, can you pick me up a coconut water while you’re out?”

“And a beer for me,” Lucas added.

Jesse shrugged and let out a sigh. “Why not. You all take what you want anyway.”