My Beautiful Neighbor (The Greene Family Book 1) by Piper Rayne (android based ebook reader txt) 📗

have a lot of choices right now. Clara and Xavier walk ahead to give us some privacy. “I know it’s not ideal, but at least stay the night. We’ll talk in the morning.”

I see her lose the fight as her shoulders slump. “One night.”

“Of course, just one night.”

Can she tell I’m as full of it as I feel?

We drop Xavier and Clara off downtown so Xavier can drive Clara home, leaving me with Cade. I swear this mishap at Glacier Point has put a permanent smile on Cade’s face. Like he wants me to stay at his place. I wish I could share his enthusiasm, but I know this will make my feelings toward him even more complicated. I mean, I drifted off into dreamland tonight and imagined him being so jealous that he yanked me out of Fired Up and took me to his truck and kissed me. My cheeks heat up just thinking about it. Add on what happened at the retirement center and the fact that if we hadn’t had that audience, maybe we would’ve kissed and I’m not sure where we’re going to stand soon.

Cade drives down a long driveway surrounded by forest, and eventually a house emerges with a detached garage.

Oh boy, here goes nothing.

“I’m going to warn you, the apartment is probably a mess, so I’d prepare yourself to sleep in my bed tonight.”

“And you’ll sleep where?” I step out of the truck.

“In my bed too,” he says with a smirk, so I know he’s kidding.

I refrain from squeezing my thighs together when a picture of what that might be like emerges in my mind. I’ve never had a one-night stand, but I kind of wish I’d gone home with Cade that first time I saw him at the funeral, back when we didn’t know who one another were. Then he’d be out of my system and I wouldn’t constantly be in a state of want around him.

“Just kidding. Come on.” He jogs up the stairs on the outside of the garage, my bags in hand, and uses his key to open the door.

He flips on the lights and we step inside. It’s a great space. Everything is contained in one room—a small kitchen along one wall, a bed farther in, and even a love seat and television in the corner. But there are boxes in the middle of the room, no sheets on the mattress, and cobwebs galore.

“I love it. Thank you.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Yeah, no. I’ll get it cleaned out for you, but tonight, you’re in my bed.”

Will he please stop saying that?

“It’s okay.” I step in farther. “I can totally get this cleaned up, then go to bed.”

“Yeah, nope.” He picks up my bags.

“Put them down. This is fine.” I inspect the bathroom which I’ll be honest, isn’t ideal.

“You’re being ridiculous. Come on. I was kidding about sleeping in my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“No.” I go to pull at the suitcase, but he tugs it back. “Cade.”

“Presley. I’m not letting you stay here with all the cobwebs and a toilet that probably hasn’t been cleaned in years.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know, because I’m a nice guy.”

“You’re nice for just bringing me here.”

He blows out a long breath, losing his grip on the suitcase so all the weight flies toward me and I fall down on my ass.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he says, holding his hand out for me.

“It’s okay.” I take his hand and stand. “Honestly, I’m more than happy here.”

“I can’t leave you up here. We can come back tomorrow and clean up then. You can put those overalls back on.”

I glance at him, my nipples pebbling with just the memory of his hands on those clasps. I should’ve let him unclasp them because my body was yearning and begging to have his hands on me.

“Always making fun of my overalls.” I circle around so I’m not facing him.

“Oh, I’m not making fun. I fucking love those things.”

I want to turn and jump him right now. Which definitely settles it—I cannot sleep in his bed tonight. “I think the space is nice and I’m good with cobwebs. It’s not too late, so I’ll tidy up a bit and then I’ll go to bed. I don’t want to fight about this, Cade.”

He runs his hand through his longer hair and nods. “Fine. I’ll go get some cleaning supplies and I’ll move the boxes out for you.”

Before I can tell him not to, he disappears from the apartment. I look at the boxes and see that they’re labeled in black marker. Hank and Laurie. Trophies. Pictures/albums. I shed my jacket and place it on the kitchen counter, figuring all I need to clean is the bathroom and the corners and the bed area.

Cade returns with a caddy of cleaning supplies, a broom, a duster, and a bag.

“My very own Mr. Clean,” I say.

“Want to role-play? You put on the overalls and I’ll strip off my shirt. We can play a game of you missed a spot.”

I laugh, easing the sexual tension in the room. “You first.”

He drops everything and his hands grab the hem of his shirt. “Cool. Should I find the overalls or are you going to handle that?”

I laugh, walking over and stopping him from lifting his shirt. The quick glimpse of his treasure trail stirs something inside me.

“Oh, who am I kidding, this is never gonna work,” I say, and his head tilts forward. “Did I just say that out loud?”

He nods, his smile growing wider. “What’s not going to work?”

“Nothing.” I turn away, but he stops me with his hand on my hip and his chest to my back.

“Presley,” he whispers.

My name falling from his lips is so seductive it makes me clench my thighs. I’m barely holding back from wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him. I need to get him out of here.

“The flirting,” I say, owning it. “It’s a lot.”

His hand leaves my hip and he steps