Read Online If Only (The Willowbrook Series Book 1) by Ashlyn Mathews - Free Book Online Page B

sound of him outside chopping wood.
    When he returned with an armful of firewood, he seemed different—more optimistic and . . . happy? God, he had looked so sexy when he walked through the door.
    And when he had rested on his haunches to set the firewood on the tile surround . . . Asa shifted. Rhys had a fine ass. Afterward, he came over and apologized for being out so long without letting her know where he was. The scent of him—fresh cut wood mixed in with cool snow—had her lips parting as she leaned toward him.
    If he hadn’t cleared his throat, she would have licked him like a yummy lollipop. Asa groaned, recognizing she shouldn’t be having these thoughts. They had more to talk about. Hell, her head was ready to explode from all they had discussed and felt in the workshop.
    She’d confessed. He hadn’t said he forgave her but told her why he rejected her. She didn’t believe him. The two big issues from their past were still unresolved. Why did she think things would be so simple?
    After their kiss and her willingness to stay with him, it was obvious she wanted to be with him, but she wouldn’t carry her feelings into the bedroom. If she slept with Rhys again, there would be no going back. She wasn’t like her mother. He would be the only man for her.
    Even at the young age of twenty-two, she understood and accepted that. But could Rhys make her number one in his life? Or would his racing be the end to all they could possibly have? The sound of water stopped, and Asa waited. Would today be their last together? She expected the power to come on soon. The previous time it had snowed like this, the power came back in two days.
    From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of him, but wanting a better view, she turned in her seat. Her gaze soaked him in. What was it about a man and his low-slung jeans? Top the casual look with a loose fitting t−shirt, and her mouth watered.
    “You want a fire?” His gaze dropped to her shirt. She had changed into a scoop neck, the low cut exposing her cleavage. The smolder in the depths of his hazel eyes excited and scared her.
    “It’s warm enough, don’t you think?” she stammered. Was it a mistake to tell him no sex when her body and heart craved him inside her?
    “A fire would be romantic,” he said.
    Laughter shot out of her at the word romantic uttered from Rhys’s normally non-romantic mouth, but she faltered when an expression of hurt crossed his face. Smooth, Asa . She attempted a smile. “A fire would be nice.”
    He nodded. “I know it’s only mid-afternoon, but with the snow and all . . .” He shrugged appearing very uncomfortable.
    “I think it’s a great idea,” she said giving him another smile. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sure.”
    “Why were you out there chopping wood? I thought Jo had plenty of pieces ready to go.”
    Walking over, he knelt in front of the fireplace and, with his back to her, said, “I had some thinking to do. I think best when I’m doing something.”
    “Oh,” was her only response.
    “How about you come over here and keep me company?” he said over his shoulder.
    Ah-uh . “I would but my stomach’s grumbling.”
    The twinkle in his eyes as he turned to look at her blinded her. At the moment, she loved her grumbling stomach.
    “Okay, Asa, how about we have lunch first and—”
    “—a romantic fire later,” she finished and beamed as he laughed.
    ”Cheese quesadillas, okay?” he asked.
    “You remembered.”
    “Of course,” he said. “It was our staple during late nights of studying at my grandmother’s.”
    She wanted to throw her arms around him for remembering, but instead she took the hand he offered as he yanked her off of the couch.
    For the next hour, they ate, and afterwards, while Rhys cleaned up in the kitchen, she watched the news on the Pacific Northwest’s twenty-four hours regional channel. Apparently, the snow storm faded as it had traveled north to Ashton, giving Ashton only a