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Porter“It’s my week off,” I mutter into my phone, knowing my friend and business partner’s most recent request is going to be a hell of a lot tougher than just building a damn greenhouse. Because it means spending one-on-one time with the man’s little sister.
“Exactly,” Eli says. “When have you ever been able to sit still and just relax? Plus, you’d be doing me a favor. I’m a little tied up at the moment.”
I grunt. More like he’s got his new wife tied up. Lucky son of a bitch. Not that I have any lascivious thoughts about Karis, but I am jealous that my friend has met the woman of his dreams, managed to put a ring on her finger, and a baby in her belly. Especially since the woman I want has a huge red flashing sign above her forehead that reads Off Limits.
Sure, the whole falling for your best friend’s little sister may be cliché, hell I may have even been tempted to break the bro-code rule, if the brother in question wasn’t Eli Blake. I’ve seen what the man has done to any poor bastard who’s ever looked Jenna’s way. God forbid I give in to my cravings and do more than just look.
In all fairness, I’ve been just as possessive of her. Because, the thought of any man getting close to her, touching her…shit, it stirs something primal inside me.
“Fine,” I grumble, knowing that if I refuse to do the work for Jenna, it’ll just make Eli suspicious. The crazy thing is I want this job-any chance to be around her makes the world a better place-even if it’s torture.
“Just be nice to her,” Eli says.
“I’m always nice,” I growl.
He laughs.
“Come on, you’re not known for your charm. And you know how sheltered Jenna is-just be easy on her.” I grunt a reply, trying to hide my annoyance. All I’ve ever been to Jenna is polite, even though what I want to be is so much more. But I don’t trust myself around her. That’s why I keep her at arm’s length.
Jenna has been like a little sister to me for the past ten years-too fucking bad I no longer see the twelve-year-old girl who used to follow me around like a puppy.
Jenna is all woman now. And when I pull my truck to a stop in front of her little cottage and see her bent over her garden, I let out a low, painful moan.
She’s wearing a pair of cut-off jeans that show off her round little ass, and a tight tank top that hugs all her curves. Her long dark hair is pulled up in a ponytail giving me a perfect view of her slim neck and profile. Those blue eyes meet mine as I get out of the truck, like always they brighten when they land on me, her lips spreading into a grin as she stands and pulls off her gardening gloves.
“Hey, Porter.” Her sweet voice wraps around my cock.
God, this is going to be torture. Sweet, fucking torture.
“This place is looking great,” I tell her, looking around the blooming hostas, and azaleas, and clematis that climb the trellis-anywhere but at her. “You have a real green thumb.”
“But I still can’t use a hammer or screwdriver.” She shoves her gloves in her back pocket. “I really appreciate you helping me with the greenhouse. I’ve gotten a lot of new business this year, and it would be great to grow my own perennials, rather than have to go to a nursery to buy them.”
“Makes sense.” I rub the back of my neck and try not to notice how close she’s standing. And I sure as hell shouldn’t be noticing how her nipples poke out from her shirt.
“So can I show you what I’m thinking?” she asks, licking her pink lips. For a second my cock twitches-is she thinking what I’m thinking? But the idea is tossed aside as quickly as it came-she’s leading me to the cleared area where she wants the greenhouse.
“Eli sent me over the specs, were they your idea?”
Jenna nods. “Yeah, I thought a basic plastic frame and mesh over it would be easiest.”
I grunt. “You shouldn’t have what’s easiest. You deserve the best.”
Jenna smirks. “That’s sweet, but I was going for affordable.
I’m still trying to get this business off the ground.” I frown, looking at my phone. The plans Eli sent over are simple but aren’t built to last. When I put down a foundation, I want it to be solid. I want it to last. And yes, that’s a fucking metaphor. I’m not a player, I don’t sink my cock into any old thing. I know exactly who I want. And if I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone at all.
“I can do better than this,” I tell her. “I have most of the lumber I’ll need in my supply yard at home.”
“Eli won’t like you dipping into the company pot for his little sister.” I scowl, pushing my phone in my pocket. “This is on me.”
“Why would you do this for me, Porter?” she asks, stepping closer. She has no idea how much it kills me to be so damn close to her. She smells like honeysuckle and sweet tea and I want to drink her up, all day long.
Across from her, I feel so big, so overbearing. I’m six-foot-five, broad shoulders and growl more often than not. She’s a little thing, my palm would cover her back. She’s small enough to slip into my arms, light as a feather.
“You’re like family.”
My voice is rough from trying to hold back my need for her, and I know I must come off too harsh because she just nods, lowering her eyes.
“Right. Like family.” She lets out a small sigh.
For a moment I wonder if I just fucked up. She won’t look at me. I thought she’d be acting the opposite-pleased that I am going to build her a legit greenhouse.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask. It’s hard to look at her. Her tits are perky, her tank top cropped and her belly bare. Fuck I want to run my hands all over her, but I step back.
I know Jenna never dates and I lie to myself, saying it’s because deep down she knows what I know.
That we belong together.
She lifts her gaze, sighing. “No, Porter. You did everything exactly right. Just like always.”
I swallow, trying to get a read on the girl who I’ve known more than half my life. “Alright then, guess it’s time to get to work.”
She looks over at the flower bed she was weeding when I arrived. “I’ll just be over there, then…on my hands and knees.” Jenna licks her lips again and I wonder if she has any idea how fucking hot she looks when she does that. “In case you need anything, Porter. Anything from me at all.”
Jenna walks away and my cock is throbbing. Holy hell, if that’s not an innuendo I don’t know what is.
Now that Jenna Blake is all grown up, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off her.
I sure as hell want to tend her garden, that’s for damn fucking sure.