Page 3 of Bothered By the Grump

Lucky immediately stops barking, snapping me out of my thoughts. He glances up at Noelle with interest. He’s only met her a few times, but he genuinely loves her. I can’t say I blame him. His tail wags and he sniffs at her feet. She leans down and gives his silky hair a stroke. “Hey, sweet doggie.” She then looks up at me and clears her throat. Her cheeks flush and she can’t look me in the eye. “I seem to have locked myself out.” She points a finger over at her small, rented cabin. “My phone is inside. I was wondering if I could possibly use yours to call a locksmith.”

“Aw shucks, neighbor, I can do better than that. Unless you’ve changed the locks since you moved in, I have a key from the neighbors that lived there before you.” Thank God the Brewsters always wanted me to feed their multiple pets when they went on vacation.

Noelle looks horrified. “You have a key to my house?”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry, I haven’t used it since you moved in. Not going in there and sniffing your underwear or anything. Not unless you want me to.” I send her a smirk and those adorable cheeks of hers blush again.

“I would…I…well, I never…” I love when she gets outraged. Damn, she’s pretty when she’s angry.

“No need to beg, lass. I’ve got you covered. Let me go get the keys.”

I turn my back to the woman I’m in love with, grinning like a loon. Teasing Noelle might just be my favorite thing to do.

Chapter five

Noelle

Why the hell is he everywhere I go? - Noelle

I glance behind my shoulder at Luca. He’s watching me closely as he follows me over to my house. I guess I should say, he’s watching my ass.

I know it’s entirely inappropriate, but I can’t help but put an extra sway to my hips in every step. I like him watching me. I like that he can’t take his eyes off me. Again, why does this irritating man get under my skin so much?

He unlocks my door with gusto, and I shake my head. I can’t believe he’s had a key to it this whole time. I know I should probably have a talk with the landlord, but I likely won’t. Something within me feels better knowing that he could come rescue me.

He wanders around the small interior like he owns the place. With my hands on my hips, I mutter sarcastically, “Why yes, Luca, you’re welcome to come inside and look around. Be my guest.”

He sends me a lopsided grin and says, “Thanks, I knew you were the neighborly type.”

I feel something lodge in my stomach while he looks around at my home. It’s the first place I’ve had to myself. I was able to get a scholarship to college, but even there and after I graduated, I had roommates. All I wanted when I moved here was a place to make into a home. This cozy cabin was all I could afford. And cozy of course means tiny. The best feature of the place is the back porch where I can look out into the woods at night and think of home. Where I can remember Granny’s loud booming voice and Mama’s tinkle of laughter. Where I can look up into the night sky and remember why I moved here. Why I dreamed of moving away and opening my own store.

And yes, sometimes I sneak a peek over at Luca’s house and try to imagine what he’s doing. His house is a little bigger than mine, with a wide porch along the front. He’s got a home that was made for a family. It makes me wonder if that’s what he wants someday. My stomach twists as I imagine him meeting Mrs. Wonderful and bringing her home. The thought of it makes me nauseous. Why do I care…

“You’ve done well with the place, Noelle. Looks like a home. You’ve got a good sense of what fits and what doesn’t. It’s not something everyone can do with such a small place. Last people here had a bunch of animal heads on the wall.” He shudders. “Didn’t sit right with me but they seemed nice enough.”

I glance around, taking in each handpicked piece of furniture. “Yeah, the landlord left a couple of those behind. Had to drag ‘em out of here. They gave me the creeps.”

He walks over to the mantel and picks up a frame. It’s a picture of Granny, Mama, and me. It was taken a few years ago when I graduated college. They both have their arms flung around me and look so proud. We’re all grinning ear to ear.

“These women your family, lass? I see beauty runs in the family.” He runs a finger over the glass, and I get that funny feeling in my stomach again.

“That’s my granny and my mama. Granny passed away not long ago.” My heart aches even as I say the words. I have no idea why I told him that. Why I shared so much…

His gaze is sympathetic and warm when he turns. “I’m sorry, Noelle. Losing family hurts. Lost both my mum and da years ago. Nearly killed me.”

I find myself walking over to him, wanting to share in the pain of grief with someone. I never expected that someone to be him.

“I’m so sorry, Luca. I never knew…” I lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. When he turns around fully, we’re chest to chest. I can’t seem to stop touching him now that I’ve started. I press my hand against his chest where I can feel his heart thumping wildly.

“We all have our losses, lass. It’s what makes us who we are. You were strong to move here on your own. Strong to leave everything you know and start over.” His voice is gentle. He reaches a hand over to cup my cheek.

“Thanks, Luca. No one has ever said that to me before. I never feel strong.” There are tears in my eyes now. “I feel weak and sometimes I feel so damn alone. I feel like no one really knows me here.” I feel like no one has ever known the real me.

“I’m starting to know you and I love what I know. You’re a good woman and a kind one. You’ll succeed in anything you do.”

His blue eyes stare into mine and I can see the sincerity of his words. He genuinely means them. He thinks that highly of me. All the insults, the barbs, the annoyances, fly out the window. I feel bare in front of him.

I grab his collar roughly and pull his lips down to mine. As soon as our lips touch, something goes wild within me, feral. I open my mouth and let his tongue inside, feeling every stroke of it down to my core. This man can kiss.