Free To Wrangle A Witch (Southern Sanctuary Book 3) by Jane Cousins

bed?”
    “No,
the garden is far too tempting.”  Though if he’d given her the slightest
encouragement she would have been heading in his direction.  Career Barbie
girlfriend be damned.  Honestly what was up with her crazy hormones? 
    He
looked like he was going to argue then sighed.  “Just don’t overdo it okay? 
And try and keep the jungle at bay and the rolling around in the dirt to a
minimum.”
    Serena
had already turned and stepped out onto the cool sandstone tiles of the shaded
veranda.  “I should imagine you’ll want to hose me down again if I
do.” 
    “No
more hoses….”  His voice suddenly became rough as he watched her reach
down, grab the bottom of her t-shirt and haul it off over her head. That soft
pert bottom of hers instantly capturing and retaining his attention, even more
delectable in the light of day.  Damn the woman was petite but she was
perfectly formed.  A few hours communing with Mother Nature had already
begun to restore some meat to her bones and lustre to her skin.
    “Promise?” 
She was looking back at him over her shoulder, a knowing smile on her face.
    “Promise.” 
He forced his gaze upward.  It seems no good deed went unpunished.
 He’d been saddled with an Earth Witch who refused to wear clothes
outside.  Goddess help him be strong.  “I had a little gift installed
out there for you.”  Reaching up he straightened his tie, then adjusted
his cuffs, raising her knowing smile with a superior one of his own.  “I
suggest you make use of it, even with the hose down last night you still smell
a little… earthy.”
    *                                      *                                   *
    “Earthy…
EARTHY!”  Serena closed her eyes, stepping directly under the flow of hot
water.
    That
man was infuriating, not to mention a complete enigma.  One moment he’s
teasing her. The next he’s interrogating. Taunting her with insults... she did
not smell earthy.   Then he goes completely above and beyond to have
this gorgeous ridiculously decadent outdoor shower built.  That must have
been what all the noise was about just after dawn.  
    Set
up at the base of the palm tree, surrounded by ferns the discreet wooden
structure was shaped like a barrel, leaving only her head and lower legs
exposed to any prying eyes.  Stocked full of hellishly expensive all
natural made products she’d given in to the immediate temptation to indulge in
an outdoor shower… despite the fact that her ego still stung from Locke’s last
crack.  In a word the experience was heavenly as the warm water flowed and
the dappled sunlight played over her skin. 
    He’d
done this for her?  He was kind of hard to stay mad at.  Though she
needed to try she reminded herself… she was only here as a temporary
guest.  He had a highly suitable doctor girlfriend for Moon’s sake. 
Earth, if only there was a bed out here her world would be complete.  Hey,
she laughed, accidently swallowing some water, she’d just had the best idea
ever.
    *                                      *                                   *
    Locke
Valhalla was sweating bullets.  He’d already adjusted the air conditioning
in his office twice in the last five minutes.  The only amusing thing
about the whole situation was that Bernie Schaefer, head honcho of Schaefer,
Bederman and Luski, appeared to believe Locke’s discomfort was due to the fact
that he was finally had that slick Valhalla killer shark on the ropes in
regards to the contract merger they were working on.  
    Poor
deluded fool. 
    If
only Bernie could have seen what Locke was privy to… but then again Bernie was
obscenely overweight an unhealthy.  If he could see what Locke could, he’d
probably be turning his toes up heavenwards with a dreamy smile on his face and
a song in his heart.  Death by skyclad