Starting With You

22. If you go any slower, my eggs will surely be raisins.

Teddy

"SOON. IF YOU'RE A GOOD GIRL."

That was a few weeks ago. I am beginning to suspect that Jensen and I have different definitions of the word soon. Or, maybe, it's that I haven't been much of a good girl.

I smirk at the thought as I clean up the animal pens.

Tonight marks the opener of the Wood Fire Pizza Nights that take place every Friday and Saturday from now until late fall. The petting zoo gets extra attention on these nights, so I try to spiff up the pens a little more than normal.

Cleo follows me out of the pig pen when I finish up in there and tags along as I move on to the goats. As always, the pig waits for me just outside the fence. Sometimes he's brave and will stick his snout between two wooden slats, but a goat or two usually discovers him and scares him away.

As I work, my thoughts drift back to my questionable good girl status. I've completely abandoned Rylie's ludicrous plan and I've doubled my efforts trying to get Jensen to cave earlier than whatever secret timeline he has in his head. We've had some pretty heavy petting sessions, but we've yet to lose any clothing items. Hands wander under clothes quite often, but that's about as exciting as it gets.

Although I'm left frustrated and wanting more every time we're together, I do have to admit—only to myself, never to my stubborn boyfriend—that making out like teenagers has been fun. I think I'm getting more action in vehicles and random nooks and crannies in my 30s than I ever did as a teenager. Having Jensen's attention on me, whether it's his hands or his mouth or even just his eyes, is quite exhilarating.

It doesn't mean I don't crave more, though. Man, do I ever crave it.

Just the feel of him over his pants—in my hand or rubbing against my clothed vagina—sends rushes all through my body. If my estimations can be trusted, he's big. That thought both thrills and frightens me.

I've been with plenty of men before, but I know it'll be a completely out of body experience with Jensen. That is, when he finally relents and gives in to his own desires. Damn him and his almighty willpower!

My thoughts are so loud that I don't even hear someone approaching. "Teddy!" a voice shouts.

I turn to see Vivi peering over the fence. She smiles at me, suppressing a laugh. "Daydreaming, huh?" she asks, finally giving in to a fit of giggles.

Those damn Anderson siblings are the worst busybodies. I can only imagine the things being said in the group text thread between the siblings. No doubt Jensen and I are the butt of all their jokes. I've sat through enough at Roxy's and in the breakroom and basically anywhere more than one of them congregates.

In lieu of answering, I turn my back on her and get back to work.

"I'm sorry, Teddy! I know we're the worst. Forgive me. I know better than this. Believe it or not, I didn't come here to tease you about my dumb brother."

Her apology sounds genuine, so I walk over to her at the fence. "What is it, Viv?"

"I'm just double checking the roster tonight. You know how crazy the opening night is. All hands on deck and all." She pulls out her phone and swipes through the various organizational apps she keeps on it.

Vivi is the event coordinator at the farm. She has her hand in just about everything.

"Just tell me where you want me and I'll be there. You know I'm always happy to help out wherever you need me." I prop my forearm against the fence, resting my chin on top of it.

The end of May feels so much different than the beginning. Where winter still had its teeth in the first part of the month, spring is fighting a war against the encroaching summer at the end. Sweat glistens on my upper lip and I turn my head to wipe it across my arm.