Justice Is Always Ready (A Graham Family Story, 1) by Aliyah Burke Read Free Book Online

feel closer to her now that
she’s gone.”
    “ What are you
using?”
    “ This is Three Rivers
Quartzite. It’s a hard multicolored flagstone.”
    “ Well, it’s a beautiful
backyard. So is the front. Put me to work.”
    Holding the dark gray stone, she met
his gaze. “The bag you just carried over here can be dumped by the
tree. Just try to keep everything within the retaining wall
boundary.”
    “ You got it.”
    She watched him surreptitiously as he
opened the sack and lifted it to slowly pour out the contents. With
a smile she got back to finishing the last bit of stone she had to
lay and set.
     
    * * * *
     
    Justice found his gaze returning to
where Kassidy worked diligently on her hands and knees. Running a
hand over his short hair, he leaned on the rake he currently used
to smooth out the contents he’d dumped. It was a large sack of
crushed pecan shells.
    The day was pleasantly cool and a wind
had begun to blow, bringing with it the promise of a storm. He
lingered over the image Kassidy presented. Her amazing mass of
curls gathered up off her neck, exposing the swanlike and delicate
lines she had. She wore a pair of fitted, well-worn, holey jeans
that highlighted her cute little bubble butt. Dirty slip-on shoes
covered her feet. She wore a short sleeve, baby blue button-down
over a red shirt.
    Dirt streaks graced her face and he
swore he’d never seen anyone so desirable in his entire life. He
couldn’t figure her out. She wasn’t impressed by his car nor the
fact he had a boat. This was a woman who enjoyed life. Knew how to
extract pleasure from every aspect of life. Or so it
seemed.
    And yet…
    She kept part of herself private. He
wanted access to it. He wanted it all.
    With a sigh, he moved his gaze to
where Libby lay sprawled on her side in the afternoon sun. Even as
relaxed as she was, the dog made sure she could keep an eye on her
owner.
    Sights back to Kassidy, he watched her
stretch. Hands settled upon her lower back, she arched. The action
pressed her breasts forward and up. His mouth grew dry and his
palms sweaty. Her figure was to die for. Another thing she didn’t
seem to notice or even care about.
    Keep it together,
man.
    She pushed effortlessly to
her feet and headed toward him, the sun making her glow. Skimming
his top teeth with his tongue, he watched her
walk  smooth,
seductive, siren-like and yet at the same time, completely
natural.
    Her gaze dropped to the ground and a
large smile filled her expression. “Looks wonderful. Thank you so
much for doing this.”
    “ Not a
problem.”
    “ Why don’t we take a
break? I have some tea made up. Go grab a seat.”
    “ Sounds great.” He strode
beside her up the steps then headed for the hammock on the shaded
end of the porch.
    “ Be right back,” she said
as he reclined in the comfortable swing.
    Closing his eyes he gave a
gentle push with his foot and that was the last thing he knew. He
stirred and opened his eyes. The sun had begun to set. Crap, I can’t believe I fell asleep. Sitting up, he noticed Libby lying near the door.
She raised her head and returned his stare. When he swung out of
the hammock, she rose and padded down the steps. Following her with
his gaze, he stared over the bushes and found the backyard empty.
He walked to the screen door and knocked.
    “ Kassidy?”
    “ Come on in.” Her voice
filtered to him.
    He walked in and Libby brushed by him.
Kassidy stood in the kitchen and he shrugged sheepishly when she
looked up at him.
    “ I’m so sorry—”
    She waved away his attempt at an
apology. “No need to say anything. Dinner’s just about ready if
you’d care to stay.”
    His heart swelled and he smiled at
her. “I’d love to.” He cast a glance down over his attire and
frowned. He was dirty and sweaty. “Do you mind if I use your shower
and clean up?”
    Her head jerked up from where she’d
been chopping veggies to stare at him. He remained silent, well
aware he may have just overstepped with