Summer Heat on Hollingsworth Farm

Chapter 1: Homecoming Heat

Addison Hollingsworth stepped out of her beat-up Chevy onto the cracked dirt of her new-old life, the Alabama sun already kissing her skin with a promise of sweat and struggle. The hobby farm sprawled before her, a mess of sagging fences and peeling paint, but it was hers—her chance to rebuild after the divorce had torn her world apart. She adjusted her sunglasses, her sharp green eyes scanning the property, and muttered, 'This place looks like it’s been through a worse breakup than I have.'

Beside her, Isabelle, her firecracker of a best friend, slung a duffel over her shoulder and smirked. 'Girl, this ain’t a farm, it’s a damn fixer-upper for your soul. But I’m here for the ride—and the eye candy, if we’re lucky.' Isabelle’s dark curls bounced as she nodded toward the horizon, where a figure was already striding toward them, boots kicking up dust.

Addison’s breath caught, just for a second, as she recognized the walk—confident, a little cocky. Beckett Davis. Her little brother, though there was nothing little about him now. Six years her junior, he’d grown into a broad-shouldered, sun-bronzed man, his faded tee clinging to muscles that hadn’t been there when she’d left town a decade ago. His grin was all trouble as he approached, wiping his hands on a rag before tossing it over his shoulder.

'Well, damn, Addie. You come back to town lookin’ like you could stop traffic, and you buy this dump? You sure you ain’t lost your mind?' His voice was a low drawl, teasing, but his hazel eyes lingered on her just a beat too long.

Addison crossed her arms, her lips curling into a smirk of her own. 'And you’re still a smartass, Beck. I see some things don’t change. What’re you doin’ here anyway? I didn’t call for a babysitter.'

He chuckled, stepping closer, the scent of sawdust and sweat hitting her like a memory she didn’t want to unpack. 'I’m your contractor, darlin’. Figured I’d help my big sis get this place in shape. Plus, I ain’t seen you in forever. Thought I’d remind you what a real man looks like.' He winked, and Isabelle let out a low whistle.

'Oh, honey, I’m seein’ it just fine,' Isabelle purred, eyeing Beckett like he was a dessert menu. 'Addie, you didn’t tell me your brother grew up this tasty.'

Addison shot her friend a glare but couldn’t stop the heat creeping up her neck. 'Keep it in your pants, Iz. He’s off-limits. Family drama’s messy enough without you drooling all over it.'

Beckett laughed, his gaze locking on Addison’s. 'Don’t worry, Addie. I’m all grown up now. I can handle a little mess. Question is, can you?' There was a challenge in his tone, a spark that made her pulse kick up a notch.

She stepped forward, closing the distance, her voice dropping to a dangerous purr. 'I’ve handled worse than you, little brother. Don’t test me.'

His grin widened, and for a moment, the air between them crackled, heavy with something neither of them was ready to name. The sun beat down, and Addison felt the first beads of sweat trickle down her spine, her body suddenly hyper-aware of how close he stood, how his chest rose and fell with each breath. She could almost feel the hardness of him through the space between them, the thought making her wet with an ache she hadn’t felt in months.

'Let’s get to work,' she said abruptly, turning on her heel toward the house, her heart pounding. But as she walked away, she knew Beckett’s eyes were on her ass, and damn if she didn’t sway her hips just a little more. Tonight, under the creaking roof of this broken-down farm, with the heat of the day still clinging to their skin, she had a feeling boundaries were about to get blurry—and she wasn’t sure she minded one bit.