“I should’ve put two and two together when we ran into each other this morning. It’s not often I run into a new face this time of year.” His eyes rake down my body and turn a shade darker. There’s something different about the way he looks at me. He’s not just checking me out. It’s more like he’s taking every inch of me in and committing me to memory. A shiver runs through me, and I swallow a gasp.
“You mean when I ran into you?” I chuckle, forcing myself to maintain some self-control.
I don’t know how it’s possible, but his smile grows, and it sends a rush of heat through my body.Get a grip. It’s not like I’ve never seen a hot man before.
“Let me take some of the blame.” His voice is deep, gravelly, sexy. “I did step outside the door and directly into your path.”
“This is true.” I offer him a warm smile, hoping it hides the quavering in my voice. He steps into the foyer, and an awkward silence falls between us. He glances around the entryway, and I stare at the floor. This shouldn’t be so uncomfortable.
I sensed something different about him when we ran into each other, but I assumed I’d never see him again. Then again, Watercress Falls is tiny compared to Savannah, Georgia, making that a bad assumption on my part. But seriously, what are the odds he’d be the architect to remodel my home? Assuming he takes the job.
I shift my gaze toward him as he looks around. I take this opportunity to really study him. He’s the type of hot and sexy that women gawk over but never actually touch. He isn’t even my type. I prefer men clean shaven, well groomed, and fit but without the added bulk.
Adam is well groomed, but he has a rough, rugged look to him that screams cowboy even though he isn’t dressed like one. He isn’t excessively bulky, but his broad shoulders and thick biceps are larger than my usual tastes. He’s wearing smooth leather cowboy boots and black dress pants that look like designer quality. Paired with a nice dark gray button-down shirt, he looks too expensive for a rancher yet somehow he still looks like he belongs here.
“Is anyone else joining us?” He asks, pulling me out of my daze. I shift my eyes to his. He’s watching me with a closed-lipped smile. I do the only thing I can do and smile back.
“Nope, it's just me.”
“Just you?” There’s a tinge of surprise in his voice.
“Yeah, why?” I drop my smile.
Please don’t be like everyone else. I can’t handle more people treating me the same way my family and friends do. They thinkI’m crazy for taking on a remodel of this magnitude. It infuriates me that they think so little of me. I can’t start out my new life in Watercress Falls having the locals think that way about me as well.
Rather than let my frustration get the best of me, I decide to make a joke out of it. With my hands on my hips, I give him my best teasing grin. “You’re not a serial killer or some crazed stalker who’s going to make my life a living hell now that you know I’m here alone, are you?”
He lets out a deep laugh that stirs my insides. “Lord help me if I was. My momma would skin me alive and feed me to the pigs.”
“Scared of your momma, huh?” I force a smile at the mention of his mom because it makes me think of mine. She’s the last person I want to think about right now.
“You better believe it.” His eyes brighten, and I hope that means he didn’t pick up on my fake smile. The gleam in his eyes screams the same kind of honesty I’d come to expect from a good southern man raised with respect and a solid work ethic. He’ll probably be just as invested in this project as I am, and that’s exactly the kind of contractor I want.
He glances back at me after seeing the piles of boxes. “How long have you been here?”
“Just a few days.” My shoulders slump on a sigh. “I thought I’d be here a week earlier and have all this organized before meeting with you, but …”
I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I hate for others to see my messy life. It doesn’t matter how out of control things get, I never let anyone see me fall apart. Even after the accident that left me alone and completely heartbroken, the only person I let see me crumble was Elizabeth. We fell apart together and then picked each other back up and found a new normal.
It’s easier for Elizabeth than me. She’s young and has her whole life ahead of her. One day she’ll find someone to love who loves her back and who’ll spend the rest of his life making her happy.
But me, I’ve resigned to spending the rest of my life alone. I couldn’t possibly expect to find a love like what I shared with Mark again.
“Moves never go as smoothly as planned.” Adam’s eyes hold a hint of concern as he watches me.
“I guess not.” I shrug. I had no control over the delay, but I worry about it anyway. “Still, I had hoped to be more organized and prepared a plan of my goals for this place before we met.”
“There’s time for that.” He smiles. That’s when I notice the pastry box in his hands. His left hand with no ring. His gaze follows mine. “The pastries you saved. They’re actually for you.”
He hands me the box, and I scold myself for even noticing he wasn’t wearing a ring. His marital status is none of my concern. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate it all the same. I put on a pot of coffee right before you arrived. Shall we tour the chalet first and then sit?”
“Lead the way.” His expression shifts from the friendly greeting to full-on business mode. It’s time to work, and he means business. Another quality I like about him.
“Let me set these down, then I’ll show you around.” I turn toward the kitchen and trip over a small box by the wall. Leave it to me to find the one thing in my path. I hold on tight to the pastries, refusing to drop them. I saved them once already today, and I’d save them again.
I tumble forward, certain I’m going to fall to my knees, but Adam’s strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me to him. His grip is tight, and my back is pressed against his chest. It’s been two years since I felt a man’s body against mine, and I’vefelt this man’s body twice in one day. I’d forgotten how much I like it.
When I turn my head, his face is only inches from mine. His eyes drift to my mouth and I suck in a breath.
