These men aren’t going to let it go, so I suck it up and tell Blake, too. I haven’t even finished my sentence when Dane stalks over to the front door and flings it open, with me rushing behind him. When I finally catch up with him, I grab his arm.
He stares down at my hand and then at me. Placing his hand over mine, the heat that rolls through my body is like an inferno. His eyes burrow into me, and he says, “I’ll take care of this and you.”
A part of me wants to kick and scream and tell him no, but something holds me back. His tone settles me—resigned to the fact he’s going to take care of this.
I slowly release his arm and whisper, “Okay…”
“Go back inside and entertain your guests. I’ll be right back.”
I’m lost in his eyes, and his voice calms me. One quick look across the street, and the man I think is Jake moves away from the salon. With Dane’s massive strides, he is catching up to him. I decide to listen and head back inside, as Dane had asked me to.
The bell on the door rings as I enter the salon. Blake comes over to me and says, “I didn’t realize he would be here tonight.”
Quick on my feet, I reply, “He is the grandson of my first-ever salon client, Jane.” I didn’t know what else to say. We’re dating. He buys me coffee every morning. But we really haven’t talked about what we are.
His face relaxes. “Ah.”
In the back of my mind, I’m reeling about that guy who looked all too familiar, and if it is Jake. What the hell?! This is not what I need in my life right now.
I stroll along, talking with everyone as I head to the spa and see who is back there. Guests gather around the refreshments, looking very relaxed. It’s all very exciting that all these people came out for the soft opening. I can’t imagine what the grand opening will look like tomorrow.
Jane is sitting on one of the comfortable chairs in the spa waiting area. I walk over and sit down next to her. “How are you enjoying yourself?”
“Tonight has been lovely. I am really honored to be here. And it’s nice to see you and Dane enjoying each other’s company,” she says with a smirk on her face.
That smirk. I smile back at her. “Yeah.”
Am I really surprised that he would do this, even though he doesn’t know the whole story? It didn’t stop him from walking across that street like he owned it. The way he touches my hand and looks at me with those caramel eyes. I was practically a puddle on the ground. There’s no denying the heat that pools in my core when I’m around him or even thinking about him.
“Have you seen Dane? He said he was going to get some food, but I haven’t seen him come back,” Jane says.
I take a deep breath and say, “Yes, I saw him. He was getting some fresh air. I’m sure he’ll be back shortly. Oh, he also has my contractor, Blake’s card. Dane said you have a couple of projects that you want finished this fall.”
She raises an eyebrow and hums. Then she says, “Huh, that’s interesting. I don’t recall any projects that need finishing. I’ll have to ask him when he gets back.”
That’s weird. Why would he say that to Blake?
As if I willed his presence, he stalks through the door. Searching around the room until our eyes lock, he comes straight for us with a bit less intensity. He sits down next to us.
“Hi Gram, sorry I had to take care of something real quick.”
Jane places her hand on his and says, “It’s fine, dear, I was just chatting with Kendall. So…what projects at the house need finishing?”
The smile on Dane’s face fades, and he glances over at me, trying to read my expression. I’m holding in a laugh, and it just might escape. He moves his gaze to his grandmother and says as he stumbles over his words, “I…um…well, I thought the den needed that bookshelf installed you wanted.”
I can tell Jane is holding it together. She’s too kind and lets him off the hook. “Oh yes, that’s right! I wanted to do that in the den, but haven’t gotten to it.”
Jane stands and turns back, and eyes both of us. “You two have a good time. I’m going to mingle.”
And with that, she walks away from us. Dane stands up, and I think he is leaving, but he only moves closer to me. He leans in, and his breath skates over my cheek; he’s so close. The hair on my arms stands on end. If he comes any closer, I might combust.
He whispers, “Can we talk somewhere private?”
“Okay,” I say, and we walk to my office down the hall. I unlock and open the door. We both walk in, and Dane closes the door behind him.
I turn around on my heels, and he is so close to me. My body desperately wants him. When he reaches up and slides his hands to hold my face, I’m done for. Panties soaked. Will power disintegrating. Eyes close at his touch. Feeling him, the warmth of his hand on my face. He exudes power when he walks into a room, but when he stands in front of me, he’s powerful, yet gentle and caring. It’s such a contrast.
“Want to tell me about this guy?” His voice is gravelly, deep, and commanding.
