He just needed to make sure his equipment was working properly.After what had happened with Kristy, he couldn’t open himself up to that world of hurt again.
She smiled, thank God.He would not be able to live with himself if he left her feeling discarded.“I wasn’t sure if you were just looking for a hookup.”
Heshouldwant a hookup—a good, sweaty hookup—with Claire.It sounded as if she was okay with having no strings attached.
That was the perfect scenario for him.Hadn’t Lacey told him to enjoy himself just a couple of short hours ago?He’d been ready to do so.In fact, he’d hoped to end the evening precisely that way.
According to Lacey, he was the King of Funtown.
Only, for some strange reason, the idea of a hookup left him feeling strangely hollow.
It was just the dick thing.
Kristy’s video, and the backlash, had destroyed his confidence.
It had nothing to do with wanting to know Claire better.It had nothing to do with wanting to be there when she bared her soul, as well as her body.
He just needed to get his head on straight and make sure his little buddy wouldn’t let him down.“A date would be fun.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”He cleared his throat.“That’s good.I’ll say good night then.”
Neither of them moved out of the kitchen right away, though.They just stood there, fingers entwined, like shy teenagers who’d just discovered necking.
They walked together to her door.Against his better judgment, Nick cupped her cheek, making it even harder to leave.“Have a good night, Claire.Thank you.”
Her voice was a whisper.“Good night, Nick.”When she kissed him on the cheek, her scent wafted over him again, making him regret his decision to cut their night short.
Was it too late to change his mind?
Go home, dumbass.
Before he lost all possession of his good sense, Nick let her go and walked back to his car.She waved from the porch, the light there making her hair shine, like an angel who’d just found her halo.
Fuck.Do you even hear yourself?
He waved back, his heart pounding, and drove away.
Chapter Ten
When Claire arrived early at the sanctuary on Monday morning, she could tell progress had been made by theHandymenteam.
Thanks to Eli and his group of landscapers, Haven’s front yard was practically unrecognizable.What used to be a gravel driveway, a patchy lawn and a couple of small hedges near the door was now something much more sophisticated and welcoming.They were in the process of laying a new asphalt drive, as well as fresh sod on the lawn area.Eli had removed the old hedges and had added some curb appeal with a long garden plot, filled with low-maintenance perennials.He’d assured her that the flowers, which bloomed every year, would require little care.
Michael had almost finished her laundry room expansion.After knocking down an unnecessary wall, Michael and his team had created a new area for washing up and sorting their linens.There was so much new counter space and Claire could already envision how much easier it would be to work in there.He’d assured her that new appliances were on the way, and she practically salivated any time she allowed herself to think about them.Imagine.A washer that didn’t clunk with every load!She knew exactly where they would go because Michael had taped out the spots, and new electrics were in place to support them.
It was really starting to come together.
After grabbing a coffee from the craft services table, Claire headed to the back yard, but then stopped in her tracks.
She should be playing it cool.There was no reason to seek Nick out.
Besides, he had warned her away previously, in an attempt to keep his mystery project under wraps.
She should just head into the sanctuary and do her work.
Even though Nick had been on her mind the whole time since he’d left her house.
