My heart thuds. Is he seriously the guy installing my cameras? I keep my hand braced on the door, not opening it any further.
And then I notice the black mask covering the lower half of his face.
“Declan sent me. I’m here to install your cameras.” His voice is rough. So quiet I almost miss it.
“You’re a bit early,” I light-heartedly complain.
My gaze drifts to the tight black T-shirt stretched over solid muscle, veins ridging across his forearms, while ink disappears beneath fabric.
“Did you set a time? I was sent here.” He lifts the black carry bag, the company logo stamped clearly across it.
“Okay. Sorry. I’ve just woken up, I’m a bit grumpy in the morning.”
He nods, and his eyes don’t leave mine. There’s something about the way he looks at me. Like recognition. Or restraint.
I open the door fully and step aside, forcing a smile. He follows me inside, filling the space behind me as we head toward the kitchen.
“Would you like a coffee? Seeing as it is…” I glance at the clock. “Seven a.m.”
“Please.” There’s an accent there. Something foreign. But the mask muffles it, blurring the edges.
I set a mug beneath the machine, press the button, then turn back to him, leaning against the counter.
“Why the mask? Are you sick?”
I fold my arms loosely. I can’t let the mask go. Because if just his body and presence make me react like this, what the hell would it do with his face?
I bet he’s handsome under there.
His eyes crease at the corners, as if he’s smiling under the mask. And I get the impression this grump does not smile often.
“Yes. Bit of a cold.”
I nod. Wow. A real conversationalist, but he is ridiculously attractive.
“Sugar? Creamer?” I lift the mug as the machine finishes.
He chuckles, and the sound slides straight under my skin. “Black is fine.”
I hand it to him. His tattooed fingers brush mine. Our eyes lock, and something tight coils low in my stomach.
“Thank you.”
I nod, suddenly aware of my pulse. Of the fact I’m staring.
“I don’t mind catching a cold. You can take the mask off.” I say.
I’d risk getting sick before Monaco just to see his face. It has me so intrigued that I can’t think about anything else.
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to make you ill. I’ll start outside first, then do your hallway after. It’ll take me a few hours, then I’ll need to connect it all up to your phone.”
“O-okay.”
“And Lily…”
I snap my eyes up to his, and shivers run down my spine. My thighs clench at the intensity of his stare.
“If you have a stranger come knocking at your door wearing a mask, please don’t answer it. Call Declan.”
