Chapter 6
Camilla
“Iwant to get rid of this tile and replace it with marble. And paint the walls either pink or cream, but textured. Not stucco, more like icing swirls,” I twirl my finger in the air as I detail my vision to the hot man in a hard hat, from the Eternal by Design construction company. He sighs and then silently looks down his nose at me with his arms crossed over his chest.
“You do paint, don’t you?”
“No.” He answers with one gruff-sounding word.
“Can you recommend painters?”
“Sure. After we secure a contract, along with your deposit.” My eyes gravitate to his full lips as he speaks, and I can’t help but notice his strong, solid jaw line. Too bad my parents never tried introducing me to a man like this. Big and burly. Larger in height and width than most stunt men.
“Okaaay,” I drag the word out, unsure of why Mr. Tall-hunky-and-silent is so dry and cold. “I want to change the light fixtures,” I continue, with excitement. He may not be interested in what I have planned, but this is mine, and I. Am. All. In. “Something fancy to really dress the place up. Maybe small crystal chandeliers to replace the current light fixtures, except for the main fixture, I’d like a large one there. Something that gives off a lot of light.” I look for his reaction, but all I see is ablank face. I don’t know what I’m expecting, but I want him to feel the vibe of Cami’s Confections like I do. Instead, I find him ticking the number of fixtures off on his fingers before he returns his attention to me.
I dart my eyes away, hoping he didn’t notice me staring. How freaking embarrassing would that be? Drooling over the first man I trip over in my new town. Especially after I professed over and over again that I don’t want a man right now. I don’t! I remind myself.
“I’d like the place to look classy, you know? Exquisite.” I explain. “With these brown outdoor floor tiles and dim lights, it looks dingy and unwelcoming.”
I crinkle my nose and hope he buys my excuse for wanting brighter lights. I can’t possibly tell him that not only is the current lighting not welcoming, but it, along with his hat, won’t let me get a good look at his features. That irks me more than it should.
Not because I have any interest in him. After all, we just met, and I have no intention of dating. None. Not while I’m trying to get my business up and running. I need to remain one hundred percent focused. But if I can’t get a good look at something the size of a well-built man, how will my customers appreciate the precision and beauty of my mini cakes and fancy pastries?
I take another quick peek at him, hoping Mr. Muscle’s isn’t looking at me so that my eyes can linger on his thick, solid-looking thighs. I may not be able to see his face clearly because of the shadows hiding it, but the rest of him appears to be top-shelf. Best of all, he isn’t someone who just fits the bill of a biological male like the men my parents pushed on me; he appears to be all man, and he’s my secret find. A hidden treasure, and I plan on keeping it that way.
I might not want to date, but I do have a sweet tooth, and there’s nothing wrong with a little eye candy.
“What about the back room? Do you want a chandelier there, too?” His deep voice heats something in my belly. At least answering him gives me an excuse to take a longer look at his gray eyes.
Wow, they’re like marbles. Clear, yet full of color. I see hues of blue, green, and brown swirling throughout his gray irises. Even purple. Looking so closely at him allows his eyes to suck me in and trap me. Hold me still as stone.
How can they be cold and unyielding, yet hold such depth? I could lose myself in those worlds of wonder for hours, captured by the specks of color. Finally, unable to handle the increasing heat and intensity of his stare, I force myself to look away.
“Have you given it any thought?”
“Huh?”
“The lighting in the back room?” He repeats.
“Riiight.” I catch myself and get back on track. So what if he’s ruggedly handsome, with thighs as thick as tree trunks, and arms that are what movie heroes are made of? I don’t need a man. What I need are renovations. Updates to turn this storefront from mundane to spectacular. Even more important, I don’twanta man. “I want bright, fluorescent lights back there. And a semi-gloss paint on the walls. Something easy to clean.”
“You’ll have to talk to the painters about that. And honestly, it would cost a lot less if you had your boyfriend change the fixtures for you.”
“Of course. I’m supposed to have a boyfriend because how else would a woman survive? I need a man around to kill the spiders, open the jars, and change the lighting.” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest and mashing my lips together.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything. I understand. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. Girlfriends are just as capable as boyfriends. Only, women aren’t generally electrically inclined.”
