Finally, she shut it off and set the hose aside. We were standing closer together than was strictly necessary. Close enough that I could smell her shampoo, something clean and faintly floral that didn’t belong out here among sawdust and diesel.
“Am I clean enough to come into your office now, Your Highness?” I did a slow turn for her inspection.
She reached out and swiped her hand over my shoulder, dislodging a few stubborn flecks of wood. “It’ll do.”
Her fingers lingered for half a second too long, and the casual touch landed like a spark. I blinked the dust from my eyes and took her in. Her blonde hair was pulled back from her face, her curvy figure tucked into a well-fitting pair of slacks and a blouse. Some of the dust from me had settled on her. She was a combination of perfectly put-together and a little chaotic.
On the surface, she belonged to a different world than mine, one with polished desks and spreadsheets, but somehow she stood here in the snow and sawdust, fitting in just fine. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and I loved the way she looked when she laughed.
“Thanks,” I said, swallowing hard, trying to keep my eyes from drifting to her mouth. This had to be the most inconvenient crush I’d ever had.
She smirked, brushing some of the sawdust from her blouse. “You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today.” She shivered.
I was hot from work, but she was outside in the snow without a coat.
“Let’s head back then.” We walked back to the office, and I pushed the door open and held it, letting her slip past me, her shoulder grazing the center of my chest. She stood stomping the snow off her shoes, and I took my boots right off; they were a lost cause.
We were standing close, and I fought the urge to lean in closer. I had to keep perspective. “So… how’d it go with Teddy?” I didn’t even like saying his name, and the thought of her with him splashed cold water on the feelings bubbling below the surface.
The amusement drained from her face. “Surprisingly smooth. We got done what needed to be done. The fact that he didn’t put up a fuss seems more suspicious than good.”
“I can come with you to the next meetup,” I said too quickly.
She cocked her head to the side. “For moral support, or…?”
I nodded. “Really sell the fake story, you know?”
She nodded too, her gaze flicking down my chest once before meeting my eyes again. The look made my pulse jump, and I scolded myself. Not sure if I was seeing things I wanted to see or if that appreciative look in her eye was really there. “I might just take you up on that. Then again, if I don’t, will you just happen to be in the area again?” she teased.
Heat crept up my neck. I was certain I hadn’t blushed this much in my entire life. “I do go to the bank from time to time. I could coincidentally show up at the same time as you.”
She took a half-step closer. “Then I’ll let you know when. Just in case.”
The door opened behind us, and we jumped apart. “Oh good,Layne, can you print the updated bill for the Henderson place? I changed a few things on the spreadsheet last night. Hey, Elias.”
“You touched the spreadsheet? Jace, leave these things for me,” Layne snapped as she stormed behind her desk.
“I think I’m in trouble,” Jace muttered.
As I watched Layne’s curvy frame march towards her desk, my skin still buzzing where she’d stood close beside me, I thought I might be in trouble too.
Chapter Five
Layne
Round two, here we go.
My mood was sour as I pulled up in front of the bank. The parking lot was tiny, and I nosed my car into a spot that was maybe a little too small. I didn’t plan to be there more than ten minutes anyway.
That was assuming Teddy was in as agreeable a mood as he’d been last time.
I got out of the car, careful not to bang my door into the one next to me, and stood on the sidewalk watching the road for Teddy. I stepped from foot to foot to keep warm. It was a clear day, blue sky overhead, but those were often the coldest.
As I glanced around, I couldn’t help but notice a Wild Timber truck parallel parked on the street half a block back.
Elias.
It had to be.
