I hadn’t meant to say that second and rather swoony, oh, and certainly not aloud. But it sort of drifted out of me as my eyes beheld the gorgeous hunk of a man standing at my front door, and my gaze travelled up and down his seemingly perfect body.
‘Marcus called and told me I had to come here today, as a favour to him,’ he said, as his gaze scanned me from my head to my toes, but not in the same appreciative way that I knew my eyes were scanning him.
‘Did he?’ I said, my voice all soft and dreamy. I coughed to clear my throat. ‘I mean, did he? Why? Oh no. You’re not my blind date, are you? Look. I’m sure you’re lovely … and I can see that you’re very handsome. Marcus didn’t mention that. But I did say that I thought it would be best if we didn’t date. I don’thave an issue with kids. In fact, I like them. But if things didn’t work out, it would just be awkward.’ I shook my head slowly. ‘And you have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?’
‘Not a clue. I’m here about a tap and a boiler. Have you been trying to fix them yourself?’ His expression reminded me that I was drenched. ‘I think you’ve drowned your reindeer. Aren’t their noses supposed to flash?’
‘What? Oh yes. Erm. Sorry, but why did Marcus tell you, you had to come here today?’
‘Faulty boiler? Leaky tap? Ring any bells?’
‘Several. But who are you?’
‘Well I’m not Father Christmas. Do I need to give you any other clues?’
‘Erm. Look. I’m not trying to be difficult so there’s no need for sarcasm. I just don’t know why Marcus called you. He didn’t tell me he was calling a plumber, which is what I assume you are.’
‘Give the girl a candy cane.’
I ignored his facetious remark. ‘I have a plumber booked for tomorrow. Although I did say I was going to call him and see if he could get here any sooner even though he said he couldn’t.’
‘It’s the season for miracles. Here I am.’ He held out his arms in a sort of theatrical gesture. ‘Ta dah. Now are you going to let me in?’
‘No. Not until you tell me who you are. You could be anyone for all I know. And where are your tools if you’re a plumber?’
He raised his brows. ‘I’m a heating engineer and plumber. And I told you Marcus called me. My tools are in my van. I don’t carry them around with me until I know which tools I will need. I might have to go and buy some parts before I even start, and I don’t leave my tools lying around in case someone trips over them and sues me. Marcus told me about that. I’m the man you want. The one you called yesterday. I’m Alec Richman. And I have to say I’m only here today because Marcus is a good mate.But I’ve got places to be and people to see so either let me in or I’ll leave and come back another time. It’s up to you.’
‘You’re … you’re Alec Richman?’
‘Yep.’
My gaze took him in again and I felt my mouth fall open but I quickly composed myself. I’d imagined Paul when I’d pictured Alec but this man made Paul look ordinary.
Alec had the sort of sandy-golden-blond hair, and suntanned skin that made him look as if he lived on a surfer’s paradise beach. His smile was devastating, and his teeth were white but naturally white, not blitzed and bleached to within an inch of their lives. His blue eyes were the colour of a hot summer day, and his jaw was firm and clean-shaven. He had the sort of body any athlete would kill for, and any woman would want to wake up next to. This man was the perfect package. Looks-wise, at least.
‘Why didn’t you just say who you were?’
‘And spoil all that fun?’
‘You’re not at all what I was expecting.’
‘I get that a lot. Sorry to disappoint. But there it is. Now, what’s it to be? In or out?’
‘What! Oh, in. Yes. Definitely in. And I’m not disappointed. Just surprised. Thank you for coming sooner.’
‘I’m just glad I’m not your blind date, because if you give a plumber you’ve called this much of a hard time, I’d hate to see the sort of grilling you give a potential boyfriend. And you might want to go and wash your face. You’ve got black streaks running down your cheeks. Point me in the direction of the boiler, or the tap, before you go and do that, and I’ll crack on.’
My hands shot to my face and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.
‘The kitchen is that way. The boiler’s in the utility room which you’ll see when you’re in the kitchen.’
‘Thanks. Any chance of a cup of tea? I’m parched and as I said, I dashed up here because Marcus told me to. I should be on my tea break now.’
‘Yes. If you’re willing to be the one to turn on the tap. That’s how this happened.’
He grinned at me and I hurried upstairs.
I was mortified by my reflection.
