"I'll get my work done and steer clear of Belle.”
He stood and walked toward the door."Be sure that you do."
Iwas at the bookshop early on Monday morning with a backhoe.The first stage of the project was digging up the area and leveling it.It was early enough that the store wasn't open yet.
I was there to doublecheck on the measurements for the patio and give the go ahead to start digging.As soon as I was satisfied that we'd staked the right dimensions, I waved for the driver to get started.The powerful engine started up, and I stepped back to supervise.
I wouldn't normally stay for this part of the project, but it was the biggest one I had at the moment, and I didn't want anything to go wrong.
The bucket picked up dirt and moved it.The side door to the building opened, and Belle stepped out in a pale pink nightie with tiny straps.
My heart skipped a beat.
I could see the dark outline of her nipples, and the lace hem teased her thighs.Was she wearing panties, or was she bare?
I was hot all over, moving toward her before I could second guess myself.
Belle waved her hand."What are you doing?What's all this noise?"
"I'm working."My voice was gruff, and my brain was a little slow to react.
She crossed her arms over her chest, blocking her nipples but pushing up her breasts.Her feet were bare on the pavement, and her nails were painted a light pink.She was soft and delicate, and I wanted to push her inside the door and press her against the nearest wall.
"At seven in the morning?"
I was more than a little concerned that my crew could see her like this."That's when we're allowed to start work due to the town's noise ordinances."
Her skin pebbled with goose bumps, and I couldn't take it anymore.I pulled off my sweatshirt and shoved it over her head.It would cover her—a shame—and keep her warm.Once it was over her head and blocking that poor excuse for pajamas, I put my hands on her shoulders and directed her back inside where it was warm.
The door closed behind us.We were at the bottom of a staircase that went to the second floor."Do you live on the second floor?"
She bit her lip."Yes."
"I didn't know that.I thought no one would be here."But I should have suspected it.Angela lived above her shop before her pipe burst, and I thought I'd heard that Clara did too.
Now that she was covered in my sweatshirt, I could think clearly.Or at least that's what I hoped.
"Are you going to be here every morning at seven a.m.making a racket?"
I let go of her shoulders and stepped back.I couldn't touch her, because I'd press her against the nearest wall and kiss that curl off her lips."You want a patio?"
She sighed."I didn't think about the noise or the disruption."
"I'm sorry I'm interrupting your beauty sleep," I said, not sounding sorry at all.I felt oddly energized to be sparring with her before I'd even had coffee.Her hair was piled on top of her head as if she hadn't had time to brush it or to put shoes or a jacket on before she ran outside.
She sighed long and hard and took a few steps, her hand on the railing."We're just going to have to adjust to working together."
I grunted because I had no intention of getting used to anything.I couldn't see a world where I interacted with Belle on any level.Unless it was me putting my hands on her and getting to know her intimately.
She turned slightly, her foot on the step; it caused my hoodie to slide upward.
All I could see was long legs and that pale pink polish on her toes.She was irresistible.I squeezed my neck."You always walk around half naked?"
Her gaze narrowed on me, and her forehead creased."What are you talking about?"
This was how I liked her: angry.When she was mad, I couldn't think about how much I wanted to kiss her and slide between those soft thighs of hers."You might want to rethink your wardrobe.My crew isn't as nice as I am."
She scoffed."Nice?I wouldn't call you nice."
