Before I could get the coffee can off the shelf, the door opened.
“I’m makin’ it,” I hollered, not bothering to turn around. Time was of the essence here.
“Making what?”
The sound of her voice went straight through me. I took a breath, then peered over my shoulder to see Amy standing in the doorway. She was wearing jeans and boots and a form-fitting black T-shirt, hair pulled back in a ponytail, her bangs sweeping across her forehead. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
“Mornin’,” I greeted. “Thought you were Lynx. Figured he was gonna rip me a new one if I didn’t have coffee ready.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. I noticed there were dark circles beneath the long fringe of her lashes. The woman looked tired and a little thin. Too thin.
“I can make that,” she offered, coming to stand beside me. She peered down at her clothes. “And I didn’t really know what the dress code was. I hope this is okay.”
“Perfect.” Literally.
Granted, I'd have to pay attention in the event she walked across the room while I was working. One look at her ass in those jeans and it was likely I'd cut my damn finger off.
“So, does he like it strong? The way he drinks it at the diner?”
I paused, staring down at Amy as I tried to understand what she was talking about.
She nodded toward the coffee. “Lynx. Strong coffee?”
I grinned. “Yeah. Stronger the better.”
When Amy reached for the coffee can, I released it, my fingers brushing hers in the process. The slight touch had my breath shuddering in my chest. Her eyes flew up to meet mine briefly, but then she looked away quickly. This time I didn’t see fear; I noticed something else burning brightly in her espresso-brown eyes. Interest, maybe?
“I filled out the paperwork, too. It’s in the car. I’ll … uh … I’ll get it to you in a bit?”
“Perfect.”
Looked as though my vocabulary had been reduced to a few words.
While Amy prepared the coffee, I unplugged the power sander—a safety precaution—then grabbed a few other things I'd need, set them out for when I returned. When she was finished and the pot was brewing, I nodded toward the stairs. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Amy’s eyes made a quick sweep of the room before she followed. “You’re the only one here?”
“Right now, yeah. My old man usually stops by on his way to the shop, but not quite this early. Who knows when Lynx’ll get his lazy ass outta bed. Some days he goes right to the store to check on things before bringing his happy ass on this way.”
It was clear the woman was on edge. Every minute of every day, if I had to guess. Whatever it was she was running from, I wanted to eliminate it for her. Rhys had been right when he’d accused me of being protective. I wasn’t sure what it was about this one tiny woman, but I vowed right then and there that I'd keep her safe from harm.
As for keeping her safe from me … well, that was still to be determined.
I opened the first door we came to. “You remember this room. This is our office. No one’s usually in here, and if you’re lookin’ for anything, chances are you won’t find it.” I smiled sheepishly. “We’re not the most organized bunch.”
“I can fix that.”
I nodded, then closed the door and moved to the next one. “This is a makeshift break room.” I pointed to the far wall. “There’s a love seat, recliner, and a television. Refrigerator’s over there. No sink, though. But if you ever wanna take a break, you can hide out in here.” I smiled down at her. “That is if Lynx ain’t asleep in the chair.”
Amy smiled.
I closed the door and moved to the next one.
“This is your office.”
“I have my own office?”
“Trust me, you’ll want one. It gets kinda loud out there when we’re workin’. Plus, you’ll need the computer and the phone.”
