Man at Work

by Chanta Jefferson Rand

  He’d barely had time to shower before rushing from the gym to meet her. He rang the doorbell and then stepped back when he heard the loud barking of vicious dogs. At least Candace was protected. Still, he wasn’t a dog lover, or any other pet lover for that matter. He hoped she didn’t have a gang of killer pit bulls around!

  Candace’s cousin answered the door. She didn’t bother to hide the look of admiration as she raked him from head to toe with a pair of blue-grey eyes. Gabe didn’t take offense. He was used to women taking in his full measure.

  “Gabe, how nice to see you again,” she purred.

  His mind searched for her name. “Thanks…Tina.”

  “Toye,” she corrected, “Like the kind you play with. Rhymes with joy.”

  “Sorry. I’m not good with names.”

  “No kidding. You weren’t even close. But no worries. I’ve been called worse.”

  Gabe chuckled. At least she took it like a good sport.

  “C’mon,” she told him. “Candace is up to her elbows in tile.”

  As Gabe followed Toye to the kitchen, he glanced at his surroundings. The house was practically gutted. “What the hell happened?” he asked.

  Toye laughed. “Candace doesn’t live here. She flips houses.”

  Relief flooded through him. “That explains everything.”

  “She’s working on a very important flip right now. She’s got three weeks to get it done.”

  He ducked under a low-hanging plastic sheet. “Why the short deadline?”

  “It was originally a four-month project, but…” Toye shrugged. “It’s a long story, and not mine to tell. Maybe Candace will give you all the details—if you’re nice to her.”

  Gabe smiled. “I’m sure I can manage that.”

  As he rounded the corner, he had eyes only for the blonde bombshell in front of him. Candace’s curves were encased in a pair of denim shorts. Her long legs sported a pair of old-school Converse sneakers. Her checkered camp shirt was knotted at the waist. Gabe sucked in a deep breath. If Candace were a contractor, no work would ever get done!

  She turned her megawatt smile on him. “Gabe, look at this. Have you ever seen such a mess?”

  “From where I stand, I like what I see.”

  Her smirk couldn’t hide the spark of enjoyment in her dark eyes. “Can you be serious?”

  “Oh, I’m dead serious.”

  His voice was thick with desire, and he didn’t care who noticed it. He licked his lips, wishing he could be feasting on her lovely skin. It was midday and he was hungry for more than just lunch. He wanted Candace Jones—and he wanted her to know it.

  “The man is good looking and smooth talking.”

  Gabe turned to see where the voice had come from. It was only then that he realized two other women who looked suspiciously similar to Candace were in the kitchen.

  Candace made the introductions. “Ladies, this is Gabe Hunt. Gabe, these are my sisters, Ronnie and Marlowe. You already know Toye.”

  He shook their hands. “Pleased to meet you ladies.”

  “The pleasure is ours,” Marlowe chirped.

  Gabe chuckled as Candace rolled her eyes playfully. “Ignore them,” she ordered.

  “Yes,” Ronnie interrupted. “Ignore us. Candace does all the time.”

  Candace stepped forward, freeing herself from the rubble of tile. She placed delicate fingers on his forearm, sending a jolt of excitement through him. “We need help, Gabe. I have to get this kitchen renovated soon.”

  He nodded. “Toye told me you flip houses. Impressive.”

  “What would be more impressive is if I can turn this kitchen from tragic to terrific.”

  “That’s why I’m here.” He surveyed the damage, nudging a few loose tiles with the tip of his steel-toed boot. “You’re off to a good start. You do need the spacers, however. Luckily, I have some outside in my truck.”

  All four ladies burst into laughter.

  He cocked his head to the side. “Why do I get the feeling I’m the butt of an inside joke?”

  Toye spoke up. “We heard about your truck.”

  “Hey, it’s a great work truck. It hauls everything. Be right back.” He flashed the group a grin before heading in the direction of his truck. A bunch of clucking hens didn’t scare him off.

  SIX

  Three hours later, Gabe had the quartet working like a well-oiled machine. The cabinets were constructed. The countertops were complete. The walls had a fresh coat of paint. And best of all, the tile floor was sheer perfection. It was amazing what you could do with the right tools and the right expertise. Whatever previous notions Candace had about Gabe were soon extinguished. He was a born leader. He’d organized the women into separate work groups and assigned tasks to each person. He joked as he worked, and he took the time to carefully demonstrate proper techniques. His constant encouragement and easy-going manner endeared him to all the ladies. Even Marlowe, who was normally jaded and cynical, developed a rapport with him.

  Watching Gabe work was a turn-on. His movements were self-assured. His voice was deep and penetrating. And oh, Lord, his muscles. Where to start? They were everywhere. She was transfixed by the corded muscles that flexed in his forearms every time he moved. His entire demeanor was like an aphrodisiac she wanted to bottle up and savor later. His masculine smell mingled with the fresh scent of lumber succumbing to the circular saw. Candace worked as instructed, but she kept stealing glances at his muscular physique draped in faded jeans and a worn t-shirt. That seemed to be his wardrobe of choice. Each time she saw him, he’d been dressed in similar garb. She didn’t give a damn what he wore. Gabe was taking care of business, and that was all that mattered.

  When the kitchen was finally complete, Gabe brought in a cooler filled with bottles of beer from his truck. “Break time!” he announced. “I usually work with a crew of men. Had I known ladies would be present, I’d have filled this with wine coolers instead.”

  “At least you brought refreshments,” Candace complimented. “Thank you.”

  He pulled a bottle opener from his keychain and popped the tops on their Heinekens.

  “You think of everything,” Candace observed.

  “I always take care of my partner’s needs first.” He winked, and her heart flip-flopped at the familiar gesture. She picked up on the double-meaning of his words. His fingertips brushed hers as he handed her a bottle. An image of him caressing her skin flashed like lightning in her brain. How did he manage to be so sexy all the time?

  Toye interrupted the byplay. “Gabe, you are such a better boss than Candace.”

  “Yes,” Marlowe agreed. “She’s been working us non-stop, never letting us quit for a break.”

  “Um hmm,” Ronnie joined in. “Sometimes, she withholds food and water too.”

  Candace pursed her lips. “Y’all stop lying.”

  Gabe chuckled. “I can tell you are all related. You have such good camaraderie.”

  “Plus, she’s the middle kid,” Toye quipped. “So, we have to make sure she doesn’t feel left out.”

  “Fine,” Candace taunted. “Since you hags don’t like my leadership style, you guys can leave now.”

  “Thank the Lord!” Marlowe said. “My elbow is out of grease.”

  Ronnie grabbed her car keys. “You don’t have to tell me twice!”

  “I’ll see you guys later,” Candace said, slowly sipping her beer.

  “You’re not leaving?” Ronnie asked.

  “I have a few things to clean up first.”

  “I’ll help,” Gabe offered. “You ladies can split.”

  “Whoa!” Marlowe interjected. “We like you, Gabe. But we don’t know you. We can’t simply leave you alone with our sister. You could be a serial killer.”

  He crossed his arms over his muscular chest. “You could call Sampson’s. The front office will vouch for my integrity.”

  Candace cut a glance at Marlowe. “Gabe will help me pack up. You ladies had better be back tomorrow bri
ght and early so we can finish the bathrooms.”

  “Great. Another Saturday wasted in renovation hell.”

  “You won’t be complaining when the money comes in.”

  Toye elbowed Marlowe. “Let’s go before she changes her mind.”

  Gabe chuckled as the women said their goodbyes. Alone in the kitchen with Candace, he teased, “You’re pretty tough, Boss Lady. Don’t you know the best way to manage workers is to kill ‘em with kindness?”

  “Are you speaking from experience?”

  “I might have bossed a few folks around.”

  “I imagine all the ladies must melt at your feet.”

  “There’s only one woman I’m interested in melting.”

  She locked eyes with him and willed her careening heartbeat to slow down. She prayed he had no clue of the effect he had on her. She bluffed. “I don’t melt easily, Mr. Hunt.”

  He stepped closer and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I’m hoping to change that, Miss Jones.”

  Candace slipped away and laughed. “You are so full of yourself.”

  He grinned. “I have a comeback for that, but it’s kind of X-rated, so I’ll keep it to myself. In the meantime, I have a question. Your cousin Toye told me that you only have three weeks to flip this house. Why the short deadline?”

  “I see Toye has given you the play-by-play.”

  “She didn’t tell me anything other than that. She said if I was nice to you, I might be able to coax the rest from your lips.”

  An image of him coaxing her lips open with his mouth burned itself in her brain. She shook it off and forced herself to refocus. “I had some issues with a shady contractor. He took off before completing the job.”

  “You never thought of hiring another one?”

  “Unfortunately, he took off with my money too.” She began collecting the tools they’d used and placed them in a gray, metal toolbox. Keeping her hands busy kept her from getting angry all over again. “I’d worked with his company on other flips, so I had no reason not to trust him.”

  “Son-of-a-bitch. What kind of person would leave someone in a situation like that?”

  “Yeah, my thoughts exactly.”

  “So, what’s with the three-week deadline? You have a buyer lined up or something?”

  “Even better. I have a chance to be profiled by Leap of Faith on Flip It or Forget It.”

  He removed his tool belt and placed it on the counter. “The T.V. show?”

  “Yes. This home will go to an underprivileged family who desperately need a place to live. Then, the house will be advertised on the show. It’s my chance to serve others while growing my business. I needed help. That was the only reason I agreed to allow you to come over.”

  “I’m impressed. Here I thought you had me over here for purely selfish motives.”

  She smiled. “If I don’t get the flip done, I’ll be in breach of contract, and I won’t be on any show. The contractor bailed on me at the worst time. Now, I’m playing catch up to make that deadline. Which, by the way, thank you again for your help. You saved me at least a week on the kitchen. Now, I can focus on other areas of this house.”

  “So, let me get this straight. You’re renovating this entire home all by yourself?”

  “Yes. Along with Toye and my sisters. Why?” She thrust her hands on her hips. “Are you implying a woman can’t do this work?”

  “Not at all.” He leaned backward against the countertop and stuffed his hands in his jean pockets. “I’m just surprised that you don’t have a man or a boyfriend to help you.”

  Oh no! She was not going down this road again. Instead, she turned the tables. “What about you?” she poked. “Isn’t there a handywoman waiting somewhere for you?”

  “I’m all alone, unless you count my three cats.”

  Her mouth dropped open. A man with cats? Had she pegged him wrong? “Are you serious?”

  “Nope.”

  She laughed at his joke. She was so relieved. For a moment, her tough-guy fantasy was in danger of being burst.

  His strong fingers stroked her from elbow to wrist, sending shivers down her spine. “Your laugh is beautiful, Candy. Just like you.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured. She patted her stomach. Butterflies again. This was not good. The two of them alone. Together. In this house. She turned away, intending to put distance between them. But she took one step and stumbled over a plastic bucket.

  Gabe was there to catch her. She drew in a sharp breath as she braced her palms against the hard biceps beneath his denim shirt. The warmth of his body made her heart beat wildly in her chest. He swept her into his embrace. When she looked into his whiskey-brown eyes, she saw the raw hunger reflected there.

  He took her breath away when he spoke. “If you wanted me to kiss you, all you had to do was ask.”

  His lips descended upon hers. His kiss was as bold as his words. He took full command, parting her lips with his skillful tongue. She gave up the fight and gave him full access to her mouth. She slid her palms upward along the chiseled planes of his chest and draped her arms around his broad shoulders. Gabe’s strong arms encircled her waist and pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss. His tongue lovingly caressed hers, sending electric sparks coursing through her veins. It had been so long since she’d been stroked anywhere, her body felt as though it would explode from one kiss.

  When he released her, her body slid down the hard length of his. Her nipples tightened as they left the warmth of his chest and made contact with the cool air. The space between her legs throbbed. For a split second, she itched to have him inside her. She was curious to know every inch of him. Then, just as quickly, she berated herself.

  What happened to not thinking with your vagina?

  Gabe tipped her chin upward, forcing her to look at him. “Have dinner with me, Candy.”

  She was beginning to like the way he kept calling her by the wrong name. “I don’t have time to go out to dinner. My every waking moment is dedicated to this flip.”

  “You have to eat sometime.”

  “I have people counting on me. My name, my reputation is riding on this.”

  “I know. That’s why you should let me help you. You’re talented, but there’s no way you’re going to be able to finish this flip in three weeks. Not without a contractor.”

  That realization was beginning to dawn on her. Even if she completed the bottom level in time, there was still the second floor to tackle. She wanted to pull up the carpet and install hardwood floors. There was so much left to do. Gabe’s offer was tempting—and so was Gabe.

  “I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but you’re a distraction, Gabe. I don’t think I can work with you around.”

  There! She’d said it. She didn’t care if her confession made her seem like a sex-starved hussy.

  “Trust me, the feeling is mutual. But I think if we promise to keep our hands off each other, we can get through our misery. Or we could just screw like rabbits right now and get it out of our systems.”

  Don’t think I’m not tempted, brotha! Even now, her coochie was thrumming in protest. She wanted Gabe, but she knew that was exactly why she had to resist him. It couldn’t be all about the sex. She was handling herself differently now.

  “I don’t have enough money to pay you right now,” she finally relented,” but I promise I’ll pay you what you’re worth.”

  He grinned. “Woman, you have no idea what I’m worth. I value myself pretty highly.”

  “I forgot who I was dealing with. Okay, I’ll pay you the standard contractor rates.”

  “For now, I’ll just settle for dinner.”

  # # #

  Gabe pulled out his cell phone and dialed Phil’s number. “Guess where I’m headed?” he asked when Phil answered.

  “To the butt naked club?”

  “Hell no. That’s your hangout.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “I’m in my truck on my way to pick up a gift for Candace.” />
  “Woot! Woot!” Phil yelled, forcing Gabe to hold the phone at arm’s length until he calmed down. “The old Gabe is back! I told ya she’d come around. What are you buying her? Flowers? Candy? Candy for Candace?”

  “Funny you should mention that.” Gabe smiled thinking of the erotic nickname he’d given Candace. “At any rate, I’m not getting flowers or candy. I’m getting her the gift that keeps on giving—her very own tool belt. I wish we had one of those shovels you were talking about, the ones for females. How soon can we get those in?”

  “Uh, I think you’re taking this home improvement thing a little too far, bro. I know you own a chain of stores, but damn man, most women aren’t clamoring for a tool belt—even if it’s pink and bedazzled.”

  “No, you don’t get it.”

  “I sure as hell don’t.”

  Gabe chuckled. “She flips houses. She’s in the middle of an important one. Leap of Faith Industries is going to showcase the finished product on that show, Flip It or Forget It. She’s real good at what she does, Phil.”

  Gabe found himself pumping Candace up. He admired her. She was doing something with purpose. The fact that she worked with her hands turned him on too.

  “Wow. You’ve met your match now. Who'd have thought it?”

  “I’m helping her with the flip. She only has three weeks to get it done.”

  “Gabe, you’re not helping her. Sampson’s is helping her.”

  “Well, in a round-about way, yes.”

  “Don’t you see this is our chance to get involved in more charitable endeavors? This project is an excellent write-off too.”

  Gabe turned on his blinker and made a right to exit the freeway. “What are you talking about? We already do the classes for free. That’s offering a service to the community.”