Man at Work

by Chanta Jefferson Rand

  “No, I’m talking about working with charitable organizations. Leap of Faith is a great association to partner with. If Sampson’s pays for all of the renovations on this house and it’s profiled on that home improvement show, that’s the ultimate advertising for us.”

  “I’m doing this to help Candace. She owns a small business and I’m helping her gain access to resources she wouldn’t normally have.”

  “So, you’re not doing it because you want to get in her pants?”

  Gabe didn’t say anything. He did want to get in Candy’s pants. But it was more than just a physical thing. He really liked her. For the first time in years, he had genuine interest in a woman, and if that kiss was any indication, she was damn sure interested in him too. The way her body responded made his trousers tighten. When she’d draped her arms around his neck, the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest set all his nerve endings on fire. Even now, her scent clung to him like a cherished memory.

  “I haven’t told her that I own Sampson’s,” Gabe admitted.

  “Why not?” Phil demanded.

  How could Gabe explain that he wanted to hold on to the magic for a little longer? He’d only just met Candace. She had no idea what he really did for a living, and that was fine with him. He wanted her to like him for himself, not his wallet.

  “Never mind,” Phil said. “I don’t want to know your reasoning. You don’t have to tell her that you’re worth millions. Just tell her you made some calls and got the full backing of Sampson’s. You’ll be her contact person.”

  Gabe pulled into the parking lot at Sampson’s. “It’s so easy for you to create lies for me.”

  “Oh, no. I create them for myself too.”

  “You are a piece of work.” Gabe grinned as he put the truck in park.

  “Yeah, that’s why I’m your best friend. Now, go get your tool belt.”

  SEVEN

  The next morning, Candace opened the front door to find a strange man standing on the porch of her in-progress flip. She looked past the man’s fiery red hair and large gauge earring plugs to see two black vans with the green and white Sampson’s logo emblazoned on the sides.

  “Are you Miss Jones?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Elton, from Sampson’s. I understand you need some help renovating.”

  Behind him, a crew of men began removing equipment and supplies from the trucks. “Uh, there must be some mistake,” she told him.

  “No, ma’am. There’s no mistake. Gabe sent us. Tell us where you want us to start.”

  He slipped past her into the house. Candace opened her mouth to protest when her eyes flew toward a familiar figure emerging from the passenger side of one of the vans. She would know that physique anywhere. Toned thighs. Thick biceps. And of course, his signature dusty jeans.

  Gabe strode forward with purpose. His hands were clasped behind his back. He looked good. Damn good. He looked like he hadn’t tossed and turned all night thinking of her the way she’d thought of his kiss. There were no dark circles under those chestnut eyes.

  She’d never seen a sexier grin than the one that was currently making her melt on her doorstep. “Mornin’ Candy.”

  The sultry timber of his deep voice reverberated down her spine. She forced herself to focus on her words. “What’s all this?” she asked.

  “I told you I would help you with your flip.”

  She nodded. “Yes, but I had no idea this was what you meant.”

  “I made some calls and Sampson’s agreed to sponsor your renovation.”

  The redhead walked up behind her and addressed Gabe. “Hey, Boss. You want us to start upstairs or downstairs?”

  “Upstairs,” Gabe replied.

  As the guy trotted away, Candace squinted at Gabe. “Boss?”

  “Uh, yeah, you know how construction guys are. It’s just common nomenclature.”

  Nomenclature? Okay. If he wasn’t ready to tell her he owned Sampson’s, then she wouldn’t push. Besides, what did it matter? She was in need of help and he was here.

  “I got you something,” he said. He withdrew a red and black tool belt from behind his back. “Sorry I didn’t wrap it. I’m not much on bows and stuff.”

  “Wow. Thank you.” She accepted the gift. “Tool belt. Vans. A crew of workers. You really know how to spoil a woman.”

  He grinned. “You have no idea.”

  “Seriously, that was sweet.” She pecked him on the cheek. God, he smelled so masculine. She could definitely grow used to that scent.

  His eyes lit up in response. “Now, that is a proper way to show gratitude. Makes me want to go back and get the matching vest and a pair of boots.”

  “Don’t push your luck.”

  A deep chuckled rumbled from his throat that warmed her insides. “Did you need me to put it on for you? These things can be tricky.”

  She grinned. “I don’t know you well enough to let you dress me.”

  “Good point.” Playful sparks of hunger danced in his eyes as he brazenly scanned her snug t-shirt and form-fitting warm-up pants. “Besides,” he added, “I’d rather spend my time undressing you.”

  Candace’s mouth dropped open. Before she could think of a saucy reply, Candace heard a collective gasp behind her. Her sisters and Toye rushed toward her.

  “Girl,” Toye exclaimed, “this house is overrun with men. What’s going on?”

  “Gabe brought reinforcements.”

  “This is for us?” Toye asked Gabe.

  “Yep,” Gabe answered. “Candace told me about her deadline and I figured you guys could use a few extra hands.”

  “Yes!” Ronnie and Marlowe gave each other fist pumps.

  “Thanks, Gabe,” Toye offered. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  “You’re welcome.” He clapped his hands once. “Ladies, shall we get started?”

  Ronnie and Marlowe walked away, but Toye lingered, staring at the tool belt in Candace’s hands. “What’s that?”

  “Gabe’s gift to me.”

  “I wanted to make sure Candace had everything she needed,” Gabe told Toye. Then, he made eye contact with Candace, and licked his lips. The action gave her goose bumps. Gabe smiled before heading toward the kitchen and leaving the two women alone.

  “Yeah, looks like you have what you need all right,” Toye quipped under her breath.

  Candace watched the firm lines of Gabe’s butt wrapped in worn denim jeans. “I don’t know if I need it, but I sure as hell want it!”

  “Why do I get the feeling we’re not talking about the tool belt anymore?”

  The two looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  # # #

  Okay, maybe it was overkill. Candace’s house had more men walking through it than a locker room at halftime. Gabe divided the group into two crews. One to tackle the repairs upstairs and one to complete the projects downstairs. Candace told him she had plans to tear up the hideous shag carpet and install a durable Berber throughout the home. That was a good plan, especially if the family moving in had young kids. He knew Candace had her heart set on hardwood floors, but even with Gabe’s army of men, it would be pushing it to try to install wood floors upstairs and downstairs in this eighteen hundred square foot house.

  Together, the two of them started pulling up the carpet in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The moment Gabe raised the rubber padding, his heart sped up. He turned to Candace. “Jackpot.” He pointed to the wood floors peeking from beneath the carpet. “Some idiot actually covered up the hardwood with carpet.”

  Candace gasped. “Can you restore them?”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Oh, Gabe!” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Now, I can have the wood floors I wanted. Thank you.”

  Surprised by her display of affection, he held her in his arms, not wanting to let her go. His hands slid down her slender waist to cup her backside. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled her mix of perfume and shampoo. Even
her hair smelled good.

  Abruptly, she pulled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  It was too late. She’d uncorked the dam. All the pent-up desire he felt came bursting through. He placed his forefinger over her soft lips. Then, he did what he’d wanted to do since she’d opened the door four hours ago. He tilted her chin up and claimed her lips with a kiss. Whereas yesterday’s kiss was urgent, this one was unhurried and intense. Their tongues performed a slow mating dance that he wished his body could duplicate.

  The whir of a drill was tuned out by the sound of Gabe’s heartbeat thumping in his ears. Candace was all woman. Soft and round with a swell of curves. He pulled her on top of him and ground his hips slowly against hers. He took his time, savoring her mouth with slow, languid strokes. His reaction to her was instant. A warm fire began to smolder deep in his belly. Candace had an effect on him he couldn’t put into words. If her kisses were this good, he could only imagine what she would be like in bed.

  He tugged on her bottom lip, nibbling the corners of her mouth and trailing a path of kisses to her earlobe. She moaned when he darted his tongue inside her ear and licked the delicate flesh. “You taste so good,” he whispered in her ear. “I wanna devour every inch of you.” He continued his erotic assault, pressing kisses along the long column of her throat.

  “Oh God,” she moaned.

  He pinched her nipples through the thin camp shirt she wore. The buds immediately hardened beneath his touch. Emboldened, he slipped his hands beneath her shirt and under her bra to fondle her bare breasts. Christ, she felt good. He imagined himself taking each nipple into his mouth and rolling it between his teeth before feasting on it.

  “You like my hands on you?” he growled as she arched her back, giving him full access to her breasts. “Damn, woman. I could fuck you right here. You want me to fuck you?”

  Candace pulled back, pressing her palms against the chest of his denim shirt. She glanced over her shoulder as if looking for witnesses to their erotic encounter. “We have to stop.” Her face was flushed with spots of scarlet staining her cheeks. “I can’t believe we just did that,” she gasped.

  “Did what? Kissed?”

  One of her sculpted eyebrows shot up as she adjusted her shirt. “That was more than just a kiss, Gabe. And with a houseful of people. Anybody could have walked in on us.”

  Gabe smiled. “You’re right. I got carried away.”

  “And you lied to me.”

  Damn, she must have found out he owned Sampson’s. But how? He ran a palm over his shaved head. “I’m sorry, Candy. I never meant—”

  “Yesterday, you promised me you would not be a distraction. Yet, here you are clearly distracting me.”

  Relief flooded his body. He sat upright and stroked the satiny skin of her cheek. All last night he couldn’t stop thinking about her and the kiss they’d shared. A small part of him felt guilty. After all, she’d warned him he would be a distraction, and he’d promised to be on his best behavior. That was easier said than done. Candace was just too damn fine for her own good. But she needed his assistance, and he was in a position to help her meet her deadline. And not only was he helping her, he was helping a family in need. He had to remember to keep his priorities straight.

  “I promise, it will not happen again.”

  She nodded and then quickly stood, wobbling slightly in the process.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. I felt light-headed for a moment. Must be all these paint fumes.”

  “No, sweetheart. That was just me sweeping you off your feet.”

  She shot him a warning glance that had more smile than smirk. “Remember, no distractions.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he agreed. She turned away, and reached for a nearby hammer. “Let me help,” he offered. They both touched the hammer at the same time, their fingers creating a spark when they accidentally brushed against each other. Candace jumped from the contact.

  Gabe grinned. “You’re more skittish than a lion cub around a hyena. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of my touch.”

  She caught his gaze, her dark eyes flashing beneath the long sweep of her lashes. “No,” she shook her head. “Just the opposite. Maybe we need to work in separate rooms today.”

  He watched the sway of her hips as she walked from the room. The air was thick with sexual tension. Gabe was glad he wasn’t the only one feeling it. He promised Candace he wouldn’t be a distraction. It was a promise he knew he would never be able to keep. He picked up his toolbox and tried not to focus on the hard muscle between his legs. One thing was certain: Now that he’d tasted Candace Jones, he wanted more.

  EIGHT

  By the end of the second week, Gabe and his crew had made significant progress on the flip. The kitchen was complete, the plumbing was repaired, the walls had been sheet-rocked and painted, and to Candace’s relief, all of the hardwood floors had been exposed and polished to perfection. To celebrate, one Saturday night, Gabe took Candace, Toye, Marlowe, and Ronnie to dinner at the Cabana Beach Club restaurant at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. With its breathtaking ocean views, the luxury resort was known for its live entertainment and mouth-watering menu. Warm winds and the salty smell of the ocean wafted up to the diners as they sat on the outdoor patio a mere twenty feet from the sandy beach.

  For almost two hours, Gabe entertained the four ladies with his stories and jokes. Impeccably dressed in black slacks and a black short sleeved shirt, he looked damned good. Candace was impressed with not only his carpentry skills, but his people skills as well. Over the past two weeks, he’d handled his crew and her family with compassion and warmth. Since the day they practically fornicated in the upstairs bedroom, he hadn’t made any other overtures. But each day it became increasingly harder to ignore his sculpted body as he worked in the house. Or to hear his deep chuckle of laughter that vibrated through her. Or to stop the rush of warmth she felt between her legs when she caught him staring at her from the other side of the room. She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or happy that he’d remained a perfect gentleman. He still hadn’t divulged the fact he was the owner of Sampson’s, and she wasn’t going to let on that she knew.

  After a scrumptious dinner of Florida Snapper with coconut curry sauce, grilled asparagus, and jasmine rice, Candace was too stuffed to eat dessert. Instead, she watched Gabe devour his guava cheesecake and coffee. He made the simple act of eating look sinfully erotic. The way his lips wrapped around his fork made her squirm in her seat.

  Toye and Candace’s sisters were all full of rum Mojitos. The liquor mixed with tropical fruits loosened their tongues. The more they drank, the more they talked.

  Toye, who sat on one side of Gabe, leaned over and playfully squeezed his bicep. “Thank you for coming to our rescue,” she told Gabe. “You shaved fifty percent off our time.”

  “Yes,” Ronnie agreed. “Thanks to you, Candace has a chance of meeting her deadline.”

  “It’s been my pleasure,” Gabe answered. “If I have anything to do with it, she’ll complete that flip on time, meet her contract obligations, and be profiled on Flip It or Forget It.”

  “We are in your debt,” Marlowe added. “You’re our knight in shining armor.”

  Toye nodded. “I can’t believe a good guy like you hasn’t been taken. You never married?”

  Candace almost choked at the question. Toye was so forward. But four pairs of eyeballs focused on Gabe, waiting for his answer.

  “Nope,” he said, fixing his eyes on Candace. “I’ve never been married. I never found the right woman, but I have a feeling my luck is about to change.”

  The mental undressing he gave Candace made her panties melt. It was almost as intimate as the day they met in line at Sampson’s. Only this gaze was more possessive. He’d tasted her. Had his hands on her. Claimed her with his kiss. She shivered involuntarily. She wanted to believe it was the breeze tiptoeing across her bare shoulders (She’d worn a strapless A-line dress with a pair of peep-to
e pumps). But she knew those goose bumps were from him.

  She boldly stared back, challenging him. “So, there is a special someone?” she asked.

  “Coulda been. Unfortunately, she said I’m too much of a distraction for her.”

  Candace’s heart pirouetted in her chest. Oh God! She hoped her family didn’t make the connection.

  “So, you’re ready to settle down?” Marlowe asked.

  Gabe swallowed the last bite of his cheesecake. “A man can only sow his oats for so long. Then, it’s time to grow up.”

  Candace smirked. “Have you sowed many oats, Mr. Hunt?”

  Their gazes locked again. “Let’s just say I know how to keep a woman happy.”

  “Ooh!” Ronnie burst out, “This conversation is taking a turn for the worse.”

  Marlowe smiled. “Or the better, depending on how you look at it.”

  They all laughed, including Candace, despite the throbbing between her legs. She’d been the recipient of Gabe’s kisses. She knew exactly how happy he could make someone.

  Toye saved the day when she replied, “Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say you’ve made us happy by turning tragedy into triumph, Gabe. And I know you’ll make some needy family happy when they’re able to move in.”

  Gabe flashed a devastating smile. “Yes, indeed. I’ll toast to that.” He held up his glass of water and clinked it against the raised glasses of the ladies at the table.

  “Sorry, guys,” Ronnie said, glancing at her wristwatch. “I’ve gotta run. Jovan is with the babysitter. I told her I’d only be gone a few hours.”

  They all decided to call it a night. Gabe escorted the ladies back to the hotel’s posh entrance where the valet drivers bought their cars around. Candace was still waiting for her Lexus long after Toye and her sisters had departed. Gabe stood with her near the glass doors at the front of the hotel.