He glanced around. Where’s the dude? Is he already upstairs in her bedroom? Woe be unto him. Anger twisted him up inside. Not good. He would deal with it later. At the moment, he wanted to take care of the intruder. “Where is he?”
“Who?”
She grabbed her thick auburn hair and quickly pulled it up into a ponytail. How he wanted to run his fingers through those silky looking strands.
“The man I saw. The owner of the car sitting out in your driveway. Where is he?”
“Up in my room. He’s—”
He made a beeline for the stairs only to meet the offending subject as he descended the last step.
“Okay, Ms. Patterson. I have good news and bad news.”
“Who are you?” Lawrence demanded.
“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Yolanda said. “He’s a contractor. I decided to have the house checked over. After the cabinet fiasco, I got a little insecure about this place.” She stepped closer to the guy. “Okay, give me the good news.”
“The house is sound as a dollar.”
“So, what’s the bad news?” She twisted her mouth in confusion.
“The roof. It’s gonna cost you. If you have a big rain like the one last year, your house will get flooded.”
“Oh no.”
He turned his attention to Lawrence. “Hello, there. I’m Bob Kenny.” The man stuck out his hand. “Are you the young man fixing her cupboard?”
Realizing he’d nearly made a complete fool of himself, Lawrence shook his hand. Pull yourself together, man. “Yeah, how do you do?”
“Great job so far,” Mr. Kenny said. “Can you do roof work? Just to let you know, it’s not easy and you have to get permits and all that good stuff.”
I’m willing to do anything to keep you away from here. “I’m very handy, and I’m not just bragging,” he said, leaning against the newel post.
“Oh, honey, I couldn’t have you do something like that.” Yolanda came closer to him.
Could her perfume make him any hornier? He almost forgot they weren’t alone in the room. It wasn’t until Mr. Kenny shoved a piece of paper in his face that Lawrence realized the contractor was still in her house.
“Here’s an estimate of what it could cost if my men and I do it. However, if you and a few friends do most of the labor and find deals on roofing material, you can save about sixty percent. But like I said, it’s a lot of work, and you’ll need someone with experience.”
Lawrence took the paper, checking over it. Piece of cake. He knew a few guys who had some skills like himself. He would be more than happy to do the repairs for Yolanda. “I think I’ll take it on.”
“Lawrence, I didn’t mean for you to do any backbreaking work. You just got home.”
“Work? Nah, it’ll be fun. But you might be put out a bit. There will be a time when you just can’t stay here.”
“All right then, I’ll let you two figure it out.” Mr. Kenny walked past them. “I see the young man has made up his mind. But don’t hesitate to call if you need some help.” He grabbed his jacket.
“Let me show you out. Thanks again for coming by.” She showed him to the door.
Good. He’s gone. He still couldn’t believe what he’d thought earlier. Had the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head, or what?
Yolanda returned to the room. “So, what do you think?”
“I can handle it, and I have some friends who can help.”
“Wow, I really appreciate it. But you don’t have to do it right away. In fact, you can wait a few months—”
“Nonsense. Anyway, you heard the man. Another storm, and your home is trashed. And as I mentioned earlier, there will be a time when you’ll have to leave the house. You can come stay with Lizzy, Hank, and me during that time.”
“Oh, I don’t know—”
“Are you kidding me? You’re family. Besides, Aunt Lizzy would love having you over. Then you two can gossip all day long with no interruptions.” Lawrence grinned.
Yolanda put her hands on her hips. “Is that all you think we do?”
“No, you guys eat pastries, too. Besides, there’s a guest room right next to mine.”
“I’ll have to think it over. I’m in no rush, and the roof is not going to cave in on me tonight.”
That wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. She could be too damn practical for his tastes. He kinda wished she had an impulsive streak in her. But she’d always had a level head on her shoulders, which was one of the many things he loved about her. “Okay. Just let me know when you’re ready. I’ll get my crew together, and we’ll get the roof replaced in no time.”
“Thanks, sweet pea.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
His face heated. She’d always called him sweet pea. He’d thought he would get tired of the term of endearment, but it still got him warm all over. And the kiss had gotten him hot, too.
“I have to go. Lizzy needs some things from the store. You need anything?”
Yolanda glanced back into the kitchen. She touched her hand to her chin and shook her head. “Nope, I’m cool.”
“Okay, see you later.” Lawrence left and returned to his aunt’s house. He remembered his professor colleague had planned to come by and pick him up. He was glad, too—his own car was in the shop.
“Hey, Lizzy, back!” he yelled from the porch. “I’m heading to the store, is milk all you need?”
“Bring some instant coffee and some Irish creamer, too,” she hollered back.
“Gotcha!”
As he strode down the street, he spotted Yolanda exit her house and go to her car. She waved and smiled. Lawrence did the same. He almost wanted to blow her a kiss. He’d never been more attracted to a woman in his life.
Okay, I’m being ridiculous. Maybe if he told her how he felt, they could discuss the matter and get the whole thing out in the open. Obviously, he was attracted to her, and not some silly crush this time. If anything, his feeling for her had grown stronger. He’d nearly punched a stranger because of his jealously.
So, when to have the conversation? He needed just the right time. How was he supposed to tell a woman, who was his aunt’s best friend, he thought he was falling for her?
***
Yolanda retrieved her client’s portfolio from her car. As she shut the door, she saw Lawrence walking down the street. She did need some things from the store, too. However, she didn’t want him coming over again. She needed to get him out of her system.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like his company. Just the opposite. He made her feel good. So good, she felt guilty. No woman her age should feel that way about a young man like him.
Having him in her kitchen with his shirt off the other day had thrown her feelings into a tailspin. She’d thought she might have been having hot flashes. But she’d never had a hot flash like that. The boy was actually getting her hot and bothered.
He was all male, and she recognized it all too well.
Grabbing the portfolio, she hurried inside. Once there, she sat down in the breakfast nook to think. The idea of staying at Liz’s place while Lawrence and his friends fixed her roof made sense—in theory.
But in the guest room right next to his bedroom? Instantly, an image of her sneaking into his room, watching him sleep played in her mind. Good gosh, her thoughts easily bordered on perversion. More like something out of an adult porn movie. The older woman seducing her son’s best friend or friend’s son. Any kinky combo would fit.
“Oh God.” She put her head in her hands. This was so wrong. Why did these thoughts and scenarios haunt her? I need to get my mind out of the gutter.
But was it really in the gutter? They were her private thoughts. Just thinking of him in a less than, ahem, neighborly way shouldn’t be any harm. Right?
That’s it! Back to work. Focusing on her computer screen, she started on her client’s website.
She checked the clock on her laptop and noticed three hours had passed. She’d gotten a lot don
e, and her client hadn’t called or emailed her about any additional changes—so far.
She leaned back in her chair, stretched, and rose to get some coffee to jumpstart her second wind. After filling her cup, she realized she’d forgotten to bring in her newspaper this morning. With everything going on with Mr. Kenny looking at her place and Lawrence coming over with his offer, she’d completely forgotten.
As she made her way to the front door, she remembered something about Lawrence’s behavior. He’d been agitated…no, he’d been mad. He’d asked about the man, actually demanded to know where he was. Why? Why had he been so insistent and upset? Even after he’d met Mr. Kenny, he’d been cold toward him. That wasn’t like him. He’d acted like a jealous lov—
Oh no. It couldn’t be. How ludicrous. Why would he be jealous of a man in her house? What had gone through his mind and why?
She dismissed the foolish thoughts immediately. Maybe it was just him being a man. Even as a kid, Lawrence had been overprotective of her. It had been cute then. But now? She wasn’t sure what to feel. His actions disturbed her, and yet another part of her was flattered.
“Okay, you really need to get a hold of yourself.” Yolanda opened the door to get her paper from the front steps. When she bent down to pick it up, she noticed a bright red sports car, pulling up in front of Liz’s house.
She frowned. Had Liz said anything about having company? Yolanda waited for the driver to get out.
Bouncy, blonde, curvy, and young.
The lady leaned into the car and honked the horn. A minute later Lawrence came flying out.
A friend of his? He’d never mentioned a female friend. He definitely hadn’t mentioned seeing anyone. And why did the hair on the back of her neck stand up?
He approached the woman, picked her up, and kissed her.
What? Yolanda cringed. What an odd reaction.
She mentally regrouped. Liz had said she assumed he had a girlfriend but had never verified the fact. Lawrence hadn’t mentioned one. Yet here was blondie—the typical Barbie doll, shapely, fast-car chick.
Yolanda stalked back into the house and threw down the paper. So Lawrence had a secret lover. Well, not so secret. The woman had parked right in front of his house.
Should she call Liz and hint around? Maybe she would tell her about the mystery chick. She looked up at the ceiling and blew out a breath. I’m acting silly. Why should I care who he dates? He’s a grown man, and more importantly, I have no claim to him.
But it still bugged the hell out of her.
“Okay, you need to go back to work and get this boy off your mind.” Yolanda returned to her laptop. Her day would not be ruined.
She glanced toward the window and sighed. She wasn’t fooling anyone. Who was that woman, and why did seeing her make me so angry? I should be happy for Lawrence.
But she wasn’t.
Chapter Five
After three more hours, Yolanda finished her client’s page. As expected, he e-mailed her with some changes.
“That’s fifty bucks a pop, buddy,” she said to the screen.
“Wow, fifty bucks a pop. What you have must be pretty damn good.”
Yolanda jumped up off her chair and peeked into the living room. “Lawrence. When did you get here?”
“I called you from the front door, but I guess you were so engrossed in your latest project, you didn’t hear me.”
“Guess not.” Oh Lord, he looks sexier than ever. Why are his shirts so tight? “Have a seat. What can I get you?” She walked to the kitchen, and he followed her, settling in at the table.
“Nothing, I’m going back home in a sec. I just came over to tell you, I talked to my buddies, and they will be happy to help with the roof.”
“Whoa, whoa. I told you there was no rush.”
“And I told you I don’t mind.”
She offered him some leftover doughnuts, and he crammed half of one in his mouth.
“Mmm. This is the richest chocolate doughnut, I ever tasted. The chips actually melt in your mouth. Love that machine.” Reaching over, he took her hand. The warmth and strength brought the prickling back in her skin. Her hand felt too good in his. “We can start as soon as two weeks from today. It’s perfect timing, too. By the time we finish, if there are no unforeseen problems, I’ll be teaching at the university.”
“So, you’re going to spend your free time doing backbreaking work. How about your social life?”
Lawrence laughed. “What social life? Aunt Lizzy just complained that I spend too much time with my head in the books as it is.”
Yolanda watched him as he continued eating. Good Lord…that mouth! He wiped his hand on a napkin and then ran his fingers over that sexy as hell buzz cut. “But how about your girlfriend?” Yolanda wanted to slap her hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to blurt anything out, but the image of the perky blonde had stuck in the back of her mind.
“What girlfriend?” Lawrence got up and helped himself in the fridge.
“The girl I saw you with earlier?”
His confused expression told her he had no idea what she meant. Or was he playing dumb? “What are you talking about?”
“The girl with the flashy car.” She caught herself tapping her foot and stopped.
He leaned against the counter, looking at her as though she’d grown extra arms. But all of the sudden, a wide grin swept across his mouth. His whole face lit up.
So sexy, masculine, and dangerous. He could charm a nun.
“Ohh. Her.”
“That’s kinda cold.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
Oh great! Wait, that wasn’t the reaction she should have had. Why the hell did she care one way or another whether the blonde was his girlfriend or not? “Oh?”
“No. That was Professor Grayson. She’s a mathematician, too. In fact, one of the best. She’s helping me with an ancient theory, equations actually.”
“Ahh.” For some reason, she felt much better.
He cocked his head. “When did you see her?”
“I was getting the paper earlier, and I saw her pull up and you come out and—”
“Ahh.” Lawrence nodded. “No, we have no romantic interest in each other. I love her for her mind. Really.”
“She seemed awfully pretty—for a mathematician.”
He had taken a gulp of whatever he had poured to drink, and sat the glass down on the counter. “Not my type.”
“I see. I guess I jumped to some pretty wrong conclusions.”
“Are you glad?’ he asked, in a low voice.
“Um…well, it’s not for me to tell you who to date.” What did he mean by such a question? “I was just curious, since you never mentioned a girlfriend or anything. Then all of a sudden I see this woman….”
Boy, his question had knocked her for a loop. She hadn’t known how to respond.
“I see. You’ll be glad to know I am free.” He chuckled.
“Oh, Lawrence, I didn’t mean anything by it.” But I’m glad you cleared things up.
“I know. But it’s still kinda nice you were wondering.” He winked at her.
If the kitchen had been big enough, he would have done a backflip. So, Yolanda had gotten jealous. She’d actually wondered who Professor Grayson was. Hot damn!
Her reaction only meant one thing—she thought about him in ways that weren’t entirely neighborly. Not that he minded.
So, maybe they could have that conversation. He had a shot. If she was concerned about Grayson, she had to have some feelings for him. Although, he could tell by her body language she wasn’t going to admit to anything. That needed to change.
He picked up his glass and finished off his milk. Part of his plan was in action already. He wanted to start working on Yolanda’s roof as soon as possible. And once repairs got too noisy and messy, she would be at his place. But for the situation to progress farther, they needed to get their feelings out in the open. They would both remain in the dark if no one spoke up.
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Which raised another problem. How to break the ice? If he wanted her near him, having her stay with Lizzy made sense, and Yolanda wouldn’t balk at the idea. However, if he’d had his own place and told her she could stay there, she wouldn’t go for it. The best scenario for him would freak her out. Her with him—alone.
That would be a blessing. He sighed. He had some serious planning to do. Making sure everything came together just right would take some cleaver maneuvering.
“I’m going back home to get some work done. Anything you want me to tell Lizzy?”
Yolanda tapped her chin. “If she’s not busy, she can come over and get the recipe I promised, and I need my Crock-Pot back. I’m making a stew.”
“Pot roast?” His stomach growled.
She smiled. “Pot roast.”
***
Later that evening, Lawrence sat alone in his bedroom thinking.
“She was jealous.” He had to keep saying it out loud. He just couldn’t believe it. But what to do with the revelation?
He knew what he really wanted to do. However, taking her in his arms, kissing her crazy, and hauling her upstairs to her bedroom was out of the question. He had a strong suspicion she wouldn’t go for that—yet.
He tried digging into his books, but every time he started an equation, his mind drifted back to Yolanda.
Maybe the best approach would be an honest, blunt one.
Chapter Six
Yolanda got the coffee and her fresh homemade bagels ready. The smell of blueberries perfumed the kitchen. She picked one off the plate, still hot and not too dense. Her doughnut machine had really come in handy. Her hips would pay for it later.
The doorbell rang, and she took the coffeepot off the burner and reluctantly put down the pastry. “Coming.”
She opened the door and let Liz in.
“Hey, here’s your Crock-Pot.” She handed the bulky appliance to her. “I have to try your fried chicken recipe. I’m thinking it would be great for Lawrence’s welcome home party.”
Love Thy Neighbor's Nephew Page 3