James, Sherry - [Studs For Hire 02]

by Woman In Charge (lit)

  Casey's stomach gurgled again and she knew she was pressing her luck. She needed to get home. Rummaging through her purse, she dug out four rolls of film and tossed them to Alex.

  "Graceland?” he asked, holding up the film.

  "Yes. Do me a favor and see that they get developed, will you? There are plenty of one-hour places around. Terri can help you. And if you should need anything, just let her know. She'll take care of it. She's as efficient and as organized as a worker ant."

  "There is one thing I need."

  Was he suggesting what she hoped he was? No. She couldn't let her mind go there. Not today when she felt like death warmed over and she couldn't do a damn thing about being sick or wanting to jump his bones.

  "What's that?"

  "I need the original blueprints for Heather's house."

  Disappointment rolled over Casey and compounded her body aches, but what the hell did she expect? She was a mess, and with her chalky complexion she looked like she was the Bride of Frankenstein's sister. She wouldn't want to be intimate with herself, either.

  "Blueprints I can handle,” she said. “I'll make a call and see that they're delivered to you by this afternoon."

  "You know. You're pretty efficient yourself."

  "It comes from years of working in a male-dominated corporate world where women really are the backbones."

  "You'll get no argument from me on that score,” he quipped. “I'll get these pictures developed. They should give us a lot to work with."

  "I hope so. Keep your fingers crossed those inside the house turned out all right. A photographer I am not."

  "I'm sure they'll be great. In the meantime, I'm going to start working on some drawings for the addition."

  "Super. We'll need concrete plans as soon as possible. Sydnie's dad and brothers, Riley and Sons, is scheduled to do the heavy construction and they only have a three-week window to do it. Then our guys will step in and take care of the electrical, drywall and finish work. Hopefully by the time the addition is ready for us, we'll have the majority of the remodel done. And of course, all of this hinges on if the weather holds."

  "For an accountant, you know quite a bit about construction."

  "I'm a woman of many talents."

  He shortened the distance between them, his steps slow but full of intent. Intent upon throwing her down on the desk and finishing what they'd started in Memphis? Damn. Why did she insist upon torturing herself?

  "That you are,” he drawled. He brushed the back of his fingers along her cheek. His touch was comforting, mesmerizing, and Casey wouldn't be at all surprised if she was dreaming the whole thing. But her popping nerves and buckling knees told her she wasn't dreaming—she was dying of need.

  Her stomach lurched again, reminding her she was also dying of food poisoning. And the food poisoning was winning the game. She clamped a hand over her stomach.

  "Alex—"

  "Come on, sweetheart. I'm taking you home."

  * * * *

  "Sorry to interrupt, Alex,” Sydnie said as she came into Casey's office late that afternoon. “Here are the pictures. Four rolls, right?"

  "Right.” Alex turned his attention away from the preliminary blueprints he'd been working on for the last five hours and watched Sydnie place the packets of photos on the desk. “And you're not intruding. I could use a break.” He stood and stretched his stiff muscles. Autumn dusk encroached on the windows, proving he'd lost track of time.

  "How are the plans coming?” she asked.

  "Good. I've come up with a couple different possibilities. Hopefully Heather will be satisfied with at least one of them."

  "I hope so, too. But don't be surprised if she isn't. She can be ... picky.” Syd arched a brow and smiled.

  "I take it that's your polite way of saying she's difficult."

  "You got it."

  "That was my impression when I first met her. I'm glad to know it wasn't just me."

  "She's also impatient in case you missed that one. She's called five times today alone."

  Alex laughed. “Drawing up blueprints takes time. There are codes, city ordinances and structural considerations."

  "We know that but Heather, well she's used to getting what she wants, and when she wants it.” Syd crossed the room to Casey's refrigerator. “Can I get you something, Alex?"

  "Sure. Something nonalcoholic, but loaded with caffeine."

  "Feeling the need for a boost?"

  "You know it. I haven't caught up from the weekend yet."

  "Speaking of the weekend—sounds like you and Casey had an interesting one,” Syd said as she handed him a can of cola. Her pretty green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  Interesting was one way of putting it. He popped the can and downed a long swallow. He turned back to his drafting table. “Memphis is a neat place,” he said, not wanting to reveal what did and didn't happen between him and Casey. She'd been so ill the last two days he doubted she'd had much of a chance to confide in her friends about their trip.

  "Alex.” Syd let out a deep sigh and walked over to him. “I don't want you to think I'm sticking my nose into your business, but Casey is a dear friend. I'm not sure what your intentions are toward her, but I don't want to see her hurt again."

  Alex stiffened. Intentions? Sydnie obviously knew something he didn't. Did he have intentions toward Casey? And if so, what were they? Friendship? Lover? Something permanent? All of the above?

  Hell. He was on the verge of bankruptcy, and in no position to offer her anything more than his architectural know-how. He picked up a pencil and twirled it between his fingers, relishing in the familiarity of the one constant, sure element in his life.

  "Again?” he asked, diverting the direction of the conversation, curious to know more about the woman who intrigued him more than he liked to admit.

  "It's not really my place to say much,” Syd said. “But she's been in some relationships that didn't work out. Those weren't easy times for her."

  He'd suspected as much, she was a beautiful woman—there had to have been some men in her life. The idea of Casey loving another man, and receiving a broken heart in return, made his insides pulse with a mixture of jealousy and anger.

  He couldn't go there. Allowing himself to feel, to care, was a move in the wrong direction—for both of them. He'd already made a major mistake this past weekend by letting his guard down. He didn't wish food poisoning on anyone, but he had to admit, Casey's bout had been a mixed blessing and saved him from getting in too deep.

  "Some men are fools,” he said coldly. “And some women never learn."

  "I see,” Syd said dryly. Her eyes told him she'd gotten his message loud and clear. “I'll let you get back to work.” She headed for the door. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Reaching into her jeans pocket, she pulled out a key. “Here. This is for the back door of the office building. Lock up tight when you leave, will you?"

  He accepted the key and Alex wished it was Casey's warmth he felt through the brass. “Sure."

  "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

  "Night."

  Sydnie left him to his work, but Alex knew it was going to take more than solitude and caffeine to get his mind back on the unfinished blueprints in front of him.

  A sudden urge to call Casey, hear her voice, feel her vibes through the line made him reach for his cell. Flipping it open, he scrolled through the long list of numbers. He selected hers, but paused before pushing the send button.

  What excuse would he give for calling her? Hey, just checking in to see how you're feeling? Going to make it to work tomorrow? I miss you. I can't stand not seeing you. The memory of the scent of your hair drives me crazy.

  Alex groaned. Why did he keep drifting into dangerous territory? Since Valerie's deception, he'd steered clear of temptation and intimacy traps. And he needed it to stay that way.

  Letting out a heavy breath, he closed his phone. It was past time to get back to work, and past time to put Casey out of his mind.

/>   Restless and edgy, he crossed the room and saw the packs of pictures Syd had left. He reached for the envelopes, but his hand stilled. For the first time he noticed the top of Casey's desk revealed nothing of her personality. The oak surface was void of any typical office knickknacks except for a two by four wooden block stamped with the words Studs for Hire and their logo of a heart and a hammer. The only personal item set out for the world to see was what he assumed to be a family portrait. An older woman sat in the middle with five grown children, three women, and two men, surrounding her.

  An easy smile played at Casey's lips, as if she and her siblings shared some secret. Alex couldn't help wishing he knew the feeling of being a part of something so great, to know such a connection.

  Some things, he guessed, weren't meant to be.

  He took the Graceland photos and laid them out in order on the extra table Terri had brought in earlier that day. Casey claimed she was no photographer, but the photos proved otherwise. They clearly showed she not only had an eye for detail, but had a way of capturing the emotion behind the subject as well.

  He picked a photo up off the pile, but it was the one beneath that caught his attention. His breath hitched in his chest.

  Slowly, he picked up the photo taken by the Japanese tourist. Casey and he stood arm and arm, autumn leaves framing Graceland behind them. Flashes of their weekend together flooded his mind. His body responded to the memory of how the small of her back felt pressed against his arm, the way his hand cupped the top of her hip. Soft, curvy, and oh, so right. The vanilla scent of her hair that day still tantalized his senses.

  She really was beautiful. And smart. Witty. And sexy.

  And he was a fool to think he had anything to offer her.

  "I have to see him!” a demanding female voice said from down the hallway. Alex stiffened. A bad feeling filled his gut.

  "He doesn't want to be interrupted,” Sydnie insisted.

  "I won't take no for an answer,” the irate voice said again.

  Alex dropped the photo, intent on seeing what all the ruckus was about, but the office door flew wide before he took two steps. Heather marched in, her eyes ablaze with emerald fire.

  "Alex. Finally. I've been trying to get to you all day,” Heather exclaimed. She sauntered into the room in a flurry of mink and scarves, reminding him of an eccentric 1940's movie actress.

  Sydnie followed on the heels of their star client, threw up her hands in frustration, and mouthed the word sorry to Alex.

  "I have to talk to you,” Heather said dramatically as she rushed into his arms.

  "Whoa. What's the trouble?” He tried to dislodge her hold on him by taking a couple steps back, but she wasn't so easily put off and held on tight.

  "I know you don't like being interrupted, but I figured by now you'd be done for the day and it wouldn't be a problem."

  "Actually, I planned on working pretty late."

  "Oh, no?” she cooed. Brushing her hand slowly up and down his arm, she laid on the seduction thicker than dry wall mud. “I was looking forward to us having dinner. My treat."

  "Thanks for the invite, Heather, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I need to get these plans done. We're on a deadline, remember?” He twisted in her arms and this time managed to break free.

  The painted-on smile on Heather's face faded from seductive to one of blatant disappointment. “Surely you can take an hour or so to relax. You have to eat."

  "Sydnie has already ordered me something.” Glancing at Syd, he hoped she'd play along with his ruse and help him find a way out of this.

  "That's right. I was about to run and pick it up when you came, Heather."

  "Oh. Well, maybe some other time, then?” Heather arched a brow higher than Alex thought physically possible, and shot an irritated glare in Syd's direction.

  Syd got the hint. “I'll run now and get your supper, Alex. But I'll be back in just a few minutes.” She hurried from the room, an aggravated frown on her face. Alex didn't blame her for being pissed. In fact, Alex was feeling a little pissed himself.

  "Alone at last.” Heather wasted no time in shortening the distance between them again. “I've been hoping for some private time for us to get to know each other better. I feel like you've been avoiding me.” She stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.

  "I'm sorry you got that impression. That wasn't my intention,” he fibbed, and hoped he wouldn't be struck dead by lightning for it. “Casey and I have been busy working on your remodel."

  "Don't you think getting to know me better is important, Alex? After all I'm the one who is going to be living in the house after it's done. I'd think you'd want to fully understand my tastes and personality so it reflects in the design of the house."

  Not really. “There's no fear of me missing your dynamic personality, Heather,” he said reassuringly. “You've made my job easy. I understand exactly what it's going to take to make you happy."

  "Oh, yes,” she drawled. “I think you do.” One corner of her red lips curved up in a seductive sneer that would have made even Elvis proud.

  Damn. He wanted to tell her to back off, but Alex held himself in check. He needed the income from this job too much to run the risk of losing it. Pissing Heather off wasn't an option.

  "So, what was so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

  Heather's eyes darkened, obviously not happy he'd turned the conversation back to business. She circled the room inspecting the artwork, the furnishings, reminding him of a lioness sizing up the strength of her intended prey.

  Casey better watch her back. And he'd better watch his front.

  "I've recently acquired another, quite large, private collection of Elvis memorabilia,” she said casually. “And I'm always interested in acquiring more. I wanted to make sure you fully understood how much room I'm going to need before you got too far along with the plans."

  "Don't worry.” Alex turned toward the blueprints, lifting one off the table. “As you can see, this addition will not only be large enough to accommodate your current collection, but will allow you plenty of room to expand."

  Heather didn't bother glancing in his direction. She was too busy eyeing the groups of photos spread out on the table. “I'm sure it will. I have great confidence in you, Alex. That's why I insisted Casey secure you for the job."

  Alex held his breath, hoping she didn't notice the picture of him and Casey. Not that he really cared, but he didn't want to give this lioness anything more to sharpen her claws on.

  "You went to Graceland.” She turned around to face him. “I'm impressed. I appreciate a man who takes his client's desires so seriously."

  "I take my job seriously."

  "And what else?” she asked, walking his way, her hips swaying with purpose in every high-heeled step. Slowly she pulled the red silk scarf from around her neck, letting the fabric caress the expanse of bare skin at her throat.

  Alex gritted his teeth. Heather was purposefully backing him into a corner where he could see no escape.

  Shit. This was a lose-lose situation if he ever saw one. If he returned her interest just to pacify her, he'd only be digging himself into a deep hole with another conniving woman. If he turned her away, he'd blow the job for both him and Casey. And neither one could afford the loss.

  He was screwed—hopefully just metaphorically.

  She flicked the scarf and it landed on his shoulder. An overly sweet flowery scent, so unlike Casey's soft and subtle vanilla, filled his nose. His gut reaction was to toss aside the damn thing, but he restrained himself. This situation called for tact and professionalism if he hoped to survive unscathed.

  She slipped her hands under the thick fur lapels of her coat and lifted the garment off her shoulders and down her arms. A lump formed in his throat at the sight of the skin tight, white satin jumpsuit she wore encrusted with sparkling colored stones. The front v'd open down to her belly button, showing off more than cleavage. She slipped on a pair of silver-rimmed dark glasses, completing
her Elvis look."Do you like it?” she asked with a dare in her voice.

  Man, was he in trouble. “What's the occasion?"

  "It's my Halloween costume, silly."

  "Halloween isn't for a couple of weeks."

  "I know, but I wanted to try it out—see if you like it.” She struck a pose and winked.

  "It's...” She licked her full, red lips, interrupting his train of thought. Son of a bitch.

  "A man of few words, aren't you, Alex,” she drawled. She sauntered toward him, her intent clear. Double son of a bitch.

  "Yeah. Few words."

  Chapter Twelve