by Anne Rainey
He shifted around so their gazes connected. “Maybe you haven’t met the right person either. Ever think of that?”
“You could be right,” she admitted. “But even so, I don’t have time for a personal life right now. I’m trying to run a shop, and that takes a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Jason tsked. “And maybe you’re afraid that you’ll make the wrong choice again. Better to turn me down now than get hurt later, right?
“No. Yes.” She cursed. “You’re making me crazy!”
He could see how frazzled she was getting and rushed to calm her down. “Shh. All I want you to do is think about my offer. A date, Emma, that’s all it is. Okay?”
“Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Now I have another proposition for you.”
She sighed. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“You look like you could use an extra hand around here. How about I come over tomorrow, and you can put me to work. Maybe we’ll get to know each other better. And you’ll see I’m not…Damian.”
Her eyes brightened, and Jason held his breath. “I couldn’t pay you.”
“Not a problem,” he replied. “This is a friend helping a friend.”
“Can you be here at eight?”
He mentally brought up his calendar and realized he was free in the morning. “Yep. I can give you until noon.”
“Great, I’ll see you then.” She looked him over. “And wear something that you don’t mind getting paint on.”
He nodded. It wasn’t the date he wanted, but he’d be spending time with Emma. He’d be able to get to know her, and hopefully she’d get to know him. With any luck she’d see that he was worth taking a chance on. They talked a little longer, then she showed him out and locked up behind him. Already, Jason was looking forward to tomorrow. And all he’d be doing was painting. Damn, he had it bad.
Chapter Five
Jason had shown up bright and early as promised. And he’d even brought breakfast. Doughnuts and coffee. Her mouth had watered instantly. Although, that could’ve been because of the man rather than the pastries. He’d done as she’d instructed and worn old clothes. A ragged black T-shirt with stains all over it and an old pair of worn jeans. If he were anyone else, he would’ve passed for a vagrant. But Jason still managed to look dead sexy.
When she glanced over at him now, busy painting the back wall, Emma pictured how delicious Jason had looked as he’d sat across from her, all but devouring the powder-sugared treat.
Now, as she perched atop the hard, wooden stool behind the counter and attempted to at least pretend to go through the mail, Jason steadily worked away. Her gaze kept straying to the way his arms flexed as he rolled the paint up and down the wall with steady, even strokes. She started to get a little overheated and decided a break was in order. “Do you want something to drink?”
He smiled over at her. “Nope, I’m good.”
I’ll just bet you are. Emma fled the room. She needed ice water and lots of it.
Jason watched Emma leave the room. He swiped a bead of sweat off his brow. Christ, he had to keep it together. The last thing Emma needed was him coming at her like some hormonal teenager. Several minutes passed before Emma reentered the room. Jason moved on to a second wall. He would’ve had them both done well before now if he’d been keeping his mind on his task. Emma was infinitely more fascinating to watch, though. God, he’d give anything to have the right to cross the room and take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. At that moment, Emma glanced up from her work. Their gazes clashed and held. Her lips parted and her nipples peaked beneath the red blouse she wore. Hell, a man didn’t have to be a mind reader to know if a woman was ready and aching. When it came down to it, if it weren’t for the fact that he was half turned away, Emma would’ve seen just how much her presence affected him. Looking at her was a delight, but it was pure hell not to be able to touch.
Time to take his mind off what lay just beyond his reach.
“So, tell me more about yourself, Emma. What made you want to own your own shop?” There, that was surely safe territory. Besides, he really did want to know more about her. She fascinated him.
“I never imagined running my own business, but once the idea struck, it just felt right.” Emma smiled. “I love the customers, and I enjoy selling things that make people happy. Is that silly?”
“Not at all. It’s sort of the reason we opened Man-Maid. We wanted to be our own bosses, and we were tired of working the usual, boring nine-to-five.” Emma smiled, and it reached clear to her eyes. She was so damn pretty when she did that. Her come-hither eyes and voluptuous figure sent him into a spin, and he nearly dropped the roller.
“I understand that. After Damian and I split, I was ready for a change.” She laughed. “It was either this or I was going to turn into a hermit with a dozen cats.”
Damian sounded like a real ass, but he was glad she’d turned her attention to making her life her own. And the excitement in her voice when she talked about her shop was easy enough to catch. She obviously loved what she did, and since she enjoyed it so much, she could hardly fail. Her intelligence and drive were a recipe for success, that much was certain.
Funny, Jason enjoyed talking to Emma about her life. At first, he’d been so damn preoccupied with getting a date with her that he hadn’t considered anything else. Now, he could see just how wrapped up in lust he’d been.
As he continued painting, attempting to keep his focus on the wall and not on the woman across the room, he asked, “What does your family think of your shop?”
Emma was quiet long enough that Jason turned to look at her. She seemed preoccupied with the pile of papers in front of her, but he could see he’d hit a nerve all the same. “You okay?”
“Oh yes,” she replied. “It’s just that I don’t really have much in the way of family.”
She didn’t elaborate, and Jason didn’t pry. She’d tell him all about her herself in her own time. All the same, Jason felt sorry for her. He couldn’t imagine if he didn’t have his brother, Jensen, and his parents. Family was everything to him. He felt a surge of protectiveness toward Emma. He stiffened his spine, shaking off the effect that she alone seemed to have on him, and got back to the nearly completed wall. The sooner he finished, the quicker he could get back to begging Emma for a date.
“So, what else can you do besides paint?” she asked, as if trying to take his focus off her.
“Let’s see, I can fix cars, hang drywall, and, thanks to the new Man-Maid Cleaning Service I co-own, I can also make a floor shine like nobody’s business,” Jason answered, pleased at the interest in Emma’s expression. He smiled to himself. God, she was such a shy little thing, but genuinely curious about him all the same. She was full of mysteries, but honest and sweet.
Jason dipped the roller in the pan and continued talking. “My dad’s mission in life when Jensen and I were growing up was making sure we could fend for ourselves. While other kids were playing video games after school, Jensen and I were learning how to rebuild a transmission.”
“Sounds like he did a good job with you, though.”
“Yeah, he’s a pretty great dad.” One final stroke and the wall was finished. Jason stepped back and inspected his work. “Well, what do you think, boss?”
“Wow,” Emma said with a thrilling amount of awe in her voice. “I had no idea you could get it done so fast.” Then her face took on a look of embarrassment. “I wish I could afford to pay you. It’s just that I’m a brand-new shop owner, and I’m not in a position to hire help. Yet.” She bit her lip in worry. “I hope you understand.”
Jason held out his hand and whispered, “Come here.”
His hand, his deep voice, they were tempting enticements and Emma knew she was helpless to them both. His brows had bunched together while he’d worked. His confident hands constantly moving the roller
in sure, steady strokes. She’d been going crazy wondering what else the man could do with such thoroughness. Did he have that sort of concentration in everything he did? If so, he’d be one heck of a lover.
Emma stepped off the stool, stretching out her stiff legs and spine, then closed the distance between them. She became aware of her growing excitement with each step she took. Jason watched her as if he wanted to devour her in one languorous bite.
The minute she came within reach, he grasped her hand in a firm, unyielding hold. It was almost as if he were afraid she would slip through his fingers. Emma had to hold back a moan when his large, rough hand closed around hers.
He pulled her directly in front of him, and suddenly she felt the entire length of his body against her back. She trembled and closed her eyes. The wet paint, the wall, her shop were all but forgotten.
“Well? Does it pass muster?”
Jason’s whispered words drew her out of the web of desire he’d spun around her.
“It’s…it’s perfect.” She started to thank him, but as she turned her head and saw the intensity in Jason’s eyes, Emma clamped her mouth shut instead.
“Go to dinner with me,” he murmured. “Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up.”
Oh boy, things were getting real now. Fear crept up her spine as old insecurities began to seep in around the edges of her heart. “Jason, I don’t know.”
“Give me a chance, Emma,” he said, his voice a little rougher now. “I’m not the young, stupid kid I was in high school. Let me prove it to you.”
Did she dare? She ached to say yes. To spend more time with him. To have the moment she was denied all those years ago. Before she could talk herself out of it, Emma blurted out, “Yes.”
“You won’t regret it.” His gaze zeroed in on her mouth, and he murmured, “Maybe this will tide me over until then.” He lowered his head, and Emma went still, accepting the kiss. When his lips touched hers, she tasted the sweetness of the doughnut, but beneath that was the wild flavor of Jason. And she was certain that last part was what kept her from pushing away and ending the kiss.
His lips were soft as they coasted back and forth, barely touching hers. As his tongue darted out, a shiver of excitement raced the length of her spine. When he pulled back and stared down at her, Emma could see the hunger in those deep, sexy eyes of his. She understood the feeling. It wasn’t just her lips screaming for more of his touch.
Without another word, Jason stood and walked out. After she heard the front door close, Emma collapsed against the back of the chair. Oh God, she was going on a date with Jason Kershaw. An entire evening with the intoxicating man. She’d have him all to herself. The juncture between her thighs dampened. She covered her face and groaned. “I’m in way too deep.”
After Jason left Emma’s curio shop, he set his mind on business. He had two houses to clean and an office. It would be several hours before he was finished, but he enjoyed the work. Which surprised the hell out of him. Who knew that wielding a mop and scrubbing out toilets would be a rewarding job? So far, the way things worked, Jason was the guy to drum up business while Jensen worked the figures. They each, Seth and Ames included, had a list of clients they serviced. They were talking about a newspaper ad and possibly hiring an employee for the mounting office work, but other than that, Man-Maid Cleaning Service was consistently getting stronger.
An hour later, Jason stood in the Wilsons’ house, cleaning the master bedroom. They were good people, both working parents with a pair of toddlers. Hiring Man-Maid had freed the couple up so that they managed to squeeze in a little quality time. A sense of pride filled Jason as he surveyed his handy work. The pine hardwood floor shown to perfection. The sheets were freshly washed, and hell if he didn’t enjoy seeing a job well done. As he headed down the hall to the laundry room to finish up a load of towels, his thoughts strayed to Emma. Her pretty smile had invaded his mind as he’d dusted the top of the entertainment cabinet. He remembered the way she’d watched him as he’d painted her shop. And he’d enjoyed every second of it. Jason loved being in Emma’s company. When was the last time he’d appreciated a woman’s company outside of bed? Hell, it’d been too long to remember.
Jason tossed a load into the dryer, before moving down the hall to the toddlers’ room. He stopped and stared at the door, wishing he were with Emma instead of wiping down furniture and mopping floors. Soon, he reminded himself. She’d agreed to dinner, and he’d make every second of their date count.
After finishing up for the day, Jason headed back to the office. He needed to take care of ordering supplies and returning a few calls. Ten minutes later, Jason was deep in invoices, when Jensen confronted him with a new problem.
“I’ve interviewed a few candidates for the office position, and I can’t find anyone that fits the bill,” Jensen said as he sat in the seat across from his desk.
Jason pointed over his shoulder to the window. AJ stood in the parking lot, cleaning out one of their work vans. “What about AJ?”
Jensen frowned as he glanced out the window. “What about her?”
“I say we ask her if she’s interested in the job.”
His brother stood and went to the window. A beat of silence stretched between them as Jensen watched her. “Do you think she’d be interested?”
“I don’t know. She has that administrative assistant job at the IT center, but I don’t think she’s happy there. I’ve heard her complain more than once about her lecherous boss.”
“She’s smart, ambitious, and already knows the business as well as we do.”
“Exactly. So, do you want to talk to her?”
Jensen turned around and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll talk to her first thing tomorrow.”
“Good deal,” Jason replied. Jensen frowned as he sat back down. His brother should be happy, so why wasn’t he? “What else is eating you?”
The instant Jensen’s gaze landed on him, Jason knew he’d hit a nerve. There was something Jensen wasn’t sharing. Something big. “Out with it, bro,” Jason prompted.
He dragged his hand over his face before saying, “I’ve made a decision, and I want your opinion.”
Jason let a slight grin appear. “I love giving my opinion. Shoot.”
“I want Marquetta to be my wife.”
Jason chuckled. Several months ago, Marquetta had saved Jensen from being flattened by a big-ass truck. Jensen had been head over heels with the blonde ever since. “And does she have a say in this decision?”
“Right now she hates me.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “I doubt it, but what’d you do?”
“I pissed her off when I told her I’d pay for her school in the fall.”
“What’s wrong with that? Seems like a decent gesture.”
Jensen threw up his hands. “I thought so too. I’d made a few investments, and they’d paid off. But you know Marquetta. She’s too proud and wants to stand on her own two feet. She thinks I’m trying to coddle her.”
Jason whistled low. “So apologize. And use flowers. Maybe chocolate.”
Jensen arched a brow. “Gee, ya think?”
“So, marriage huh?” Jason wondered what it’d be like to be that head-over-heels in love with a woman. He shuddered. “You haven’t known Marquetta all that long. How can you be so sure she’s the one?”
“I think I knew it the instant she saved my life. Dad always said that we’d know the instant we met ‘the one’. I never truly believed that until Marquetta.”
Jason was happy for his brother, even if he didn’t quite understand. “Well, she really is something. Smart, gorgeous, and she doesn’t put up with your shit. She’s got my vote.” Jason’s eyebrows pulled together as he asked, “You’re sure you’ll be content never…sampling any other fruit?”
Jensen merely smiled and said, “Yep. Believe it or not, I even imagine her pregnant with my child.
Crazy right?”
Jason held up his hands. “Hey, better you than me. And yes, I’ll gladly be your best man.”
Jensen stood, but before he left, he turned and said, “I’d be careful if I were you, man. Your turn could be coming sooner than you think.”
Jason mulled that over well after his brother had left. Just as he was about to get up and leave for the day, Seth and Ames walked in. “Where’s your brother headed? He looked like a man on a mission,” Ames said.
“He’s in the doghouse with Marquetta, and he aims to rectify this situation before he takes up permanent residence there.” Jason left off the part about the marriage proposal. That was Jason’s business to share. “What’s up with you two? Finished for the day?”
“Yep,” Seth said. Both men went straight to the large window and stared at AJ as she worked her fingers to the bone. Seth’s entire body was tense, and Ames looked as if he’d been struck dumb. Did they realize that every time their gazes landed on the petite AJ, they turned mute?
“What do you guys think of AJ being on the payroll?”
Seth nodded. “About time. She isn’t officially part of Man-Maid, but she helps out enough that she may as well be.”
Right now, she had both Seth and Ames running around in circles. Did the woman have any clue?
“She’s wearing those workout shorts again,” Seth grumbled as his concentration went back to AJ.
“I love those shorts,” Ames muttered right back.
Seth pushed away from the window and dropped into a chair. He ran a hand over his messy, sandy-blond hair, not that it mattered. It obviously hadn’t seen a comb in days. He wore worn-out jeans and the company’s black fitted T-shirt that read We Polish It Until It Shines in bold letters across the back with the Man-Maid logo on the front. “Yeah, and so does every other guy within touching distance of her.”
Ames kept his focus glued to AJ. Today he wore a pair of black slacks along with the company T-shirt. His collar-length black hair was combed and neat, probably in anticipation of seeing AJ.
