“Hey, I was supposed to help you with that,” Zoe protested.
Jeff raised a brow. “Dressed like that? I don’t think so.”
“I only stopped in because I wanted to tell you about what I bought at the antiques shop in Cambridge. Then I’m going home to change into my work duds. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” He ambled toward the stairs.
“Aren’t you the least bit interested in what I bought?” Hands on her hips, she frowned in annoyance.
Jeff kept walking. “All I need to know is whether it will all fit into Dad’s van. As far as looks go, tomorrow is soon enough to see what you spent your money on.”
Zoe watched him disappear down the stairs. “Gee, I thought he’d be at least a tiny bit curious.” She squared her shoulders to hide her disappointment. “Well, I guess I’d better get over to Marjorie’s and change clothes.”
Frank patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t take it too hard. There are times when I’ve wanted to kick him in the pants, myself.”
She gave him a half-smile. “I guess any kind of shopping is a girl thing as far as Jeff’s concerned.”
“I’ll drop you off at the B and B, Zoe,” Amanda offered. “I’ve got a new client appointment in twenty minutes so I’m leaving anyway.”
Zoe brightened. “Thanks, Mandy. I owe you dinner for seeing that ad and driving me there and back. Pick a night next week and we’ll go to Donatelli’s.”
Jeff almost missed the first step as he headed downstairs. If Zoe put her arms around him one more time he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to pull her closer and kiss the hell out of those perfect lips. He needed to get outside where the cool air would help get his libido under control.
She’d been so damn cute standing under the skylight blowing kisses up at him, it was all he could do not to grin at her like a fool. Then she had to hug him right in front of his dad. Jen would get the exaggerated version of that episode at home tonight and his life would be a living hell from then on as she teased him about Zoe mercilessly.
He grabbed the bucket of tar and climbed the ladder to the roof. Once up there, he took a moment to watch Zoe climb into Amanda’s car. By the time he was done up here, she would be back. While his dad finished up the final plumbing connections he’d let her help him with the sheet-rock. He chuckled to himself thinking about how indignant she was when he’d said his dad would give him a hand with that.
Having his dad there to help with the skylights had put him ahead of schedule, so the time they would take off to pick up the furniture Zoe bought today would basically be a wash. The timing was fine with him but the thought of Zoe and his dad chatting as they drove to Cambridge had him worried. He had no doubt that he would be the topic of conversation if his father had anything to do with it. If he made a slip and said anything about Jenny their carefully laid plans would go up in smoke.
He finished sealing the flashing and hurried inside. His dad was attaching the showerhead in Zoe’s bathroom. He’d chosen a molded shower enclosure to save money but picked one large enough to occupy the same amount of space that a tub would in case Zoe wanted to upgrade in the future. She’d told him not to worry about that since she was a ‘shower-girl,’ not a ‘tub-girl’ but he wanted to keep all the options open. He had visions of Zoe in a tub full of bubbles, crooking a finger to invite him to join her. Heat arrowed through his body, settling solidly in his crotch. Maybe he’d better test that shower now. On cold.
He heard the door open downstairs. Zoe must be back already. In a moment she appeared in her usual work clothes, jeans and a scruffy T-shirt. She came to the bathroom door, pulling her long hair back into a low ponytail. The motion stretched the shirt, outlining her breasts, and he fought to keep his eyes on her face.
“Okay, I’m ready to work.”
“Before you two get started I’d like to mention something for you to consider, Zoe.”
“What is it, Frank?”
“I checked the hot water heater downstairs. It’s pretty old and not very large. You may want to think about replacing it with a larger capacity one or one of those newer heat-on-demand types, especially since it will be handling your apartment as well as the restrooms down in the gallery.”
Zoe nodded slowly. “What do you think, Jeff?”
“I had similar thoughts when I worked up the estimate for you, but since you needed to cut costs to the bone, I decided to let that wait until you had some money coming in. Dad’s right about the necessity but I don’t think it’s urgent. The decision’s yours, though.”
“How much are we looking at?”
Frank fielded that question. “Depends on whether you go for gas or electric, tank-less or traditional tank models, and size if you go with a tank model. Cheapest would be electric tank, probably around four hundred dollars. They’re cheaper to buy but cost a bit more to run. I didn’t see any gas lines downstairs so I’m guessing the building isn’t connected to a gas main, right?” He looked to Jeff for confirmation and got an affirmative nod. “Tell you what. There’s a wholesale plumbing supply outlet in Salisbury and since I’m a contractor I should be able to get you a good price. I could drive over there and have one back here and hooked up this afternoon.” He shrugged. “It’s up to you.”
Jeff watched Zoe weigh the pros and cons. It was a tough call.
“Since you offered and you’re able to do it so quickly, I think I’ll go ahead and make the investment. Winter’s coming and I’m not really into cold showers.” She smiled. “Thanks for offering, Frank. You’re sure you’re okay with doing this?” She glanced between him and his dad.
“Nah, no problem. Let me wash up and I’ll get right over there.”
“Okay, I’ll get you a signed check to take with you. Thank you again, Frank.” Zoe went down the stairs to the office.
“I can come along if you’d . . .” Jeff began.
“Not necessary. They’ll load it into the truck. I won’t need you till I get back with it. Meanwhile you two can work on the drywall.”
At which point Jeff would be the one needing the cold shower.
The dry wall went up faster than Zoe had anticipated. Jeff installed it horizontally so once the bottom piece was nailed in place, he hoisted the top sheet and let it rest on the bottom one. She merely had to hold the panel steady as he nailed it in place.
Cutting the holes for the electrical outlets took the most time. Kneeling on the floor in the bedroom, Zoe worked on one while Jeff finished cutting the odd pieces that went above the door frames. When her blade slipped and she put a nasty slice across her thumb, she knew immediately she was in big trouble.
“Ow. Shit. Damn it!”
She dropped the knife and looked around for something to staunch the bleeding. This was so not good.
Jeff came running, took one look, and laid into her while he spun her around, took the knife and quickly cut a strip from the back of her T-shirt.
“Wait. What are you—? Hey!”
“Where are your gloves? How many times have I told you, you have to wear them when you’re working? They’re not a fashion accessory, Zoe, they’re protection.”
He gently wrapped the strip around her thumb, the tenderness of his ministrations completely at odds with the verbal tongue-lashing coming out of his mouth.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” She gasped slightly as he secured the piece with a strip of masking tape. “It’s just that they’re so awkward and bulky. When I have them on I feel so clumsy.”
“Well, obviously with them off, you’re not clumsy at all,” he growled.
“Yeah, I guess . . .” She winced and bit her lower lip.
“Not only that, but you had to pick a day when we have the water turned off so I can’t even clean it properly.”
He looked so worried, she hesitantly caressed the side of his face with her uninjured hand. He started at her touch and looked up. Which brought that finely sculpted mouth within inches of her own.
Danger. Danger. She could practically see red lights flashing on and off; hear warning sirens.
“I’m fine. Really. The cut’s not deep, just messy. It doesn’t need stitches, only a good scrubbing, some antibiotic ointment and a bandage.” She tried delivering this message with as much nonchalance as possible, but her eyes were locked on his and her voice faded to a whisper. “But thank you for taking such good care of me.”
She was barely breathing now. Kiss me. Please, please, kiss me before I die of wanting you.
He raised her bandaged hand up to the level of her ear. Like she was about to pledge allegiance to the flag. “Keep your hand higher than your heart. That will help stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling.”
She nodded, speechless, her mind too clouded by lust to pay attention to his words.
His gaze flickered to her mouth then locked on her eyes again. He stood so close she could feel his breath on her face, see the intricate lacy pattern of light and dark blue in his irises. Slowly, ever so slowly, the distance between them decreased until their lips met. Gently. Tentatively.
Her eyelids fluttered shut.
With the sound of anguished defeat, Jeff wrapped one arm around her and cradled her head with the other, deepening the kiss until she was dizzy with desire.
Her lips parted and his tongue slipped inside, tangling with hers and eliciting a moan she wasn’t conscious of making. His arms were so strong. His chest was a wall of solid muscle. And that wasn’t the only thing hard she felt as she pressed herself against him . . .
“Hey, guys, I’m back. How’s it going?” Frank’s boots sounded on the stairs.
They sprang apart and Zoe had to grab Jeff’s arm to steady herself. Her heart beat so wildly she didn’t think speech was a possibility. She had been so into their kiss, she hadn’t even heard the door closing downstairs.
Jeff appeared more in control and had no trouble replying. “Well, up to a few minutes ago things were going great. Then ‘Miss I don’t need gloves’ sliced her thumb open.”
Frank rounded the corner. “Oh no. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Well, not fine, but I think I’ll live.” She tried for humor, but the look on Jeff’s face was anything but happy. Okay, she’d settle for normal. Normal would work. But normal had receded to the distant past in the last few minutes. Now she felt . . . heck, she didn’t know how she felt right at this moment, but it wasn’t normal. Nonetheless, considering this was Jeff’s father, she’d act the part. She held her hand up, per Jeff’s instructions. “Did you get the water heater?”
“I did. Got a good deal, too.” Frank handed her the receipt.
Less than she’d expected. Good. Amanda wasn’t going to give her the gimlet eye for this.
Jeff pointed a finger at her. “No more work for you. Can I trust you to get that taken care of at Marjorie’s place, or should I come with you?”
Annoyed at his sudden change in attitude, she bristled in response. “Yes, you can trust me to take care of it. I’ve had worse cuts than this one working at my old job. And believe me, there was no one there to take care of them but me.”
“Fine. Dad and I can finish up here and we’ll lock up when we leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He reached down and picked up her gloves. “You can throw these away. You won’t need them anymore. You’re done here.”
She snatched the gloves from his hand. “I’ll be back to work tomorrow morning.”
“Not with me running this show.”
“I think you forget who’s paying who around here, Mister Petrosky.” She emphasized the word as she stabbed a finger in Jeff’s direction.
“You want to hire somebody else to finish this, Ms. Silvercreek? Go ahead. They won’t be as dumb as I was and let you play apprentice.” He stormed out of the room and down the stairs.
“Play? Play! I was not playing. I helped. And you know it,” she shouted at his receding back. The man infuriated her. Who the heck did he think was the boss here? She looked over at Frank, who immediately put up both hands to distance himself from the fray.
Zoe blew out a long breath. Bright red drops of her blood now spattered the piece of drywall she’d been working on. But it wasn’t the sight of blood that had her trembling. She put her hand to her mouth, remembering the feel of Jeff’s lips on hers. As badly as she had wanted to taste his kiss, she knew it had been a big mistake. It had changed everything. And not for the better, either.
Chapter 8
Jeff thundered down the stairs and went to the van. His father joined him there but had the good sense not to say anything about what happened upstairs. Together, they wrestled the new water heater to the utility closet behind the office. He listened for Zoe’s footsteps but didn’t turn when he heard them on the stairs.
She grabbed her purse from the desk and spoke without turning around. “Don’t think this is settled. I’ll be here tomorrow morning. As usual.” She left without another word.
The woman would put him in an asylum. How many times had he reminded her about safety precautions? Fifty at least. And for all the good it did he might as well have saved his breath.
When he saw all the blood on her hand, his heart almost stopped. She was an artist. If she lost the use of her hand it would be his fault. Just like Jen’s injury had been. He’d never be able to deal with the guilt.
Luckily the cut wasn’t deep. Her thumb would be fine. Even knowing that, he couldn’t bear that she was hurt. He never should have agreed to let her help out. Well, she wouldn’t help him anymore. He’d stand his ground in the morning. And hope she didn’t fire him.
But who was he kidding? She had no idea the power she held over him. If it came to a choice between buckling under to her demands or losing the chance to get Bug’s paintings in the gallery, he knew he’d cave.
He needed to stay angry with her so he wouldn’t think about their kiss. The one that had rocked his world and destroyed the precarious equilibrium he’d been able to maintain up to now. If he had any idea a single kiss would satisfy his curiosity and scratch the itch building since the day he met her, that hope was dust. A single kiss? Twenty kisses? Hundreds of kisses wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him now.
He wanted to hit something. Hard.
The rest of this renovation would be hell. But he would do it. He could do all the work himself, or hire a temp if he really needed a second pair of hands. Now that those skylights were in, there wasn’t anything else he’d really need help with. It would take him a bit longer to do it all by himself, but the work would keep his mind off the petite bombshell who’d turned his world upside down.
Frank watched her leave and when the front door slammed, he turned to Jeff. “Zoe’s pretty upset. Was the cut bad?”
“Bad enough. It shouldn’t have happened. It was my fault.” He sliced angrily through the carton holding the heater with his box knife and the parallel with what happened upstairs wasn’t lost on him. He felt his balls tighten in response.
“I wouldn’t say it was all your fault. I’ve heard you remind her about gloves and safety glasses several times in the few days I’ve been here. If she didn’t pay attention, she has to take responsibility for the consequences.”
“Yeah, well, it won’t matter from now on. I’m not letting her help me anymore.” He gathered the shredded carton together and took it to the dumpster. ”You need my help sweating those joints?”
“No, I’m good here. When I get the old one disconnected you can help me take it out to the dumpster. Till then, you go ahead and finish up the drywall.”
Jeff nodded and headed up the stairs.
Two hours later, the rem
aining drywall was up, taped and mudded. By tomorrow, the seams would be dry enough to sand. He went down and helped his dad lug the old heater outside.
“Okay, the water’s back on, down here at least.” Frank arched his back as he straightened. “A good thing, too. I need to use the restroom.”
Jeff set up sawhorses in the open gallery area and laid a scrap piece of plywood across them. He began to stain the wood he’d use to trim out the new doors and baseboard areas for Zoe’s apartment.
The bell on the front door jingled. A man who appeared to be in his late forties paused in the doorway and looked around.
“Can I help you with something?”
“I hope so. I’m Fredrick Barker, Ms. Silvercreek’s partner. I expected to find her here.”
Partner? Zoe hadn’t mentioned having a partner. He gave the man a closer scrutiny. He stood about five-ten, with the currently popular five-o’clock-shadowed chin, dark hair, expensive suit. Overall a slick, middle-aged lion with an air of possession.
“I’m sorry, Zoe isn’t here right now. Can I give her a message?”
“No. I prefer to speak to Zoe in person. When will she be back?” The man was polite, with a smug facial expression that added to his air of superiority.
Jeff wasn’t buying it. “You say you’re Zoe’s partner? Funny, she’s never mentioned a partner to me.” He went back to applying stain.
The other man chuckled. “Well, whether Ms. Silvercreek mentioned me to you or not is not the issue. Perhaps she didn’t feel you needed to know her business arrangements. You are, after all, only the contractor she hired to do the renovations, are you not?”
His By Design Page 7
