She looked at her and frowned at the amusement in her gaze. Brianna looked at the man again and noted there was another male behind him. They looked alike, so she assumed they were related.
“Ummm… I need to go.” She stepped around him and walked away.
She heard Ashley’s footsteps behind her.
“Who was that?” The man who was behind the other asked.
She knew it was him since his voice in her opinion wasn’t as seductive as the one she had spoken with.
Now is not the time to wake up libido. I’m just rebuilding my life and don’t need the distraction.
“I don’t know.” Monroe Rainey stared after the woman.
She’d studied him with hazel eyes; that was world-weary, and he wondered why. It wasn’t like him to be drawn to someone like that. Yet she had caught him from that first unexpected bump into each other. Unable to help himself, he looked at where she and the woman she was with had gone too. They were just being lead into the dining area. She glanced back then away. He smiled. Her looking back showed she was interested.
“Whoever she is, you need to officially meet her. Maybe get her name.” Elroy, his brother, sounded amused.
Monroe realized he was right. They hadn’t exchanged names. Maybe that was a good thing. His dad, brothers and he were working to make their business here in Barefoot Bay a success. They already had the same business established in Texas and left that in the capable hands of their trusted staff there. Now they had all relocated to Barefoot Bay for a fresh start. Trying to settle in to a new community and get a business to be successful was enough to have on his plate.
“Let’s go.” He didn’t reply to what his brother had said.
When he looked at him the knowledgeable look in his gaze, so much like his own, made Monroe hope he didn’t push. Uncharacteristically, he didn’t. They walked out of the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa as they did Monroe was again captured by the beauty of the place. They had meet Lacey Armstrong Walker who was one of the owners. She’d seen their work through their website and commissioned a piece from them. It was because of her when life went...well tough they had decided to relocate and open another business here. They had delivered the commissioned piece, and she was happy with it. They hoped she would talk about it. Word of mouth sharing for business was the best advertisement there was. They headed to their van and soon he had them on their way back to their business.
I probably won’t see her again. She’s probably some tourist visiting Barefoot Bay. It’d been a bad idea to get involved with someone who wasn’t staying, anyway.
A few hours later, Monroe was still trying to convince himself of that as he lifted the end of a huge desk they were setting up on display in the showroom of their custom designed furniture. People back home thought they had been crazy to leave and set up a new business so soon after everything. He glanced at his dad who was across the room helping a customer. He smiled then gestured. His dad looked almost like himself again.
“Maybe you can get her name this time.” Elroy said.
He frowned and set down his end of the desk as Elroy did the same.
“What—” He trailed off as he felt her.
He didn’t know how he knew it was her but he did. Monroe glanced toward the door and saw her along with her friend. The women were talking, and she hadn’t seen him yet. As if she had sensed him she looked up and met his gaze. Those hazel eyes widened, and she blinked. He smiled. Yes it would have been a good idea to walk away but with this second time seeing her he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass. He walked toward her and with each step he felt a sense of rightness. The woman stared at him and he recognized the look she was ready to bolt.
Chapter 2
Approaching her, he figured he would have to go after her as she walked out. But she surprised him as she stood in place and waited for him. Absently he noted the woman by her side said something to her and walked away.
She came towards him. The confident stride was as intoxicating. The woman pushed her curly dark brown hair mixed with blond behind her ear. Her hair framed a deep honey skinned face that was captivating—broad forehead, rounded chin and on each side of her full lips were dimples. The woman stopped before him and there was a small smile on her lips.
“I would say that you were following me but since I found you already here, that’s not the case. Well you could say I am the one following you.” She smiled wryly. “But that isn’t the case either. Earlier I didn’t get to introduce myself. Brianna Johnson—“
“Nice to meet you Brianna. Monroe Rainey—“
“Oh you’re one of the owners of this place.”
He smiled. “Yes. How’d you know that?”
“My neighbors told me. Well actually many people I met mentioned this place.” She wrinkled her nose. “They were being helpful since I just moved here.”
Well that solved her being a tourist and leaving soon. He smiled wider thinking how funny fate was. Here she was because of someone telling her about their business and he’d already run into her earlier so she’d seen him. Somehow he thought even if they hadn’t they would still be here but without that first meeting.
“This is a great place. Very friendly.” Monroe lowered his voice. “Much different from where I am originally from—Texas.”
“Texas?” She smiled. “Where?”
He told her and watched her smile widened.
“I have a lot of friends and family there too. My friend–Ashley,” She gestured to the woman who had been with her. “is also from there. She’s here helping me move and get settled.”
“Really.” He looked at the woman who had come in with her.
She was speaking with Elroy. He stifled a smile as he noticed his brother had what he was sure was the same look on his face—interest in the woman he was with. Monroe focused back on Brianna. She was studying him and it was disconcerting that her scrutiny was so intent.
“Yes.” She paused then. “You’re interested in me.”
He blinked at her blunt statement. “Yes.”
“Ok.” She inclined her head. “I’ll think on it and let you know what I want. For now, I have some furniture I need to furnish my home. Also some repairs I will need to my place. Can you help me or do you prefer I get someone else?”
“Why would you get someone else?” He was curious.
She’d stated her point, and that was fine with him.
“Some men find it intimidating when a woman doesn’t just either say yes or no to their interest.” She smiled. “Or at least ask then outright and tell them what they will do. I’ve been told it was off-putting. But that is me so.” She shrugged.
“No it is fine.”
She gave him a look that clearly showed she didn’t believe him.
“Ok.” He shrugged. “I’m not used to being put on the spot as you just did. But I’m adaptable and I can wait to see what you decide.” He paused then amended that. “I will wait but I’m not a patient man when it comes to something I desire. And recently life has shown me it is short and you don’t want to wait too long when you want something.” He didn’t think of why he learned that.
“Fair enough.” She studied him. “Maybe you will share with me what happened to make you feel that way about life.” She studied him again with that look that was intent. “I feel the same so my decision won’t be long to make.”
“Ok.” He gestured. “Let me show you around and you can fill me in on what you are looking for.”
She inclined her head. They walked around and she filled him in on what she was looking for to furnish her home. Once she had he guided her to some pieces that was already made. Brianna was decisive in her choices of what she wanted and didn’t. Before she knew it she had basically chosen pieces for the rooms, she stated she wanted furnished.
“I haven’t seen anything I like for my desk for my office.” She frowned.
“We can make you something.” He thought of a piece he was working on in the back. “Come
with me.”
He turned and crossed the room. She followed, and they went into the back. In the large room, there was various work areas set up for each of them. He led her to his spot and to the piece he was working on. Brianna inhaled and went to it. He slid his hand into the pockets of his jeans. Usually he did want someone to like his work but this time it seemed so much more important. She went to the desk, and she stroked her fingers along the wood. Monroe willed himself to not get turned on. He had images of her fingers on him.
Cool it. She still has to think and decide. This is gonna be hard to wait.
Brianna turned to him and the look in her eyes was naked want. Monroe stepped toward her.
“I’ll take it.”
He stopped and cursed himself silently. The look wasn’t for him. It was for the desk.
“Ok. It’s almost done. Just need to do a few things. It’ll be ready in about two days.”
“Good. Then you can deliver it along with the rest of the stuff.”
“First, I need to see what you need done at your home.” He recalled what she said. “Doesn’t make sense to move in furniture if there are repairs to be done. Don’t want to mess up your new pieces.”
“Ok.” Brianna replied and looked beyond him.
She wandered, and he followed. She looked at the various pieces that his brothers and dad were working on. She didn’t say anything, and he didn’t speak just letting her look around. They let customers come back here at times. Yet again with her it seemed so much more.
“I want them all.” She said.
“What?” He focused on her.
“These pieces will finish out what I need for my home.”
She said such an emphasis on that word it made him wonder why. He didn’t ask but nodded. He knew the pieces and knew how long it would take to finish each.
“It’ll be about the same timing as the desk. But again contingent on the work for your home.”
“Can you come now to look around?”
“Sure.” He nodded. “Let me grab Elroy and we’ll go.”
“Why Elroy?”
“Since I’m the one taking the job, I choose who I want to use. We all do repairs as well as build furniture.” He didn’t say he’d seen his brother’s interest in her friend and was trying to get them in the same vicinity. “Just me and him for starters to see what needs done. We have a crew that will come in and work on your place once we know what you need done.”
“He’s interested in Ash. And you’re trying to have them in proximity to see what occurs. Good luck with that.” She chuckled.
He should have known from how she’d been so perceptive and blunt earlier she would say that and know his brother was.
“Yes. Now I am curious why you said good luck.”
“Ashley… well she’s her.” She smiled wide. “And stubborn. So your brother doesn’t stand a chance.”
He knew his brother and would bet on him. Monroe didn’t say that and just said. “Let’s get the stuff you bought written up then we can get going to your house.”
“Ok.”
They went out and to a desk.
Half an hour later, he followed her and Ashley in the SUV with his brother in the passenger seat.
“She bought a lot of stuff.” Elroy said. “And in a short space of time. Usually people explore and take time to decide.”
He thought of what she had said about making decisions. “I’m thinking Brianna isn’t like most people.”
“Yeah.” Elroy sounded skeptical. “I bet she’ll not be sure about the repairs she wants and will drag it out.”
“From what she said, and she was detailed the job shouldn’t take us more than three weeks or less.” He thought of how she had been picking the furniture. “ She seems to see a lot and know what she wants so I’ll take the bet. She’ll know what she wants and I bet that in three weeks or less from now we’ll be wrapping up this job.”
“I’ll take the bet.” Elroy sounded sure he would win.
Monroe smiled. If he hadn’t spoken to her earlier and saw how she was, he’d have been concerned. He wasn’t.
“So… you and Ashley?” He looked at him briefly.
Elroy smiled. “She’s something. She’s tough and I like that. It’ll be interesting.”
Monroe focused on the road. Yeah it was going to be.
Over two weeks later Monroe stepped back and looked at the room. The repairs had been done, and it looked great. Now with the furniture being added it made it even better. He’d admit once they had gotten the list of repairs needed for the Brianna’s home he’d pushed to get them done under deadline. He put his hands on his hips thinking of the woman. She had been decisive with the repairs as she had been with the picking of her furniture. They had been able to start right away. For the last few weeks as they had been there working with the crew she’d been around but not hovering. She let them do their thing and not ask so much questions which could slow down the process.
Monroe rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. He’d been the one at the end of each day to seek her out to fill her in on their progress. Then once he did, he left. There hadn’t really been any personal interaction between them. Brianna hadn’t mentioned anything about his interest in her. He frowned, He didn’t know how to read her and didn’t even know if she felt the same way.
“That’s it then.” Brianna said behind him.
He turned and looked at her. Monroe stifled a groan. She was in a white sleeveless dress that fell above her knees. Her bare arms were muscular, and she lifted her laptop which was never far from her. He was curious about what she did but hadn’t asked.
“Yes. You’re all set. Repairs all done and furniture all delivered and set up.” He looked around once more then picked up his toolkit. “I’ll get out of your hair.”
Brianna smiled. “I already made my decision.”
He stilled. He didn’t have to ask what she meant. Brianna set her laptop on her new desk. She stroked her finger along the surface as she looked at him.
“I wanted to say no. Wanted to push you away.”
“And.”
“But these last few weeks I got to know you and I can’t.” She scowled.
“How did you get to know me? We didn’t spend any time together.”
She looked at him then shook her head. “You really have no clue. What did you do for lunch each day?”
“Had lunch with Elroy, Ash and... oh, you.”
“And what did we do at lunch?” She prompted.
“Talk about random things.” He smiled then laughed. “Hell, I was having lunch with you all and thought it was because of Elroy trying to get through to Ashley.”
“I noticed that about you. You put things in a box that only that thing can be in.”
“I don’t. I can think outside the box.” He protested.
“Sure. But why then did you not realize we had been getting to know each other just as Ashley and Elroy had.” She moved closer. “Who by the way have left already together. They went on a date. And if you are agreeable, we can have one too. Now. I made dinner and you can join me or give me you last update about my repairs then be on your way.”
She walked around him and left the room. Monroe stood there stunned. He thought of the last few weeks and all his assumptions they hadn’t had any personal interactions was false. He left the room and then went to the kitchen. He set his toolbox by the wall by the door and went to the table by the window. Brianna looked up at him from where she sat. She gestured to the plate that was set on the table by a chair that was closest to her.
“Let me wash up.” He said.
She nodded. He went to the bathroom.
Brianna watched him as he went to the half-bath just off the kitchen. She breathed out and lifted her hand out. It shook, and she clenched it and rethought what she had decided. She had decided to give him a chance even though it terrified her. She didn’t know if she could do this.
Monroe returned and sat beside her. He
studied her. “Are you ok?”
“I don’t know if I can do this.” She admitted.
He studied her and didn’t say anything. She took a breath and exhaled.
“I… the one time I did this it didn’t end well.”
“What date?” Monroe smiled. “We all have stories of bad dates.”
“Does your story include the man you dated for a long time then with natural progression agreed to marry trying to kill you by setting the bed on fire with you tied to it?” She bit her lip then closed her eyes. “God, I can’t believe I said that.”
“Brianna.” Monroe hand touched hers.
She turned her fingers into his and held on. “Give me a moment.”
He went silent. She held onto his hand and drew in her thoughts and the pain of all those years of recovery, therapy and to getting to today. Even as she did, she felt her resolve form. She opened her eyes then looked into his green ones. His face so familiar to her now was as he usually was calm and welcoming.
“I… ok this is not something you say on your first date. But my fiancé tried to kill me. He did as I said and there was no reason why that I could figure out.” She bit her lip. “He died in the same fire since after he lit it he laid down in the fire. So there was no reveal of why he did what he did. And I had to live with knowing I loved someone like that someone who would kill me.” She smiled blinking back the tears.
“How did you escape?”
“Fear can be a powerful motivator.” She said. “And my writing I did helped me. I researched so many weird things for my books. I write in various genres and in one I needed to know all about ropes, knots and how to escape. And as the fire burned it came to me when he tied the bindings the knots he used could be undone. So I did it then escaped.”
“You make it sound so easy but I know it wasn’t.” He studied her. “When we get closer, you can share all the pain and so on with me. For now let’s have dinner.”
She stared at him unable to believe he didn’t have any questions. Monroe met her gaze, and she felt his calm and warmth seeping into her. His hand on hers was something she wanted.
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