Man at Work by Chanta Jefferson Rand Read Free Book Online

leave someone in a situation like that?”
    “ Yeah, my thoughts
exactly.”
    “ So, what’s with the
three-week deadline? You have a buyer lined up or
something?”
    “ Even better. I have a
chance to be profiled by Leap of Faith on Flip It or Forget It.”
    He removed his tool belt and placed it on
the counter. “The T.V. show?”
    “ Yes. This home will go to
an underprivileged family who desperately need a place to live.
Then, the house will be advertised on the show. It’s my chance to
serve others while growing my business. I needed help. That was the
only reason I agreed to allow you to come over.”
    “ I’m impressed. Here I
thought you had me over here for purely selfish
motives.”
    She smiled. “If I don’t get the flip done,
I’ll be in breach of contract, and I won’t be on any show. The
contractor bailed on me at the worst time. Now, I’m playing catch
up to make that deadline. Which, by the way, thank you again for
your help. You saved me at least a week on the kitchen. Now, I can
focus on other areas of this house.”
    “ So, let me get this
straight. You’re renovating this entire home all by
yourself?”
    “ Yes. Along with Toye and
my sisters. Why?” She thrust her hands on her hips. “Are you
implying a woman can’t do this work?”
    “ Not at all.” He leaned
backward against the countertop and stuffed his hands in his jean
pockets. “I’m just surprised that you don’t have a man or a
boyfriend to help you.”
    Oh no! She was not going down this road
again. Instead, she turned the tables. “What about you?” she poked.
“Isn’t there a handywoman waiting somewhere for you?”
    “ I’m all alone, unless you
count my three cats.”
    Her mouth dropped open. A man with cats? Had
she pegged him wrong? “Are you serious?”
    “ Nope.”
    She laughed at his joke. She was so
relieved. For a moment, her tough-guy fantasy was in danger of
being burst.
    His strong fingers stroked her from elbow to
wrist, sending shivers down her spine. “Your laugh is beautiful,
Candy. Just like you.”
    “ Thank you,” she murmured.
She patted her stomach. Butterflies again. This was not good. The
two of them alone. Together. In this house. She turned away,
intending to put distance between them. But she took one step and
stumbled over a plastic bucket.
    Gabe was there to catch her. She drew in a
sharp breath as she braced her palms against the hard biceps
beneath his denim shirt. The warmth of his body made her heart beat
wildly in her chest. He swept her into his embrace. When she looked
into his whiskey-brown eyes, she saw the raw hunger reflected
there.
    He took her breath away when he spoke. “If
you wanted me to kiss you, all you had to do was ask.”
    His lips descended upon hers. His kiss was
as bold as his words. He took full command, parting her lips with
his skillful tongue. She gave up the fight and gave him full access
to her mouth. She slid her palms upward along the chiseled planes
of his chest and draped her arms around his broad shoulders. Gabe’s
strong arms encircled her waist and pulled her against him as he
deepened the kiss. His tongue lovingly caressed hers, sending
electric sparks coursing through her veins. It had been so long
since she’d been stroked anywhere, her body felt as though it would
explode from one kiss.
    When he released her, her body slid down the
hard length of his. Her nipples tightened as they left the warmth
of his chest and made contact with the cool air. The space between
her legs throbbed. For a split second, she itched to have him
inside her. She was curious to know every inch of him. Then, just
as quickly, she berated herself.
    What happened to not thinking with your
vagina?
    Gabe tipped her chin upward, forcing her to
look at him. “Have dinner with me, Candy.”
    She was beginning to like the way he kept
calling her by the wrong name. “I don’t have time to go out to
dinner. My every waking moment is dedicated to this flip.”
    “ You