Man at Work by Chanta Jefferson Rand Read Free Book Online Page A

have to eat
sometime.”
    “ I have people counting on
me. My name, my reputation is riding on this.”
    “ I know. That’s why you
should let me help you. You’re talented, but there’s no way you’re
going to be able to finish this flip in three weeks. Not without a
contractor.”
    That realization was beginning to dawn on
her. Even if she completed the bottom level in time, there was
still the second floor to tackle. She wanted to pull up the carpet
and install hardwood floors. There was so much left to do. Gabe’s
offer was tempting—and so was Gabe.
    “ I can’t believe I’m
admitting this, but you’re a distraction, Gabe. I don’t think I can
work with you around.”
    There! She’d said it. She didn’t care if her
confession made her seem like a sex-starved hussy.
    “ Trust me, the feeling is
mutual. But I think if we promise to keep our hands off each other,
we can get through our misery. Or we could just screw like rabbits
right now and get it out of our systems.”
    Don’t think I’m not
tempted, brotha! Even now, her coochie was
thrumming in protest. She wanted Gabe, but she knew that was
exactly why she had to resist him. It couldn’t be all about the
sex. She was handling herself differently now.
    “ I don’t have enough money
to pay you right now,” she finally relented,” but I promise I’ll
pay you what you’re worth.”
    He grinned. “Woman, you have no idea what
I’m worth. I value myself pretty highly.”
    “ I forgot who I was
dealing with. Okay, I’ll pay you the standard contractor
rates.”
    “ For now, I’ll just settle
for dinner.”

    # # #

    Gabe pulled out his cell phone and dialed
Phil’s number. “Guess where I’m headed?” he asked when Phil
answered.
    “ To the butt naked
club?”
    “ Hell no. That’s your
hangout.”
    “ Oh, yeah.”
    “ I’m in my truck on my way
to pick up a gift for Candace.”
    “ Woot! Woot!” Phil yelled,
forcing Gabe to hold the phone at arm’s length until he calmed
down. “The old Gabe is back! I told ya she’d come around. What are
you buying her? Flowers? Candy? Candy for Candace?”
    “ Funny you should mention
that.” Gabe smiled thinking of the erotic nickname he’d given
Candace. “At any rate, I’m not getting flowers or candy. I’m
getting her the gift that keeps on giving—her very own tool belt. I
wish we had one of those shovels you were talking about, the ones
for females. How soon can we get those in?”
    “ Uh, I think you’re taking
this home improvement thing a little too far, bro. I know you own a
chain of stores, but damn man, most women aren’t clamoring for a
tool belt—even if it’s pink and bedazzled.”
    “ No, you don’t get
it.”
    “ I sure as hell
don’t.”
    Gabe chuckled. “She flips
houses. She’s in the middle of an important one. Leap of Faith
Industries is going to showcase the finished product on that
show, Flip It or Forget It. She’s real good at what she does,
Phil.”
    Gabe found himself pumping Candace up. He
admired her. She was doing something with purpose. The fact that
she worked with her hands turned him on too.
    “ Wow. You’ve met your
match now. Who'd have thought it?”
    “ I’m helping her with the
flip. She only has three weeks to get it done.”
    “ Gabe, you’re not helping
her. Sampson’s is helping her.”
    “ Well, in a round-about
way, yes.”
    “ Don’t you see this is our
chance to get involved in more charitable endeavors? This project
is an excellent write-off too.”
    Gabe turned on his blinker and made a right
to exit the freeway. “What are you talking about? We already do the
classes for free. That’s offering a service to the community.”
    “ No, I’m talking about
working with charitable organizations. Leap of Faith is a great
association to partner with. If Sampson’s pays for all of the
renovations on this house and it’s profiled on that home
improvement show, that’s the ultimate advertising for
us.”
    “ I’m doing