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

this to help
Candace. She owns a small business and I’m helping her gain access
to resources she wouldn’t normally have.”
    “ So, you’re not doing it
because you want to get in her pants?”
    Gabe didn’t say anything. He did want to get
in Candy’s pants. But it was more than just a physical thing. He
really liked her. For the first time in years, he had genuine
interest in a woman, and if that kiss was any indication, she was
damn sure interested in him too. The way her body responded made
his trousers tighten. When she’d draped her arms around his neck,
the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest set all his nerve
endings on fire. Even now, her scent clung to him like a cherished
memory.
    “ I haven’t told her that I
own Sampson’s,” Gabe admitted.
    “ Why not?” Phil
demanded.
    How could Gabe explain that he wanted to
hold on to the magic for a little longer? He’d only just met
Candace. She had no idea what he really did for a living, and that
was fine with him. He wanted her to like him for himself, not his
wallet.
    “ Never mind,” Phil said.
“I don’t want to know your reasoning. You don’t have to tell her
that you’re worth millions. Just tell her you made some calls and
got the full backing of Sampson’s. You’ll be her contact
person.”
    Gabe pulled into the parking lot at
Sampson’s. “It’s so easy for you to create lies for me.”
    “ Oh, no. I create them for
myself too.”
    “ You are a piece of work.”
Gabe grinned as he put the truck in park.
    “ Yeah, that’s why I’m your
best friend. Now, go get your tool belt.”

SEVEN

    The next morning, Candace opened the front
door to find a strange man standing on the porch of her in-progress
flip. She looked past the man’s fiery red hair and large gauge
earring plugs to see two black vans with the green and white
Sampson’s logo emblazoned on the sides.
    “ Are you Miss Jones?” he
asked.
    “ Yes.”
    “ I’m Elton, from
Sampson’s. I understand you need some help renovating.”
    Behind him, a crew of men began removing
equipment and supplies from the trucks. “Uh, there must be some
mistake,” she told him.
    “ No, ma’am. There’s no
mistake. Gabe sent us. Tell us where you want us to
start.”
    He slipped past her into the house. Candace
opened her mouth to protest when her eyes flew toward a familiar
figure emerging from the passenger side of one of the vans. She
would know that physique anywhere. Toned thighs. Thick biceps. And
of course, his signature dusty jeans.
    Gabe strode forward with purpose. His hands
were clasped behind his back. He looked good. Damn good. He looked
like he hadn’t tossed and turned all night thinking of her the way
she’d thought of his kiss. There were no dark circles under those
chestnut eyes.
    She’d never seen a sexier grin than the one
that was currently making her melt on her doorstep. “Mornin’
Candy.”
    The sultry timber of his deep voice
reverberated down her spine. She forced herself to focus on her
words. “What’s all this?” she asked.
    “ I told you I would help
you with your flip.”
    She nodded. “Yes, but I had no idea this was
what you meant.”
    “ I made some calls and
Sampson’s agreed to sponsor your renovation.”
    The redhead walked up behind her and
addressed Gabe. “Hey, Boss. You want us to start upstairs or
downstairs?”
    “ Upstairs,” Gabe
replied.
    As the guy trotted away, Candace squinted at
Gabe. “Boss?”
    “ Uh, yeah, you know how
construction guys are. It’s just common nomenclature.”
    Nomenclature? Okay. If he wasn’t ready to tell her he owned
Sampson’s, then she wouldn’t push. Besides, what did it matter? She
was in need of help and he was here.
    “ I got you something,” he
said. He withdrew a red and black tool belt from behind his back.
“Sorry I didn’t wrap it. I’m not much on bows and
stuff.”
    “ Wow. Thank you.” She
accepted the gift. “Tool belt. Vans. A crew of workers. You really
know