“I’ll just put two of these into a Ziploc,” I say, awkwardly narrating my actions. “Good thing we haven’t packed these.” I raise the box of gallon size bags like I’m a marching band conductor.
Shut up, Millie. Just shut up!
Leaving the biggest for him, I pack up two slices of pizza. I’m certain that tomorrow over lunch I’m destined to be reliving this moment and having inappropriate thoughts of Luc Valencia.
And then it hits me. Tomorrow is one thing. Monday is something else. When the work actually starts, is he going to be with the crew? And what time are they going to get here every morning? He’s the only kitchen contractor I want to go braless in front of.
Wait. That didn’t come out right.
He’s thelastkitchen contractor I want to go braless in front of.
No. What I mean isI DON’T WANT TO GO BRALESS IN FRONT OF ANY MORE CONTRACTORS!
There. That’s better.
I give a decisive nod to my internal monologue, except my nod is external, and it’s the movement that pulls me out of my head—and my head out of my ass—to discover Luc watching me with a slight frown of concern, mid-bite.
“I—uh—zoned out for a minute there.”
He bites, chews, and swallows, but even through these actions I can see the corners of his mouth tipping upward. “Really? I didn’t notice.”
I hear the irony in his voice, but even that is delivered gently. He’s teasing, but he’s not mocking.
And I’m embarrassed, but I’m not offended. Still, “I have a lot on my mind.”
His smile fades. Those dark brows draw together. “Yeah,” he says. “That I’ve noticed.”
Chapter Nine
LUC
I beatthe crew to Millie’s on Monday morning. It’s no accident. But it’s also not to see her. I successfully avoided running into her at the soccer field on Saturday. Mostly because I only stayed for half a game and I stood on the sidelines the whole time I was there.
Mami was not happy about it.
But I wanted to be the first one here today because Donner, Sam, and the temp, whoever he is, don’t make up my ideal team. The thought chafed at me all weekend. This is a chance for Donner to prove himself and be promoted to site manager, but I don’t want his lack of experience to cause any problems for Millie and her family.
They have enough problems already.
So I’m here. Parked in the driveway with my travel mug of coffee at 6:45 a.m. I told the crew to be here at seven. And, yeah, maybe that’s because I want to give Millie as much time as possible to get dressed in the morning. My guys don’t need to be anywhere near that.
The memory of her in that pajama crop top gives me no peace at all.
The smooth plane of ivory skin. The well of her navel, the sight of it both shocking and tempting. My lips want it. All of it.
It’s easy enough to imagine my hands gripping her hips and tugging her to my mouth. I know her hands are soft, so she must be incredibly soft there.
Tap tap tap.
My eyes fly open. Millie is standing at my driver’s side window, smirking.Jesucristo.
“Taking a nap?” she asks through the glass.
Fuck.
I heard nothing. Not the front door. Not her approach. See what I mean? No peace at all. And there’s no way I can step out of my truck just now, so I roll down the window.
“Not sleeping,” I grumble, but would it really be so bad if that’s what she thought I was doing? It’s better than the truth. I hold up my cup of coffee and take a scalding sip. “Waiting.”
