As he walks away, my hand wraps around those light purple marks, as if to preserve this stranger’s touch. I need to get myself back together, though. Less than ten minutes in his presence, and he’s got me knocked for a loop.
When the door opens and closes, a wet nose boops my hand as Toto emits a playful whine for another ear rub. “Don’t you tell your daddy, but if he said ‘come’in that rough voice of his one more time... Well, let’s just say that one of us was about to obey him. All right, Toto. Let’s go.”
Crossing the showroom floor, dog at my heels, I unlock the heavy door in the back room and shiver at the sudden coolness of outside air. Ugh. I forgot my jacket, but this shouldn’t take long. And then—oh, my God. Just when I think the man can’t get any sexier, he goes and puts a beanie on that perfectly shaped bald head.
Connor steps down from his trailer, sharp eyes missing nothing as I shiver again. “No jacket?”
“I have one, but I left it inside. It shouldn’t take you too long, so I’ll be fine until you’re done.”
“Absolutely not.” Mouth firmly set, he shakes his head before rummaging through the cab of his truck and bringing out a jacket.His.My throat goes dry as he gently wraps it around me, taking extra care as he swaddles me. “Now, you stay right there and I’ll get everything unloaded.”
I...don’t know what to think. No one, not my parents and definitely not Silas, has ever taken such care of me before. Not like this. Watching his burly frame unload his heavy furniture, I subtly breathe in the scent surrounding me. God, it smells so good.
“Done,” he announces as he closes the door and stops the chilly influx of air. “Need anything else from me?”
I do, actually. Something legitimate. Sticking an arm out from under the bulky fabric, I grab the inventory clipboard and say, “Yes. What’re the lowest prices you’re willing to sell these for? That’ll be the baseline for the markup.”
Taking his beanie off and scratching his hairless head, he starts with a set of intricately carved matching side tables, then moves along to a decorative ladder and wooden chair. When he gives me the pricing for the last item, a bookcase, I stop and marvel at it. “This...this is simply amazing.”
This is no ordinary bookcase. It’s an upright boat with four shelves. But the wood grain is knotty, stained a gorgeous ashy gray, with marine life delicately carved into the arch. “I’ve seen some beautiful pieces come and go from this store, but this is one I’ll be sad to give up. Whether it sells or not.”
Because if no one buys it, he has to take it back at the end of ninety days. With a wistful sigh, I drag a finger down its smooth side. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, Connor. You’re very talented.”
“You really like it?”
“Like it? I love it!” Money being tight, I have to limit myself to borrowing library books and occasionally buying them from garage sales, but I would love to have a bookcase full of books. New books that I didn’t have to share with other readers or buy secondhand. And this would be the perfect bookcase to display them in. But with a baby on the way, books and bookcases are frivolities I don’t need to focus on right now.
Sliding my professional mask back on, I turn to him. “Okay, then. This is all I need to get everything set up. Hopefully, we’ll be sending you a check next month, but you should know that we don’t have tons of people clamoring for furniture. Not here, at least. Occasionally, we’ll get some visitors from the next town over, but I just want you to be prepared for the eventual markdown on your items.”
“Not a problem,” he says smoothly. “Albert informed me already, but this is all about getting my name out there and letting people know what I do.”
“Well...” I shift awkwardly. “Here’s your jacket. Thank you.” Shrugging out of it, I try to ignore the heat between us as he accepts it and runs his dark chocolate eyes over me, stopping at the bruises on my arms again.
“You call me if you need helpworking on it.” He emphasizes what I told him earlier. “You have my number now.”
Not that I would ever use it, because that’s extremely unprofessional. But I can’t say that his statement doesn’t give me warm fuzzies. “Thank you.”
Needing to look elsewhere to break the somber tone of the room, I crouch down. “Toto! You be a good boy for your daddy, okay? Aww...what am I saying? You’re already a good boy.” I smush his smiling doggy face. “Such a good boy!”
With a kiss to his furry forehead, I reluctantly stand. “Take care of him, okay?”
“Always,” Connor promises. “Come, Toto.”
Oh, God—there’s that word again. He needs to leave before I spontaneously combust. Toto turns in a quick circle, barking his displeasure at him. This dog makes me feel so loved. “Come on, Toto. I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Connor stops me, holding out his jacket. “Not in those short sleeves.”
Rolling my eyes and heaving a good-natured sigh, I let him wrap it around me again. “Thank you, Daddy.”
His whole body falters above me, big hands almost resting on my chest as they grip the edges of the material in tight fists.
Oops. I was only joking, albeit inappropriately, because he’s going overboard with his caretaking. But—oh, God, what can of worms have I just opened? I bite my cheek, eyes searching wildly for Toto to alleviate the sudden tension I created. “I—”
“Look at me,” he interrupts.
Without a second thought, I obey his directive. He doesn’t make fun of me, though. Instead, he looks oddly satisfied. Pleased, even, with his lips turned upwards and his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“You’re very welcome, kitten.”
