Page 65 of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

I leveled a serious gaze at them. “All I ask is you don’t make her feel uncomfortable in her own house. Bust my balls all you want but leave her out of it. Got that?”

They all nodded.

“Now get your asses outside,” I barked, shoving past them. “Tools don’t unload themselves. I want the roof done today. And we’ve got clear skies all week. Get started painting.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” Wes said, saluting before heading toward the trucks.

Luke lingered, still grinning like a goof. “Last night must’ve been something else if you’re this cheerful.”

“Get the fuck out of my face,” I snapped and Luke went to join the others, still grinning.

The truth was, last night was something else. Sure, it had started rough—rocky didn’t even begin to cover it. I’d let my temper get the best of me, said things I couldn’t take back. Merritt didn’t deserve that. She’d only been curious, asking questions I should’ve answered calmly instead of seeing red.

But we had made up. And making up with Merritt? Well, that was worth every ounce of guilt I’d carried into the night.

I grabbed the bag of electrical supplies from the truck and caught a glimpse of my bike. Seeing it in the bright light of day was not great. I was going to have to spend some time working on it or maybe take it into the shop.

I found the electric panel and cut the power to the living room. I was putting in new outlets, and once Merritt was done, I would be replacing the light fixture in the hall and the master bedroom.

I was on the floor, flashlight held in my mouth as I messed with wires when the sound of Merritt’s heels clicking against the floor caught my attention. She stepped into the living room, dressed for work, her hair and makeup done to perfection. For a second, I forgot what I was doing and spit the flashlight out.

“You look incredible,” I said before I could stop myself.

Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled, busying herself at the coffeemaker. “Thanks. Big day of meetings. I have to at least look like I’m dressed for the job.” She looked down at her jeans. The pretty sweater she wore worked. “They will only see me from the waist up,” she said with a laugh.

“Looks good. I’d hire you. I would also strip you naked and have my way with you, so maybe I’m not the best person to judge.”

“Very funny,” she said. “Did you start coffee yet?”

“Nope. I shut off the power and kicked the guys outside.”

She grimaced. “So, no coffee?”

I got to my feet and walked to her. Putting my hands on her hips, I pulled her close. “Do you want coffee?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“I’ll turn the power on in here.”

“I don’t want to interrupt your work.”

“You’re not,” I assured her. “Sit tight.”

I dug into my toolkit for the wire nuts I needed. I quickly twisted the connectors tight. Then it was back to the panel to restore power so she could have her morning sanity juice.

When I returned to the kitchen, she was already busy starting a full pot.

“You look like you could use a cup,” I said.

She frowned at me. “Are you telling me I look like shit?”

“I would never say that. And you look gorgeous. I’m just saying, you look like you’re dying for caffeine.”

“Which is silly considering I’m going to be drinking coffee all day so the cafe doesn’t kick me out,” she said with a laugh.

“Why are you making a full pot?”

“For you and the guys.”