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“I’ll bet your parents really appreciated the help,” she said instead. Even though the Drakes were one of the wealthiest families in town, Dex’s dad had often lamented what a huge time—and money—pit the inn was. “I remember how stressed your dad always seemed to be trying to keep the inn going.”
Dex gave a deprecating half smile and shrugged. “I suppose they appreciate it. They never really approved of me not taking over the inn, letting Dad retire, so to speak. But I toss enough financial help their way and they suck it up. I know the idea of me being out of work freaks them out.”
“Maybe they’re worried about you?” Zoe ventured.
When Dex snorted, she knew it was a waste of breath. He’d spent many an hour grumbling about his dad’s expectations and how all he was to his parents was a future meal ticket. From the look on his face, that opinion hadn’t budged over the years.
“If you’re interested, I can make some calls,” she offered hesitantly. Male egos were such a confusing, fragile thing. Even in crisis, they refused to admit they needed any kind of help. But she still had to offer. She wanted to do something for Dex. Even more, she wanted to build a new connection, a reason to keep in touch after this week was over.
Was it worth the risk of pissing him off, though? She thought of the empty months ahead if he slipped off her radar again and decided that, yes, for once, the risk was worth putting herself on the line.
“I’ve worked with a lot of companies, know tons of people. Maybe I can make some connections for you?” she continued tentatively. Those gorgeous eyes went round. Zoe held her breath, her tongue, and waited for the explosion.
DEX’S HEART WENT ALL soft and gooey, like a caramel brownie fresh from the oven. It was crazy to be so touched, but he was. Zoe didn’t make offers like that as a rule, he knew. Not out of any lack of compassion. But she’d been mocked, turned down and pushed away so often as a kid, she’d pulled in to protect herself. She’d been different when she’d moved to town at fifteen, never in step with the other kids in Bradford. When talk about her mom and the high-school principal and how that played into her parents’ marriage problems had become gossip fodder, she’d taken that protective layer and turned it into a wall. When they’d died, the wall became unbroachable.
That she’d peek over the wall and offer to help him said volumes. Even though he knew he shouldn’t touch her, should be careful in case he gave away the fact that she had a damned good reason not to trust him, Dex gave in to the need.He reached over and, a huge grin splitting his face, gave her a quick hug. That quick embrace was enough to remind his body of the glorious pleasure hers offered. He let go as though she was on fire. Nope, if he was going to keep his dick in his pants, he needed to keep his hands to himself, too.
“You’re sweet,” he said, forcing himself to focus on her gesture instead of the delicious curves his mouth watered to taste under her sweater. “But I’m fine. I have a few things in the works that should pan out, set me up for the next stage of the game. I can’t really talk about them, though.”
“Superstitious?” Zoe asked with a knowing nod.
“Sure.” That worked as well as anything. “You save those connections, those favors, for your own climb up the ladder.”
Zoe smirked. “Do you really think I go anywhere near the ladder?”
“Nah, not really. I’m surprised you’re working for yourself, though. Don’t you ever want a little of that famed job security I hear is so popular?”
“I like freelancing,” she said with a shake of her head. The move sent her curls tumbling around her cheeks. Dex’s fingers itched to wrap one of those ringlets around his finger. To use it to anchor her in place so he could brush his lips over hers. “I work for myself, set my own time frames, answer to nobody for long. It suits me.”
So her words said. But her eyes were a different matter.
Dex wondered if she’d ever seen the worry in them. The faint lines of stress and questioning.
“I guess the jetting off to exotic locales, the excitement of meeting new people all the time, the challenge of starting from scratch with each job, is pretty hard to beat, huh?”
Zoe snorted, her eyes mocking his description.
“Podunk nowheresville, which is where I always seem to end up, isn’t exactly exotic. I’m not a people person, but I’ve developed some awesome avoidance skills. But the starting-from-scratch part? That has definite appeal. I just go in, do the job without worrying about politics or pissing anyone off, then I’m on my merry way.”
