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Chapter 10
Mia
Mia sipped her coffee as she stared into her backyard. A dark shadow hovered above her like a storm cloud after the events of Saturday afternoon. She hadn’t slept very well the last two nights because of it. Her fingers traced the seam of her lips. The passion of that kiss was unlike anything Mia had experienced before. Andre’s lips were softer than she’d expected. His hands were rough and calloused from a lifetime of physical labor. She’d felt safe with him for a fleeting moment. He’d bullied her, pushed her beyond her limits, and then he’d saved her.
Why? A niggling feeling deep down told her that he was a good man, that his walls were only reinforced around her because he felt the energy between them. Because he is scared.
He’d offered her the temporary escape she craved. Why had she stopped him? Her body was certainly on board with the idea. Her self-worth, of course. What kind of message would it send to him if she gave in to the magnetic pull of their bodies while letting him treat her like crap? Obviously, it had been a good call. He’d opened his mouth and ruined the mood with his reminder that she attracted bad energy. Nothing could ever come of it anyway.
The doorbell chimed, and Mia set down her coffee as she went to answer it. She had just rolled out of bed, skipping her run this morning, opting for a day of doing nothing. Her anxiety was always higher after an event that triggered her. Being pulled off a cliff into the depths of a dark ocean with unknown creatures lurking around definitely qualified. Today was about self-care . . . and finding a new contractor, right after she called Mikel. The sooner she got this place done, the better. She was on a deadline with no room for error.
His dark bulky frame was evident behind the thick glass door. Andre was here. Drawing in a deep breath, Mia opened it, still wearing her silk pajamas.
Andre’s eyes raked over her as he sucked in his bottom lip, biting down. He was in his running shorts without a shirt. Sweat beaded on his sculpted dark-brown chest. Mia squeezed her thighs together, trying to stifle the heat that blossomed there.
“Hey,” she said.
“Can we talk?” he asked, meeting her gaze.
She nodded and walked inside as he trailed behind her and shut the door.
She pulled another mug from her cupboard. “Coffee?”
“Sure.”
Mia filled the ceramic mug with hot liquid as she breathed in the earthy aroma. “How do you take it?” she asked.
“Black is fine.”
Mia motioned to her barstool around the island and he sat as she set the steaming cup in front of him.
“Thank you,” he said.
They both sipped their coffee in silence. Was he here about the kiss?
Andre set down his mug. “I wanted to apologize again about my behavior. It was unprofessional and well . . . I’ve been an asshole.”
Mia smiled. “Thank you. I accept your apology. It seems we bring out the fire in each other.”
“If you want me off the renovation, I’ll stay away if it means that Mikel can keep you as a client. I was hoping you’d reconsider terminating the contract,” Andre said, tracing his thumb over the rim of the coffee mug.
Oh, so this visit was about keeping his job, not the kiss.
She studied him while she thought it through. Had she overreacted? Could she give him one more chance? “If you continue to act professionally, and you respect my boundaries, I don’t see why you can’t have another chance. Despite our differences, your team is doing a great job from what I can tell.”
Not to mention I really need this project finished at the agreed-upon date. October is right around the corner.
Andre’s shoulders visibly relaxed as his lips turned up into a hesitant smile. “Thank you, Mia.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stood. “Thank you for the coffee. I better head back so I can get to work on time. Wouldn’t want my client unhappy.” He smirked.
Was he flirting?
“Well, it’s a good thing there are a few ways to make this one happy.” She tested the waters.
Andre looked at her breasts. Unhelpfully, her nipples grew hard beneath the thin soft fabric, and his gaze. He bit his bottom lip again.
