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“And, what?” No way would he admit his attraction to Sophie––especially not to his baby sister.
“What’s she like? She’s our first tenant since we decided to rent the cottage. I mean she applied and offered to pay for the whole year up front. Spill the details.”
He rifled through the pile of papers on his desk for the museum plans. “Alyssa, I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Did she like it? Is she old? Young? Pretty? Why did she move here so fast? Is she on the run?” His sister was famous for her tenacity.
All questions he wanted the answers to, but he needed to process his unprecedented primitive reaction to the woman first. Because what would he say?Yeah, I’d wanted to rip off her clothes and toss her over my shoulderand carry her back to the bedroom…
He frowned and exhaled a steadying breath. “She complimented your interior design skills, okay? Go meet her yourself. I’ve got to finish these plans this afternoon.”
“Fine, I will.”
Nick placed his phone on his desk and picked up his pencil. He had to review the timeline to complete his plans. But his curiosity was piqued. What secrets lurked behind Sophie’s gorgeous eyes?
When he brought her a fresh set of keys, he looked forward to discovering some answers about the mysterious Ms. Sophie Barnes.
* * *
The following afternoon,Nick parked in front of the cottage. When he started toward the door, a muffled sound from the front yard caught his attention. He turned and there was Sophie on the garden bench. Switching gears, he crossed toward where she sat––her elbows on her knees, her dark head in her hands.
“Sophie?”
She shivered, massaged the skin on her bare arms, and lifted her head. Her face was pale, her eyes stormy and damp.
The raw emotion on Sophie’s unguarded face twisted a knife in his own heart. He was no stranger to pain. “You okay?”
“You’re stealing my sunlight.” Her full pink lips turned down at the corners.
He stepped to the side and pulled the keys from his jeans pocket. “Better? I brought you the keys.”
She rose and extended one artistic hand “Oh, well, thanks. I appreciate it.”
Sparks flew again the moment her fingers brushed his. Every muscle in his body hardened. Her pupils flared, she snatched back her hand, and crossed her arms across her chest.
Yeah, she wasn’t immune to him. “It’s nothing. Bailey sends her apologies and insists I take you to dinner tomorrow night. There’s a great Italian place at the bottom of the hill.”
She smoothed a strand of silky hair behind her ear. “No, no thanks. I told you I love dogs so there’s no need. I’ve got to get back to work.”
“What work?” She’d definitely not been working.
She threw up both hands. “I write. I’m writing. Look, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I have no interest in dating. I came here to simplify my life. So, if you don’t mind, I really need to get back to it.”
One question answered––she was a writer. And she had not been writing. She’d been upset about something.
“Come on, you’ll love Marino’s. It’s casual and has the best pasta in Orange County. Look at it as a welcome to town dinner, not a date. I’ll give you some tips about Laguna.” His sister was not the only tenacious Morgan.
She narrowed her blue eyes at him. “Okay, fine, I’ll go because I do have some questions about town and Italian is my favorite. But it’s just dinner, nothing more. Understand?”
He pressed one hand against his chest. “Just dinner. Got it. I’ll pick you up at seven.” Dinner was a start… he’d never resorted to subterfuge to get a date before but something about Sophie stirred him despite her prickly behavior.
“Fine. I’ll see you later.” Sophie turned and marched toward the cottage.
Nick remained rooted to the spot, watching her until she slammed the front door. She looked adorable in snug yoga pants, with her mahogany hair in a messy ponytail. And damn did her sexy little body make a picture stalking away.
With a shake of his head, he turned and returned to his car. Usually, he kept his relationships simple and commitment free. He enjoyed women, but if one began hinting at the white picket fence, he moved on to the next one. No ties. No problem. He didn’t care if the small community of Laguna assumed he was a player.
Building his business over the last decade gave him all the satisfaction he required. No time existed for entanglements.
