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It’s a little long for a placard, but accurate as hell.
I’m back at Holden’s house for this meeting. I figured it would be better to meet with him where he does his business. Considering I work from home and don’t really have an office and most of my consultations are over the internet, I thought it would be a good idea. I had kind of forgotten the whole his office is in his house thing, and I swear there’s a bedroom somewhere in there which is calling my name.
I shouldn’t be able to hear the throbbing call while sitting in my car gaining the courage to go knock on his door, but I can. It’s very distracting. This time I don’t have Lincoln as a buffer and I kind of wish I did.
When I finally get my shit together enough to go to the door and knock, Holden swings the door open almost immediately. Even though I knew he’d answer, and I knew what I would see when he did, I’m still startled by him. Just all of him.
I think he, somehow, got more handsome in the week since I’ve seen him. Which makes no damn sense. A man can’t get more handsome in just a few days, can he? Is this what missing someone feels like? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never given a man enough thought to really miss him. Now here I am and I’m at a loss.
He smiles at me, and my knees go a little weak. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to get out of your car or not.”
“Oh? Were you watching me from the window?” The way he smirks sends goosebumps skittering across my skin and I realize I’ve put on my flirty voice. Nope. Can’t happen. This is a job. I clear my throat and put on my customer service persona, the same one who does not flirt with clients. “Ready to get started? I’ve mocked up some options for you to look at.”
He nods and opens the door a little wider, but he doesn’t step back and make room for me. When my arm brushes against his chest, I ignore my body’s reaction, hello nipple city, and his sharp intake of breath.
It’s good to know I’m not the only one affected here, but I can’t let this happen.
It’s a job. It’s only a job. He’s a client.
I’m led back into his office again and my eyes catch on the beautiful jewelry Holden makes. I tried not to ogle it too much last time, considering I wasn’t there for myself. His jewelry is gorgeous. There are multiple metals and gems, but all of them are handcrafted and look luxurious.
As Holden sits, I find myself drifting over to the displays he’s set up to take a look. It’s research for the website.
Yeah, right, keep telling yourself lies.
Thank you, subconscious. I will. It’s safer this way.
When I look back at Holden he has a look on his face, one I’m not sure how to read. I decide sending him a softball compliment might be the best way to go. “Your work is beautiful,” my voice is soft and sincere.
“Thanks,” the single word is clipped and causes me to drift back to the desk.
I busy myself with opening my computer. I ask idly, “Do you have good quality photos of the pieces you have for sale? Would you need help with taking them? The ones on your website right now are great.” Why am I babbling?
His gruff voice rubs against my skin, but not in a bad way even though it sounds like sandpaper, “I have a small lightbox. I have photos of all my stuff.”
I nod absently and pull up the two websites I’ve mocked up so far. I glance at him and try to add a little teasing to my tone, “I looked at the website you have right now, and you really do need my help.”
He huffs out a laugh, but the tension between us breaks at the sound and it’s like I can breathe again. Good because I was getting a little lightheaded. Fainting would probably be bad in a client meeting.
He holds his hands up in surrender, “I never claimed to be a website designer.”
“Fair enough,” I chuckle with the words.
For the next twenty minutes, I walk him through what I’ve put together. I mention options for how to expand the site including adding a shop if it’s something he’s interested in. He listens intently, looking between my computer and my face as he takes in my pitch.
When he sits back, satisfaction written all over his face, it warms my heart in a way I wasn’t expecting. I want him to be proud of me, proud of the work I do and what I’ve put together for him. I didn’t even realize it until right now when I’m looking at him and seeing it clear as day on his face.
“I really like the second one, it’s a little more modern and exactly the feel I want,” Holden’s voice is totally professional, but I can’t help but feeling like he’s talking about more than the website. Which would be ridiculous. “Would you be able to maintain it as well?” He rubs the back of his neck in the most adorable way and I fucking melt. “I mean, of course, I would pay you for it.”
“Of course, I can maintain it.” I pull up my own webpage and show it to him. “I’ll send you a link to this as well, so you can see my fees for building and maintaining your website.”
He nods, looking at the price menu in front of him. “I think it’s all reasonable.”
The question which has been trying to burst from me does so now, unbidden, “How did you get involved with a temp agency? Seems like an odd thing for a jewelry designer?”
He barks out a laugh and I’m not sure if it’s at my question or the way my cheeks have gone bright red. I’m not normally one to get embarrassed or shy. What is this man doing to me right now? Do I like it?
“I saw an ad for the agency online and it seemed like a good fit. There are yoga instructors, interior decorators and other female dominated professions on there as well. I don’t know if jewelry design is all that female dominated, but most of my pieces are for women so I guess it fits.” He gives me a sheepish smile. The tension he was wearing around his eyes has gone now and I almost ask him what that was all about. “Coral,” my gaze snaps up to his and I’m mesmerized by the dark brown of his eyes, “now that business is done can I interest you in some lunch?”
