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His kiss put all her concerns out of her mind. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into her. “Maybe we have time for a quickie before we go?” she asked, needing to feel connected with him and erase the upset of the last several hours.
He smirked. “You want me again?”
“I want you all the time.” She kissed his neck, her cheeks heating with her confession.
He chuckled, low and deep, sending shivers tingling through her. “You can have anything your little heart desires,” he said, as the smooth Mikel took her hand and led her back up the stairs to his room.
* * *
The feel of his strong grip wrapped around her hand as they pounded the hammer against the nail jolted her body. The hard hat he’d insisted she wear barely fit over her goddess braids. It was cute how much he worried about her.
It had been almost a week since he’d left in the middle of the night. Since then, he’d withdrawn from her. Remy was hoping that today would change all that.
The room smelled like fresh-cut wood. Sawdust floated through the air as Andre trimmed a few pieces down to size. The whine of the blade shut off, so they could hear each other once again.
“Now we have to make sure these pieces are flush before we connect them,” Mikel said, motioning to the corner where the two lengths of wood joined. The flannel shirt he wore was folded to his elbows, showing off his sinewy forearms.
His stare bore into her, her eyes meeting his amused expression. What was he saying again?
“Don’t keep looking at me like that. I won’t get any work done.” His voice was all gravelly.
She smiled. She loved that she had this effect on him. “Sorry, boss. Show me how you like to nail again.” It was bold of her to be openly flirting like this, especially with Andre nearby. But she couldn’t resist. She’d have to remember to thank Emma for all those euphemisms someday.
Mikel shook his head and leaned to growl in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “You’re gonna pay for that later.”
“Come on! At this pace, we won’t finish before Christmas,” Andre whined.
“It’s all Remy’s fault. She’s distracting me,” Mikel teased and gave her a wink.
“Hey. I’m here to help.” She held up her hands and hoped she was giving her big brother her most innocent expression.
“Then get to it,” Andre said.
“Yes, sir.” Remy mock-saluted.
“Hold this piece here,” Mikel directed. She wrapped her fingers around the soft pale wood. He lined up the nail and drove it all the way in with just a few powerful strokes. Watching him in the zone was fascinating—the way his body moved confidently, never second-guessing as he connected the pieces, checking his carefully crafted blueprint from time to time. She admired the way he fit in the tan Carhartt pants and scuffed work boots. Something about the sight of a hardworking man—her man—had her insides tied up in knots with need. How did she get so lucky that this man wanted her? That he loved her?
She followed directions, holding pieces, hammering, and using the screw gun. As much as her brother loved construction, she hadn’t known the first thing about it—until today.
“Here, drive this in,” Mikel said, holding what she now knew was a sixteen-penny nail. She lifted the hammer, much more confident afterthey’d been at it for hours, and swung. The tool hit its mark with a clang.
“Oww!” Mikel screamed, pulling his hand away to his chest quickly. Fear and shock held her like a vise as her hands slapped across her face to cover the panicked O of her mouth. The hammer clattered to the floor.
“I’m so sorry! Let me see,” she said, gingerly reaching towards his shoulder. He flinched away, his shoulders slumped over and shaking.
“Is it broken?” Andre asked.
Oh crap!Had she broken his finger? Horror at what she’d done brought fresh tears to her eyes. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
Mikel’s shoulders were heaving up and down now as he made a rumbling noise. Is he … laughing?
Mikel sat up, holding his stomach as he doubled over in hilarity. “I got you! Ohhh, you should have seen your face.”
Relief flooded over her. “You are terrible.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “I thought I really hurt you. I’m never hammering anything ever again. You … big … meanie!”
Mikel’s arms wrapped around her as he held her in a bear hug. She feigned trying to get away before she relaxed back into the warmth of his embrace. There is nowhere else I’d rather be.
“I’m sorry, honey. You gotta admit it was funny. Just wanted to keep you on your toes.”
