I’m almost done with book 2 in the Heaven’s Matchmaker series, so here’s a little bit…
Twenty minutes later he came back upstairs to find her sitting in front of her laptop.
“So?” she asked.
“Good news/bad news. The wiring is fine. But you need to replace both units. They’re almost forty years old, according to the model info. It’s amazing they lasted as long as they did, but the washing machine’s got multiple issues and the dryer even more. It makes more economic sense to replace them both than to repair the issues. It’d be quicker, too.”
She blew out a breath, then flexed her neck side to side, as if stretching some kinks out. He crossed over to her when her hand slid up her neck to squeeze the back of it. “How long will it take to get replacement units?” she asked.
Before he answered and without asking for permission, he flattened his hands across her shoulders and began kneading.
If she was shocked or mad he was touching her she disregarded it, instead letting out a low, guttural moan.
“Oh, good Lord, that feels good.”
“You’re a network of knots back here, Layla.”
“Work hazard,” she mumbled, dropping her chin to her chest as he worked out a particularly tight muscle group. “I’ve been on the computer for a week, exclusively, doing all my work there.”
“How do you usually do it?” He dug his thumb into a mass of knots just below her hairline.
“Oh. Wow. You’re good at this.”
He grinned. “Muscle strains are part of my job. Now, answer me. If you don’t work at the computer all day, what are you usually doing?”
“Visiting showrooms, warehouses. Design stores. I meet face-to-face with clients. Do consults.”
None of which she’d done since she’d been in town.
She slid her neck to one side and he pressed in, deeply, on her scapula. A shudder ran through her that zinged right through his hands and up his arm, like he’d touched a live, sparking wire.
Layla groaned again. The sound, so erotic, so enticing, so damn…pleasure-filled drew a line straight to his dick and he hardened like a brick in an instant. He’d give anything to have her make that sound while he was inside her.
The thought sent an ice river cascading over him.
He lifted his hands, rubbed them together once, then shucked them in his pockets.
What had he been thinking to touch her like that? So boldly. So…intimately.
She’s a client. You need to remember that. No mixing business with fun.
He eased out a breath.
No matter how much fun it might be.
Layla, oblivious to his mounting lust, tipped her head left and right a few times and sighed before she turned around.
Luckily, his hoodie fell below his hips, obstructing the bulge agonizingly pressing against his jean fly.
“I don’t think my neck’s been this loose in weeks.” She lifted her gaze to his, a question in her eyes. “How’d you learn how to do that?”
“My ex was a physical therapist. She practiced on me when she was in school.” A gentle shoulder lift and he added, “Some of it –” he rolled his eyes “– rubbed off.”
That tiny grin she’d shown him previously, built and grew until her lips parted, revealing perfect teeth.
Cody swallowed as his groin grew even tighter.
She dipped her chin a hair as she continued her perusal of his face. Her breathing was a little too fast and when her pupils dilated he took a step forward, then stopped mid-stride.
Her grin flew, a worry line grooving the spot between her eyes as she hissed in a breath.
“Layla—”
“How long will it take to get a replacement washer and dryer?” she asked, the words rushing from her. “And please don’t say weeks.”
He shook his head to clear it. “I can have them here by lunchtime if you know what you want.”
“Really? How? I can’t imagine there’s an appliance store with that kind of inventory and same-day service in Heaven.”
“There isn’t. But there is the next town over. The owner and I went all through school together and because I bring him so much business he’s always willing to help with an emergency. And this qualifies as one.”
Thankful he had something to do instead of stand there, staring at her and wanting to do something to ease the ache in his pants, he pulled his phone from his back pocket and called up the store’s website. “Here.” He pointed to her desk. “Sit down and type in this web address. You can see the brands and models he offers. Decide what you want and I’ll give him a call to make sure everything’s in stock.”
She did as he asked and within fifteen minutes was assured both models would be delivered within the hour.
“I can’t believe this,” she said, when he disconnected the call. “Whenever I’ve dealt with dealers and businesses for merchandise for my clients, I always have to wait weeks, if not months, for the items.”
“You don’t live in a small town,” he said, lifting his toolbox again from where he’d left it in the hallway. “Those local connections go a long way toward making life easier. That old saw about one hand washing the other runs true here. Something you might consider if you decide to set up shop in Heaven.”
She stared across the room at him, a look he couldn’t decipher crossing her face.
“I’m gonna head up to the attic,” he told her. “See to those issues you mentioned. The delivery truck should be here in less than an hour.”
Worry. It was worry forming across her lips and pale skin.
“Can you be in charge of the delivery?” she asked, her voice shaking. It was subtle, and you’d have to know what she sounded like usually to actually hear it. But he did. “I mean,” she threaded her fingers together and pressed them against her tummy. “Since you know them, and everything. I’d just be in the way.”
Silently, he cursed her idiot ex- fiancé again. He doubted she’d ever worried a whit about not knowing deliverymen or anyone else for that matter. He could lay her hesitation and apprehension squarely on his indicted doorstep.
The asshole.
He’d give anything to wipe the worry and dread from her face.
“Give me a shout-out when they get here,” he told her. Relief drifted over her lovely face.
Good thing the idiot ex was in another state, incarcerated, because he really wanted to punch him in the face.
Stay tuned – publication date announcement coming…soon. At least I hope it is, lol!
Peggy Jaeger, Author 