Right now, I’m not sure. Back away, handsome man. Back away.
“Anyway. I don’t want a real girlfriend. I’m not good with that kind of long-term relationship. There are always too many expectations. And I...that is, I don’t need complications right now. I need to focus on work and make sure my team is as strong as possible before they’re deployed. So I was hoping that I could help you with your house, and maybe you could go as my ‘friend’ to these required outings the boss has put together.” He air-quoted the friend bit.
She wasn’t sure what to think. Why couldn’t he form attachments? Do a long-term gig? Then again, she was in no shape for any kind of relationship, either. She was seriously off men for good.
No, for real. You are off men. No more. Ever. Well, at least until the house was finished.
And he’s free labor.
And, oh, yes, she deserved a little man candy to look at. Every woman did. He could put up the drywall and she could stare at those powerful muscles of his.
There was that.
“What exactly would I have to do on these dates?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Whatever women do. Can I be honest?”
“Sure.”
“I’m up for a promotion. The CO wants to see that I’m settled. Stable. For some reason, having a woman in my life would make him think that I’ll be more focused, which is not exactly how I see things, but he won’t see reason. So, yeah. I just need you to act like you’re into me, and be polite and stuff.”
“All right, but so we’re clear,” she said, having a brief, rare moment of clarity. “I think this is a superbad idea. Someone will probably find out. And then we’re both going to look foolish.”
“Ten-four. I couldn’t agree more. And if I could manage to tell him without him reading me the riot act for the fifth time this week, I would. But this will be more of a business relationship between us, right? You need a handyman and I need a girlfriend. We fix up your place, go to a couple of events and chill out, and then we break up, like most couples do.”
Hmm. “Can I be the one to break up with you?” She didn’t know why, but that was a deal breaker.
He shrugged. “Fine by me.”
“Can you tile a floor?”
“Yes.”
“How good are you with a paintbrush?”
“Better than most.”
“How about drywall?”
He peeked around her into the dining room behind her. “I could have those walls up in less than an hour.”
Really? He would save her countless days and all she had to do was go out on a couple of dates with a good-looking guy?
And we’re questioning this because...?
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
He smiled then, and her heart tugged. She suddenly remembered why this was a bad idea.
Danger. Danger. Danger.
“Really?” He stared at her as if he expected her to take it back or something. What? Were they in second grade?
Why not torture yourself? At least you get the eye candy up close. “Yes. It’s a win-win. You’ll be forcing me to get out of my house once in a while and I get free labor. I might even cook for you, as long as you don’t mind simple food. I can’t do much more than tacos on the hot plate.”
He thumbed some dirt off her nose.
Great. So attractive. Should have washed her face or at least looked in a mirror before she opened the door. She’d caught a glimpse of him running up the street and had stood staring until he’d jarred her to her senses by approaching her house.
Well, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about him making moves on her, given her messed-up appearance.
He was staring at her again as if she were crazy. Had he been saying something?
“Okay. Deal.” She held out her hand and pretended to have been thinking about whether or not she wanted to do this.
His hand swallowed hers. It was so big and rough and she wondered how it would feel on—
“What are you working on?” he asked.
It took a few seconds for her to clue in to what he’d said. No sex. Just friends.
Keep telling yourself that.
“Bathroom fixtures arrived. I’m laying tile so I can put everything together.”
“I can help you with that.” He glanced down at his sweat-soaked shirt. “Forgot I might need a shower.”
She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Seems silly for you to get cleaned up only to get dirty again.”
Dirty. Why did everything out of her mouth sound like sexual innuendo?
Because those shorts were tight against his—
Stop it.
She pushed away the idea of stripping that tank off him and running her hands across the tight abs underneath. Far, far away.
Until she was alone, later, in her bed.
He’s staring again!
“Right. Tile.” She opened the door wider.
“Cool.” He stepped past her and into the house. “Is the bathroom on the second floor?”
“Yeah. First door on the right.”
The man’s backside as he climbed the stairs was a sight to behold.