A Savannah Christmas Wish

“Wait.” He grabbed the cart’s back handle. “You’ll never fit through the door.”

“I know.” She’d planned to get Abby or maybe housekeeping staff to help.

Grabbing the center of the arbor, he stood it up, setting it across the path.

She winced. “Watch out for my roses.”

He raised an eyebrow. Pushing straight up with his arms, he carried the arbor, barely keeping it from scraping the ground. His muscles bulged. “Get the doors.”

She tore her gaze away his fascinating arms. “We have to take it up the outside stairs.”

“I should have guessed,” he mumbled.

She slipped under the arbor, brushing against Daniel’s body. Inhaling, she caught his addictive scent. “This way.”

“Did my dad make this?” he grunted.

“He sure did.” She patted the wood. “Said it would last.”

“I can tell. It weighs a ton.” Daniel sidestepped up the large stone steps. “I need your help.”

She slithered by his hard, fantastic-smelling body one more time. Was he doing this to taunt her?

He tipped the frame on its side.

She steadied the leg and lifted. Working together, they inched up the stone steps.

“The third floor?” Daniel set the arbor on its side on the second-floor landing. “Who usually helps you move this?”

“I’ve only used it in the courtyard.”

He took a deep breath. “Ready?”

“Ready.” She hefted the heavy leg. She had tears in her eyes by the time they reached the landing.

“Break,” he called, laying the arbor down.

She shook out her aching arms.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Never better,” she gasped.

He grabbed the wood. “Okay, last flight.”

She got under the leg and let the edge rest on her shoulder. The wood ate into her skin, but it took more weight off Daniel.

“Finally,” he called from the landing. He stood the arbor up, raised his arms and rested them against the frame. “Where do you want it?”

Lifting the arbor, he followed her into the ballroom.

“Right here.” The bride wanted the feel of an outdoor wedding without worrying about her makeup melting in the heat.

He set it down.

She pushed and pulled until it was in the perfect spot. “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem.” He touched her shoulder and his finger came away bloody. “What happened?”

“Ow.” The wood had sliced a line in her skin. “The arbor.”

“This needs to be cleaned,” he said.

His fingers moving on her skin had her stomach doing cartwheels.

He pulled her to the women’s bathroom. Grabbing paper towels, he soaked them in hot water and hand soap. “This might sting.” His tone was serious.

She jerked. “I can clean this myself.”

“I’ve got it.” He brushed down her tank top and bra strap.

“Hey!”

“Oh, stop.” He gently cleaned the cut. His hair brushed her cheek as he inspected the wound. “I’ve seen you naked.”

“It won’t happen again,” she mumbled.

“Hmm.”

Darn it. It was different seeing Daniel worried about something other than his work.

“Do you have Band-Aids?” His fingers stroked her shoulder.

She shivered from his touch. “I don’t think so.”

Carefully folding a paper towel, he used her bra strap to anchor the makeshift bandage. “That ought to hold.”

“Thanks.” Her voice shook.

“How does it feel?” He cupped her shoulders.

Feel? She only felt his hands. Her stupid heart pounded and it wasn’t from hauling the arbor up the stairs. “I’m fine.”

His gaze darkened.

She held her breath. She wanted him to step closer. He might kiss and reject, but the need to feel his lips on hers was almost painful.

“Bess.” He stared at her mouth.