“You have to ’pologize,” the girl says as she races away from him, but doesn’t try very hard to outrun him. She wants to get caught. “You have to ’pologize to the princess.”
“The princess was bad,” he says with a laugh. “And you’re too cute to punish.”
He glances up and catches my gaze with his, and we both pause.
“I’m sorry to eavesdrop, your highness,” I begin and curtsy. “I’m Noel, the interior designer you have a consult with this afternoon.”
“Oh, shit,” he says, checking the time, then points to the child. “Do not repeat that.”
“Shit,” she says gleefully and breaks out into a dance.
He sighs, rubs his hand down his face, and then shrugs a shoulder. “I’m Reed,” he says, extending his hand for mine. I try to ignore the sizzle that runs up my arm at the contact.
Try being the operative word, because this guy is hot.
If you look tall, dark, and handsome up in the dictionary, there’s likely a photo of Reed Taylor right there.
“Noel,” I repeat. “And who is this lovely lady?”
“Princess Piper,” she says with a sweet smile. “But you can call me Piper.”
“Well, hello there, Piper.”
“Her babysitter was sick today,” Reed says and shrugs. “So I had to work from home.”
“And your wife? Will she be joining us?” I ask.
Piper’s smile falls, and Reed clears his throat.
“I’m not married,” he says simply, and I immediately feel like a complete asshole.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.” I shuffle my feet. “Shall we get started?”
“Yes, that would be great.” He gestures for me to join him at a beautiful outdoor living area, with the best view of the Sound I’ve seen in a long time. “The fire is going, but if it’s too chilly for you, we can go inside.”
“No, this is great.” I sit across from him and smile as Piper sits next to him and leans her head on his shoulder. “You sure are a beautiful girl.”
“Thanks,” she says quietly. “My mommy went to heaven, so then I had to live with Daddy.”
I blink rapidly, not sure what to say to that.
“I’m sorry,” Reed says, his voice perfectly calm. “She’s four and—”
“No need to apologize,” I assure him. “I’m so happy that you have your daddy to live with.”
“Me, too,” Piper says.
“Now, my assistant tells me that you’re in the market for some Christmas decorations.”
“That’s right,” Reed says with a nod. “This is Piper’s first Christmas with me, and I want to make it special. I do not, however, have an eye for decorating. Nor do I own any of the appropriate materials.”
“You don’t have any decorations in the attic?” I ask.
“No. I don’t generally celebrate the holidays. I’m usually too busy working.”
So many questions swirl around in my mind. What happened to Piper’s mom? Why is this his first Christmas with Piper?
Why do I want to have my way with my client? I’ve worked for handsome men before. This isn’t my first rodeo.
“Just from seeing the outside of your home, I have ideas,” I say and smile. “I love the Cape Cod style. Do you want interior and exterior décor?”
“Yes. All of it.”
“What color scheme—?”
“I don’t mean to be rude,” Reed interrupts, “but this is why I hired you. I don’t know what the best colors are, or anything else. I run a finance company, so I can invest money for you, but I can’t help you decorate my home.”
“Understood,” I say with a nod. “You never know how hands-on a client wants to be.”
“Consider my hands off,” he says. “At least, where the Christmas décor is concerned.”
My eyes meet his. If I’m not mistaken, Reed is flirting with me.
Perhaps the attraction is mutual.
Too bad. I have a job to do here, and I’m entirely too busy to start something with a single dad.
Too much baggage for me.
“What about you, Piper?” I ask, catching the young girl’s attention. “Do you have any special requests?”
She frowns as if giving it a great deal of thought, which I find completely charming. “Can we have bunnies?”
“Bunnies?”
She nods happily. “I like bunnies.”
“Christmas bunnies will certainly make their appearance this year. I’ll leave you my card. My cell number is on there, and you are welcome to call or text with any questions. In the meantime, I’ll get some designs drawn up and emailed to you for approval.”
“Great,” he says with a nod.
“And, once approved, my crew will come to make it all happen. It should only take them a couple of days, tops.”
“You won’t be here for that?” Reed asks and frowns.
“No, they usually have very detailed instructions to follow, and I’m just in the way.”
“I’d like you here,” he says as if that settles everything. “I’ll pay an extra fee if need be.”
“There’s no need to pay extra, and there’s really no need for me to be here.”