“I’ll see what I can do.” There’s no way I’m going to let her go to Ikea when I will do everything in my power to match their price. Hell, I’ll take a cut if I have to. I just want to be around her. Being her contractor would give me the opportunity to see her every day. That’s something I cannot pass up. “It’s not as bad as you say it is.” I take a bite of the muffin. A blast of blueberry buttery goodness dances on my tongue. “Holy shit, these are good.”
“Thank you.” She shimmies her shoulders, proud of herself. “I made them.”
“No way.”
“Yeppers. I have a hard time sleeping in, especially today, knowing you were coming over. So, I got up and decided to put myself to use.”
“Well, your muffin is the best I’ve ever tasted.” A beat of awkward silence passes between us as I realize what I just said. “I’ve had a lot of muffins in my life. I’m a muffin man.” Hells bells, I am not making this any better. “You know what I mean.”
Anastasia covers her mouth with the back of her hand, suppressing a giggle and a stray strand of hair falls into her eyes. I fight the urge to push it back into place. “I have no idea, Valen. Can you explain it to me?” I must pull a face because she blatantly laughs out loud. “Of course I know. It’s just funny.”
She’s right; it is funny. Anastasia’s laugh is contagious, and before I know it, I’m laughing right along with her. It’s been so long since I’ve had something to laugh about. It feels good, but I’m not surprised. Everything about being with Anastasia brings me pure joy.
CHAPTERFIVE
ANASTASIA
Of course,I hired Valen before he left that day. After almost a week of waiting while he gathered supplies and hired a small crew, the first day of construction has finally arrived. However, I won’t be home to see it. I’ve got an early tattoo appointment at the shop. Now, Valen has a key to my house. Knowing this gives me the tiniest little thrill.
The hours pass slowly as I slog through my appointments. Usually, when I’m fully booked the day flies, but something tells me that knowing Valen is in my house right now makes me eager to return. Thank God I’m done a little early.
When I pull in front of my house, I let out a sigh of relief when I see Valen’s truck parked outside. I pull down the visor, fix my hair, check my teeth, and head into the house to see the progress.
I’ve been dreaming about a beautifully updated kitchen since I bought the house, so I’ve had that vision in my head. I’m not prepared for the realities of home renovation when I open my front door. Calling it a mess is downplaying what I’ve walked into.
Slowly, I step further into the kitchen. Valen sweeps the kitchen floor, brushing an obscene amount of dust around. He doesn’t see me, and his headphones prevent him from knowing I’m home at all. As gently as I can, I walk over to him, prepared to tap him on the shoulder, but I don’t have the chance. He flips around and gasps at the sight of me.
I let out a little yelp in return, taking a step backward as he pulls his headphones from his ears. “You’re home.”
“I live here,” I tease, my heart still racing against my ribcage.
“Sorry, I’m still cleaning up.”
“I thought the crew took care of that.”
“I’m sort of a hands-on contractor.” My body tingles at the term. I’d like to have his hands on me. “I’ll be done in about another half-hour.”
“Take your time,” I say, glancing at my completely gutted kitchen cabinets. Its baren appearance freaks me out a little, but I tell myself it’s all part of the process. At least I still have running water and electricity in here…for now.
Desperate to get out of this bra I seem to have outgrown in the last few months, I head to my room, close the door tightly and put on my favorite pair of leggings and oversized t-shirt, then frown at my own reflection when I glance in the mirror. There’s a hot contractor in my kitchen, andthisis what I choose to wear?
“I can do better than this.”
I flip through my closet, grab my most comfortable pair of jeans that still fit me like a glove, and put on a tank-top with a built-in bra that lifts my breasts high enough to give Valen a little peek. My cheeks flush with heat, but I don’t care. Valen’s hot, and from what I can tell, he’s been flirting with me. Why not live a little and flirt right back? It’s not like anything’s really going to happen between us.
I bite into my lower lip, hoping I’m wrong.
I saunter back into the kitchen as Valen puts his broom up. “All finished,” he says, brushing his hands against his destroyed jeans. The way his navy t-shirt hugs his well-defined chest makes me ache for another peek…and I think I know how to get it. “How’s the tattoo holding up?” I ask.
“Great. I love it.” As expected, he grabs the hem of his shirt and lifts it until I’m granted a glorious view of his insanely toned torso. I take a step closer, not mad at all that despite the labor he’s performed today, he still smells damn good to me. I run my finger over the ink, feeling a thrill as his nipple stiffens under my touch.
“It does look good.” I take a step back, drinking in his physique before he pulls his shirt back into place. He’s so hot it actually hurts me.
“I’m pleased with it,” he says. “I’m glad you are, too.”
Our eyes lock and again, I’m struck by how gray they are, so completely unique. He brushes his hair away from his face, sitting into one hip. “We’ll be back tomorrow, same time.”
Oh no, he’s leaving. “Do you drink?”