“Always.”
His eyes widened at that. He slid his hands out from under hers and stepped back. Disappointment rippled through her. She took the sweater down, gently folded it, and laid it on an empty shelf.
Turning to him, she saw he was focused on a knit dress.
“Why don’t you allow me to be your assistant?” she asked, too brightly as the air was suddenly tight between them. “You check the clothing and I’ll hang or fold it.” She wanted to save her mum’s lovely clothing, almost all of which she’d designed, but she also wanted to stay here, with him. Truth be told, she was hoping for more chances to touch his hands, smell his scent, flirt with him, and have him admit more personal details to her like the axe making. She needed a lot more details about that.
“Okay,” he said, but he didn’t look at her and he didn’t sound too thrilled about it.
Whatever. Mia would make him smile again. She made everyone smile, even her too-stiff dad on rare occasions. Making Zeke smile, and somehow breaking down his barriers, sounded like the most important job she’d ever had. Would he allow it? She had no idea, but she could hope for a Christmas miracle.
ChapterSix
Zeke was having a hard time regulating his breathing or his errant thoughts. Lemon candy, soft hands that he couldn’t deny he liked on his flesh, and soft hair that had brushed his face. Her soft but firm body that had brushed against his and filled him with a longing he couldn’t define. The laughter, smiling, and teasing that had him hoping her stalker would never be caught and he could be on permanent security detail.
Had he ever experienced anything like the wonder and perfection that was Mia Burton? He wished he could savor it, extend the conversation, make something of her flirtations, pull her close and just hold her.
Instead, he tried very hard not to touch her as he handed over clothing item after clothing item. When she explained everything in her suitcase had come from her mum’s closet, he probably should’ve stopped looking them over, but he could never be too careful and it gave them an excuse to talk and for him to stay close to her.
He answered her questions about axe-making, how he got started, what kind of wood he used, where he sold his product, who ran his website and marketing. She had a lot of questions and a lot of fabulous suggestions. It was comical that she could seem so interested in his miniscule online business when she was the one who had created and owned a worldwide clothing company.
He was finally able to turn the conversation on her and question her about how she became interested in fashion design. He enjoyed the animated story of her drawing patterns on anything she could find as an “ankle-biter,” which he assumed meant a child, her “mum” encouraging her, her dad tolerating the obsession, her schooling and building her company from the ground up “with no help from the barmy duke,” she made sure to tell him, but maybe a little boost from her friends and connections.
Her story, passion, and work ethic were impressive. He enjoyed every moment in that closet. Mia was … delightful was the first word that came to mind, followed quickly by charming and then enticing.
He could think of a lot more words to describe the bundle of energy, happiness, and appeal that she possessed, but he shut himself down. Back in the master bedroom doorway, she’d told him how every man pursued her. He’d thought she was trying to bait him, but it was obvious she wasn’t exaggerating. She’d dated every intriguing man who’d asked and sweetly evaded or discouraged many others. If she’d wasted a few dates on Commander Lewis, she obviously wasn’t picky in her selection of bachelors.
He wasn’t here to date her, and he had no illusions that he could be the lucky man to hold her attention or that she’d be interested in him for more than just a fling. Even if she had made him feel pretty great with her line of, I’ve never seen a man as blindingly confident as you are. He also liked her calling him Rambo and claiming he could be her male model. His men would cackle at that one. He almost smiled, imagining himself standing on some pedestal while she wrapped cloth around him and pinned it. But then he imagined her hands brushing over the skin of his arms, back, and chest, and it didn’t terrify or repulse him. That wiped his smile away.
They were almost through her huge suitcase full of clothes and toiletries. She’d folded or hung the clothes, stacked all the shoes, and run the toiletries to the master bath after he looked through them. She’d been a great assistant and he’d enjoyed talking with her like he’d never enjoyed talking with a woman.
There was only one spot left to search. He reached into a separate pocket filled with … her underwear. Ah, crap. He didn’t really have an excuse not to go over them. He’d get through it quick and then they’d go through her purse and then maybe … watch a movie? It would be a long few weeks trying to fill their time and resist this hilarious beauty. The stalker had found the other women within days. Maybe Zeke didn’t have too long before the stalker pursued them here. He could just take the guy apart and then Mia could go back to England and dating losers like Lewis. That made his hand tighten around the … silky something in his palm.
Focus.
He didn’t look up as he kneeled next to her bag, gritted his teeth, and pulled out her underthings. One by one, he quickly felt for anything out of place and tried not to think about silk, or was it satin, material against his fingertips. She’d know the exact material blend, but he wasn’t about to ask. He handed each one over as fast as he could, his face and neck burning, refusing to look directly into her eyes. Thankfully, for the first time since he’d met her, she didn’t say anything or tease him. Was it possible she was as uncomfortable as he was?
He finally, finally finished and handed over the last item. He didn’t even want to catalog what they were. It was very odd for him not to catalog. He checked the suitcase inside and out, closed the top and shoved it under a shelf out of the way. Jumping to his feet, he realized immediately he should’ve looked where he was going instead of letting the humiliation of touching her underwear avert his gaze.
She must’ve been turning back toward him at the same time. He bumped into her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and fell against his chest.
Any normal man would have wrapped his arms around her hips or back to steady her. Any normal man would probably also take advantage of the opportunity to have a woman this desirable in his arms.
Zeke knew he was far from normal, but he still could feel every perfect inch of her as she leaned into him, the warm pressure of her hands on his shoulders, and the beautiful way she blinked up at him with those big, brown sugar eyes.
Neither of them said anything as she clung to him, and he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Zeke hated situations where he felt lost. It reminded him too much of being a lost, scared child. Zeke also hated anyone touching him.
Why, then, was he … not hating this moment? He felt warm all over and found he could appreciate every spot where Mia’s hands or body touched him, and he was far from hating it. He swallowed hard. He… liked it. He wanted more of it. More time. More warmth. More touch. More Mia.
Did he dare wrap his arms around her and see if that was something he could like as well?
A door opened and closed. It jolted him back to reality. He was letting a woman touch him and letting down his guard, and neither was acceptable.
He stepped back like she was a hot poker.
Mia stumbled slightly but thankfully righted herself so he didn’t have to do anything like steady her and risk liking her touch any more than he already did. Her eyes flashed with disappointment.
He held up a finger. “Don’t move.”