Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (4 page)

With coffee in hand, she left her apartment and went to her favorite rocker. A book she’d been trying to read for the last month was on the table beside her, but once again she couldn’t bring herself to open it. A love story only reminded her that happily ever after was not for her.
I should start reading mysteries. Maybe then I’ll start being paranoid like Mark.
Hannah laughed to herself.

“Someone is happy this morning.”

His deep voice startled her. Because she didn’t want to attract bugs, she’d left the porch light off. Now she could hear but not see him. Had he been there watching her all this time?
No. If I can’t see him, then he can’t see me. No need to be self-conscious. I just need to go in the house before him and book it to my room.

“Yes, I am. Have a good day, Mr. Collins.” She got off her rocking chair and headed for the door. Before she could open it, he spoke again.

“Pink suits you.”

Damn.
Hannah grabbed the doorknob, pulled it open, and quickly went inside. She might not be able to see him, but clearly, he could see her.

When she got to her bedroom, she slammed the door shut.
Maybe Mark was right. I should’ve asked a lot more questions before letting him into my house. He obviously doesn’t understand how to respect someone’s privacy. God, he could’ve turned and looked the other way. But no. He watched me. Why?

Hannah pulled a pair of jeans over her shorts and a T-shirt over her cami. She didn’t even take time to brush her hair. All she wanted to do right now was give him a piece of her mind.

She opened her door and headed back to the porch. This time she turned on the light. She wanted to meet his eyes when she told him what a creepy thing that was to do. When she got to the porch, he was sitting at the far end in what was her father’s favorite spot. Her growing anger choked in her throat at the sight. All she could picture was her father sitting there. Yelling at Mark in that seat wasn’t something she could do.

“Mr. Collins, I would like to speak to you in the kitchen.” She didn’t wait for a response and left him alone on the porch. If he didn’t follow her then she knew no matter how badly she needed him here to do the work, she would send him packing today.

As she stood in the kitchen, she realized she’d been holding her breath until he entered.

“You’re angry,” Mark said as he came to stand by her.

She crossed her arms in front of her, half to make a statement and the other half to cover the fact she hadn’t put on a bra. “Shouldn’t I be? I mean you invaded my privacy.”

“No. I didn’t.”

“Of course, you did. I was sitting on my porch, and you were sitting there watching me.” Even as she said it, she became angry all over again.

“First of all, I was already sitting on the porch when you came out. So you cannot claim I invaded your privacy.”

“I didn’t know you were there.”

“And that changes what exactly? If you did, would you have gone back and put on a robe? Or would you have still come out on the porch?”

She didn’t answer him.

“You know you don’t live here alone. You’re lucky it was me there and not your tenant. What if he would’ve been there watching you? At least, I made my presence known. That was a choice. I didn’t have to.”

“I would’ve heard you eventually.”

“Only if I wanted you to,” Mark stated in a tone which clearly said he wasn’t joking.

Was he threatening her? Was that some type of warning of what he could do to her if he wanted? She looked into his eyes and saw he wasn’t a man to challenge, but there was something more. Was it gentleness? No, it couldn’t be. Nothing about him looked anything but fierce, powerful, and intimidating as hell. Although Sissie had mentioned how protective he was of his younger sister, she thought that was normal from a big brother, but he wasn’t her family or her friend.
Thanks for scaring me in my own home. That so isn’t on your list.
“What are you saying? That you can—”

“That you need damn locks on your doors, and stop thinking you’re safe here. If you don’t, someday you’re going to meet someone who won’t be a gentleman like me. Understood?”

Mark barked at her and she trembled. What had just occurred did open her eyes. She didn’t want the rose-colored glasses removed. It was all she had right now, and she needed them more than he understood. Someone like him, who saw danger around every corner, would never or could never understand. But he was right. She was going to have to make a few changes in this place. Locks could be the first priority. The other was keeping her distance from him.

“Okay. Lock first thing tomorrow. Anything else?”

“Yes. For God’s sake, stop calling me Mr. Collins. Call me Mark or call me Collins. And don’t you dare call me sir either.”

So full of requests so bright and early. Maybe I should learn to sleep in from now on. But why on earth would I call him sir? He’s not that old. Men.

“Fine. If you’ll excuse me, Mark, I have something I need to attend to.”
Don’t know what it is, but it’s not here with you.
She walked out of the kitchen and headed toward her bedroom. Once inside she leaned against the closed door. “Please let him get these repairs done fast. I’m not going to be able to do this every day.”

H
annah didn’t make the same mistake on Monday morning. She had her robe on any time she left the confines of her bedroom. Mark seemed to agree that the less they spoke about the porch incident, the better.

Even before she entered the kitchen, the aroma caught her attention. Someone was cooking bacon. She knew everything in her refrigerator, and that wasn’t one of the items. Stores weren’t open yet either. So where did he get bacon at this early hour?

Her nose hadn’t lied. Mark was standing at the stove wearing a tight T-shirt and jeans that hugged his butt.
The food’s not the only thing delicious in here.
She could see the strings from her apron tied around his waist. Hannah couldn’t figure this man out. Hard as nails yet comfortable enough to slap on a frilly apron while cooking. It was tempting to pinch herself to make sure she was, in fact, awake.
This picture is definitely something I would dream about. Except he would only be wearing my apron. But only because cooking without an apron can be hazardous. Don’t want any vital parts getting burned.
A dirty little smile crossed her face.

She couldn’t pull her eyes off him. His shoulders were broad and tapered to a trim waist that ended with a butt made to grab.
God, that man’s butt was made for jeans
. Tipping her head slightly for an even better view, she couldn’t help but grin as she bit her lip, holding back laughter as not to make her presence known.
With a body like that, let’s lose the apron too.

“Good morning, Hannah.”

He didn’t even turn around, yet he still greeted her as though he knew she was there. But did he know her thoughts were hot enough to sizzle the bacon?

“Good . . . good morning, Mark. Bacon?”

“Fresh from the farm.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Went for an early morning run and met one of your neighbors.”

She was far from town. Her closest neighbor was at least ten miles away. That’s not a run. That’s more like a marathon. “Do you mean the Hagers?”

“You mean Gerald and Patty?”

Day three and already on a first-name basis with the locals? We’re friendly but not that open.
This was her hometown, and she’d never called them anything but Mr. and Mrs. Hager.
Who are you, Mark Collins?

“And the bacon?”

Mark finally turned from the stove and faced her. “Guess I looked hungry.” Mark laughed.
Oh. Good. God.

Her jaw almost dropped.
He’s gorgeous.
He not only had cut his hair short, but he was clean shaven.
You’re making me hungry, Mark Collins, like I’ve never been hungry before. I already have so much on my mind. Daydreaming of you kissing me, touching me, isn’t going to help any.

Hannah turned away before he could see the desire in her eyes. “Hope they gave you enough for two because I’m starving.”

There was no way was she going to let him get to her.
Where do they grow men like him? And more importantly, what bad have I done in my life that he would turn up in my house, when there is no possible chance I can do anything with him? Stay focused. He’s here to repair the house. Not your broken libido.
They had a long day ahead of them. First, do a walk through the apartments to see what supplies were needed and then go into town and hopefully have enough money to get the supplies. “What can I do to help?”

“Pour some coffee and have a seat. But don’t get used to my cooking. It’s not in my contract.”

She smiled as she walked up to grab a coffee cup from the cupboard next to him. “Is it too late to renegotiate?”

The light banter back and forth was refreshing. Whatever friction had been there yesterday was gone. It’s in the past, and she was going to leave it there. If only she could do the same with the sexual attraction she felt for him. Her arm barely brushed against his, and her body warmed. What was it that made every nerve in her come to life? It’d been a long time since she’d felt an intimate touch, too long, but this was beyond anything she’d experienced before. She wanted it to stop, yet she wanted it to never end.

Her hand trembled as she poured the dark liquid into her cup. She wasn’t going to criticize, but it didn’t look anything like what she made. Hannah drank her coffee black, but this looked like it was going to require some doctoring. Too bad she didn’t have any cream. She brought the cup to her mouth, took one sip, and almost spit it out. He must’ve seen the look on her face that screamed
horrible.

“Sorry. I should’ve warned you. I make it strong.”

Caffeine in the morning was a necessity, but today she was going to pass on that. Putting the full cup on the counter, Hannah jokingly said, “If I end up growing hair on my chest, I’m blaming you.”

Mark gave her a wink. “That’s the last pot of coffee I brew. I don’t want to be responsible for ruining anything so perfect.”

Hannah felt her cheeks warm at his sweet little flirt. She’d seen him eyeing her before. But to hear him verbalize that he liked what he saw made her heart race.
Please stop looking at me like that.
She didn’t respond to him. Instead she turned to the cupboard again and pulled some plates down.

“If I can’t help cook, then I’ll set the table.” As she was placing the dishes on the table, she could feel him watching her, probably like he’d felt her watching him earlier. This was a habit they couldn’t afford to start. One thing was going to lead to another and the only building that was going to get done was building passion.
Sweet, but not productive.
“Don’t let that bacon burn,” Hannah said to get his attention back to where it belonged.

She heard him laugh softly then scrape the metal tongs against the cast iron pan.

Thankfully they were able to keep the topic purely business over breakfast. “You cooked, so I’ll do the dishes.”

He ignored her and continued washing the pans he used to cook earlier. Not only was he doing the ones from that morning, but she noticed what she’d left there the night before had been already done as well.

“Mark, I can—”

“And so can I.”

He was a man obviously used to being in control. She was used to having to do everything herself. Besides her father, no other person had ever stopped to take care of her in any way. If anything she was the one always doing for everyone. Here was a man who appeared out of nowhere, asking her to do what was so unfamiliar to her.
Let go.

It was stupid. They were only dirty dishes, so why did she want to get up and force the issue that she could do them herself?
Because he’s only here for a short time. If I let him do for me now, it will only be worse when he leaves. I have to remember that I can’t miss what I never had.

She picked up her plate and walked to stand by Mark. She slipped it into the soapy water. Even though it was awkward because she needed to lean over, she put her hand into the water, grabbed the second sponge, and started washing the plate. Mark didn’t budge.

“Stubborn, aren’t you?” he asked, towering over her.

His body was warm against hers. It would be so easy to give in, not to just dishes either. Instead she nudged him with her hip, not making eye contact. “More than you know. I’ll wash, you dry.”

He didn’t move at first, but then she felt his body relax and step to the right, giving her full access to the sink. Not that she liked washing dishes, but this morning she found it something she didn’t mind one bit. It didn’t take long before everything was put back in place.

“Are you going to be hovering over me like this when I start the work on the house?”

Hannah laughed. “I can deal with a broken plate or cup. But if you think this house is in need of repair now, you don’t want to see what would happen if you let me near a power tool.”

“For all you know, I’m not any better.”

Oh, you probably could drive a nail into a board with your bare hand. Those are working man hands. Strong. Powerful. Damn I want to feel them on me.
She cleared her throat. “Then you better tell me now before we head to town and pick up supplies.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head. I’m very good with my hands.”

She didn’t miss the curl of his lips as he spoke.
Just keep them where they belong. A sample of what you’re offering will open a gate I may not be able to close afterward. If I think I feel alone now, it would be one hundred times worse when you leave.
That thought confused her. She was used to being alone. When her father was sick and spent a lot of time sleeping, she was always alone. She had felt alone at times but not lonely. But in the year since his death, that had morphed into
loneliness. Am I feeling this way just because he is the first man to banter with me in years?
She had to stop thinking about this. Mark Collins was a temporary person in her life, here to do a job, then move on to the next.

“Let’s take a tour of the empty apartments and head to town.” She wiped her wet hands on the towel and left the kitchen. Distance was what she needed right now.
And maybe a cold shower.

Mark took notes of all the work needed on the empty apartments. Since she was going to show the top right one at the end of the week, he figured that was where he needed to start. What he hadn’t expected was the amount of work left. No plumbing hooked up in the kitchen or the bathroom. It was convenient that there also wasn’t a floor in the bathroom yet. What she was asking to happen couldn’t be done in a few days by one person. Even two wasn’t going to be easy.
Going to deliver some bad news. Hope she’s ready for the truth, ’cause that’s all I deal in.

“Better cancel your appointment. There is no way this is going to be ready by Friday.”

“I thought you said you were good with your hands?”

“I am.” He held them up. “If you notice, I only have two. What you need done to make it safe for someone to walk through will take at least two people. That doesn’t count getting it all pretty looking with paint. That’s making it safe.”

He saw the look on her face. Of course, she was disappointed. Who wouldn’t be? But she wasn’t living in reality if she thought for one minute this could work.

“You don’t understand. It can’t wait, Mark. I need. . . I have to. . .” She turned away and walked to an open window, standing there quietly.

You’re right; I don’t understand. So tell me.
“What do you need, Hannah?”

Still not facing him, she sighed heavily. “I need the income.”

Money. It isn’t always about money.
“It’s one month at the most.”

“One month that determines if I have this place or not. I can’t afford to lose that money, Mark. Without it, the bank will foreclose on the house. This is only an old house to you, nothing more. But not to me. If the bank takes it, then I’ll have failed and lost the only thing I have left of my father.”

Her voice was soft as she spoke, but he could feel how voicing the words out loud brought her immense pain. He’d known things had to be financially tight when he heard what he’d be paid. Practically room and board. If he smoked or drank, maybe enough to cover that as well. But he wasn’t there for the money. He was there for his sanity. He could walk away now and find another place to decompress, but leaving her, knowing she was going to lose her home, would haunt him.

Mark could easily open his wallet and give her the money to float this place several months. But he’d only hurt her pride, which he knew she had in spades given her refusal to let him do her dishes. There was so much more to her than her pride. He could tell she put on one hell of a front that she was tough and independent, but he could see deep inside she was shaking and needed someone to lean on. He wanted to go to her, wrap his arms around her, and tell her she wasn’t alone. He was here. He’d help her with whatever she needed. But the truth was, he wasn’t that person. She could lean on him now, but once he got that call, she would find herself exactly where she was today.
Alone.

Think, Collins. Can’t call in the team for this. They need their R&R as much as I do. And if I get called so will they. I need someone I can trust totally. And a damn good plan so she doesn’t think this is charity. She needs to continue to think she’s the one in control.