Boyfriend for Hire Read online

  He lifted her hand, kissed the back before working his way to nibble across her fingers. “There are some physical needs money can’t satisfy.”

  She tugged her hand. He wouldn’t let go. Instead he turned it over to place whisper-soft kisses on her wrist.

  “Trust me, money can satisfy any need. With a six-figure salary, I’ll never run out of batteries.”

  He released her hand to place his own over his wounded heart. “Ouch. You know where to stick the knife, don’t you.”

  Her gaze shifted down and then back up to meet his cautious look.

  “Okay, I’ll concede money can buy whatever. Doesn’t mean it’s the same quality.” He took her hand again, keeping her close. “Look, all I’m trying to say is, give the place a chance before you start looking for another job. Since you started working there . . . I don’t know. You’re more relaxed. Not always in a hurry. You smile more. I like this side of you, not that I didn’t like you before.”

  She’d give him credit; he had a point. In the past week, she’d slept better. Not that she hadn’t lain in bed going over her lists, like always. No, it wasn’t that. It was that her lists were shorter, and items were getting checked off. She liked the challenge the job brought, always searching for a new theme or keeping the client happy even when they didn’t know what it was that would make them happy. Maybe she would stick it out for a while longer before deciding.

  “I’ll give it some thought. And speaking of new jobs agreeing with you, yours seems to be going well.” She waved to Kerri, who signaled for her. “We better head back to our seats. Looks like I’m being paged.”

  “Yeah, looks can be deceiving.”

  They strolled down the corridor toward the stairs. “Why do you say that? Is there a problem at work?”

  “No, not really. A lot of moving parts to keep track of, and I’m used to Jason handling this end. Different mind-set than my norm. Need to take my own advice and give it some time.”

  She stopped him before they descended the stairs and rejoined the group. “I’m pretty good at organization, in case you haven’t noticed. I could help. Set you up with a top ten list. It really helps me keep on top of things.”

  “I’ll give it some thought.” He echoed her words back.

  Reaching their seats they found the NE Events gang in an excited flurry of chatter and motion. Shouting, laughing, people talking over each other. Trying to follow the bouncing conversation made Tawny’s head spin. She turned to Kerri, who had signaled them to rejoin the group.

  “What’s going on?”

  “You picked the wrong time for a walk.” She bent down and gave her hubby a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek. “Troy caught a foul ball. You should have seen it. Totally worthy of America’s Funniest Videos. First he jumped up onto his chair, and when it looked like it would go over his head, he leapt in the air and fell backward, landing in Phil’s lap. Classic Harper move. If it had been me, we’d be on the way to the ER. This guy,” she pointed to her husband, “always manages to land safely and come out smelling like, well, not roses in this case, but nacho cheese sauce.”

  She didn’t get it. What was the big deal about catching a foul ball? Didn’t matter. As evidenced by the group’s delight, she’d be happy for Troy, kind of hard not to, when the enthusiasm wrapped itself around you and gave you a mama bear hug.

  “Congrats, Troy. What are you going to do with it now?” Did you throw the ball back? No clue, and she hoped the group didn’t realize her lack of knowledge of baseball etiquette.

  “Going to get this puppy signed by the batter and save it for when Laurel gets old enough to play.”

  Okay then. She smiled back at the beaming, proud papa. Men and sports. She’d never get it.

  “This is why we sit down here instead of up in the club seats. All the action is in the stands. The clubrooms are nice with food set for a royal feast, but it’s also easy to step into the room, grab a plate, and get caught up in a work-related conversation. Down here, it’s all about the game.” Al Spinelli took his eyes off the batter for an instant to connect with Tawny. “What’s the point in going to a live game if you cut yourself off from the action?”

  “Hey, speaking of action, check out the jumbotron.” Felicity pointed to the giant monitor.

  Tawny shifted her view to see what was going on now. Mouth dropped, heart thudded. She and David were on the stadium big screen framed in a red heart. One word flashed on and off: KISS.

  Pink stole across her cheeks, tingling from the sudden heat. Her heart pounded filling her ears, shaking her body. It took a few seconds to realize the rumble bouncing the soles of her shoes came from the stomping crowd. Their chant grew louder and louder, penetrating the thick fog engulfing her brain. One word, over and over.

  Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

  David slid his arm over her shoulders, drawing her closer. “It’s tradition.”

  She dragged her gaze from the screen to his piercing blue eyes. “Did you forget? I’m a nonconformist.”

  His thumb stroked the soft spot below her ear. “Can’t let the fans down, can we?” He slid his hands into her hair, cupping the sides of her face. Slanted his mouth across hers and seared her brain cells.

  Not a quick, casual, we-did-our-job kiss. No, this was a slow, succulent, soul-rendering claim on her mouth, sending bolts of passion through her system as he seduced.

  Crowd forgotten, she held on for the ride.

  Lost in sumptuous sensation and fantasies of where this would lead, it took a beat or two for her to realize the warmth of his lips had been replaced with the cool August air.

  Her mind spun. Her body ached. Her heart cried out for more. Looking into his eyes, which had gone from clear blue skies to storm gray, she knew she had to end this now. No more pretending. It had gone too far. She didn’t have time for romance. She had a new career to focus on. A plan to execute. And David was just the type of guy she’d lose herself with. Charismatic, outgoing, and sexy as hell.

  The crowd roared with applause as the two broke apart. With the camera still focused on them, Tawny gave a little wave. Well, maybe she could pretend for a few more hours; after all, she didn’t want to let down the fans.

  Al Spinelli whooped with cheer. “Yep, this is where all the action happens.”

  The woman blew him away. One minute she was plastered against him, the next a million miles separated them. It had been obvious she’d been as caught up in the kiss as he had. Her body went from stiff to soft and back again. It was always three steps forward, two steps back. Didn’t matter. One thing he’d learned long ago while playing ball was you never quit when the bases were loaded with a grand slam within your reach.

  He’d give Tawny some breathing room. Not a lot, not enough to let her backpedal to when they’d first met or even to when they’d started this game. He liked this new Tawny and he was pretty sure she did too. Not that there was anything wrong with the old one. She’d been on his mind since the first moment they’d met, but she needed time to get used to the changes. Hell, he needed time to get used to his own.

  Chapter Ten

  The chirping birds outside her office window reminded her of Snow White. Or was it Cinderella? Either way, for the past four hours they hadn’t shut the freak up. Sort of like her coworkers on the subject of David Farber. Was there anyone in this company who wasn’t crushing on the guy? She’d refused to take him cookies some woman she’d never met before dropped off yesterday; instead she’d taken them home and eaten half of the plate.

  Yesterday, she’d been handed her second planning gig, a small corporate luncheon. No problem, except the company had forgotten about it and she had only two weeks to set it up and finalize the details. The entire morning had been spent finding a location available on short notice. Thanks to Kerri, she had two options. Picking up her purse, she was on her way out to inspect both when her office door opened.

  “Hey, Tawny. Got a minute?” David’s dive buddy walked in and planted a hip on the edge of
her desk before she could respond.

  She didn’t bother to put her purse down, as she had every intention of keeping the appointments she’d scheduled. First on her list, check out the private dining rooms of the two restaurants, and then meet up with Camellia and the momster for flower selections.

  “What’s up?”

  “It was great to see you and David at the game this weekend. Lot of fun what with Troy and the foul ball and you two on the jumbotron. How’s the wedding planning going?”

  Excuse me? What the hell had he and David talked about on their food run?

  “Anna DeSalvo can be a handful at times, definitely the type who needs to have everything done her way. She’s a smart lady, though. Talented at balancing a lot of balls in the air at once. If you need to distract her and want a sure fire way to get on her good side, mention the Rhode Island Child Read program to her. It’s her baby. Started it about ten years ago and they do amazing work.”

  She appreciated the tip, but was starting to get the feeling that the men in the company doubted her ability to deal with strong-willed women. If they’d ever met Katia Torres, they’d understand Tawny had been trained by the best.

  “Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.” She glanced down to her watch. “I don’t mean to be rude, but . . .”

  “Sorry.” He popped up off the desk corner. “You know that financial guy’s retirement party? Anyway, found out he’s heading south, moving to Texas. Thought I’d plan a fiesta for him. I, uh, hoped you could, uh, maybe recommend a caterer.”

  He fidgeted, rubbing his hands together, then shoving them in his pockets. Ducking his head showed off his bright pink scalp where the hair refused to grow—a flaming beacon Santa could use on a wintery night should Rudolph want the night off. In a way, it was kind of cute, his worry. Goodness knows she’d faced worse stereotyping growing up. None of that bothered her, she was proud to be Hispanic, and if she could ask Cherry’s grands about the Irish pubs (and Lord knows they could name the best joints within a hundred miles), then people could ask her about Mexican food.

  “As a matter of fact, I do happen to know the owner of Jorge’s Cocina. He’s a giant pain in my you know what, but he makes the best Mexican food in all of New England.”

  His gaze shot up to meet hers finally. “Really? Can you hook me up?”

  Tawny dug into her purse and handed over a card. “Tell him you want his mother’s chicken empañadas and sweet tamales. Trust me, they’re to die for.”

  “Thanks.” He headed for the door, stopping short. “Hey, if you and Dave don’t have plans for Saturday, can you tell him there’s a group of us diving Fort Weatherill? He’s welcome to join. Have him call me and I’ll give him the details.” He continued out the door and down the hall he went whistling.

  Why couldn’t he call David himself? What? Was she his personal secretary and delivery person now? Grabbing her purse, she headed out to her appointments and to get her away from the Fubar cult. Seriously, did she miss where they passed the Kool-Aid around at the picnic? Everyone else drank it except her? Although she had to wonder at times if her beer hadn’t been spiked at the game, because ever since that kiss the man invaded her dreams and thoughts, giving her no peace.

  Two venue viewings and a canceled appointment later, and Tawny’s mood could make purgatory look like paradise. Would nothing go right this day? Not that it was Camellia’s fault she’d contracted chicken pox. The poor thing had to be miserable. Hopefully the flower basket Tawny sent over with the extra-large bottle of calamine lotion in the middle would give her some relief. Now if only Tawny could find some relief from a certain blue-eyed hottie who’d enchanted everyone he met. She needed distance, but how was the question when he seemed to be everywhere (at least in name).

  Lost in thought, she almost didn’t see the two construction workers step out in front of her car as they unloaded a bundle of boards from their truck. Someone shouted from across the street where the actual work was going on. Something about that voice had Tawny shrinking down in her seat. It couldn’t be. The man was literally every-freaking-where she turned.

  Across the street, glistening with sweat, was the man of her dreams (no, honestly, he was in every one of them lately). David reached up to grab the end of a two-by-four while a young kid drove the nail in. Tawny pulled into the empty space in front of the delivery truck. The place was a beehive of activity, with workers of every age from teen to middle age, men and women alike. Not your typical construction site.

  Her attention returned to David, who appeared to be teaching the teen to frame or whatever it was called when they built a wall. Every few minutes one worker or another would stop and talk with him. Bits and pieces of their conversation floated her way, but not enough to put the puzzle pieces together. He nodded at whatever the woman talking to him said, flagged down a man in his mid-forties to take his place, then walked over to join a group of three women. She watched him for several minutes as he demonstrated how to use the nail gun they’d been holding.

  In all the months she’d known David she’d never seen him look so serious, so intent, so confident. Scratch that, she’d seen him look at her with the same intensity, and the man oozed of confidence in social situations. At work, though, he’d always been the jokester, looking to Jason to lead.

  “Hey, gorgeous, shouldn’t you be picking out flowers?” David’s voice sent ripples of unwelcome pleasure down her spine.

  He’d walked over to where his truck was parked at the curb and stripped to the waist. Mama mia. It should be illegal to cover up such perfection. He pulled out a T-shirt and slung it over his shoulder.

  “What? Are you keeping tabs on me now, Farber?” She gave him the steely-eyed stare of death as he walked toward her. He didn’t back off, he laughed. “Seriously, how did you know I had an appointment at the florist?”

  “Didn’t you know? I have spies everywhere. Besides, you’re the one staked out by my jobsite. Maybe you’re stalking me.” He reached in and tucked a strand of hair behind Tawny’s ear, sending shivers to meet up with the ripples.

  “What are you doing over here anyway? Did you already wrap up the work on the B-and-B? I thought you said it’d take you a couple of months.”

  “Park and I’ll show you.”

  Like she hadn’t heard that line before. Granted, the guy was usually in the car with her. She slid out of the car and looked down at her outfit, then up at the workers covered in dirt, sweat, and gawd knows what.

  “Can’t you show me from here? These may not be Ferragamos, but they’re not Payless either.” Tawny wiggled her ballerina-flat-covered foot for emphasis.

  “Don’t worry, we’re not going to get dirty, at least not right now. I’ll save the hands-on demonstration for when we’re alone.” He took her by the hand and led her across the street.

  “Ha, in your dreams, Farber.”

  “Every single night, darling.” They stopped at the bed of a work truck where two women were chatting. “Hey, Jody, mind if we borrow your hard hat for a few while you take your break? Got us a possible new recruit.”

  A petite brunette grinned from ear to ear as she handed over the requested item to Tawny. “Sure, boss, take your time. Feel free to show her how to frame the east bedroom window while you’re at it.”

  Tawny put the ugly plastic helmet on and followed David up a well-beaten dirt pathway. About ten feet from the actual structure, he stopped. Tawny stood next to him and took in all the people. The guy she’d seen David helping earlier was no more than a kid, maybe sixteen tops.

  “So is this another jobsite for Valentine Rehab? I thought you only did remodels, not from-the-ground-up projects.”

  He slipped his dirty T-shirt back on, and that’s when she finally noticed the logo: Habitat for Humanity.

  “Side gig. What you see before you is the Johnson family’s new home, or it will be in a couple of weeks. Everyone here is a volunteer. For some, like Zach there—” He pointed to the kid. “This is his first project. Ot
hers like Rich, the older dude helping the ladies, he’s a veteran and has put up more houses than he can remember. Jody, whose hat you borrowed, this is her fourth home in the past year, year and half.”

  Zach waved to them, then pointed to the board he’d nailed in place. David gave him a thumbs-up and signaled for him to go work with Rich. Someone else yelled a question for David, which he answered without hesitation.

  “Hey, boss, we’re going to take our break now,” two of the women she’d seen him with earlier said.

  Tawny tried to put it together, but it was like a puzzle missing several pieces. “This doesn’t make sense. I thought you were working on the B-and-B?”

  “I am, but we’re waiting for a shipment to come in, and until it does on Monday, we’re on hold there.”

  “So you spend your day off volunteering here?” It didn’t seem like much of a day off to her and not where she’d pictured Mr. Playboy to be, especially on a gorgeous summer day.

  “When I can, yes. I’ve been doing this since high school.” He turned to her, all playfulness aside. “Let me guess. You thought I’d spend my day off at the beach picking up anything in a bikini?”

  Well, yeah, but no way could she admit the truth. “No, of course not. It’s more I thought you’d spend the day doing something fun, like diving or mountain biking or repelling off the side of a cliff. This . . .” She waved to the work going on around them. “This is what you do every day.”

  He grinned. “I like what I do and this gives me a chance to give back. Jason and I wouldn’t have the skills we do today or our company if we hadn’t got involved with Habitat.”