She focused on his forehead instead of meeting his eyes. Shed pretend nothing awkward had happened last night. Hopefully, hed play along and they could both ignore it.
Should you be up on that ladder? he asked.
I was fine until you scared me. Jules turned back to her work and reached for Doris Day.
You were talking about fishing?
We were? Jules couldnt figure out why he thought that.
You said we needed bait, Melissa put in.
Matt can take you fishing, Caleb said. He was hovering beside Melissa, looking like he wanted to take over the operation. Do you need a hand with that?
Why are you suddenly being nice? Jules asked as she handed over the next portrait.
Shed prefer it if they were cordial to each other. But after their argument yesterday and their encounter last night, shed expected him to avoid her, not to drop by and pretend they were friends.
Im not being nice, he said.
Whos Matt? Melissa asked as she crossed the room with Doris in her hands.
He owns the marina. Caleb took over from Melissa and braced both sides of the ladder.
All those yachts? Melissa asked.
He has a charter service.
Out of our price range, Jules put in. She could only imagine the exorbitant cost of renting one of the lavish-looking yachts.
He wont charge you.
Jules took a step lower on the ladder, expecting Caleb to move back and give her room. Were not going fishing.
Lets not be hasty, Melissa said.
I can set it up. Caleb didnt move.
Jules turned before she took another step down. Deciding shed prefer to face him while edging into his space.
Were far too busy to fish, she said, meeting him at eye level.
Exactly how long would we need for a trip like that? Melissa asked.
How are you not suspicious of this? Jules spoke to Melissa but kept her gaze locked on Caleb. An enemy bearing gifts?
Im not your enemy. Calebs deep voice seemed to rumble through her. There was a challenge in his gray eyes. One more step down, and shed practically be in his arms.
She wasnt going to be the one to back down. She took the final step. So why are you here?
I wanted to talk to you.
About what? She told herself to ignore the sizzle of arousal that skipped across her skin. He was a great-looking guy, and she had some emotional baggage where it came to him. But she could handle it. She could easily handle it.
He drew a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. A few more inches and they would be touching. She wondered how hed handle that. She should make it happen and find out.
The contractors here, Melissa said, as a vehicle engine sounded outside in the parking lot.
You need me? Jules made to move, thinking shed probably just been saved from...something with Caleb.
Nope. Ill just show him around, Melissa said and headed for the door.
We dont need to be competitors. Caleb firmed his stance as he spoke to Jules.
Were not competitors. She wondered how long he intended to keep her trapped. She eased slightly forward to test his boundaries. I have a noncompete agreement, so you cant build Neo.
Caleb leaned in himself, as if he could read her thoughts. Neos not your competition.
I know its not. Because it doesnt exist.
I mean, if it did exist. Wed cater to a different clientele.
The Crab Shack caters to seafood eaters. What does Neo do?
Neos high-end. The Crab Shack is casual.
What makes you say that?
He seemed surprised by her words. He glanced around the building, taking in the aging brick, the torn linoleum and the rustic wood beams. Its humble, basic, kitschy. Dont get me wrong
How could I take that wrong? She crossed her arms, and her elbows touched his chest. She tipped her head, recapturing his gaze and letting her annoyance tighten her expression.
If you were to go high-end, he said.
She waited. She couldnt believe he hadnt backed off yet.
Instead, he increased the connection between them, his chest pressing along the length of her forearms. It was a firm chest, a sexy chest and an amazing chest. For a second, she lost her train of thought.
If you were to go high-end, he said. Wed be complementary. We could feed customers to each other. Youve seen it, a restaurant district or an auto mall. We could become a seafood restaurant clusterthe place to go in greater Olympia for terrific seafood.
Thats pretty good.
So youre interested?
No.
Why not?
Its a pretty good argument, Caleb. Its not true, but A for ingenuity.
Something flashed in his eyes. It was either admiration or annoyance, maybe a bit of both. There are examples of it all over the world.
Neos a nationally known and renowned chain. Youd annihilate the Crab Shack.
Melissas and the contractors voices were muffled as they talked outside on the deck.
Youre not going to agree to this, are you? Caleb asked.
No.
Were not going to be friendly?
Im afraid not.
Okay. He nodded. He let go of the ladder and rocked back, breaking their contact. I guess Ill go back to my corner and come out swinging.
She wasnt disappointed, she told herself. And she definitely didnt miss his touch.
But first, he said, surprising her by reaching back to cup her cheek with his palm. Since I probably cant make the situation much worse...
His intent was clear. She told herself to say no, to turn her head, to step sideways. There was nothing stopping her. She was free to move and shut this down.
But she didnt. Instead, she surrendered to nine years of fantasy and parted her lips as he closed the space between them.
Two
Before his lips even touched Juless, Caleb knew he was making a huge mistake. He also knew he didnt care.
Hed lain awake half the night thinking about her, picturing her on the trail outside her house, reliving her saying shed had a crush on him. He should have kissed her right then. Any other man would have kissed her right then.
Now her cheek was soft against his palm, warm and smooth. He edged his fingers into her silky hair, and his lips finally covered hers. He kept the kiss soft. He wanted to devour her, but he didnt want to scare her, and he sure didnt want her to push him away.
Her lips softened. They parted. He firmed his grip, anchoring her mouth to his, while his free hand went around her waist. Desire pulsed through his body, arousal awakening his senses. He gave in to temptation and touched his tongue to hers.
She moaned, and his arm wound around her, bringing their bodies flush together. He deepened the kiss, bending her slightly backward. His body temperature rose, and he could feel the pulse of the ocean, or maybe it was the beat of his heart.
Melissas voice penetrated from outside, saying something about the roof. Her footsteps sounded on the deck. A mans voice rose in response to her question.
Juless hands went to Calebs shoulders, and she gave the slightest push.
He reacted immediately, pulling back, her flushed cheeks coming into focus, along with her swollen lips and glazed blue eyes.
He wanted it again. He wanted more. He absolutely did not want to stop.
Ive made it worse, he said, half to himself.
We cant do that, she said, obviously voicing her own train of thought.
No kidding.
I cant trust you.
You could have said no. This wasnt all on him.
Her smile looked self-conscious. I know. Im talking about more than just the kiss.
Tell me why? He didnt know why he cared, but he did.
Why I cant trust you?
Yes.
She thought about it for a moment. I cant trust you, because I cant trust you.
He wasnt buying it. Thats a circular argument. Youre too smart for that.
Okay, she said, drawing back against the ladder. I cant trust you because youre a Watford.
He knew he should walk away, but his feet stayed stubbornly still. You barely know me.
I know your family.
Thats not the same thing.
I know you want me to compromise my interests.
Not really, he said.
She cocked her head and sent him a frown of disbelief.
Only a little bit, he amended. But itll work in the long run. I know itll work in the long run. For both of us.
Are you lying to yourself or just to me?
Im not lying.
You definitely inherited it, she said, apparently growing tired of waiting for him to back off. She slipped sideways, putting some distance between them.
Inherited what? He watched her go with regret.
The gift of persuasion. Just like your father and grandfather, youre confident in your ability to talk your way out of or into anything.
Caleb wasnt like his father or his grandfather. At least he didnt want to be like them. He tried very hard to mitigate his fathers character traits in himself. For the most part, he thought he succeeded.
Thats not fair, he said.
Fair? She gave a light laugh. A Watford talking about fair? Let me add to that. A Watford talking about fair while he tries to talk a Parker out of something?
Caleb knew hed lost this round. There was no way she was going to listen to reason. At least not right now. The kiss had been a colossal error.
Then again, it was a fantastic kiss. He couldnt bring himself to regret it. If that kiss was the biggest mistake he made today, it was going to be a good day.
No comeback? she asked. Come on, Caleb. Youre disappointing me.
Is there anything I can say to change your opinion?
Uh, no.
Then is there any chance youll go out with me?
The question seemed to take her aback, and it took her a second to respond. You mean like on a date?
Yeah. You and me. Dinner, dancing, whatever. He wasnt exactly sure how theyd separate their personal attraction from their business interests, but he was more than willing to give it a try.
Is that a joke? Are you trying to put me off balance?
Yes, Im trying to put you off balance. He took a couple of steps toward her. But no, its not a joke. Theres obviously an attraction between us.
We have nothing in common.
I like kissing you. And he was pretty confident that she liked kissing him.
Her expression didnt soften at all. I bet you like kissing a whole lot of women.
Not as much as he liked kissing her. But the accusation was fundamentally true. And he didnt want to lie to her. I suppose I do.
Then take one of them out on a date.
Id rather take you.
Youre too much.
Youre stubborn.
Give the man a gold star.
The answer surprised him. You admit to being stubborn?
Oh, yes. She jabbed her finger against his chest. And you aint seen nothin yet.
He trapped her hand, holding it against his heart. Fightin words?
You said it yourself. Were both going back to our corners now to come out swinging.
Her eyes were alight, her cheeks still flushed, her lips were still swollen from his kisses, and he could see a little pulse at the base of her neck. She was the sexiest woman on the planet.
Dont you dare, she said, snatching her hand from his grip.
He couldnt help but grin. Im not going to kiss you again.
You better not.
Ill make you a deal.
She shook her head.
Not a business deal. A personal deal. Next time, you have to be the one to kiss me. Even as he said the words, he feared he was making a mistake.
She might never decide to kiss him. But he had no choice. He couldnt take the chance of misreading her signals.
Melissa bounced through the doorway, enthusiasm in her expression and in her tone. Jules, this is Noah Glover. Hes offered to help us with the renovation.
Jules expression immediately neutralized, erasing their kiss, their argument and everything else. Noah Glover had walked in, and shed given him a brilliant smile that made Caleb jealous.
Noah was tall and brawny, with an unshaven face and a shaggy haircut. He looked like the kind of guy who worked all day out in the weather.
Jules smoothly closed the space between them. Nice to meet you, Noah.
They shook, and Caleb felt another shot of jealousy. He gave himself a ruthless shake. It was one thing to want to kiss her, even hold her, even strip her naked and make love to herwhich he did. But it was something else altogether to be jealous of a man shaking her hand. He wasnt about to let that happen.
I hope Melissa warned you were on a tight budget, Jules said to Noah. We want to do as much of the work as we can ourselves.
I can work with a budget, Noah said. And as much work as youre willing to do is fine with me.
That sounds perfect. She was still shaking his hand.
That was it? The entire interview? They were going to hire the guy right here and now? What about reference checks?
Caleb stepped up and stuck out his own hand. Caleb Watford. Im a neighbor. He wanted this Noah guy to know he couldnt simply stride in and take advantage of Jules and Melissa.
Nice to meet you, Noah said.
His grip was firm. Of course his grip was firm. He was a carpenter. But Caleb was no slouch. From what he could see, they were about the same height. Caleb could bench press one-eighty, but Noah had a lot more calluses.
And our sworn enemy, Jules said.
Caleb slid her a look of annoyance. Did she have no idea that he was trying to help?
What happened while I was gone? Melissa asked, glancing from one to the other.
Nothing, Jules said quickly. Well, more of the same.
Im happy to get started tomorrow, Noah said to the women. If you pull together your budget, Ill get going on some estimates, and we can see what we have for options.
His voice was deep. Caleb wasnt crazy to learn that. Hed heard women liked men with deep voices. It was supposed to instill a sense of confidence. He didnt want Jules feeling overconfident with this stranger.