Regardless, she couldnt worry about it now. She simply had too much to do. Tearing the pages from her notebook, she tossed them on the corner of her desk with a smirk.
Her priority right now was the renovations. With the click of her mouse, she pulled up the phone number and dialed the home of her balance-challenged contractor.
Mrs. Luciano? Hi, its Isabel Santos. Im calling to see how Mr. Luciano is doing and if my job might be back on schedule soon?
The sweet older lady launched into a description of the extent of the fracture, the extent of Mr. Lucianos displeasure with his confinement, and their worries about losing business.
With a wince, Isabel crossed get out of contract and hire a new contractor off her tentative plans.
Do you have any idea of a timeframe? she asked, wishing she were the hard-as-nails type whod insist they meet the original deadlines.
I found someone to step in, Mrs. Luciano assured her. Hes a wonderful carpenter. Actually one of Franks best, although lord knows the man wont admit it.
Isabel listened with half an ear while she clicked her mouse, synced her revised to-do list with her task list and updated her renovation plan.
He said hed go directly there, Mrs. Luciano continued, He wanted to look over the job first. Afterwards Ill get him the paperwork.
I have a copy of the work schedule and renovation outline here, Isabel told her. Why dont I just print it out for him? Thatll save a few steps.
Wonderful idea. Thatll keep Frank from knowingI mean, from having to wake up and do it himself. The more rest he gets, the better, you know.
Isabel frowned. Had she missed something?
Mr. Luciano is okay with this substitution, isnt he?
This is fine. Perfect, even. Dont you worry. Luciano Construction promises the best, and more important, the best on time. Your renovations will be fabulous and Im sure well be back on track, time-wise, quite soon.
Magic words to Isabels ears. With a relieved smile, she said her goodbyes and, with the click of the mouse, sent the schedule and outline to her printer.
Two seconds later she cursed. The printer made another loud cracking screech. Paper jam. Again. She tugged the stuck, then ripped paper out of the machine, tossing the bits in the trash. Hit print. Nothing but another grind. She sighed and bent down to find the jam.
A minute later, Isabel jumped back in shock as the machine started spewing pages before she could get the paper-guide back in place. Grabbing the printed sheets before they hit the floor, she tossed them on the corner of the desk, fit the guide in place, then shoved the stack from her desk under the still-printing pages.
Spying the first page of her Man Plan on the floor, she grabbed the sheet of paper. Before she could find the second page, a loud roaring outside ricocheted in painful volume through the room. Thunder? Isabel pressed a hand to her aching head as the sound throbbed all the way through her body. She moved to the window just in time to see a huge Harley pull up to the curb. With a flick of his wrist, the rider killed the ignition. Silence followed, and she wasnt sure how she knew, but Isabel was sure that in the few seconds he sat there, the guy had taken in every aspect of the house and property.
Wow. Hot, sexy and delivered right to her doorstep? Isabel grinned. Almost like a fantasy? Or better yet, a birthday joke from her best friend. Would Audra send a hot dude to say hi? She snickered. She wouldnt put it past her. After all, Isabel had made a Man Plan. Audra was bound to tease her about it. Too amused not to go check things out, she moved away from the window.
Anxious to see what kind of guy her birthday wish had conjured up, Isabel opened the front door and stepped out into the cool morning air on her wide, wraparound porch.
Even hidden by his helmet and black leather jacket, he was clearly a man used to making grown women drool. Amusement replaced by sudden lust, Isabel swallowed, glad her mouth was too dry to humiliate her.
Eyeing him as he swung his leg over the bike to stand tall on the sidewalk, she descended the front steps.
Lust was fleeting, she assured herself. Man Plan or not, it had all been a joke. A crazy idea spurred on by too much wine. Shed get over it. Even as she recalled the sexual fantasies shed concocted, she realized this guy wasnt for her. He was too much. Too sexy, too tough, too damned big. Too everything. Images of just how big he might be flashed through her mind. Isabels breath shuddered out and she waved a hand over her face to stir some cooling air.
The guy unzipped his jacket, the sound loud in the quiet afternoon street. Isabel watched, mesmerized, as he slid well-muscled arms from the sleek leather.
After tossing the jacket across the seat, he took off his helmet. Isabels breath whooshed out at the sight.
Black hair curled in damp waves to his collar, surrounding a face meant for sin. A slash of cheekbones and strong chin were the perfect frame for intense green eyes.
She eyed his mouth, the half-assed smirk assuring her he was trouble waiting for an invitation.
An invitation she was tempted to issue. Her list of sexual fantasies played out in Technicolor in her imagination. Each and every one starring the hottest guy shed ever lusted after.
Dante Luciano, bad boy extraordinaire.
Isabels heart stopped. Impossible, yet there he was. There was no way Audra could have pulled this off as a joke. At least, not this quickly.
She took a visual inventory. Long, hard and sexy. Drool-worthy, as a matter of fact. A pierced ear, tribal tattoo on his bicep, and a black T-shirt molded over a chest that looked like it was carved from stone. Amazing! Hed actually improved with age. She hadnt thought it possible.
Howre you doing? he asked. Even his words were sexy. Low and husky, there was an underlying something in his voice that made her stomach clench. It was like teetering at the top of a roller coaster, knowing one tiny push and youd plummet. Dark, dangerous but oh-so-tempting.
She swallowed, trying to find her own voice.
Fine, thanks, she answered after clearing her throat.
Irritated with herself when her pulse wouldnt steady, Isabel lifted her chin and pulled back her shoulders to look taller. His gaze held hers for a brief second, then dropped to her breasts. Her breath caught. Isabel knew she was modestly covered. Her silk T draped more than hugged, barely showing any cleavage. Even so, his gaze felt like a caress. Soft, knowing, purely sexual. Heat curled deep in her belly.
Two-eighty-five Main Street. Sweet Scentsations, right? Im Dante Luciano. Luciano Construction. His gaze slid back up her features, appreciation clear in those hypnotic eyes as he met her wide-eyed stare. I hope I didnt keep you waiting. I hear youve got a list for me to take care of?
2
DANTE LUCIANO SLID a long look over the woman staring up at him. Dark curls, a delicate face and curvy little body. Not bad. Even better was the look of appreciation in her eyes. Nothing like watching a woman enjoy the view.
The clothes, long flowy skirt and simple top in a muted shade of purple, were a little mellow for his tastes, but he had a good enough imagination to figure what was beneath the yards of material. Between his imagination and the look in her eyes, working with her might turn out to be a very sweet distraction. One he wouldnt mind tasting a few times while here in town.
Who knew Santa Vera had gained such a nice view in the years hed been gone? His shoulders twitched under the weak morning sunlight. He tried to shake off the feeling of claustrophobia that had engulfed him the minute hed crossed the city limits into town. A man who prided himself in making life a pleasure, Dante made a point to avoid discomfort whenever possible. And Santa Vera always lived up to its promise of discomforting him. In spades.
As soon as he helped his mom with this guilt-induced favor, hed say his good-byes and get the hell out of town. He was sure Santa Vera would be glad to see him go.
Isabel Santos? he asked, remembering the contact name his mom gave him.
Im Isabel, she murmured. Howd you know about my list?
Dante frowned. Was he missing something? Sylvia Lucianos my mother. She told me you had some changes to the scheduled renovations.
Sharply arched black brows drew together over eyes the same color as a stormy sky. She looked like she was taking a mental step backward, then gave him another once-over. This time it wasnt nearly as hot. He figured his name finally registered.
He didnt know if he should sneer or sigh. Almost a decade later and he was still the bad boy of Santa Vera? Youd think theyd have found something else to gossip about after all this time. Then again, he hadnt changed his wild ways much, so why would he expect the town to quit being a pain in his ass?
I didnt realize you worked for your father, she said with a frown.
I dont. He wasnt about to admit that his mother blackmailed him, though, so he just shrugged. Im helping out on a couple jobs. Its just temporary.
Right, short-term. Sounds like the perfect plan Her voice trailed off, and an intriguing look crossing her face. He suddenly felt like a one-pound box of rich, creamy chocolates sitting in front of a starving woman. And damned if he wouldnt enjoy her diving in for a taste.
Maybe this stint in purgatory wouldnt be too bad with the help of the sweet Ms. Santos.
Then, like shed given herself a mental shake, her face cleared. So in a roundabout way, youre working for me, hmm?
At his shrug her face went smooth, a professional mask falling over her porcelain features. Dante grimaced. He hated masks.
But unlike his typical reactionto sneer and turn awayIsabels mask made him want to coax it off her. Odd, since he was a man who definitely preferred the easy route. And coaxing anything from a woman, no matter how sexy, always ended up with him wrapped in strings. And strings were never easy.
With that in mind, Dante wasnt sure why he gave Isabel his most charming smile. The kind that usually made women melt and go all soft and agreeable. He leaned close, just enough make her eyes widen. Her perfume, the scent of spicy sensuality, swirled around him.
Id say were working together, if you know what I mean. Grin in place, he watched for her reaction. Sweet thing like her, he figured shed go all outraged and uptight.
Instead, her full lips twitched and Isabels eyes twinkled with humor. A soft gust of wind sent her curls bouncing around her shoulders.
If you think Im going to do you any good when it comes to hammering drywall, youre going to be sadly disappointed, she informed him. I have many talents her pause sent a shaft of heat straight through Dantes body as he imagined two or three hed like to try out but construction isnt on the list.
No? He cast another look over her body, then met her eyes and winked. What is on that list of yours?
Youd be surprised, she said with a laugh that hinted at nerves. For now, lets focus on the renovations, hmm?
Dante glanced around the tidy commercial neighborhood. Quaint and picturesque brick sidewalks flanked cute buildings. The whole street screamed uptight, upright and closed-minded. Dante was willing to admit he might be a little bitter, given his history here. In truth, hed earned the wild reputation they tagged him with, but that still didnt make this his kind of place. He wondered how soon he could finish and go home to the beach. He missed Southern California already.
The details were a little vague when I got the call to come help. Just that youd paid your money and had a deadline. Want to fill me in?
Sure. Your fathers already finished the basic renovations. The apartment upstairs is done and the storefront has been framed, but not completed. Before your father broke his foot, wed discussed making a few changes to the initial plans.
She reeled off a grocery list of jobs still to be done. Two refrigerators, the small kitchen, finish work, floor, bathroom tiles and fixtures. Among other things.
Damn, thats a lot of work. And you want it all done by the original date? Dante paused, wondering how that was going to translate, time-wise. He wanted to be on the road by the end of the month. Could he finish this job in twenty-six days? Ive got a tight schedule myself. I hope youre okay with me being here a lot.
Her eyes had heated to a smoky haze. Dante didnt know what had inspired the change, but the sexy look was doing wild things to his body. Watching those heavily fringed gray eyes blur made him want to see if he could make them go even darker with a little loving.
Hed bet his Harley he could.
Cmon in, Ill show you around, was all she said. After youve seen whats what, Ill get you the list.
He gestured for her to go ahead. After a long look, she nodded and turned to lead the way up the wooden steps to the house. He noted the outside was in good shape. An ode to its time period, the gingerbread trim and spindled porch seemed to say cmon in and check us out. He wondered what shed be selling inside.
Dante slid his gaze down her body, letting himself linger on the way the silky fabric of the skirt molded itself to her legs and butt as she walked ahead of him up the stairs. She had amazingly long legs for a woman of less-than-average height.
Long enough to wrap around a man and hold tight. Hed imagine they were silky smooth, too. His fingers warmed at the thought of sliding them down her leg. Hed start at the calf, there just below her skirt. Hed smooth a path over the delicate curve of her ankle and down to her toes. Then hed give himself the pleasure of a return trip, only this time hed keep heading north.
You do work in construction, right? Isabel asked, pulling him out of his sexy little detour. She shot him a sidelong look as she opened one side of the double door. I dont remember your father saying anything about this being a family business. Im not questioning your abilities or anything, but itd definitely be a plus if youre experienced enough to handle this job.
I dont work for Luciano Construction, no. According to his old man, Dante was the end of three generations of tradition. Not because he wasnt any good at construction, he was making his living at it, after all. But because he sucked at taking orders. And Frank Luciano was big on orders. The old man was probably dancing in fury, cast and all, over the fact that his worthless son was bailing his ass out. If his wife had even told him. Sylvia Luciano was big on keeping the peace.
Dont worry about it, though. Im sure Im experienced enough to handle just about anything you come up with, he assured her.
ISABELS PULSE SKIPPED at the image of how Dante could handle things. Shed bet he could handle them just fineand then some.