Page 7 of XOXO, Summer
Wrapping my arms around the basket, I say, “I’m glad I got what you want.”
His eyebrow cocks.
“I mean, the service I provide is what I hope sets me apart from others.” When his lips part, I realize what I’ve said. “What I mean to say is that I want to provide the best service to my clients. Yes, the profile is long, but it really helps me curate the stay to your needs.”
“Oh, really?” His dulcet tone could lure me anywhere.
Oh, geez. I smile sheepishly. It’s time for me to stop, just stop everything—talking, ogling, mentally throwing my willpower away—and collect myself. I need to keep my mouth shut. Close it. Zip it.
A grin teases the corners of his mouth. “Does everyone get the best of you?”
“Pretty much.” My brain can’t keep up with these mind games.Are we flirting? Are we talking? Is this business?“I’ll continue this level of service if I ever take ownership.”
“You don’t own the cottage?”
“No. Long story. Technically, it’s a short story, but not one we need to get into.”
“I have time,” he says as if the day won’t slip through our fingers when we’re not looking.
“I don’t.” We stand in an unannounced staring contest as the seconds tick by in my head. I cave first to be polite. Butlosing to him feels worse under the circumstances—him, me, and this weird energy between us—draining my hostess battery. I shove the basket forward. “Here. This is for you.”
He reaches forward, taking hold of one of the handles as his eyes graze over the goodies I packed for them. Should I be studying the dimple in his chin, or the lightest dusting of scruff clinging to the drift of his sharp jawline? No, but he’s put both on brazen display, so it’s hard not to.
When his eyes return to mine, his gaze travels the length of me like he’s not sure where he wants to start first, while daring to drag his tongue over the flow of his bottom lip. “Looks good.”
I exhale, trying to calm the butterflies he’s awakened. If I don’t, I won’t survive this man if he keeps looking at me like that. “It’s just something special we wanted to give to say thank you for being our guests for the summer.”
Holding the basket, he replies, “You’re welcome.”
A laugh bursts from me like a clucking chicken upon hearing the response.
The little glimpses into who this guy thinks he is lead me to realize that looks apparently aren’t everything. His personality comes with a sculpted body and face that could grace the pages of magazines. But I’m not foolish enough to fall for such superficial features. Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate him, though.Silently. To myself.
I laugh under my breath. “Alrighty then.” Though not an official meeting, I still need to visit with Mrs. Dover about the property. Talking to her is still hanging around the recesses of my mind, which doesn’t allow me to invest as much time as I’d like bantering with him, so I start the obligatory tour of the house to hurry this along. I don’t want to chicken out and put off talking to her for however long it takes to gather the courage again. It’s time to be direct sothere’s no misunderstanding where I stand. Currently, standing next to his handsome giant isn’t getting me anywhere, so I clap my hands once. “I should get you settled, Mr. Sutton.”
“Daniel.”
I turn back to catch his languid gaze over my shoulder, though I have the sneakiest suspicion his eyes were aimed lower before I caught him. “What was that?”
“You can call me Daniel, remember?”
Get in. Get out. Pretend I didn’t hang on every word that came from his mouth and move on with life.“Yes, I remember, Mr. Sutton. But I think it’s best if we keep things professional.” I stop to face him again. “And you’re parked in a no-parking zone.”
“How is that area designated no parking when it’s perfect for parking?”
Our gazes travel to the side of the house at the same time. “It’s for safety purposes. No one can park there like the sign says.”
“I’m partial to that spot.”
“How are you partial to a spot you just started parking in?” My eyes flick to him. “Anyway, it’s a hazard.” He somehow manages to make me feel judged for caring about this.So what if I don’t have much to focus on?It’s a current life setback, is all. Not everything has panned out the way I’d like, but it will. I can feel it. “And rules are rules.”
He shifts, though his gaze narrows like a hawk who’s spotted his next prey. “Rules are meant to be broken.”
I gasp before I can contain it. My fingers tap to my chest, and I hold back the offense from encroaching on my voice. “Not in Mountain Laurel Cove. Word of warning, it’s best to stay on the right side of this town. The locals aren’t shy and very vocal about troublemakers and rule breakers.”
“Small town gossip, huh?” He chuckles again even though I was only giving him fair warning after seeing how disrespect gets handled here. “Everybody knows everybody?—”
“And they are more than happy to give advice on how to live your life.”
