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I take Jaxson’s hand. He’s as tall as Caleb, although his dark hair is short on the sides and longer on top, his temples speckled grey. He has a perfectly groomed beard that adorns his strong jawline. His skin has a tan, but it is not the natural olive of Cal’s. Laughter lines deepen around his eyes as he smiles. Eyes that are an ocean blue, eyes a woman could drown in… if she wasn’t partial to dark ones.

He is older than Caleb, but it’s clear the two are close.

“Pleased to meet you,” I say. “If you don’t mind, I’ll grab a shower before I join you.”

I shoot Cal a look. I rushed home, not realising they’d already be here.

“No rush,” Jaxson says.

“I’m ordering takeout,” Caleb says as I move towards the stairs. “Your usual?”

I turn and smile, my gaze flipping to Jaxson, who is giving Caleb a look of interest.

“That would be perfect,” I say, making a hasty retreat.

As I reach the top of the stairs, I hear Jaxson’s amused tone saying, “Usual?”

“Shut up,” Caleb says. “We live together. Of course, I know what she likes to eat.”

“And that, my friend, says it all.”

I make a hasty retreat, not needing or wanting to hear anymore. Nothing positive comes of eavesdropping.

I shower and change into jeans and a t-shirt, adding some makeup and making myself look a little more respectable.

“There you are,” Caleb says when I return. “We’ve laid the plans out on the table if you want to have a look.”

Jaxson is missing, although I spot him on the balcony, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression intense.

“Don’t worry, he’s on the phone to my sister, Kat,” Caleb says, his arm wrapping around my waist as he pulls me back into him. His show of possession should annoy me, but instead, I relax in his arms, moving my head to one side as he kisses my neck. I bite my lip to stifle the moan that threatens to escape. Our one night has turned into so many, but I can’t regret it.

“Sorry,” Jaxson says, coming in. Caleb and I jump apart like naughty school kids, caught behind the bike shed. “I’m sorry, Caleb, but your sister is…”

He looks up and sees me standing there, the words pausing in his mouth. “Never mind,” he says, putting his phone in his back pocket.

“Kat will come around,” Caleb says, slapping him on the shoulder. “She’s stubborn, but after all. Youarethe best, and Kat knows that.”

He grunts but says nothing else. Instead, he turns to me and motions towards the plans.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“Er…”

I stare down at the lines and numbers that decorate the page.

Smiling, he moves in and explains what each line andnotation means. By the time he’s finished, I’m in awe. Yes, the dimensions for the dance floor are the same, but the changes he’s made will have this place running on a fraction of the previous overheads.

I turn to Caleb, my mouth open, only to have him grinning.

“He’s the best—it’s why I hire him.”

I ask some questions, pointing out additional features.

“This?” I say, pointing to an additional part of the plan, something that had not been in the original building.

“An apartment,” Jaxson says. “The ceiling height and additional windows have allowed for accommodation to be added above. A two-bedroom apartment, with kitchen and living space.”

My eyes widen.