Page 22 of Erotic Temptations 2

He followed Estell toward the spare bedroom, toolbox swinging at his side.

I had to steady myself on the wall. My heart was throbbing like I’d swallowed a hummingbird. All I could think about was how Kane had winked at me last week, how his voice sounded when he called the numbers, or the fact that he had probably seen my Instagram and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.

Sophia and Mabel were waiting for me at the kitchen pass-through, eyebrows raised to the ceiling.

Mabel mouthed, “He’s here for you,” then made a kissing motion.

Sophia waggled her eyebrows and did an old lady version of flossing, but one hip kept popping out too far.

I tried to ignore them but couldn’t resist peeking down the hallway at Kane, who was already crouched in front of the wobbly shelf, rolling up his sleeves. There was something about the way he moved. I would’ve watched him tie his shoes and found it fascinating.

Rejoining the ladies at the kitchen table, I poured myself a mug of extra-strong coffee to steady my nerves.

Estell returned after a minute, hands on hips, cheeks glowing with satisfaction. “That boy’s got it handled,” she announced. “If you ladies ruin my shelf again, you’re buying me a new one out of your daily slot winnings.”

Sophia slid a cookie toward me. “Kane’s got nice hands, don’t you think?”

I nearly spat out my coffee. “You just noticed?”

She smirked, then lowered her voice. “Bet he’s strong, too.”

Estell grinned. “He could fix all my shelves anytime.”

Mabel waited for the perfect moment, then said, “Bet he’d look good in nothing but an apron.”

I gave up. “You three better not terrorize him.”

Kane would never be the same again if they dialed up their shenanigans on him. I could only handle them because we’d been friends for the past five years. And I was just as warped as them.

Kindred souls.

Mabel snorted. “We’re being nice. See? I didn’t grab his ass or anything.”

Sophia sipped her coffee, then fixed me with a pointed stare. “You should offer him a cookie. Or a drink. Or your phone number.”

“Or ask if he wants to eatyourcookie.” She smirked at my apron.

Estell flapped a hand. “Child, he keeps looking down the hall at you. I saw it.”

I hunched over my mug, hoping my face didn’t glow like Rudolph’s nose. “Pretty sure he’s just here for the shelves,” I said, mostly to myself, which was the safest way to talk.

Mabel rolled her eyes. “You see? Always the pessimist. You’re a good-looking young man. You need to put yourself out there.”

“I can barely get myself out of a chair,” I grumbled, then immediately considered sitting down again.

My legs felt as wobbly as Estell’s shelf.

The thud of a power screwdriver echoed from the back room.

Sophia nudged my forearm. “Dollar he says yes if you ask him to dinner.”

“Two dollars says nosy yourself out of my dating life,” I countered.

“Not until you’re sickeningly happy,” she said, and didn’t blink.

When he came back to the kitchen, Estell at his side, he dusted his hands and grinned. “Shelf is solid now. You could probably store bricks on it.”

“That’s perfect, thank you!” Estell beamed. “Want some cookies?”