Page 44 of Night and Day

“Absolutely not.” He shifted, his thigh brushing mine.

The intriguing tingles that zipped through me from that touch were…annoying. I couldn’t afford this scorching attraction to Ambrose Langston. “I’m sorry. I miss my dad like crazy, but I get that family isn’t always easy.” I set my shoulders back. I needed to get some control of this situation. “Right, first off, I’m going to fix your shirt.” I stood, then grabbed his phone and shined the light at the concrete floor. It took me a minute to spot the shine of the errant buttons.

“Don’t worry about the shirt.”

After scooping up the buttons, I sat beside him again. “No, I’ve got this.” I reached to my belt and my emergency pouch. I rummaged around and pulled out a small sewing kit.

He craned his head. “What other things do you have in there?”

“Trade secret.” It was tricky, but in the dim light of the phone, I threaded the needle. Then I leaned in. “Hold still.”

I set the first button in place, gripped his shirt, and then stuck the needle through. As I worked, I was agonizingly aware of him. My gaze flicked to the triangle of bronze skin at his throat and I swallowed.

The guy was gorgeous. I knew it, from accidental, firsthand experience. The world knew it.

I guess I just hadn’t expected to be a few inches from the gorgeousness while locked in a room together. I tied off one button and poured all my focus on the next one.

“You’re a woman of many talents, Tessa.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“Really?”

The low drawl had my gaze flicking up. “Um, I mean, as a hotel manager. I have to be good at a lot of things.”

His gaze traced over my face.

Second button attached, I patted his chest. “All finished.”

His hand closed over mine, keeping my palm pressed flat against his chest. My mouth went dry and I felt the steady thump of his heart.

“Thank you.”

“I ripped them off. Hopefully I won’t crash into you and tear your clothes in the future.”

The corners of his lips tilted and even in the low light, I saw something ghost through his eyes.

God, my big mouth. I jerked my hand back.

He was quiet for a moment, then gave his head a shake. He rose. “I think I’ll take a look at the boiler.” He wandered away and disappeared into the darkness.

I blew out a slow breath and flexed my fingers. They were still tingling from touching him and my lips felt swollen.

“It looks prehistoric.” His disembodied voice drifted back to me.

“It still works. It’s solid.”

“It’s on its last legs,” he called out of the shadows.

“Mr. Clarence wasn’t interested in spending money on it. But it is something that should go on the list.”

Ro grunted and returned to the crate. He swiped an arm across his face. That’s when I realized it was getting quite warm down here. I chewed on my lip. Crap, with the power off, there was no ventilation in here.

Soon, he slipped his suit jacket off. I felt a trickle of sweat down the back of my neck. I watched him roll up the sleeves of his white shirt.

“You’ll get dirty.”

“Won’t kill me.” He looked at me. “Ditch the jacket, Tessa, before you overheat.”