Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(44)

“Hey, you.” He straightens up and wipes his brow, looking sweaty. “How’d it go?”

“Good, I think. A couple of offers coming,” I tell him. “But it took forever. I couldn’t wait to get away.” I wander closer, looking around the workshop. “What are you working on?”

“Just a sample,” he says. “I’ve got a meeting set for next week with an old friend. He runs a showroom now, carrying local designers and craftsmen. I’m going to show him some of my pieces.”

“That’s great!” I exclaim, excited for him. “Once he sees this stuff, he’ll be blown away.”

“I don’t know about that.” Will shrugs, looking self-conscious. “But he’ll be able to give me some pointers, either way.”

I look around the workshop, curious. There’s a tarp in the corner, covering something big, so I go and tug the edge, wanting to see.

“Wait, don’t touch that!” Will’s voice stops me. I freeze. “It’s just . . . a real mess. Work-in-progress,” he explains, steering me back over to the front of the space. “I don’t want you getting hurt on something.”

“Awww, so sweet.” I grin, touched. I slide my arms around his waist, and lean in closer, feeling his heartbeat steady in his chest, already so familiar.

God, it feels good to be holding him.

“I missed you,” I admit softly, tilting my head up for a kiss.

He presses his lips to me for a moment, then pulls away. “I don’t want to get you dirty,” he says, holding me at arm’s length.

I laugh. Like that could stop me. “Dirty is hot.” I grin, tugging him back in by the collar of his T-shirt. “Although, I can all these dirty clothes off you if you’re really concerned . . .”

“I might just take you up on that.” Will catches me in his arms then, kissing me deeply until my head spins and my heart races with a wild fever in my chest. How did I get so lucky? I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing me closer, and he grips my thighs and lifts, setting me down on the workbench. Now he’s cradled between my thighs, my skirt hitching higher under his palms as our bodies press hotter and my lips part to let his tongue roam deeper—

“Don’t mind us,” an amused voice comes. I break away in surprise and look over Will’s shoulder to find two guys in the backyard, looking around. “Sorry to interrupt,” one of the men grins, looking anything but.

Will must know them, because he laughs. “Your timing sucks,” he says, stepping back. “But it’s good to see you. Ryland, this is Delilah. Ryland’s been giving this place a facelift,” he explains.

I hop down from the bench, smoothing my skirt down. “Hi!” I say, feeling flushed—but lucky. If they’d been even one minute later . . . well, they’d be getting an eyeful of a whole lot more than my blushing cheeks.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Ryland comes forward and greets me, looking sheepish in jeans and a plaid shirt. “Sorry about, well . . .”

I laugh it off. “Please. Like you haven’t been interrupted before. And thanks for the hot running water,” I add, remembering the shower.

“Any time.” Ryland turns to the man beside him, a tall, dark-haired guy in his thirties who somehow looks crisp and put-together even in jeans and a plain shirt. “This is my brother-in-law and business partner, Ash Callahan. We were in the neighborhood, and he wanted to check out this plot.”

Ash shakes Will’s hand. “I know you just wanted some work done, but are you sure you aren’t in the market to sell?” he asks, looking around with an assessing eye. “We develop a lot in the area, and this is such a good piece of land. I could get you a great price.”

I laugh and elbow Will lightly. “See, I told you so.” The guys look over. “He’s stubborn,” I explain. “I’ve been telling him to pack it in and move ever since he came. Wait, Callahan?” I pause, recognizing the name. “You’re building those great beach houses, just down the coast.”

“That’s us.” Ash smiles.

I whistle, impressed. “I’ve seen the specs, you’ll get top dollar when they go on the market. I don’t suppose you have a local agent, do you?” I ask, turning on a smile.

“Not yet,” Ash says. “Any recommendations?”

“Why yes,” I beam, pulling a card from my pocket. “Me!”

Ash takes it and looks over my info. “You know, we’ve been meaning to set up some appointments,” he says, sounding thoughtful. “Find someone with local roots, who really knows the market. Not just for these houses, but we’ve got a couple more projects in development too.”

My hopes rise, but before I can start pitching, Will speaks up. “You won’t find anyone better than Dee,” he says, giving me a proud look. “She knows everyone and everything in the whole county. They love her around here.”

I pause, surprised—and touched.

“It’s true,” Will continues. “She sold me on this town in thirty minutes flat. I’d never even heard of Oak Harbor, and now here I am.”

Ash looks interested, and tucks the card away. “We should get together and talk then. I’m out of town for the next week, but I can have my assistant set something up for when I’m back?”