Chapter 3: The Carpenter

Right now Sally had other concerns. She had to go to the bathroom and wondered if she could walk on her foot.

She'd removed the ice a few minutes ago when he'd instructed her to. Aspirin might help. She examined her foot. It didn't look so bad. Maybe she didn't sprain it.

Putting her feet on the floor, she tested the hurt one out. She could put some weight on it.

"What are you doing?"

She hadn't heard Sebastian come inside. She didn't want to tell him that she had to use the restroom. How embarrassing. Even more so because he'd taken off his shirt. He had great muscles. Not gym muscles, but the ones you get from doing actual physical labor. The sight of the brown hair on his chest, the same shade as on his head, took her breath away.

He didn't even appear to be aware of his nakedness.

"I needed to get up. It doesn't hurt so much," she said.

She wasn't helpless and didn't like feeling that way. She had work to do. Painting the rooms upstairs had to get done before any furniture arrived. She was going to be behind if she sat on her big butt all day.

"Let me help you up. That way if you can't walk, you won't fall because I'll be right here."

"You are being so sweet, Sebastian."

He gave her a lopsided grin than made her panties want to fall off. Oh God. She was in deep and she'd just met the guy. What the Hell was going on? He put a hand on her arm and tugged her to her feet. She stood, testing her weight on her bad foot.

It didn't hurt.

Except that his touch was like electricity up her arm. A good feeling. One she didn't want to end. This was not good. He was going to be working at her house for a few weeks. How was she going to deal with the attraction she was feeling? Surely this handsome man had a girlfriend. Or two or three. He was hot and out of her league.

The story of her life.

***

Sally's skin was so soft. And warm and he wanted to touch it all day. He'd never get work done. She didn't wobble. She took a step and she didn't collapse. Maybe she hadn't injured herself so badly.

He didn't want her to move because then he'd have to stop touching her. From this angle, he could look down her shirt and see her cleavage. She was a woman with a nice rack. His hands itched to touch her there. Would her nipples come to life under his tongue?

She looked up at him with her twinkling eyes. He was lost. Already. They'd just met, but his hormones were on overdrive.

"I think I'm okay to walk."

He let go, taking a step back. He had to remember that he'd sworn off women. Besides, he was working for her. He shouldn't be touching her. Thinking about putting his face in her hair. Thinking about putting something else somewhere else.

He shook himself.

"I guess it isn't a sprain. That's good."

"Yes it is," she said. "I have a lot of work to do."

"How soon do you think you'll have guests?"

"Three months. I hope that works for you with all that I've hired you for."

Three months? Could he handle all that time of being around her? She was his. He knew it the moment he'd touched her. Too bad he didn't trust his instincts, even if they screamed at him that she was the one. His. No one else's.

He'd like to show her how much she was his. Take her right there and make her his.

He doubted that she'd appreciate that. Then he'd have to reveal his beast. She seemed sweet and innocent. No need to show her the darker side of his nature.

Not that his bear counterpart was dangerous. At least not to Sally. He'd do everything to protect her whether in human or beast form. She was part of the pack now, even if she didn't know it.

"Sebastian?"

She was waiting for an answer.

"Uh, yes, I think I can get the stuff done in that time."

He realized he'd been staring at her this whole time. She must think him an odd bird. He backed away. "Let me get some more work done on your porch."

"You need some lemonade?"

"That sounds pretty good."

She nodded then walked on unsteady legs to the kitchen. He went back out to the porch. He had to get his hormones under control or he'd do something stupid.

Like, kiss her. Out of the blue. No forewarning. He'd just press his lips to hers and see what would happen. This wasn't like him. He planned his every moment. He wasn't impetuous. He was a thinker. He probably moved too slowly for some women, but others had liked his speed.

Sally returned with a glass of lemonade for him and one of her own.

"How safe is the porch?"

"It's okay. You can stand on it. I've shored up the worst parts."

"Is the swing okay?"

He nodded. She crossed the porch on surer legs, then sat on the swing. She patted the spot next to him. "You want to join me?"

His mouth went dry. Was she inviting him to sit with her? Was she offering something more? He doubted it. A woman like this, confident and secure in her skin, must have men chasing her all the time.

Why would she want a carpenter? She could have a man that made tons of money and could take care of her.

He shook his head. "I better keep going. Thanks for the lemonade."

***

Sally was disappointed that he wouldn't sit next to her. Suddenly she was back in high school and the star quarterback was making fun of her for being fat. She wanted to run away, but she was a grown woman.

She owned a bed and breakfast for goodness sake. She was making something of herself and she worked out most days. Her body would never be model thin. It wasn't in the cards. Still, she was healthy.