Chapter 3 Triple Play #2
A minute later, an older woman with brown hair streaked with gray walked in through a hallway on the far side of the seating area. She appeared to be a little older than Momma. “Oh, you must be Mr. Ward. And?” she asked, putting her files on the desk and stretching her hand out to shake with Momma.
“Yes, that’s me. Good morning. This is my mother, Donna Ward.”
Momma shook her hand. And the woman introduced herself. “I’m Nancy. I work for Mr. Ellis. He should be right out.” She smiled sweetly then sat behind the desk. Nice. Efficient. Not overly friendly. I didn’t want to judge.
A moment later, as predicted, Godwin appeared from the same hallway. “Mr. Ward. Good to see you.”
“Please, it’s Derby. And this is my mother, Donna.”
“Right. Derby. Nice to meet you, Donna. Since you’re here, come on back and take a look at these plans with me.
” For half a second, I hoped he was going to flirt with me, but despite my teasing glance, he turned and headed down the hall he’d come from.
Totally professional. Why was that such a disappointment?
My wanting in his pants didn’t mean he wanted in mine. And if he hadn’t been professional, wouldn’t I have thought less of him? Yes, yes, but still...
I couldn’t deny my desire for him. My dick started to wake up with that lust. And Momma was right there.
Momma’s house. Plans. Right. Focus, Derby.
The room he led us to was filled with a long conference table. In the center of it, he had blueprints rolled out. “Okay. Here’s how we’d like to position the house on the land.”
I looked at the first sheet he pointed to. It showed the outline of the property and the building centered and pushed back a bit from the road but still leaving enough room for a decent-sized yard. “Great.”
“Oh my. That seems lovely,” Momma added.
He pointed out the driveway and the big rectangle that represented the house. “I think that’ll be nice with some subtle landscaping. Trees to give a little shade.”
“Agreed.” It was perfect, and so was standing close to him. I accidentally bumped my shoulder against his and felt the heat of his body against my arm. I was so distracted by it, I missed what Momma was saying about the plans.
Godwin knocked his elbow into me a little. “Derby?” He pointed to the second sheet that showed the details.
“What? Sorry?” I had to focus.
Momma cleared her throat. “The house seems to have a nice flow.”
“Yes. Right.” I waited a beat for her to say something about me not paying attention, but when she didn’t, I pushed forward. “What else?”
“What about putting the laundry by the master instead of through the kitchen?” Godwin asked.
I stared down at the plans. They had the laundry room on the other side of the house.
His suggestion warmed my heart. That was the connection that made me feel amazing, simply standing next to him.
Somehow, without hardly knowing me, he got what was important.
“Momma? What do you think? You’re not getting any younger.
Maybe it’d be nice to not have to haul laundry through the house and damned if you’ll let me hire anyone to do it for you. ”
Momma smacked my arm. “Don’t be smart. But that is true. And it would be nice. I see your point.”
“Let me see what I can do. Hang on.” Godwin pulled out a tiny ruler, examined a few things, and jotted down notes in the side margin. “We can do that for sure. I think you’ll like it.”
“Are you an architect also?” I asked.
A wistful expression crossed his face for a second before he schooled those glowering features. “No. I’ve studied and worked with our architect a long time. So I have a pretty good idea of what would work, but it’ll have to go back to him for the official changes.”
“Will that slow us down?” I wanted Momma in the house as soon as possible.
“No, not at all. We have a little way to go before the foundation is set. There are normally a few small changes at this point.” He waved his pencil over the paper on the table.
“Oh, okay. I’d like to see the progress already made and show Momma.” Anything to spend a few more minutes with him. “If you have time?”
“Sure. I’ll take ya’ll out there when we finish up. Anything else here?” He pointed back to the plans.
I wanted to change a million things, stretch out our time together, but that was ridiculous. The house would be perfect for Momma, and it was more important to get things rolling. “How much is that change going to cost?” I asked, getting back to business.
“Oh, that’s minor. You know? Since we’re still in the planning stages and all. Only a couple hundred bucks to pay the architect. It shouldn’t take him long to work it out.”
“Uh-huh.”
Momma tapped the table. “When do we talk finishes? I want to know what it looks like inside.”
“Of course. We’ll keep you posted on that, and don’t worry, everything we pick out will be in line with your budget.
It’s smart to consider the overall value of the land and house and what makes a difference in value and what doesn’t.
” It was so fucking endearing to see this big bear of a man ramble on like that.
He was so sexy and uber-masculine, but he seemed to have a softer side.
Was he nervous to be near me? Or was it because Momma was here?
I couldn’t resist winking at him when I finally caught his gaze again. “We done then?”
“Oh, um, yes, I...” He looked around the room as if someone was going to pop out and catch him. Or save him. I wasn’t sure which. He fumbled with his pencil a moment while we waited. The pause felt like forever but was probably only a few heartbeats. “Let’s head out, then.”
We followed him to the front, and I couldn’t stop myself from watched that sexy ass move beneath his khaki pants.
He wore work boots that were a fucking turn-on, and his golf shirt clung to his massive traps and shoulders.
I could get used to that view. His back side was a work of art in clothes, making me wonder what he looked like naked.
“We’re going out to the site, Nancy. Back in a few.” He motioned to the door. “We can take my SUV.”
I nodded furiously. Riding together sounded like a perfect idea.
I was so smitten with him I couldn’t stand myself.
Here I was, this totally cool professional athlete, suave in front of the camera, and dangerous on the pitcher’s mound, and my insides were crumbling for this man. I was a wreck. At least on the inside.
And I had a feeling my momma knew it. She gave me a look as we climbed in the vehicle. We were going to have a talk when we got back home for sure.
The trip to the land I’d purchased only took fifteen minutes.
I’d bought the best piece of property I could find on the more affluent northwest side of town.
It was on the outskirts where there was still a good bit of land available.
As we drove closer, I enjoyed the southern sunshine and giant oaks that canopied over the roads. It was like a dream. “This is so nice.”
“It is. I love this part of town.” Godwin answered my words that I didn’t think I’d said out loud.
I sighed, resigned to making some kind of conversation. “Do you live around here? You’re from here?”
“Yep. My dad actually started Ellis Homes before he died. He’d worked construction here all his life. Hell, he built a lot of the downtown area.” He pointed out the window.
“Oh, you’ve lost both parents?” I asked.
“Sadly, yes. I still have my brother, though.”
Momma patted his shoulder. “Sorry for your loss.”
I looked out the window. I’d only ever had my momma. Whoever my dad was, he’d left us before I was born, if Momma had even told him I’d been born. Who knew? She never talked about it. If I lost her? No. Just no. “Is he in the business too?” I needed to change the subject. “Your brother?”
“Well, no. Not exactly. He owns a truss company.”
“Trust? Like finance?”
“No. Truss.” He over-pronounced the s. “Like the support system for your roof.”
“Ahh...”
“Okay, here we are.” He pulled up to the site. It was a mess. A couple of tractors dug into the ground, tearing it up.
“What’s going on here?” I jumped out of the vehicle and rounded the hood. It looked like fun. A part of me wanted to jump in the hole and help out, or simply get dirty, or something.
Momma hollered at me as I made my way across to them. “Derby. Stay out of that mud. He never could keep clean, growing up. I swear I did enough laundry to fill that hole.”
“Momma, I’m fine.” I edged up to where the tractors were working. I wasn’t jumping in, though I wanted to.
Godwin caught up and popped a hard hat on my head.
“We’re already working on the septic and water.
That has to happen first. Permits have already been pulled to start the foundation.
We’ll get that going as soon as these guys are finished and we have revised plans approved.
I expect that should happen around the same time. ”
“How long?” Momma asked.
“A week. Week and a half.” He shrugged.
“Are we on schedule with that?” she asked.
“Yes.”
I eyed the scene in front of me. The machinery was loud, so I raised my voice. “Does it take two tractors? What’s that cost?”
“Mr. Ward. I assure you, we’re on budget. And I’d already planned two tractors to speed this up a bit. It was in the original bid.”
I held my hands out to placate him. “I get it. I, uh, sorry. I don’t know how all this works.”
“And you don’t trust other people when it comes to your Momma,” Godwin added.
I felt the blush creep up my neck to my cheeks. “Yeah. Something like that. Nothing personal.” I didn’t really give a shit about the money. I was only looking for an angle, a reason to keep him talking.
“I get it. I do. If this was for my mom, I’d probably be the same way. But you can trust me. I’m not in this to gouge pockets. I build homes that people will love for generations to come. That’s what’s important.”
Momma patted Godwin’s arm and leaned around him.
She was wearing a hard hat, too, which was completely adorable.
, though I had no idea what Godwin thought would be falling on our heads.
“I love that sentiment Mr. Ellis. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
I don’t need a big fancy building. I want a home where everyone can feel safe and loved. ”
I nodded, agreeing with them completely.
His care and concern with his company and what they did was the same feeling he gave off, even over the phone, that had me choosing his company over three others in the area.
“I know.” I bit at my lip, hoping he understood that I appreciated that.
“Sometimes I don’t say the right things.
I like the work you’re doing. You certainly didn’t have to accommodate us and let us come out today. ”
“It’s probably better that you’re not constantly out here, but I thought we could at least show your Mother.” He winked at her and smiled. I wondered what he was thinking. In the Alabama sun, his eyes glimmered with bronze over a deep green. “It’s all good, Derby. Come on. Let me show you this.”
He spent the next twenty minutes walking us around the site, explaining what was happening and pointing out where the future home would be.
He was warm but still practical. He was confident and obviously knew what he was doing.
That commanding vibe had my butterflies dancing again.
I needed more of him, and I would take any little bit I could get.
When the tour was over, we got ready to leave.
I helped Momma up into the backseat of the SUV, then moved around to the front before Godwin could get in.
I grabbed his sleeve, and he turned to face me.
That zing raced through me again. He definitely had my volcano going off, and I could sense a familiar attraction.
There was no way he didn’t feel it, too.
“Thank you, Godwin.” I moved a little closer and let my arm slide against his. He didn’t pull away, so I pushed forward, closing the distance. “Uh, I like you, Godwin. A lot. Not just because I know you’re taking care of my momma’s house. I like you.” I risked gently squeezing his arm.
“Um...thank you, but let’s keep this professional. You’re a client.”
I slowly withdrew. He was right. No matter how we felt. I was stupid to have pushed that much, but I was the kind of guy who always jumped right in before checking the water. I gave him a brief nod.
“Let’s head back to the office.” He jerked his head toward his SUV, then opened the door.
I didn’t watch him get in. I’d let myself get carried away. That had to stop right-the-fuck-now. I silently circled the vehicle and got in on the passenger side.
We didn’t talk on the way to the office. The silence felt like a punishment, but maybe I needed it. I’d gotten too cocky. Like that ever happened. Ha! I was secretly happy Momma wasn’t putting in her two cents. Yet.
Back at the office, I wanted to get the fuck out of there as quickly as possible.
I’d made a pass at my builder, and I was totally embarrassed.
I knew Momma had probably clued in when I helped her out of the vehicle.
She stared at me and pursed her lips. “I’m going to wait for you in the car, Derby.
” Then she looked over my shoulder. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Ellis. Thanks for the tour.”
“Please call me Godwin, and the pleasure was all mine.” He gave her a nod, then waited for me by the front door to his office. I had to go in and say something to him, but I would have rather ran away.
I sighed and followed him inside. “Godwin, uh...Can we—”
“Forget that conversation happened? I don’t know. We can try.” The look he gave me was smoking hot.
Maybe my head was directly attached to my heart. Or my dick. “Yeah. I don’t think I can.” I licked my lips, involuntarily. I wanted him.
“Let’s try.” He grabbed a card off the desk and stretched it out to me.
I made sure to slide my fingers over his as I took it. Electricity pinged through my body. “Can I call you?” I asked, tucking the paper square in my pocket.
“About the house—yes.”
I winked at him. “We’ll see.”
After that, I turned and high-tailed it back to the car. I was an idiot, but at least I was one that liked to go after what he wanted. And I certainly wanted Godwin Ellis.