Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Crew
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to break it to you, but this isn’t looking too good.”
Lacey’s face fell, and I wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her, tell her it’d be okay.
How does this woman have such a fucking grip on me? I don’t know, but damn, do I love it.
“You need a complete rewiring. I’m afraid there’s too much energy running through for the amount of wires you have. I know this development is new, but I don’t think it was zoned properly for what you have set up. Did you have an inspection done? Make sure the place is up to code?”
My heart sank. Shit.
“Yes, the electrician I used said it was good to go…that I shouldn’t have any issues. The city did all of its inspections and passed everything except the sauna. As soon as I got it running, it short-circuited. They told me I needed a new electrician. Hence the appointment.”
“Sounds like you got ripped off the first time.”
“Probably why the guy won’t return any of my calls.” Lacey crossed her arms, and I forced myself to focus on her face and not the rest of her gorgeous goodies. But damn, I felt horrible. I wanted to wring the neck of whoever did this.
“We’re lucky the city caught it. The last thing we need is a fire. Or worse. I can take care of this for you. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll write up an estimate.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said before Lacey responded.
Both of them looked at me. I only looked at her.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“And are you a licensed electrician, sir?” The guy with the name tag that read Tim spoke to me, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he was a tad condescending.
“Yep. Earned it in the military. Some things may be out of my league, but I can handle this problem.”
Tim looked skeptical.
Lacey studied me, and I knew she was trying to figure out if I was telling the truth.
I pulled my dog tags out from under my T-shirt, a necklace I still wore every day after discharging a few months ago, a necklace that reminded me always of where I’d been and what I’d done. “Need any more proof?”
Tim held up his hands. “There’s no need for me to question you. Ma’am, are you good with this arrangement, or would you still like me to write up an invoice for you?”
“I’m good with it. Thank you for your time in coming out here. I appreciate it,” Lacey said as she walked over to the door and held it open for Tim.
When he disappeared around the corner, she whirled around and marched over to me. “Who said you could make decisions for me?”
“Me,” I growled.
“Crew, that’s a bit ridiculous, don’t you think? I barely know you, and this is my business. I’m already stressed out to the max because I’m supposed to open in two days, and it doesn’t look like that’s happening any longer. This isn’t a joke—this is my life!”
“Lacey, I’m not the kind of guy that would hurt you or your business. In fact, I’m fucking pissed the bozo you hired in the first place fucked shit up. But I wasn’t lying when I said I had my electrician’s license. I did a lot of electrical work while in there.”
“So why are you looking at commercial space next door then?”
“I came to town with a group of my buddies from the military. We’re starting a security guard business together and need a place to set up a home base. We’re also looking at some commercial property a street over, too. But I’m starting to think I like this one better.”
Lacey’s posture relaxed, and her expression softened. “You really think you can help me? I’ll pay you whatever the going rate is.”
“I don’t want your money, gorgeous. I might be able to think of some other ways you could pay me back…” I winked at her and walked over to where she stood by the door.
“Don’t get any ideas, mister,” Lacey said, but I saw the grin she tried hard to hide.
“How can I not when I’m this close to such a beautiful, luscious woman?”
She slapped my chest playfully, and I seized the moment to pull her into my arms. With her mouth this close, I just had to kiss her, something I’d wanted to do since the moment I saw her.
But she ducked away quickly, and I was left cold without her warmth.
“Playing hard to get, hmm?” I asked as she walked away from me. I saw a bounce in her step I didn’t notice before, and my dick twitched inside my boxers. Fuck, she turned me on.
“No, we need to get down to business first. Work before play.”
Play? We might get to play?
I lost control of my dick, as it had a mind of its own now, and it grew thick beneath my pants. My brain misfired in all directions, and I stumbled forward like an idiot. I willed my cock to behave, but there was no point. It grew by the second.
I adjusted myself as best I could and tried to get my mind on what needed to be done. As she showed me the sauna and the control panel, I couldn’t stop staring at her juicy ass.
“Crew? Are you even paying attention?”
“I sure am.” I grinned. “Listen, I’ve got this. I’ve worked on more complicated tasks before. I’ll take it from here.” Maybe if she left the room, I’d be able to actually focus.
Lacey popped her hip out and placed her hand on her waist. Damn her and her sexiness. I’m ready to fucking explode.
“You don’t want me to watch you work?” she teased.
Fuck yeah, I did. But I wouldn’t get any work done.
“Not if you want this place to be ready in time.”
“Okay, I’ll let you do your thing. I’ll be in my office if you need me. It’s down the hall on the other side of the front desk.”
“Don’t worry. I have no doubt I’ll find you.”
“You should probably think less with your dick and more with your brain.” Lacey smirked, and her little spiciness pushed me just enough.
I laughed. “Who said I was thinking at all? I’m too damn distracted by your endless curves.”
Her face flushed a deep crimson. I loved the effect I had on her. I wanted more, more, more, like an addict who couldn’t get enough. “Be a good boy and get to work.”
“You got it, boss.” I watched as she disappeared out into the hallway.
I missed her already.