Chapter 4
Maverick
The rest of the week, I was focused on creating a stable foundation.
The utilities had already been marked, and before we dug, we'd staked off the patios to outline the exact dimensions.
Then we removed the grass, roots, rocks, and dirt, excavating twelve inches deep to make room for the base materials and, eventually, the stones.
The initial grading ensured that the ground was level and compact to provide a solid foundation. I was slow and methodical, supervising each step. I wanted the resulting product to look good and last a long time.
It was rare for me to receive any complaints about quality. Some clients balked at the timeline for projects, but I wouldn't budge. There would always be another contractor who was cheaper and cut corners, but that wasn't me.
I'd earned the reputation for doing quality work and volunteering for the difficult projects other contractors wouldn't touch. I wouldn't do anything to detract from that reputation now, even if I wanted to hurry this project along so that I wouldn't have to deal with seeing Belle every day.
I told myself that I could avoid her, but during story time, I snuck a few glances her way. I could see her sitting in the rocking chair in the children's section through the glass. She was so focused on the story, and the children, that she didn't notice my gaze.
I was free to look at her, how expressive her face was as she read the story, how she ensured that everyone in the room saw the pages of the book.
Why did she irritate me? I was concerned for the safety of anyone near a job site, but I was also trying to preserve my sanity. If she was going to prance around in lingerie and bare toes, I wouldn't be able to hide my attraction to her any longer.
I'd sworn off Belle years ago, and I couldn't go back on that now.
I'd done the worst thing you could ever do to a woman; I'd asked her out and then stood her up.
My mother had drilled in us proper manners and the right way to treat a woman.
I knew better, and I did it anyway. I had a moment of weakness when I asked her out, but then I freaked out when I thought about actually picking her up and taking her somewhere.
She probably expected an upscale dinner or even dancing.
The rough and tumble teenager inside me couldn't reconcile our differences.
I was convinced that I wouldn't measure up to whoever she'd dated before or whoever she was surely meant for.
Some white-collar guy who worked in an office, who wanted the white picket fence and kids.
I'd never be that guy. I was a blue-collar worker through and through. I had a talent for stonework and made good money, but that didn't mean I was the kind of man she deserved. Someone who didn't get their hands dirty.
Every time I saw her, it pissed me off. She was a reminder of what I'd promised myself I'd never pursue. She was like my favorite candy, the most addictive drug, and I couldn't help but want her.
What was it about her that drove me crazy? And when would I work her out of my system? I thought it was a stupid teenage crush, and that I'd be above that now. But every time I was in her presence, I lost my mind.
I couldn't help but touch her, and then all reason evaporated from my head, and all I could think about was how much I wanted her and that I couldn't have her. It was a mind fuck, and I wasn't sure I could last much longer.
"Are you working or staring at the bookstore owner?" Hudson asked.
I startled, forcing myself to look at him and not Belle. "Where did you come from?"
He threw a thumb over his shoulder. "I'm working on the pipes next door."
"Right." I remembered he'd said something about that, but my mind was crowded with this project and all things related to Belle.
His lips curved. "You like Belle?"
I scowled. "Fuck no. Why would you say that?"
He chuckled. "I don't know; you were just staring at her."
"I was supervising my crew."
Hudson grinned. "Unless you're leveling the bookstore next, I don't think you were."
"I'm not leveling the bookstore. Stop being an idiot." I moved away from the building so that I wouldn't be tempted to peek.
"I'm an idiot now?"
I turned to face him, my hands on my hips. "Are you saying I am?"
He shook his head. "You sound like a kid."
I bit off a curse and turned to face the work in progress. "I want this job to be over."
I felt Hudson's gaze on the side of my head. "I thought this project was a challenge."
I loved challenges, but I could do without this particular one. "It's Belle."
"And?" he prodded.
"She's difficult."
"Is she a difficult client, or is it more personal?" Hudson asked carefully.
"All of it."
"I got to know Angela when her store flooded. We were forced to work together, and then she moved into my rental. I couldn't avoid her even if I wanted to."
That's what I was afraid of. I wouldn't be able to get Belle out of my head. "She showed up on the site the other morning in pajamas."
He chuckled. "Was it the cotton short shorts or something with a little more silk and lace?"
"The second," I practically growled.
His eyes widened. "Oh, this is good. I thought I was the only one tortured by lingerie."
That made me look at him. "What are you talking about?"
"When Angela's shop flooded, I found her standing on a chair in a silky lingerie set reaching for the shutoff valve. She was wet. The top was sheer. I think you get the picture"
I shook my head. "I didn't need to know that."
"I know what you're going through, and it isn't easy. Just be glad she doesn't own a lingerie store. You never know what you're going to walk into."
I raised a brow. "I don't think I want to know."
"The point is that I was reluctant to get involved with a single mom, and she was my client."
"You shouldn't mess with clients." But my oldest brother hooked up with his ex when he was renovating her inn, and now Hudson was in a relationship with a shop owner.
"Sometimes, you can't help who you like."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "I thought we already established that I don't like her."
"Right." He drew the word out.
"You come over here for a reason, or was it just to mess with me?" I bit out, already done with him and his insinuations. Just because he'd hooked up with a client didn't mean that I would. I was tougher than him.
"Just wanted to see if you wanted to grab lunch."
"I shouldn't leave." This was a crucial part of the process, and I didn't want to leave them alone.
"You want me to bring you something on the way back?"
"Sure."
He stood next to me for a few seconds longer. "Belle's a nice girl though. You could do a lot worse."
With that parting shot, he walked away.
The fact that Belle was a nice girl had always been the problem. She shouldn't want to be around someone like me. I was gruff and short with people. She deserved so much better.
Then there was our history. No one could know how I treated her. My mom would have my ass if she found out. And what good would it do? Only serve to prove my point. I didn't deserve a woman like Belle.
It was easier to view her as a spoiled brat than to think about how she looked when she was reading to those kids. She reminded me of a librarian. She put on reading glasses and sat all prim in that rocking chair in her cardigan and skirt.
I couldn't hear her voice, but I imagined that she acted out the different voices, and her voice was soft and engaging.
Belle stood and moved toward the window.
I looked away before she noticed that I'd been watching her.
If Hudson thought something was going on, Belle would eventually too.
I needed to stay away from her. The more I acted like a jerk to her, the more she'd realize I was that same idiot who stood her up.
I hadn't changed since we were teens. I was still the same guy.
Eventually, she'd find a man who wore a suit and a tie, who'd give her his grandmother's engagement ring.
I hated that image, so I refocused on the noise of the machines operating around me and went through the checklist of things that needed to be done.
I was working according to a schedule, ensuring that every step was done precisely. Any oversight at this stage could have a catastrophic effect on the patio once it was completed. And then it would be a mess to fix. That would be a blow to my reputation, one I couldn't afford.
If I took my time, it meant that when the work was done, I'd never need to see Belle again. Then I'd use the pictures of the work I'd completed to drum up more business. I'd be so busy with other projects; I wouldn't even think about her.
There'd be no reason for us to be around each other.
But the problem was, I liked watching her through the windows.
Her outfits were so prim and sweet; I wanted to dirty her up.
When I was alone at night and imagined her, she was always in one of those ensembles, but I couldn't forget how she'd looked in that lingerie either.
Her pussy taunting me underneath that slip of silk.
"Boss, we good to break for lunch?" Rob asked.
"Yeah. Of course." If he thought I was distracted, he didn't point it out. Because he was my employee, not my brother. I just needed to stay away from my meddling family until this job was done.
I didn't need anyone asking questions or wondering why I was surlier than usual.
I avoided looking in the direction of the bookstore the rest of the day. I shouldn't care if it was story time or whether her shop was busy. It didn't matter what Belle did or what she looked like while she was reading. She was giving me librarian fantasies, which was not ideal.
As usual, I stayed late to make sure that everything was cleaned up. It was Friday, but we'd work one day on the weekend too to ensure that the project was still done in a timely manner. I was slow and methodical but not immune to the expectations of the consumers' timeline.