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‘Sounds like a great plan.’
‘Ava?’ Still kneeling on the floor, her nose close to the ground, she didn’t look up. Distracted, she carefully manoeuvred a piece of the paper to avoid it tearing. Triumphant, she first heard, and then saw, Noah’s boots shuffling back and forth.
‘You were saying?’ Sitting back, she gave him her full attention even though she was desperate to read the date on the sheet she’d just rescued.
Now he held up a piece of his own paper. ‘I have an invoice.’ He avoided making eye contact. ‘Most people pay as we progress through the work. Um, it’s easier for me too, you know cash flow and all that. And certainly, when the team is on the ground, I have to pay their wages for the work they perform.’ A distinct red flush crept up his neck.
‘Of course. Give it to me and I’ll pay immediately. I’m so grateful for everything. You’ve been spot on with your plans and ideas. Your help and guidance have been invaluable.’
Plus having the company of Noah Hawthorn had been wonderful too, but she didn’t say that. Instead, she held her hand out for the invoice.
Noah grimaced as Ava took the invoice and retrieved her phone out of her back pocket. ‘It’s a lot of money, Ava, I’m sorry. The stairs and stumps were expensive to replace and then there’s labour … I’ve been here most days…’
Ava barely glanced at the sum before arranging the transfer on her mobile banking app. Who paid that sort of bill without even raising a sweat? Paying even half that amount would have him scouring his bank accounts and working out payment plans.
And here he was sweating on getting paid, but that was a different story.
‘And there’s a lot more to be paid yet.’
‘Yep.’
‘Geez, Ava, are you a closet millionaire?’
She put her phone back into her pocket. ‘Don’t be silly, of course not.’
‘It’s just that I haven’t seen you working since you arrived in Bellethorpe, and you’re spending a lot on the house…’ Noah managed to hold back the other words he wanted to utter this time, but he was curious how she could afford the significant renovations. Nothing like reality to douse those burgeoning flames still flickering low in his groin.
She weighed him up with a glance. ‘It’s not any of your business.’
‘No, it’s not. You’re right. But I’m pumping a lot of time and effort into this place and I need your reassurance that I’ll be paid. I can’t afford for the project to go bust.’ Challenging her was safe territory, way more comfortable than the uncontrollable desire of moments before. So, even if he wanted to stop, he wouldn’t; he needed to know.
She sat back with a thump and a myriad of emotions ran across her face. He sat back, too. Had he unintentionally touched upon something? He knew nothing about this woman, where she came from, who she was. Despite telling his brain not to be stupid, it went off on tangents, flying a little out of control with ideas.
‘I saved some money before I moved home. It’s enough, please trust me. You’ll get paid for the work you’re doing, I promise.’
‘You sure must have saved a lot.’ Gosh, it must be nice not to have financial worries.
‘What do you mean? If you need some help, I can give you a loan.’
Oops, damn it, did he say that out loud? ‘What? No. I would never accept a loan from you.’
‘Why? Because I’m a woman?’
He rose, paced back and forth. ‘No, I mean, yes, no. I just have a few bills with the lawyer’s fees…’
‘Oh, Noah. I’m sorry, I haven’t asked how you went.’ Rushing to get up, her legs cramped and she stumbled. He reached his hand out to help but she ignored it. ‘How did it go?’
Ava’s brow furrowed and her beautiful, moist, pink lips closed into a straight line. The pain he kept buried, now sat like a hard lump in his chest. It hurt. ‘It was to be expected at this stage. I was stupidly hoping for a miracle. Emily remains living in Brisbane for the moment and I see her twice a month and can telephone whenever I want.’
‘Twice a month?’ her words were a whisper. ‘That can hardly be in Emily’s best interest...but that’s not the end, right? There’s still hope?’
He wouldn’t meet her eye. ‘Oh, yeah, of course. I won’t give up.’
Her lips were a hair's breadth away. Her scent of sweat mixed in with dirt and the tiniest hint of strawberry. Did she taste like strawberry? A rush of heat passed through him and his self-control slipped once more. He wasn’t sure he could hold back anymore, didn’t want to. Placing one hand to her waist, he rubbed his thumb over the bare skin revealed between her shirt and shorts.
Oh…the feel of her. Her silky-smooth skin. He sought out her eyes and found them smouldering in his direction. That was the encouragement he needed and he took another step forwards until their bodies touched. It took all Noah’s control not to groan as her soft breasts pressed against his chest. He rested one hand at the nape of her neck, kissed her throat and behind her ear, rolling his kisses down to the hollow of her neck, around and up along her collar bone until their mouths crushed together. She tasted exquisite, just like he’d imagined. His hand moved to her lower back. Their teeth clashed and he slipped his tongue in and out, desiring to taste all of her just as he’d craved. Shifting her head to another angle, they caught their breath but then reached for each other again. Cupping her bottom, he fondled the soft flesh through the barely-there cotton. He wanted to keep pressing against her, feeling her skin, breathing in her smell, touching every part of her.
‘Mumma! I’m hungry!’
