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There was a hiss and the sound of something dropping. Abby didn’t have to turn to know he had found her.
“Really, Con. Getting changed here,” she snapped.
He had the good sense to flush before picking up the brush he’d dropped and turning away.
But not before sweeping his eyes down her body and taking in her cropped T-shirt and thong.
Abby had never been a shy girl. Nudity didn’t embarrass her, and normally she wouldn’t have cared that he’d seen her practically bare ass.
Except it was Connor.
He knew what lay beneath those panties, and she remembered all too well what he’d done underneath the panties. And dammit if those memories didn’t heat her blood again with want for him to take her down memory lane.
“Sorry. I was looking for a place to wash out the brushes because they’re getting hard.”
Wrong word to say as he stood there aroused, based on the bulge between his legs.
“Give me a second and you can use the sink.” She reached into another basket and yanked out a pair of denim shorts. “Done,” she said, fastening the button.
“This is where you create your skincare products?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Looks like a kitchen.”
“Each product has a specific recipe. Some things have to be boiled or mixed, so we need burners, blenders, and pots, along with molds for the soaps.”
“Pretty cool. How much do you make in advance?”
“The products last for a while, but I prefer to make small batches and keep things as fresh as possible.” She pointed to the stacked boxes with shelving she’d purchased but hadn’t yet put together. “As you can see, we’re still getting ourselves organized. Soon I’ll need to make stock for the opening.”
Having finished washing the brushes, he followed her to the front. He inspected what she and Natalie had painted earlier. The pale blue-gray had dried to a color reminding Abby of a clear sky, the perfect combination of bright and welcoming.
“You’re almost done,” Connor said.
“Can’t happen soon enough for me.”
Connor picked up the two iced drinks and handed her one. “Then let’s get it finished.” He took a long swig of the drink and moved the drop cloth to a better position.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Grabbing the ladder, he positioned it over the front door, first locking it so no one could enter. “Helping you finish this wall.”
“I didn’t ask for your help, Connor.”
“I’m offering my help.”
“Why?”
“Does there need to be a reason?”
Abby eyed him suspiciously. With a wide smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes and a tan that showed the amount of time he spent in the sun, he reminded her of the boy she used to know. Except young Connor had always been ready for a good time…which didn’t involve work. His motto had been “play before work.”
The man standing before her looked like he worked more than played based on the muscles in his arms and clarity of his eyes. Dark blond locks streaked from the sun fell to the bottom of his neck with a hint of curl at the bottom. His firm jaw held a dusting of dark blond scruff. She didn’t see any hidden agenda in his offer to help, but still…
“Cookie?” He held out the bakery bag.
She shrugged with feigned interest.
