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Chapter 4
Rand
“This is the Hawthorne job.” I park my truck at the construction site. Tess sits in my passenger seat, wearing a teal colored t-shirt that brings out the blue in her eyes. “Do you need help getting out?”
I’m desperate to put my hands on her. To feel those luscious curves against my body. Apparently, Tess doesn’t notice because she winks at me as she opens the door and hops out of the truck. “I got this.”
When I first picked her up at the office and saw her happy yellow skirt, I thought two things—first, she looks gorgeous and I can’t wait to see what’s underneath. Second, she forgot about our field trip. A jobsite isn’t a place for a skirt and fancy shoes. But I was wrong, because a pair of bright white sneakers completed her outfit.
Tess’ wholesome appearance makes me want to dirty her up. She’s got a vixen in her, hidden underneath all the responsibility and surviving. I know what it’s like to feel pressured—whether it’s to succeed, to help out, to make sacrifices for someone else’s benefit—the pressure feels the same. If you don’t find a healthy way to release the pressure—well, something is going to explode. I’m thinking I want to be there when Tess needs some help relieving the pressure.
But not right now, because my woman is waiting for me to show her around the site and introduce her to my main architect, Thayer. I join her in front of the truck and offer my arm. She takes it, a twinkle in her bright blue eyes.
“First, let me introduce you to the architect. You can chat with him while I check in with the supervisor. And then I’ll show you around.”
“Sounds perfect.”
We walk over the dusty ground toward a pair of trailers that live on-site until the project is complete. I notice Thayer talking with Scott, the supervisor of the project, in front of one of the trailers.
“Hey, Thayer. Scott. You got a minute?” I ask when we’re a few feet away.
“Sure, Rand. What’s up?” Thayer nods, inviting me to join them.
“Thayer, I wanted to introduce you to Tess. She’s working for the company in admin right now, but she’s getting her degree in architecture from Fairview College.” She steps forward and offers her hand. “Tess, this is Thayer. He’s the lead architect on this project. I’m sure he’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
“Always happy to help a beautiful woman.” Thayer takes her hand and raises it to his lips. With anyone else it would be ridiculous, but Thayer has always been able to lay on the charm in a way that doesn’t feel sleazy—or so I’m told. It doesn’t help that he’s tall, blond, and has been mistaken for the actor that plays Thor in those superhero movies.
It seems Tess isn’t immune to his flirtations. She blushes and darts a quick glance my way.
My frown must be forbidding because she quickly snatches her hand back from my flirty architect.
Thayer notices the interaction and a devious gleam enters his eyes. “Rand, didn’t you say you wanted to talk with Scott? Why don’t you do that while I get to know Tess a little better.”
Scott walks over to me, but I’m not paying attention to him.
I overhear Thayer as he puts a hand on Tess’ back and leads her closer to the site. “Tess, you are far too gorgeous to be stuck behind a desk at Moreau Construction headquarters. I’m so glad you came to the site. You’ve added a needed dose of beauty to my day.”
Bastard.
He’s laying on the charm so thick, I barely hear Scott’s update—too busy watching Thayer show off for my girl. I’ve never loved design the way Jesse loves it, or architecture the way Thayer does. For me, it’s always been about money and power. The money to escape my shitty childhood and the power to make sure I never have to go back. I grew up in a trailer park, started construction as soon as I could, and now—eighteen years later—I make fancy houses for the rich and famous.
But I know Tess loves it. Her smile widens as she and Thayer laugh together about some building design joke. Her expression glows as she compares the blueprint to the actual construction of the house. Tess is in her element. It’s clear she loves the art… almost as much as Thayer likes getting a rise out of me.
The son of a bitch keeps glancing at me over his shoulder, making sure I’m paying attention as he flirts with my woman. He rests his hand on her shoulder as he leans close to her, using his other hand to point at something. He’s practically hugging her, they’re so close, heads tilted together. Her honey brown locks mixing with his golden hair. Piss-colored is what it is. Horse piss hair.
That’s enough.
“I’ll call you about it tomorrow,” I interrupt Scott, already stalking toward Tess and my soon-to-be-ex employee.
“This design is incredible.” I overhear Tess as she leans closer to Thayer, completely oblivious to my torment. “Whose home will it be?”
“It’s for Maximillian Hawthorne. The guy is kind of an asshole, but he comes from money and he has good taste.”
“Good taste and a lot of connections,” I enter the conversation, not caring if it’s rude. “That’s why we don’t talk poorly about the clients, right Thayer?” If I could shoot lasers from my eyes, my best architect would be dead. Instead I have to satisfy myself by shoving him away from Tess and wrapping my arm around her.
“Thayer, you go ahead and get back to work. I’m going to show Tess around the property.”
The bastard grins as I lead Tess around the building. It’s partially framed and construction guys are getting the rest of the walls up. But Max bought a few acres of land, and I’m going to make use of it.
