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Her eyes flash annoyance for a fraction of a second before a resolute look comes over her face. She points to her laptop screen. “You can see right here is where Leslie will have the wall removed. It will completely open up the space between your breakfast nook and the living area. That will give you better access to the Manhattan skyline as you eat. I think it will look great.”

Ah, so that’s how we’re gonna play it. She’s back to ignoring my advances.

I point to the stairs on the screen. “Uh-huh. I see. And what about the wall here, under the stairs? What’s Leslie going to do there?” I put as much interest into my tone as I can muster, considering I don’t give two shits about the wall. I’ve already seen and approved all of the plans. I just want to hear her soft, lilting voice as Jess goes over each detail. Gah, she’s adorable.

“That wall under the stairs will be opened up and turned into a wine cellar. And then she will replace the existing banister with a more sleek one to fit the redesign.” She pauses and looks at me shrewdly. “Didn’t Leslie tell you about all of this yet?”

“She did.” I smile slowly. “But I’d much rather hear it from you.”

Her eyebrows lower in disgust, and she snaps her laptop closed and starts hurriedly packing up. “Looks like we’re done here.”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Don’t leave. I want to see the photos. I swear I’ll behave.”

She swings her bag over her shoulder and stomps over to the front door. I refrain from telling her I’m impressed she managed to stomp like that in those heels.

I chase after her so I can at least open the door for her. Just as I reach her, she swings her body toward me. Her eyes are flashing fire. She pokes her finger into my chest. “You’re a jerk. I came here as a professional and all you wanted to do was flirt with me. We barely even know each other! If you’re that desperate for a woman, go get one of your groupies, because I’m not interested.”

My feet take a step back. Eek. I actually made her mad at me this time. Belatedly, I realize I may have taken it a bit too far.

I don’t want her to leave angry. Not only will my cousin be pissed at me, but her accusations hit me hard.

“Jess, seriously, I’m sorry. You’re right. I was a jerk. I stepped over the line. Let me make it up to you.”

“By taking me out to dinner?” she asks frostily.

I feel the trap.

“I would never dare ask that again. Nope. No offer of dinner here, cross my heart.” I cross my heart and give her the most serious look I can manage.

I see the corners of her mouth twitch. I think she wants to smile, but she won’t dare do it. Instead, she puts her hand on the door handle.

As she swings open the door, she says, “Well, Dax, I probably won’t see you again until I come back to take photos of the final results. It’s been fun. Real fun.”

Fun? Oh, yes. It was fun. Well, at least for me. I hear the sarcasm in her voice and know she’s still a little peeved at me. Regardless, I wish the fun didn’t have to end. The chances of getting her to go out with me are about zero percent now.

Why can’t she just fall at my feet like other women do?

I have to find a way to get her back to my place. Otherwise, she’ll never agree to see me again.

I lean up against the threshold of the door. “What about coming back for photos during the middle of the process? Like when they are taking down walls?”

She takes a minute to think about it, then nods almost reluctantly. “That could be interesting. I’ll talk to Leslie about it. I assume you won’t be staying here during the remodel? Your place will be a construction zone.”

Come to think of it, I had planned to stay here. Her question has me thinking it may not be the best idea. Dust and interruptions don’t sound like an ideal living environment.

“I don’t know. I’ll probably go to a hotel or something. We’ll see.”

She shrugs. “Okay, well, I’m sure Leslie will be in touch. Bye, Dax.”

“Bye, Jess.”

I watch her saunter away, hips swaying gently with the movement. She’s not my type at all. I prefer busty blondes with lean, long legs. So why do I now find myself attracted to a petite, curly-haired brunette with a snippy attitude?

Chapter 2

Jess

After my meeting with the pompous ass, full-of-himself Dax Anders, I’m in a foul mood. That man knows how to push my buttons. He obviously doesn’t take me or my work seriously. He had the nerve to ask me out? What makes it more irritating is the fact that he is only doing it to annoy me. He doesn’t want to go out with me any more than I want to go out with him. He was only amusing himself.