Page 4 of Possess

“Sure.” He gestured for her to precede him.

See, all business. Good. Yet she noted how his long-sleeved work shirt clung to his broad shoulders and that it was tucked into his jeans.Damn it, mind on business.Zeke was being totally professional.

Allyson turned her focus away from Zeke and to her checklist as they walked through the building. She was acutely aware of Zeke beside her. Who was she kidding? She was always aware of him when he was around.

Flirting was one thing, but did he want more? Did she? She wasn’t sure yet. But not knowing didn’t stop her body from reacting to him.

As part of the City Planner’s office, it was her primary job to make sure each stage of any construction was completed to specs. Pleasant Valley was still pretty small, under ten thousand people, so her job lines were blurred at times with other duties. At least that was one thing she never worried about with Zeke. He kept everything above code and was more than willing to show her invoices and work records.

So why had Rudy complained about the bookstore and all the trouble he had with Riggs Construction? Considering the other construction company headquartered in Pleasant Valley, Zeke was a dream to work with. Rudy was probably being an idiot.

“There’s a plug cover missing,” she said, pointing it out to him.

He blinked, and his gaze continued to focus in on her. Heat flowed from his gaze. “I’m sorry, what?”

So he was affected by her as well. Good to know. “Plug cover missing.”

“I’ll get that fixed right away.” He gave her a smile.

Her heart kicked up at that sexy grin. He probably didn’t mean it that way, but she forgot what to say next. She shook her head.

“It’s minor.” And it was, but she noted it. They continued their walk-through, and his gaze lingered on her each time she stopped to check things off. The awareness zinged between them.

Allyson breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the back door. Fresh air would be nice. She stepped out into the bright sunshine.

“Hey, Dani,” Allyson said. Her best friend was kneeling on the ground tending to the plants.

“Hi, Allyson, Zeke.” Dani stood up and dusted off her hand. “I’m finishing up with the plants.”

“They look nice,” Zeke said.

Allyson looked at the plants, bushes of some sort. They were small and looked good against the building.

“Drought resistant and they’ll be easy to maintain,” Dani said.

“Like we need to worry about a drought in the Pacific Northwest.” Allyson laughed.

“You never know.” Dani looked at Zeke. “Was there anything else you need me to do?”

“No, thanks, Dani. This was the last of it. Invoice me your costs.”

His deep voice made Allyson’s toes curl in her boots.

“Will do.” Dani looked at her. “Meet for lunch at Sweet & Savory?”

“Sure.” Today she could have a leisurely lunch with her friend, since her afternoon was filled with paperwork, which she could do in the office or at home.

“Great. I can’t wait to discuss the book,” Dani said.

Allyson’s gaze went skyward. She so didn’t want this discussion around Zeke. “Yep.”

Dani smiled before gathering her equipment and making her way to her van.

She and Zeke followed at a slower pace. Allyson noted the even sidewalk and the striped parking lot. “Everything is perfect, as normal.”

“It should be. So will your office be in this new building?” His eyes filled with curiosity.

Allyson laughed. “Nope. I’m stuck in the old building, like the other peons. This is for the bigwigs.”

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