Page 5 of Possess

“Oh.” His eyebrows rose. “I would say you’re as important as they are.”

Allyson ducked her head. She wasn’t good at accepting compliments. Her pen wobbled in her fingers as she signed the paperwork and tore off the pink copy at the back. “Here’s a copy for your files.”

“Thank you.” His fingers touched hers, and sparks sped through her bloodstream. Allyson bit her lower lip, trying to convince her body this wasn’t a good idea.

Maybe that wasn’t quite right. Her body was ready. It was taking time for her emotions to catch up. Maybe they could have a fling? She tilted her head as she watched him. That would take some thinking about.

“I’ll see you at the next job,” she said as she turned and walked toward her vehicle. With each step, she could feel Zeke’s gaze following her. When she got into her truck, she glanced at him to find he was still watching her with those perceptive eyes.

She waved at him as she pulled out of the parking spot. Once on the main street, she remembered to breathe. Zeke unnerved her at times, as he had for the last few years. He was far too attractive.

Allyson had learned years ago not to trust men. But there was something about Zeke that screamed, “trust me”.

He got beneath her skin each time they met. No matter how she dressed, his gaze caressed her body. Even today, she had on a loose jacket over her work shirt, and she still felt the heat of his gaze. The day at the bookstore, he’d been the perfect gentleman. He’d shown her around and talked with her about books and reading choices. They never made it to the adult side of the store, but he’d seen to it she’d had a full education on what Damon’s shop sold

She flipped on her truck’s air-conditioning as her body flushed. Enough. She wasn’t interested in a relationship with Zeke, and he didn’t seem like the fling type. Better off to keep their relationship to business. Decision made, she drove to the next job site inspection she had with a twinge of regret.

* * * *

Zeke watched Allyson drive away in her small truck. She stirred his libido every time they met. He looked up to see his friend and co-worker, Gabriel, walk out of the building.

“All good?”

“Of course.” Zeke grinned. He prided himself on making sure everything was up to code.

“What’s next on the agenda?”

“I’m going back to base and meet up with the architect for Wicked Sanctuary.” Max had been insistent that Gabriel draw up the plans.

Gabriel smiled. “That’s going to be a fun project. I can’t wait to work on it.”

“Yep.” Zeke couldn’t wait to get started. When Max first asked him, Zeke had been humbled by Max’s confidence in his ability. Yes, he’d done a lot of construction work since opening Riggs Construction four years ago, both residential and commercial, but the club was a special place.

“All right. After our meeting, I’m heading over to Damon’s bookstore. Destiny called and said it looked like one of the shelves was pulling away from the wall, so I wanted to check it.”

Zeke frowned. “That shouldn’t be happening.” He’d double-checked all the carpentry work himself.

“I know; that’s why I’m going to look. Maybe it’s a loose nail or something.”

“All right. Meet up at lunchtime at Lara’s café after you go to the bookstore? You can tell me what you found out.”

“Will do.”

Zeke jogged over to his truck. Now he would see the lovely Allyson again and see if he could make some headway with her. He thought after their time in the bookstore two weeks ago, she’d mellowed more toward him, but today, she was business as usual. He shook his head. Of course she was all business; they’d been on the job.

Maybe that was it. He needed to talk with her outside of business. He rubbed his chin. Maybe it was time to ask her out again before anyone else did. The thought sent a knot to his gut. No way was he going to allow another man to take Allyson out. He didn’t go after her the last time, but he wouldn’t make that mistake this time.

* * * *

Zeke strode into Sweet and Savory at twelve-thirty. His meeting with Gabriel about the club plans had been a good one. Gabriel added a few things, and the plans were almost done. Zeke would call Max this afternoon and set up a meeting to go over the final plans. Once Max approved them, he’d get with the planning office.

There was something else he would have to discuss with Max. While the club was known, he needed to talk with Max about the workers and others that would be around the club, which would include the staff from the planning office.

“Hi, Zeke,” Lara said, walking up to him.

“Hey, Lara. You’re busy today.” The place was filled.

“Yeah. There’s a table for four that’s opened up; go take it.”

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