Page 60 of Tempting Me

I try not to think about how I catch his gaze lingering onme after I’ve done something he asked without arguing or when I find myself just standing there observing him.

No, I don't let myself think about any of it until we are walking out the door for the night.

“Thank you for getting the arches up tonight.”

“I said I would.”

“I know, it’s just nice to work with someone who keeps their word.”

“I always do.”

I clear my throat.

“I’ll be sure to tell Grace that fun fact about you.”

He rubs the back of his neck.

“You don’t need to do that.”

“She’d probably like it. I mean, it’s a nice?—”

“No, I mean, you don’t need to tell her anything. In fact, you can stop doing that.”

I’m not sure I fully understand him. “Why?”

He shrugs. “Because you were right. We aren’t a good match.”

He heads for his truck with no more explanation.

I’d open my mouth to ask for more, but I’m not stupid.

I know why he doesn’t want me to talk him up anymore, and I’m not mad about it.

I just don’t know what it means to me to know this new fact.

Still, when he looks over his shoulder and winks at me, I roll my eyes.

It is Luca, after all.

I can’t let him off that easily.

CHAPTER TWELVE

LUCA

Having a staff that works under you is great. It means shit gets done, but it doesn't mean that I get to slack off and do whatever I want all day long. Truth be told, right now, I wish I could just go back to sleep.

It’s just after seven in the morning and my body hurts. I’ve been working double time. During the day, I stop by different sites to check in with my guys, and at night— well, Shay has my full attention. The last time I was working this hard was when I was trying to build my business.

And it hurts.

I think my age is showing. Thirties is not old, but damn, some days it sure feels like it.

I take another swig of my coffee and climb out of my truck, grabbing my tool bag.

Dutton Richford called me last night, leaving a voicemail to let me know that one of the weddings they had got a little rowdy and someone punched a hole through the wall.

I could tell he was fuming from how slow he spoke.

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