Page 27 of Fetch Me A Mate
14
ROWAN
Rowan arrived at the inn before dawn, his truck's headlights cutting through the pre-morning darkness. He'd barely slept, his mind replaying every moment of the night before. The taste of Diana's mouth. The way she'd arched beneath him on the hearth rug. The look in her amber eyes when he'd walked away afterward like a damn coward.
He told himself he'd set boundaries today. Keep things professional. Focus on the work and ignore the way his wolf paced restlessly every time he thought about her.
The plan lasted exactly as long as it took Diana to appear in the doorway with coffee and one of those soft smiles that made his resolve crumble like rotted timber.
"Morning," she said, extending the mug toward him. "Thought you might need fuel."
"Thanks." He accepted the coffee, careful not to let their fingers brush. The memory of her skin was too fresh, too dangerous.
Boundaries,he reminded himself.Professional distance.
His wolf laughed at him.
"I'll be working on the second-floor landing today," he said, needing something concrete to focus on. "Should have the subflooring finished by noon."
"Perfect. I'll be downstairs if you need anything." She paused at the foot of the stairs. "Anything at all."
Rowan gripped his coffee mug tighter and watched her disappear up the stairs, then spent the next ten minutes staring at his work plans without seeing them.
By mid-morning, he'd managed to find his rhythm. The work was good, solid, requiring enough focus to keep his mind off the woman humming somewhere below. The new subfloor went in clean, each board fitting perfectly into place.
"How's it looking up there?"
Rowan glanced up to find Diana climbing the stairs with a plate of something that smelled like cinnamon and butter.
"Good progress," he said, accepting the plate. Fresh scones, still warm. "Twyla's?"
"Mine, actually. Found Miriam's recipe box last night." Diana settled onto the top step, close enough that he caught the scent of vanilla and tea in her hair. "Figured I should learn to bake for the inn."
"They're good." Better than good, actually. Light and flaky with just the right amount of sweetness.
"Thank you. I was nervous they'd turn out like hockey pucks."
"Trust yourself more." The words slipped out before he could stop them. "You've got good instincts."
Her smile was warm, genuine. "High praise from someone who builds things to last."
That smile. That was what did him in. Rowan found himself smiling back, his carefully constructed walls cracking like old plaster.
"What's next on the schedule?" Diana asked.
"Finish this section, then move to the electrical rough-in. Should be ready for inspection by Friday."
"Ahead of schedule."
"Work goes faster with proper motivation."
Diana's cheeks flushed pink, and Rowan realized he was leaning closer without conscious thought.
"Diana, I?—"
The front door opened, followed by the sound of familiar footsteps crossing the lobby. Twyla's voice drifted up from below, bright with poorly concealed excitement.
"Diana, honey, you up there? I brought muffins and gossip."
