Page 95 of Mr. Fixer Upper
Back down the long flight of stairs to the main floor, Gannon twisted the loose brass knob and wrestled the door open wide enough they could slip out one at a time. The knob fell off and hit the floor with a clang.
“I’ll fix that.”
They carefully moved to the railing, white paint flaking into piles beneath. “Try not to inhale any of that he said, running a hand over the flaking paint. Probably lead-based.”
“Gannon, the entire house is probably dripping in asbestos and mold. You’ll have to bring the electrical and the plumbing up to code, which will be astronomical and a huge pain in the ass with four floors. You can’t keep anything except the tub.”
“What about the mattress upstairs? It’s practically brand new.”
She shook her head, closed her eyes. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“The question is, are you up for this?”
She looked out over the weeds and tumbling paver walls. The overgrown backyard was more impassible jungle than forest. But Gannon King had vision. Ambitious vision, but if he could pull this off, he’d have a showcase home that he could be proud of.
“What do you see back here?” Paige asked, nodding toward the foliage disaster.
Gannon stepped up behind her, his arms caging her in against the railing. “Down there, a flagstone patio, curved edge into yard,” he said, pointing beneath them. “I’ve always wanted a big ass outdoor fireplace and that would go there.”
“And back there in the corner?” She pointed.
“What do you see?” he countered.
A slow smile worked its way across her face. “A hammock right next to a water feature. Something that makes some noise. Your own oasis in the middle of the city.”
“You’re hired.”
She turned carefully in his arms, and the decking groaned under her feet. She couldseeit, all of it. If there was anyone in this world who could bring the lovely brownstone back to life, it was Gannon. And she wanted in.
“When do we start?”
The victorious grin she expected from him didn’t come. Instead, he looked serious, intent. “There’s something else you need to know before you officially accept.”
She wet her lips, nervous now because she wanted it so badly. She wanted this job, this house. “What’s that?”
“First, are you dating that Mackenrowe guy?”
Paige blinked. “Who? Drake?”
“You two looked pretty cozy at that thing last month.”
He looked like he felt aggravated that he had to ask the question.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. He kept me from flattening your fake girlfriend’s new nose on camera.”
Gannon, looking relived, ignored the jibe. “I need you to know that I don’t want to be just friends with you. I have every intention of wearing you down and getting back in your bed.”
Her pulse kicked up, thudding away under her skin until she was sure Gannon could hear it.
“I’m not interested in revisiting us,” she said firmly. Except that her voice wavered just slightly. “This is business.”
He shook his head. “It’s never just business with us, Paige. I’m giving you the head’s up, but understand I’m not going to be harassing you, chasing you around set. I’m going to seduce you.”
“Gannon—”
“You want honest, and I want to give you what you want. I need you to take this job because you’re the only one I trust with something this important to me. But I also want to be near you, to see you, touch you.” His rough palm caressed the side of her face with a gentleness she didn’t know he possessed.
“Business and personal don’t mix,” she reminded him. “We already tried that.”
