Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

ANDREAS

I swing my door open, ready to tell the woman on the other side in no uncertain terms that my house isn’t an extension of Francis’s bed-and-breakfast. No matter what my aunt promised, I like my solitude. But my words get caught in my throat when she smiles up at me with lips that are both sensuous and naughty. Dark curls, thick and soft like raven wings, frame her heart-shaped face and smooth, ebony complexion, inviting my fingers to tangle in their spirals. The top of her head barely reaches my shoulders, putting her a smidge over five feet tall.

“Hi,” she says.

Her voice nestles into my chest, soft, comforting, and soothing. “Hi.” The one word sounds gruff, even to my ears.

Then her smile broadens, shattering my boundaries. No wonder my aunt couldn’t say no to this woman. Who could, when she went around smiling like that? I clench my fingers around the door frame.

As she stares up at me, I notice the slightest quiver on her lips. And I have a strange urge to kiss her. To find out if that quiver radiates throughout her entire body.

“I’m Zeva.”

She’s nervous and probably concerned I won’t honor my aunt’s promise and I sigh, stepping aside. While I dislike having a stranger in my home, I’d hate to have Francis ring my ears even more.

“I’m sorry for disrupting your evening, but I really have nowhere else to go and your aunt … bless her, insist I stay here until she sorts my room out. It’s my fault, really.” She pushes her hair from her eyes and in the light, I’m mesmerized by the rich twin flames of velvet brown. “I got so caught up with work that I forgot all about the time.”

I gesture her toward the sofa and I resume my seat in the armchair. “Scotch?” With a slight tilt of my wrist, I offer my glass, the amber liquid swirling.

“No, thanks.” She shrugs out of her light coat and I get my first glimpse of her slender curves barely concealed by her dark green sweater dress. It has been years since I’d had any spark of interest in another woman since my wife died. Yet, I don’t know what it is about this woman that makes my blood run a fever. But one thing is certain, someone should outlaw that outfit.

“Suit yourself,” I say, taking a generous sip.

“Rough day?”

I glance at her over the rim of my glass. She doesn’t know half of it. “I’ll wager yours isn’t going much better.”

“You’re right.” She sighs. It’s a little sound that carries the weight of kings. My fingers clutch the glass, hoping the cool sweat runs along the glass will calm my interest in her. She isn’t yours to comfort or protect.

“Oh, my…”

I follow her gaze to the coffee table where I set the diamond engagement ring. Engagement rings are a big deal, and I’d been mulling over my purchase when my aunt called. The ring is definitely bigger than its predecessor, and its cut is exquisite, but I know that isn’t all to choosing a ring.

“She said no, didn’t she?” Zeva scoots to the edge of the chair, resting her hand on my thigh. “I’m so sorry.”

Warmth radiates up my leg, rivaling the burn from the scotch. I hear nothing except for my pounding heart that is about to explode from my chest. Is she trying to give me a heart attack? There’s a knot in my stomach and I grunt, forbidding the sensation from traveling lower.

“She hasn’t been asked,” I say, not sure if I should gently remove her hand or shake my leg to dislodge it. I settle on not touching her. Lord only knows what other powers she possesses.

“You’re having jitters.” She nods, clearly pleased with her assessment. “You shouldn’t worry.”

“I shouldn’t?”

“No.” There’s that cursed smile again. “You’re a very attractive man. A little grumpy and —” she glances around the room. “A little blue, but your aunt won’t have sent me here if you aren’t a good man. And you care enough to mull over your purchase.”

“You think I’m attractive?”

She flushes, and I curse under my breath as she wields another enticing power. I won’t have noticed if it weren’t for her elevated breathing and the waves of heat emitting from her hand on my leg. “I…” she clears her throat and I decide to put her out of her embarrassment.

“The ring isn’t for me. It’s for a friend.”

She frowns.

And I explain, combing my hand over my low stubble salt and pepper stubble. “Liam’s was stolen from his locker earlier and since the culprit works…er, worked for me, it’s my responsibility to replace it.” I take another sip from my glass. “But it will never replace the one he picked out with love and intention.”

“I think your friend will love it.” She finally releases my leg to lift the jewelry box and instantly miss her touch.

“You think so?”

She nods and her eyes soften. “It’s gorgeous.”

Thank goodness. I blow out a relieved breath.

“Who would do such a thing right before Christmas?”

I sigh. “A young girl desperate to be seen.” I lean against the sofa, setting my glass against the spot on my leg her hand had vacated just for the pleasure of being touched. “I really thought hiring June at the Mad Vine would change things. As much as I hate to let anyone go, I can’t work with someone I don’t trust. My employees deserve better,” I say more to myself than to Zeva. The ring is only partly the reason for my mood, I realize, the other is figuring out a way to help June.

“You’re Andreas Lister.” Her eyes widen and as if possible, her dark skin loses color. “Owner of the Mad Vine.”