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Maybe she would if they got to know each other better down the line. “Let’s just say the last man I was involved with made me want to run and hide from all men,” Paula said with an uneasy chuckle.
    Chase tilted his head, and, for a moment, Paula thought he might kiss her. She wasn’t quite sure how she would react if he did. Instead, he took a step back.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said genuinely.
    Paula blinked. “I’ll get over it in time.”

    “I hope so. One jerk shouldn’t represent the entire male species.”
    She smiled. “I agree.”
    His eyes crinkled. “I’m glad to see that we can agree on something where it concerns the ups and downs of the dating world.”
    “So am I,” she told him.
    Paula could tell that Chase wasn’t just another good-looking man on the prowl. There was obviously far more depth to him than that. Had her grandmother been right that maybe their meeting was a sign? Or did they both have the type of history that would only complicate any chance for moving beyond decorator and client?
     
    Chase saw Paula out and once more scolded himself for being attracted to the lady he’d hired to do his great room. He couldn’t help but feel this way even if reluctant to give in to his emotions. Though she bore some resemblance to Rochelle, it was more than that. Her poise captivated him, along with the softness of Paula’s voice behind those luscious lips. Her lithe body movement dripped with sexuality and had him imagining what it would be like to make love to Paula.
    It had been a long time since anyone had aroused Chase mentally and sexually. He wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not. Paula seemed to want to keep things strictly professional between them, and a part of Chase felt the same way. Maybe it was too soon to start a relationship with someone else. Rochelle was gone, but her presence was still very much with him and in this house where they had created and shared such wonderful memories.
    Chase stood in the great room, looking around as if for the last time. He liked the makeover plans Paula had shown him and was ready to see them implemented. Hard as it was, he needed to do this for closure and moving beyond Rochelle and what she meant to him. He was sure she would want him to move on with his life and be happy. Beyond changes to hishouse, Chase wondered if it was time to really start working on finding someone to give his heart to. The thought of being in a serious romance again sent sensations up and down his spine. He had a lot of love and affection built up inside him and wanted more than anything to find an extraspecial lady he could share that with. Maybe a smart and sexy woman like Paula Devine.

Chapter 4
    D ivine Decor and Designs was located on LaGrande Drive amidst a collection of other suites offering home and garden renovations. Paula sat at her desk, taking a sweeping gaze at the large office that included a showroom, window displays and some of the latest ideas for interior decoration. She’d designed the place herself, wanting it to represent her vision along with being an artistic, fun place to visit.
    She phoned her contractor, Bradford Stowe. They had worked together for the past year, and she was pleased with his amazing ability to get practically any job done in a timely manner. His team of an architect, electrician and muscle was perfect for her needs.
    “Hey, Paula,” he said in the gruff voice of a man pushing sixty. “I was just about to take out the trash before my wife has a conniption. What’s up?”
    “I’ve been hired to redecorate a great room,” she told him. “The work mostly entails putting in new furnishings andtaking out the old ones. The swags and jabots will need to be replaced with window shades.”
    “Sounds simple enough.”
    “Will you be able to get your crew together on Wednesday morning?” Paula asked hopefully.
    Bradford cleared his throat. “Not a problem.”
    “Great. My client is eager to see the