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Candace were a
contractor, no work would ever get done!
    She turned her megawatt smile on him. “Gabe,
look at this. Have you ever seen such a mess?”
    “ From where I stand, I
like what I see.”
    Her smirk couldn’t hide the spark of
enjoyment in her dark eyes. “Can you be serious?”
    “ Oh, I’m dead
serious.”
    His voice was thick with desire, and he
didn’t care who noticed it. He licked his lips, wishing he could be
feasting on her lovely skin. It was midday and he was hungry for
more than just lunch. He wanted Candace Jones—and he wanted her to
know it.
    “ The man is good
looking and smooth talking.”
    Gabe turned to see where the voice had come
from. It was only then that he realized two other women who looked
suspiciously similar to Candace were in the kitchen.
    Candace made the introductions. “Ladies,
this is Gabe Hunt. Gabe, these are my sisters, Ronnie and Marlowe.
You already know Toye.”
    He shook their hands. “Pleased to meet you
ladies.”
    “ The pleasure is ours,”
Marlowe chirped.
    Gabe chuckled as Candace rolled her eyes
playfully. “Ignore them,” she ordered.
    “ Yes,” Ronnie interrupted.
“Ignore us. Candace does all the time.”
    Candace stepped forward, freeing herself
from the rubble of tile. She placed delicate fingers on his
forearm, sending a jolt of excitement through him. “We need help,
Gabe. I have to get this kitchen renovated soon.”
    He nodded. “Toye told me you flip houses.
Impressive.”
    “ What would be more
impressive is if I can turn this kitchen from tragic to
terrific.”
    “ That’s why I’m here.” He
surveyed the damage, nudging a few loose tiles with the tip of his
steel-toed boot. “You’re off to a good start. You do need the
spacers, however. Luckily, I have some outside in my
truck.”
    All four ladies burst into laughter.
    He cocked his head to the side. “Why do I
get the feeling I’m the butt of an inside joke?”
    Toye spoke up. “We heard about your
truck.”
    “ Hey, it’s a great work
truck. It hauls everything. Be right back.” He flashed the group a
grin before heading in the direction of his truck. A bunch of
clucking hens didn’t scare him off.

SIX

    Three hours later, Gabe had the quartet
working like a well-oiled machine. The cabinets were constructed.
The countertops were complete. The walls had a fresh coat of paint.
And best of all, the tile floor was sheer perfection. It was
amazing what you could do with the right tools and the right
expertise. Whatever previous notions Candace had about Gabe were
soon extinguished. He was a born leader. He’d organized the women
into separate work groups and assigned tasks to each person. He
joked as he worked, and he took the time to carefully demonstrate
proper techniques. His constant encouragement and easy-going manner
endeared him to all the ladies. Even Marlowe, who was normally
jaded and cynical, developed a rapport with him.
    Watching Gabe work was a turn-on. His
movements were self-assured. His voice was deep and penetrating.
And oh, Lord, his muscles. Where to start? They were everywhere.
She was transfixed by the corded muscles that flexed in his
forearms every time he moved. His entire demeanor was like an
aphrodisiac she wanted to bottle up and savor later. His masculine
smell mingled with the fresh scent of lumber succumbing to the
circular saw. Candace worked as instructed, but she kept stealing
glances at his muscular physique draped in faded jeans and a worn
t-shirt. That seemed to be his wardrobe of choice. Each time she
saw him, he’d been dressed in similar garb. She didn’t give a damn
what he wore. Gabe was taking care of business, and that was all
that mattered.
    When the kitchen was finally complete, Gabe
brought in a cooler filled with bottles of beer from his truck.
“Break time!” he announced. “I usually work with a crew of men. Had
I known ladies would be present, I’d have filled this with wine
coolers instead.”
    “ At least you