Nailed

—Impact Load Production Notes, Brian Merrick, Director

“The most important thing to remember if you discover asbestos in your home—don’t try to handle it yourself. Stop your renovation and call in the experts to dispose of it properly. We’ll be halted on the demolition on the second floor until the abatement team finishes up and our crews can get back in safely.”

I don’t want to say that I was making magic in front of the cameras, but I had grown more comfortable after four days on the job. Half the time I forgot that Matt was trailing around behind me filming until I’d hear a little snort after I’d said something crazy. Not that I had time to worry about him and his snark. So far we’d hit every snag in the road during the demolition phase of the project. Problems might make great television, but they were lousy for the renovation business.

I caught sight of Tamara coming around the corner. For the three days we’d been filming, I’d barely had the chance to chat with her, let alone any serious one-on-one time. Carl had, for reasons unknown, focused on Tamara, monopolizing her time whenever he was on site. I thought he had a bit of a crush on her, even if he wasn’t exactly her type. Thankfully, he was back at the office today, which meant we could have some girl time.

Letting the level I’d been carrying around for a long-forgotten reason rest against my shoulder, I kicked my hip to the side and grinned into the camera lens. “I think it might be time for us to hunt down Fynn and find out how the demo of the first-floor addition is going.”

“And cut.” Matt poked his head up from behind the camera after calling the scene. “Awesome, Sophia. Brian is going to love that for the next segment.”

“Thanks. Are you going to find Fynn, or are you still following me?”

He looked around, but there were only a few people still milling around on site. “What do you have up next?”

“A quick chat with my business partner. Nothing exciting.”

“Yeah maybe, unless the boss man wants me doing set shots.” Matt threw the camera over his shoulder and strode off. “I guess I’ll track down Brian and see what he wants me to do next.”

The sound of the table saws could have been a choir of angels. I was free! At least long enough for me to get a coffee. I jogged over to Tamara, whose grin grew the closer I got.

“Goddamn, girl.” She gave me a hug, sighing by my ear. “I told you this was going to be insane.”

“But you didn’t tell me I’d lose sleep.”

“I totally did.”

“Bitch, why didn’t you make me listen?” I laughed and gave her another hug.

“Because you’re a stubborn jerk.” She finally pulled back and gave me a good once-over. “You need a coffee.”

“Yes please. A boatload.”

Tamara and I had only been friends for the past six years, but as far as I was concerned we’d been separated at birth. She was the sister I’d never had. Other than my mom, she was the only one who seemed to understand where I was coming from. Hell, she always seemed to know what I needed before I did, which was creepy and awesome all at once.

We walked down the street to the small coffee shop that kept the subdivision well caffeinated. She didn’t say anything for a few moments, not until we crossed the street and started into the store.

“So how’s the design implementation coming? You get everything worked out with the crew?”

I didn’t mean to groan quite so loudly, but the damn thing just slipped out. “I’m pretty sure I’m screwing at least half of this up, and I’m never sure which half.”

“Hon, it’s only day three. There’s no way you could have been that terrible.”

“Most of the crew won’t talk to me when the camera isn’t on us. I think they’re waiting for me to fall. And don’t get me started on Fynn.”

Tamara half turned to face me as we waiting in line. “I don’t think it’s anything you’ve done. You know his history.”

After Carl’s little bullying session, I’d made a point of refreshing my memory on what had happened. Yes, the designer of a previous project had sued him and nearly destroyed his business. But that wasn’t my fault. I was determined to prove to everyone that I wasn’t some business-hungry chick, looking for my first big kill. As much as I’d tried to kid around with him, engage him in conversation, Fynn held back. And yet, despite this obvious attempt to keep me at arm’s length, I swore sometimes I’d turn just barely fast enough to catch him looking away.

“Even considering his past, I don’t think he likes me. He won’t stay in the same room as me for more than two minutes.” Though when we had a scene together, his body would inevitably brush against mine. “I can’t help but feel he’s waiting for me to screw up so he can get rid of my sorry ass.”

“I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at you. I don’t think getting rid of your ass is what he has in mind.”

My eyes were still bugged out when the barista yelled, “Next!”

“He does not want to have sex with me.”

“Have I ever been wrong before?” She gave me the eyebrow and turned to the counter. “Large coffee. Black, one sugar. And she’ll have a large double, double.”

“And an apple muffin.” Fynn couldn’t be interested in me. Because that would just be good luck I don’t normally possess. “I do like his ass.” The barista paused and stared at me, his eyes going wide. “Not yours, sweetie. Though I’m sure your ass is lovely. I mean Fynn’s.”

“There’s more to a man than his ass.” Tamara bumped her shoulder against mine.

“Yes there is.” I grinned and threw her a wink. “His abs.”

“You’re terrible.”

The barista returned with our drinks and told us how much we owed.

“I’ll get that for them,” said a low male voice behind us. Dread really is a feeling that lives in the pit of your stomach. I’ve grown well acquainted with it over the years. So when I turned around and saw Fynn standing two people behind us, I was prepared for the nauseous uncoiling that occurred.

The barista nodded as he shoved the beverages into our hands and took the order of the woman behind us. Fynn wasn’t smiling.

Yup, I was so going to be sued.

Normally, I’d try to talk myself out of whatever mess I found myself in. Nine times out of ten, that didn’t end well for me. Thankfully, Tamara had the presence of mind to grab me by the arm and pull me out of harm’s way.

“Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Babineau.” She gave him a polite nod as we passed and didn’t stop moving until we were safely on the other side of the door.

“Oh fuck.” My lungs tightened until air was at a premium. I pulled my arm free from Tamara’s and found the nearest wall to lean against. “I can’t believe he heard that.”

“You don’t know exactly what he heard.”

“Enough for him to buy our coffee! I’m so screwed.”

Tamara crossed her arms, carefully holding her coffee to the side. “You’re making too big a deal out of this.”

“I was sexualizing my costar! I’m fairly certain that constitutes harassment.”

“Only if the other person isn’t interested.” She took a sip of her coffee, her gaze slipping to the door. “If we wait here much longer he’ll be coming out.”

Instead of the panic I’d expected, a shiver of arousal wormed its way through my body.

Seeing Fynn was quickly turning into a small obsession of mine. Why I was fascinated with the muscles of his forearms as he’d pick up a hammer, or wanted to follow a trickle of sweat down his cheek and throat with my tongue was beyond me. I mean, yes, he was attractive, but I’ve never really been a lust-at-first-sight kind of girl.

Apparently, there was a first time for everything.

Time officially ran out on me when the shop door was pushed open and Fynn stepped out with a coffee and a sandwich in hand. He didn’t look surprised to see us still there. Standing with his legs spread slightly, Fynn was clearly a man who was ready to handle the situation.

Me, I wasn’t so sure I was up for that yet.

Tamara grinned as she looked between the two of us. “Well, I better get back. Carl wanted to see the revamped design budget by tomorrow morning. I’ll leave the two of you to walk back together.”

“Traitor.” And I threw her my best evil eye for good measure.

The little shit waved at me before she turned tail and strode away.

Which left me standing face-to-face with certain doom. And by certain doom I meant all six feet three inches of an annoyed Fynn. At least I assumed he was annoyed. I didn’t have the proverbial balls to look his way yet.

I could hear him taking a sip of his coffee as he came closer. The sound of him swallowing did strange things to my insides, including making my nipples hard. Being turned on definitely was not going to help the situation.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak much with Tamara. She seems like a good type.” Fynn didn’t sound annoyed. I risked looking up at him, which was probably the worst idea I’d ever had.

The bastard was smirking.

This was the first time since our meeting outside Trinity House that I got the impression I was seeing the real Fynn behind the wall he’d so prettily constructed. Here was the man I could picture going out for beers with the guys, talking a woman up at a party or stripping down to go for a swim. The skin around his eyes crinkled as he continued to look at me with amusement. I couldn’t figure out why until he licked a spot of coffee off the back of his hand.

Holy shit-balls, was he flirting?

“Yeah, Tamara has been keeping pretty busy.”

He took another sip, this time letting his tongue tease the opening on the plastic lid. “We haven’t had much free time ourselves. I usually take time to get to know the people working with my crew well before we start.”

“That’s nice.” Nice? God, I was such a dweeb. “Umm...we should probably head back. I know Matt was looking for you.”

“I’m sure he was.”

“He’s probably looking for me now, too. Always wants to record what I’m doing. Like anyone is going to care what kind of muffin I’m eating.”

“You’d be surprised what people will want to know about you once you’re on TV.”

I’m not sure if the noise that escaped me was a sob or a squeal, but either way it wasn’t an attractive sound. Fynn broke out in a full-on grin. “You’re right. We should probably get back.”

We fell naturally into step together, each of us sipping our coffee as we went. I hadn’t a clue if he was feeling as awkward as I was and was waiting for me to break the ice, or if he was simply enjoying this silent form of torture. Either way, I needed to step up and face the music.

“So how much did you—”

“All of it.”

Fuck. “As in...”

“As in you like my ass. And my abs.” He tried to hide his grin by taking another sip of coffee, but I caught sight of it regardless.

“Sorry. That was out of line.”

He turned to face me as soon as we crossed the street. “For a minute I thought you knew I was there and were putting on a show.”

“Oh, God no!”

“That lovely blush is the reason why I’m not pissed. I can’t exactly say some of the guys on the crew haven’t been saying similar things about you. But I’ve made sure that they don’t get out of line.”

“What do you say to them?”

“I threaten to fire their asses if they don’t smarten the hell up and keep their eyes in their heads.”

I would have assumed he was simply being a smart boss, ensuring that I was made comfortable on the site, if it wasn’t for the quick pass of his gaze down along my body. A tingle went through me as though it wasn’t his gaze but a caress traveling down my naked skin. Fynn turned and started walking once more, leaving me to catch up.

“Well, I hope you’ll accept my apology and not encourage Carl to fire my ass.” There were other things Fynn could do to it though. Spank it. Squeeze it. Bite down on it.

“How about my male ego thanks you and we leave it at that.”

We walked in silence the rest of the way, but for the first time since I’d met Fynn, it didn’t feel awkward. The second we got back to the site, Matt came jogging over.

“Where the hell have you two been? Fynn, I need you in the house. The abatement team is here and Brian wants this on film.”

“Just needed a fix. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“You have five, but any longer and I think Brian might actually freak out.”

Matt was barely out of earshot when my big mouth opened up. “Once more we are torn apart. Our secret tryst disrupted by the chaos of our lives.”

That earned me a throaty chuckle. “Matt’s a jerk.”

“He means well. I think he’s got Brian after him most days. And poor Brian has Carl breathing down his neck most of the time. That would pretty much turn anyone into a jerk.”

“Umm.”

Instead of simply drifting apart and going back to our respective jobs like normal people would, we both lingered for a moment. You know that first date vibe, where you’re not sure what to do or say because the stuff in your head is so inappropriate it would embarrass future generations? We totally had that going on.

Fynn patted the side of his thigh with the hand that held the sandwich, making a rattling noise. “I better get going.”

“Yeah. I have to check some numbers so I can place my orders for the hardwood.”

“Okay good.”

“Yup. So, I’ll see you around.”

“M’kay.”

My courage finally gave up and I marched toward my makeshift office in the house. I didn’t even bother to look to see if he’d gone or if he watched me go. I couldn’t, because that would make things even harder for me. I needed time and space to figure out the growing problem that was Fynn.

Chapter Three

The shooting schedule for week three is complete. I sent the film crew home despite additional construction work still scheduled. I think we have more than enough shots of living room until next phase. Staff note, Matt has been making comments about Fynn and Sophia. I’m not sure what that boy’s been seeing through that lens of his, but he needs to stop running his mouth off. Sophia is a lovely young woman, I can’t image she’d do anything inappropriate on site.

—Impact Load Production Notes, Brian Merrick, Director

My mom told me that you learn a lot about yourself when you finally get your first serious job. I think she intended that to be a bit of a pep talk, reassuring me that I’d blossom as a woman as soon as I got doing what I was meant to in life. The older I got, the more ominous that sounded, until I was scared she was actually trying to warn me off becoming an adult.

So far the main thing I’d learned was how to drink more coffee than was healthy and run around like a crazy woman. I’d also become a multitasking queen, though, which was a somewhat adult skill, so go me! Currently, my multitasking involved me already prepared for my night out, clad in a black Mélissa Nepton “Eva” dress and stilettos on the construction site, leaning over my work desk as I checked the day’s progress report so I could wrap things up before leaving.

Tamara had talked me into going on a double date with her and two guys we knew in college. At least she said I knew who Jacob McNaughton was, but I couldn’t for the life of me put a face with the name. Regardless, it was Friday night and I hadn’t had any down time in nearly three weeks. I deserved a little bit of gratuitous flirting and, if I’d been the type, I’d have wished for a round of strings-free sex. I was ramped up hotter than an adolescent boy watching a Victoria’s Secret fashion show and needed to blow off some steam before I ended up dry humping a lumber pile.

Which would totally be Fynn’s fault. The bastard.

“What time is it?” I called out. I couldn’t actually see anyone in the outside room, but there was always someone floating around the site to answer. If I was late getting to the restaurant, Tamara would kill me.

“It’s nearly nine. Holy shit, you’re hot.” Of course it was Matt who answered.

I looked up from my daily notes to see him standing in the doorway, unabashedly staring at my ass. I couldn’t resist giving it a little wiggle. “Thanks. You look like shit.”

“I’m tired.” The comment lacked his usual bite. “You’re clearly heading out. Big date?”

“It’s a setup. I suspect we’ll suffer through awkward conversation over dinner and drinks before I bail. I’ll be home by midnight.”

“Why didn’t you go home to change? Fynn will have a shit fit if he sees you like that. It’s not safe.”

“I didn’t have time to finish up the dailies, go home to change and make it to The Peartree on time. I’ll be sure to hide from Fynn.”

“I’m surprised you’re giving yourself the night off at all.”

“All work and no play, right?”

The hours were starting to blur together. If I wasn’t working on Trinity House, I was in meetings reviewing the plans and how they were doing with the budget. Not to mention the no fewer than three disasters and four issues that have to be handled right now, please Sophia when I wasn’t on camera. And the hours Fynn and I spent eye fucking.

Ever since the coffee shop, we’d been doing this crazy little dance. I’d catch him looking, so I’d lean over to put my cleavage on full display. He’d stare and lick his lips before dragging his gaze back to mine. There was something dangerous in his eyes, something that had my pussy wet in less than a heartbeat. Fynn was all hard muscle, constant five-o’clock shadow and grit. He’d been trying to keep me at arm’s length when we’d first met. I thought that was because he didn’t like me. Over the past few days I suspected it had more to do with him liking me a bit too much.

Matt nodded. “I’m sure you’ll have whoever he is eating out of your hand in two minutes. I’ll see you in the morning?”

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