Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (6 page)

Damn straight.
Mark got up and headed for the door. “You’ve got a room in the empty apartment across from ours.”

“Ours?” Don joked again.

Fuck.
“Don’t make me regret calling you, Don.”

He was still laughing as he entered the house.

“And keep it down. Hannah’s sleeping.”

“You’re making this too easy. But don’t worry, Mark. I walked away from one hell of a deal to be here, and you better believe I’m going to get some enjoyment out of it.”

Mark knew it wasn’t about money. It was payback for something he’d done to Don all the way back in high school. That man had a memory that was unheard of. His revenge always caught Mark by surprise. Usually harmless fun. But Don sending a letter to his mother informing her he had gotten married overseas and was coming home with triplet babies might’ve been going too far. Ever since that day Mark’s mother said he owed her three grandchildren, and she wasn’t going to rest until he paid up. Whatever Don had in store for him this time better not include Hannah. She had enough going on in her life already. The last thing she needed was Don Farrell adding anything to it.

“Get your sleep, Don. Tomorrow you have to earn your keep. And when you see the apartment upstairs, you’re going to understand why I called.”

“That bad?”

“I’m still trying to find what I like about it.”

“Who’s in the other one?”

“Not sure. I’ve been here since Saturday and haven’t seen him at all. No lights on during the day, but he’s up all night moving around. Something is off about that guy.”

“And you know this how?”

His job was observing suspicious behaviors. “Trust me. I know. Your bedroom is right beneath his. Keep your ears open and text me if anything seems off to you.”

“What exactly am I supposed to be listening for?”

Mark had no clue. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up each time he thought of the guy. That wasn’t much to go on, but that was enough for now. He’d learned years ago to listen to his gut. And his gut was saying something was not right.

“Don, just text me if you hear anything at all.”

“So you’re expecting me to stay up all night? Is there anything else you want to tell me about this lovely vacation?”

Mark turned to leave Don alone but shot over his shoulder, “Yeah, the coffee here is like water.”

H
annah woke early to hear loud banging echoing through the house. She reached for her cell phone.
Really? Six a.m.

The noise was only half the issue. She’d been having the most amazing dream of Mark before being so rudely awoken. Closing her eyes, she still pictured him clearly. He’d been outside chopping wood as she watched him from the porch. The heat of the day was getting to him. Slowly he ripped off his shirt, exposing beautiful ripples of muscles. Bending down to pick up the water hose, he raised it overhead and doused himself. As the water flowed over his body, she wished it was her hands and her mouth.

Hannah could feel the desire still aching for attention.
Horny and wet for a man I can’t have. This is going to be a long day.

She was about to pull the sheets over her head and try going back to sleep when she heard a power saw cutting something in the room right above hers.
Just because he doesn’t like to sleep, doesn’t mean the rest of the world shouldn’t.

She threw the sheet off to one side, dragged herself from the bed, and stomped across the floor. Normally she was lighter on her feet as she liked things quiet, but this morning no amount of noise she made would compare to the racket going on upstairs.

She grabbed her thin cotton robe hanging on the back of her door. It didn’t cover much more than the tiny pajama set she was wearing, but she was too angry to think about modesty at the moment. She didn’t even bother combing her hair. There was no way she’d allow Mark to wake her tenant at that godawful hour. The last thing she needed was him to complain and move out due to the noise. She hadn’t let him know about the construction yet.
Bad on me, but who would’ve thought they’d start at pre-dawn?

Leaving her apartment, she climbed the stairs to the vacant apartment. Hannah was thankful her tenant wasn’t directly below the construction like she was, but she was sure it was echoing throughout the house. Each step brought her closer, and she couldn’t wait to give Mark a piece of her mind.
No matter how sexy you are to look at, nothing is going to stop me from saying what’s on my mind.

When she arrived, she found the apartment wide open. She marched right in, but after a few steps she stopped dead in her tracks. Mark was standing with his back to her, his arms above his head holding what looked like a wooden beam of some sort. Hannah wasn’t too interested in what he was holding. He was shirtless, and every muscle in his arms and back was calling out to her. If that wasn’t bad enough, his tool belt was tugging on his jeans, bringing them even lower over that fine-looking ass of his.
Even sweeter than my dream
.

She could stand there forever and look at him. Her eyes burned the memory of him in her mind. It took everything within her not to reach out and touch him. Any anger she’d felt on her way upstairs was quickly replaced with raw, uncontrollable need. Her feet were defying what her head knew she should do—turn and go back downstairs and pretend she never saw all that sexiness. But her brain wasn’t in control. One step, then two. Closer and closer to what she yearned for.

“Hurry the fuck up, Don. This thing isn’t holding itself up over here.”

Oh, God. He knows someone is here. How does he do that?
She took a step backward.
At least, he doesn’t know it’s me.

Hannah blushed and couldn’t even believe what she’d been about to do. Did she really think she’d walk over and touch him without him noticing?
Who am I kidding? There is no way I’m going to be able to stop with one touch. Maybe after a kiss and, oh yeah, a lick or two.

Hannah was so deep in her own thoughts as she backed up almost to the doorway, that she wasn’t paying attention to any of her surroundings, except for Mark. She caught the back of her heel on something, sending her tumbling to the floor.

“Ow!” The word escaped her lips, barely a whisper as she covered her mouth so not to be heard.

Instantly Mark spun around, and the one chance to slip out had slipped away. The beam he was holding came crashing to the floor as he moved quickly to her side.

“Are you okay?” He was looking her over as though he expected some serious injury.

The only thing hurt was her pride. “Ow.” She could feel several things poking into her all at the same time. Her hand went to feel what it could be when she picked up a nail. Then she looked by her foot and saw a plastic bucket tipped over and an empty box of nails.
Great. With everything in this room, I have to not just knock it over but scatter nails all over the floor. If it wasn’t for bad luck right now, I don’t think I would have any luck at all.
She moved a bit and something dug into her. She winced.
Lucky me, I’m on a bed of nails. How am I going to get off this without hurting more than just my pride? Heck, it hurts just sitting on it.

Her short robe now wide open revealed more than she wanted.
It’s not the first time you’ve seen me like this, but this time I know you can see everything. There is no darkness hiding me this time. Can this get any worse?

“I’m fine. Just let me get up.” She needed him to back away. Her body hadn’t recovered from the sight of him, so his closeness was only keeping the flame lit.

“No. I’ll pick you up.”

Before she could argue with him, his strong arms were beneath her, lifting her up against his bare chest.
Got my wish. Not the way I saw this happening, but I got to touch you. Even in this awkward situation, you feel amazing.
He was hot and hard, such a sweet contrast to her cold soft hands. She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry at how pathetic this all was. It was like a scene from a love story. If only it were true, his lips would soon claim hers in a passionate, explosive kiss.

Before either of them spoke, a deep voice from behind her said, “You must be the lovely Hannah Mark has been talking about.”

She turned her head to find a man almost as tall and about the same age as Mark. Unlike Mark, though, this man was all mischievous smiles. Hannah had no doubt why. They were caught in a very compromising situation—both Mark and she were half dressed.

“Don’t mind my friend Mark. It seems having his hands full has made him lose his manners. I’m Don Farrell, Mark’s helper for a while.”

She felt Mark tense. This wasn’t any more pleasant for her, yet he didn’t put her down. The more she tried pulling away, the more it was obvious her attempts were totally ineffective. His arms were like steel.
Beautiful pillars of hot steel.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Even with another person in the room, she couldn’t control her dirty little thoughts.

“Will you please put me down?”

Mark slowly let her legs drop to the floor, but he continued to hold her against him with his other arm.

“All the way,” she demanded without meeting his eyes. Her hand had already felt his heart pounding. There was no need to confirm what she felt by seeing the same desire burning in his eyes.

Once freed she headed for the door. Don gave her a sweet nod and stepped out of her way. As she passed, he gave her a playful wink.
Are you sure you two are friends? You’re as different as night and day.

Before she made it out the door, Mark had swooped her back up into his arms.

“What are you doing? Put me down!”

This time she pushed against his chest and shoulders, but the outcome was the same.

“Stop wiggling. You’re hurt.”

Hannah froze as she tried to assess her body. She didn’t feel any pain. Was this some ploy? If so it so wasn’t funny. “I’m fine,” she informed him firmly.

“You’re bleeding. I need to get you to your apartment and get your clothes off.”

Good try.
“I am not that naïve, Mr. Collins. So I am only going to say this one more time before I show you my southern temper. Put me down!”

Mark stared at her, challenging her to do so. “Do you honestly think I’d hurt you?”

She wasn’t sure. There
was
something dangerous about him. When she looked in his eyes, it was there, even though he tried to hide it. When she didn’t answer, he continued.

“Who do you think would come to your rescue? Your tenant? Don?”

The tenant was not an option, but she wasn’t so sure about Don. Turning her head so she could see him, he only shrugged at her.

“Above my pay grade.”

Hannah couldn’t believe the man could joke at a time like this. She was being manhandled, and no one was going to do anything to stop it.
What if I really was in trouble? Who’d call the police? He was right. Anything could happen to me out here, and there’s no one to save me.

Her screaming was only a threat, and he’d called her bluff.
So let’s try plan B.

“Mark, I appreciate you trying to help me, but I assure you I can take care of myself. I’m fine.”

As he held her with one arm, his free hand rubbed her bottom gently. Any other time, and in private, she would most certainly enjoy
that
, but this was not happening.

When he pulled his hand up, he held it so she could see.
Blood. Oh, my God. I’m bleeding.

“That’s . . . blo—”

“As I said, you’re hurt. I need to see how bad. So either you’re going to let me look at you here in front of Don, or we can do it downstairs in your room. But understand this, Hannah, these are your only two options.”

I’m bleeding.
Panic filled her, and Mark must have sensed it.

“Move, Don,” Mark barked at his friend who gave way for them to pass.

Within seconds, they were inside her apartment, and she was standing on her bedroom floor.

“I need to go to the bathroom so I can see where I’m bleeding in the mirror.”

He didn’t move out of her way. Instead Mark reached out took off the light cotton robe and tossed it to the side.

“I can take care of myself.” She wasn’t used to anyone taking such control over her in this manner. Yes she may be injured, but she wasn’t an invalid.

“Turn around so I can take a look.”

She was once again in her tiny shorts and cami. It wasn’t naked but too damn close for her to feel comfortable standing there with him staring at her. “Get me a mirror and I will look.”

“You will not be able to see if it is a puncture wound or a scratch from a mirror. Now turn around and let me look.”

This house isn’t worth all this humiliation.
Slowly she turned. Hannah could feel his warm fingers gently lift the bottom of her cami up, so it was in the middle of her back. Then even more gently he slid her shorts down.

I could just die. This can’t be happening. My fantasies never included any of this.

His hands now touched her bare bottom, not in a sensual way, but as though he was medical professional.

“I need to clean away the blood. Do you have any hydrogen-peroxide or an antibacterial cleanser?”

“No.”

“How about rubbing alcohol?”

Her eyes widened and tried to turn to face him. “That’s going to hurt.”

“It will. But I have to clean the cut, or it could get infected. It looks like a small puncture wound, and you won’t need stitches, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to clean it.”

Everything in his tone was one of control and professionalism as though he’d done this a hundred times before, but his touch was so gentle.
What type of contractor are you that you’re so comfortable doing this? I know guys get hurt on the job, but you’re so in control, like this is second nature to you.
Hannah didn’t want to tell him where the alcohol was, but he was correct. It had to be cleaned. If she didn’t let him do it, then she would need to go to the hospital. Things were bad enough without medical bills.

She hadn’t used the alcohol since her father had passed away. He’d had some medical equipment that needed to be kept clean. Never did she think it’d be used on her.

“Soap and water?” Even as she said it, she knew what his answer was going to be. But she had to try. He didn’t even bother to shake his head.

Arguing with you is as useless as trying to get out of your arms. Damn, you’re stubborn. Unfortunately, you’re also right.
“It’s in the medicine cabinet.”