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I pull Connie’s bag from the trunk of my rental car and set it down in front of her. “This is where we part.”
“Thanks a million, Heidi. I’m going to miss you and the girls.”
I laugh. “You better not. You better be having so much fun you don’t even think about us again until you fall into your bed back at the dorm and complain about your sunburn and the five lovers who rocked your world during the cruise.”
“God, I’d kill to just find one man to give me the time of day during this spring break. You’re the one who will be drowning in hot men who want to rub lotion all over you while you soak in the sun on these Miami beaches.”
I sigh. “I wish. I’m not here for pleasure. It’s all about building those houses for the people who can’t afford them.”
Connie makes a puppet out of her hand and does a funny imitation of my voice. “Blah blah blah and then Dr. Jenkins will notice my hard work and offer me that internship this summer blah blah.” She switches back to her real voice as she gives me a hug. “Don’t forget to make some time for fun.”
I squeeze her back. “Deal, but only if you promise to actually wear that cute bikini out in public.”
She groans but laughs. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into that crazy thing.”
I take a step away from her and run my hands down over my body. “Because us curvy girls have a responsibility to remind men how hot they really find us.”
Connie and I have similar curves, but while I flaunt mine more often, she tends to be more discreet with hers.
It’s a real shame I won’t have time to relax on the beach during my “vacation.”
I wave at Connie as she grabs her suitcase, and then climb back behind the wheel of the rental. I hate driving and only plan to do it between the hotel to the worksite and back each day. The traffic in the small town where we go to college stresses me out enough.
Miami is just insane.
The last thing I need is any craziness. I have just a couple more months after spring break before I finish my accounting degree. Then, if I get the internship I’m aiming for, I’ll be moving to New York to start my career.
The key to the internship is impressing Dr. Jenkins, which is why I’m in Miami instead of hanging with friends for spring break. Dr. Jenkins runs the volunteer program I’m participating in. He’s also old friends with the people in charge of the internship program at my dream company in New York.
So I have exactly one goal for the rest of the week: Impress Dr. Jenkins so he’ll pull some strings for me.
No beaches.
No fun.
And definitely no men.
***
I barely even glance at my hotel room after checking in. I toss my suitcase on the bed and rush to the worksite.
I don’t technically have anything to do until tomorrow morning, but I figure there’s no better time to make a good first impression than before all the other volunteers arrive.
I wave at the old man stooped over a table saw. “Need a hand, Dr. Jenkins?”
Without looking up, he says, “I’ve got two already, thanks.” He cuts the board and gently sets both pieces to the floor. Pressing his hand against his lower back, he groans as he straightens up. “Don’t ever get old, miss.”
“Good advice, sir.” My fake-cheery voice grates in my ears.
He brushes his long, wild gray hair behind his ears, making sawdust fall around his body like snow. “Where are you from? You don’t look like a local.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re pale as a ghost. Or rather, pale as a young woman doing her best to survive a Midwest winter. Heidi Loveless from Ohio?”
A wave of excitement hits me that he already knows my name. I let myself hope it means he might be ready to recommend me for the internship just based on the content of the application I’d sent him..
“Yes, sir. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jenkins.” I’ve seen his face countless times while researching and making my after-college plans.
“Welcome to Miami, Heidi. The kids always have a good time when they volunteer here. We work hard during the day, but you youngins will still have plenty of time to play at the beach and enjoy the nightlife. Ah, to be young again. Don’t ever get old,” he says again.
Before I can tell him how willing I am to work extra hours, he turns his attention back to cutting the boards. The sound drowns out any chance of conversation. I’d try to help, but I’ve never used a power tool in my life, and would probably only end up losing a finger, which definitely wouldn’t be very impressive.
I sit on a nearby five-gallon bucket of paint to wait for him to take a break so I can make myself useful by volunteering to get him a coffee or bottle of water.
When the front door slams shut, I nearly fall off the bucket.
Looking at the stranger doesn’t do anything for my stability.
He’s hotter than hell and sexier than sin in his tight blue jeans that highlight a bulge that makes my mouth hang open. He’s wearing a black leather jacket. It’s unzipped, highlighting the fact he isn’t wearing a shirt while flaunting a chest full of tattoos.
When he flashes me a cocky smile, I whimper with need.
They sure don’t make men like him in Ohio.
Dr. Jenkins takes several more seconds to finish cutting another board before finally looking up.
“Ah, Drake. So nice of you to grace us with your presence.”
Drake doesn’t take his eyes off me as he quickly replies, “How nice of you to host this little sweatshop to help clear our records. Patterson was too busy this year?”
I swallow a lump in my throat.
Of course this towering mountain of masculinity is a bad boy.
“Yes, well, just remember, you’re the one who volunteered, or maybe it was your agent. I certainly didn’t reach out to you. What was it this year?”
“What’s not to love about this program, you crazy old fool?” He waves his hands to indicate the entire house, and presumably this entire volunteer program.”
“According to my predecessor, you’ve been here three years in a row. Are you even trying to become a better man?”
“It was just one game, and I picked us to win by three touchdowns in a game we were supposed to lose by ten points. Besides, I’m already pretty great.” Drake winks at me.
I open my eyes wide in surprise.
How could he be having such a serious, tense conversation while seemingly flirting with me?
Flirting with me?
There’s no way.
I’ve never had too much trouble finding somebody to date, but none of them could even begin to measure up to Drake’s jacket. Much less the hunk underneath.
Dr. Jenkins shakes his head, clearly annoyed with the interruption. “You aren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow. Get out of here and come back in the morning. Take Miss Loveless with you.”
“Miss Loveless?” Drake asks, barely suppressing a laugh.
“Heidi,” I say.
“Sure, sure. But how could a pretty thing like you really be loveless?”
As I stand, my purse slides down my arm and falls to the floor. “That’s really none of your concern now, is it? I’m here to work.”
Dr. Jenkins sighs. “You two are cutting into my prep time. I’d like to get back to my room sometime before I die of old age. Drake, your assignment tonight is to make sure Heidi has some fun during her spring break. Heidi, your job is to keep Drake out of trouble. You two might as well start getting to know each other. You are paired with each other for the week.”
Drake laughs.
“What?” I demand, stomping my foot.
“You really got screwed.”
I roll my eyes. “I get it. You’re the big bad tough guy, but I know your type.” It’s a lie. I’ve never met a man like Drake before, but I can tell if I don’t establish control of the situation ASAP, he’s going to torment me the entire week. “All the bad-boy bluster is hiding a man who knows he isn’t worthy of love.”
He makes kissy lips from across the room. “I’m definitely not worthy of love, but I can definitely fake it for a night or two.”
I gasp out loud. Turning to Dr. Jenkins, I say, “I will not be babysitting this...baby!”
I bend to pick up my purse, earning a whistle from Drake.
I stomp across the room and poke him in the chest, nearly breaking my finger on his rock-hard muscles. “You will treat me with respect, and you will leave me alone, is that clear?”
“Sure, Miss Loveless. No problem. You’ll come begging for it soon enough. You might want to go back to your room to change your dress before I—very respectfully, of course—take you out to dinner.”
Can he tell how wet he’s made my panties? Have I leaked right through my dress?
I blush but refuse to glance between my legs to check.
“Fine with me. I just figured you wouldn’t want to go out in public when you have paint all over your glorious ample ass.”
A quick glance confirms he isn’t lying.
If I could melt into the floor and escape by dripping out to the ocean, I would. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.
I grab his arm and drag him toward the door. His bicep is so big. All I want to do is wrap both hands around it and give it a squeeze. “Come on. Let’s give Dr. Jenkins some peace and quiet.”
“Peace and quiet for him. Wild times for us. If you want, I can help you get out of that dress.” When I trip over my feet at the thought of undressing in front of him, he easily catches me. “And into a different dress. Respectfully, of course. For now, at least.”