Page 52 of Takes Two to Tango

Rayne was closest to the door, so she opened it and stuck her head out. She couldn't believe her eyes. She felt Dawn and Aunt Frances at her back but didn't tum around. She didn't think she could have ripped her gaze from Brent if a pig had sprouted wings and flown into the elm tree out front.

"Don't," he said, from beneath a thick coat of latex paint that dripped down his face and streaked onto his burgundy T-shirt. From the top of his wavy brown hair to the tips of his well-worn work boots, Brent was splattered with Cottage White paint. Nearby a bucket oozed its contents across the porch boards. A small ladder with a bent leg lay next to the railing.

“I-I-“ She snapped her mouth closed. She tried really, really hard not to laugh. Of course, the thought of not laughing made her snort. Which made her issue a most obnoxious guffaw. Really obnoxious.

“Sure, laugh it up,” Brent said, wiping paint from his eyes."I knew the leg was weak and didn’t fix it last week. Oh, for Pete's sake, stop laughing."

But she couldn't. And it felt good to laugh so hard, a pee-your-pants kind of laugh she hadn't used since she was a girl. And with Dawn and Aunt Fran joining in, they sounded like a chorus of hyenas.

Rayne finally managed to take a few steps toward the towel Brent had slung over the rail, and handed it to him. "Here, use this. It might-"

"So, think this is funny, huh?"

Rayne screeched as one of his paint-soaked hands clasped her arm. "Brent Jamison Hamilton! Let go!"

But h edidn't. Instead he pulled her into his arms and gave her a squeeze. Then he gave a devilish laugh.

"I can't believe you,"she said, struggling against his arms. "You're ruining my dress!"

"So? I'll buy you a new one. One that's tight and shows off those nice assets," he said, grinning at her. He looked like a crazy person, albeit a happy crazy person.

Her heart started thumping against her ribs. She caught his crazy happy bug and grinned. "I don't want one that shows my assets. This is highly... irresponsible."

Then he did something even more reckless. Some thing insane. He leaned down and kissed her. Not a peck. Nothing teasing. But a real kiss that tasted like awful latex paint. But beneath that was something she was almost certain was joy.

She giggled against his lips. A rumble of laughter started in his chest. Pretty soon it emerged and their lips were no longer locked. Instead they stood wrapped in each other's arms, covered in paint, laughing as if they'd sniffed glue. Or latex fumes.

Eventually, Brent released her and she jerked her head around and took a look at her butt. Sure enough two white handprints marred the backside of her sundress. She looked like one of those cards Henry brought home with his handprints on them each Mother's Day. Except these were large male handprints... on her bottom.

“Just look at what you did," she groaned, spinning around to show him. She should have been disgusted. Instead she felt lighthearted. As if she were thirteen again and crushing on the guy who made her heart flutter.

"Just leaving my mark," he teased, grabbing the towel that had fallen and trying unsuccessfully to mop up his face.

"You do realize we're still here," Aunt Frances said.

Rayne spun toward her aunt, her face igniting. How had she forgotten her aunt and Dawn? Good gravy.

Dawn smiled. "Looks a little messy, but fun."

Brent delivered a trademark Hambone smile, his gaze sliding to Rayne. "Hamilton Construction always appreciates a stamp of approval on our work. We want you satisfied.”

"How is this satisfactory?" Rayne quipped, rubbing at the droplets of paint on her arm.

“Let me finish the job and you’ll know.” He grinned the way Henry did when he'd done something naughty but worth it.

"Oh, brother." Rayne's groan caused the two others standing on the porch to snicker. She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the silly smile. How did one get latex paint off oneself? Thank heavens, she'd worn a braid and hadn't had her hair curling around her shoulders. That would have been messy.

"Hey, Brent, I meant to tell you earlier that Tyson wants you to call him about the proposition," Dawn said, breaking the absurdity of the moment. She readjusted her oversize purse on her shoulder and dug inside, coming out with keys in hand. "I think he's definitely interested."

Brent nodded. "Good. Tell him I'll call in a couple of days. My parents are coming back from their trip tomorrow."

Dawn smiled."Well, I'll let you two get back to your, uh, fun."

"Oh, no," Rayne said. "Thisisnot my kind of fun."

"Oh, yeah? Well, in this designer's eyes, I'm seeing what you're not. I know when things go together.” Dawn trotted down the front steps. "See y'all later. I'm off to Houston. Good luck getting off all that paint."

"Bye," Brent and Aunt Frances called.

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