Page 5 of Protected By the Surly Carpenter

It takes a few blinks before I can breathe, the feeling of his hand sliding up between my shoulder blades incredibly distracting. His fingers tangle in the back of my hair and I manage to gasp, “Me, too.”

The second he steps back, I miss the feeling of his body almost pressed against me. As he drives away, I miss the way he looked deeply into my eyes.

That man is a ferocious tease, and I’ll be counting the seconds until we’re together again.

There are already serious feelings brewing deep inside me. I want to see a lot of him. Because…damn, apparently there is a lot to see. Not just on the surface, either. I feel like Clark is only grouchy because he’s been a loner for too long.

Could I be the woman to fix that?

3

CLARK

I’ve never been a person who waffles, unable to pick a side. Being decisive is part of being efficient, which is at the core of my business and my life.

But now, pacing in my woodshop, I’m waffling more than a busy diner at brunch. I feel woefully inadequate for the first time in years. How the hell is a nobody like me supposed to date a breathtaking woman like Elena?

She could have any man she wants. She’s sweet and smart and her smile goes right through me. She’s independent…maybe a bit too much, to be honest.

It doesn’t bother me that she’s a bit younger. Well, except for the fact that she might have as little dating experience as I do. Actually, maybe that could work in my favor. If I just go with my instincts and do everything in my power to keep her happy, she might be willing to consider…

Stop it, Clark. I shouldn’t be thinking like this already. Elena might just be passing through town. If I had a normal day job, I could move on with her. No problem. Done deal.

But my entire customer base and giant workshop is here in Old Hemlock Valley. I’m parked – just like the rusty old car atthe back of the lot that people swear they will get around to fixing, but never do.

Elena already fixes me. She makes me downright chatty, compared to my usual silent state. She makes me feel alive.

Striding over to the corner of my workshop that has the coffee maker, I grab my phone from the charger to send her a text.

Hi, it’s Clark. I know you’re on your feet all day, but how would you feel about a short walk before dinner?

I put the ringer on, possibly for the first time ever while in the shop. After measuring panels for a table inlay for about twenty minutes, I hear a soft ping.

Elena: That sounds great. I’ll actually be finished at 3:30, since a birthday party is taking over the patio.

Elena: Your patio, to be precise :)

I want to tell her I miss her. Tell her that I want to punch myself for not kissing her. I don’t.

I’ll pick you up at 3:30.

When I was standing in the doorway with her last night, it struck me that she’d only known me for a handful of hours. Did she feel obligated to be polite to me because I drove her home? I hope not. I’d never be able to live with myself.

But I know that the moment I see her eyes again, it’ll be clear if she reallylikesme, or if she just wants me to protect her. I’ll dothat either way. No matter what Elena wants, I’m going to keep her safe.

When I reach Jim’s Pizza, the party is getting into full swing. Around twenty guys are in high spirits, fueled by beer, pizza, and what looks to be a bit of an old friend reunion as well as a birthday gathering.

I stand out front, nodding to the guys I know. Elena comes out a few minutes later, every head turning to her. She’s changed into dark blue jeans and a cute green top with a bit of lace at the neck. Her lovely long, dark blonde hair is half pulled back from her face in a clip, and she’s wearing a touch of green eyeshadow that brings out her rich golden-brown eyes perfectly.

She’s radiantly breathtaking. And as most of the single men in town openly stare at her, a deep, twisting sensation forms in the bottom of my gut.

She’s mine. Ineedher to bemine.

Elena turns to me, and the way her face lights up, you’d think someone had just handed her a puppy.

Everything inside me melts. That’s exactly the look I was hoping for. Unfortunately, the moment is slightly marred by the fact that so many other men are checking out her perky little butt.

We rush toward each other, the three-foot wooden railing still between us. My hand automatically reaches around her waist as my head dips to her ear. “You know, most of these guys know me, or at least know who I am. If I kissed you right now, I know they’d leave you alone permanently.”

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