Page 40 of Finding Her Strength

“Yeah, I didn’t bring you here to sit and look pretty. We’ve got things to do.” I grab my tool belt off the floor, snapping it around my hips. After so many years of wearing it, I barely notice the weight anymore. Once it’s settled, I grab the small belt I bought for Hope. It has a hammer, tape measure, and a couple of screwdrivers on it. Even though she’ll never need the tools I put on it, I still wanted to see her wear it, knowing how hot she’ll look with it around her flared hips.

I turn to give it to her and catch her eyeing my chest and hips where my belt is slung low. I suppress the groan bubbling up my throat when she clamps her teeth on her bottom lip. “So, the tool belt does it for ya, huh?” I tease.

Hope’s eyes jump to mine, a full blush blooming across her cheeks. An embarrassed smile creeps across her face as I walk toward her. “It’s nice to know you approve of the uniform,” I tell her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Now, a proper handywoman needs a tool belt, and I happen to have one right here.” I hold up the belt to show her.

“I would have no clue how to use any of those tools,” she says.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything you need to know, but for now, you won’t need to use them. I just want to see you in a belt.” I wink at her.

Her sparkling laugh filters through the room. “So, the tool belt does it for ya, huh?” she echoes, her eyebrow raised. God, she’s something else.

“You're damn right, it does. You do it for me, belt or not, though, so…” I shrug. “Ready?”

She nods her head, and I reach around her to put the belt on her hips. It looks just as good as I imagined it would.

“Perfect. Now, we need to pick out a paint color. I’ve got three options I haven’t been able to decide between. Will you help?”

“Sure,” she says as we walk over to the painted squares on the wall. I have one I like the best, but I’d like to see if Hope likes it, too. Hopefully, she does because I already bought the paint.

“I like this light gray the best.” When she points to the one I bought, I have to clench my fists to keep from wrapping her up in my arms and spinning her around.

“I agree. I think it’s my favorite, too.” I grab out the paint can, then pour it into two trays. After handing Hope a paint roller, I look at her seriously. “Now, this is a paint roller. This soft bit is where the paint goes. Don’t—”

Hope punches me in the arm while I bust out laughing. “You’re such an asshole. I know how to paint.” She pouts as she fights a grin from forming.

I lean in to kiss her temple. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

She rolls her eyes, but the grin she was fighting breaks through, making her dark eyes sparkle. The change I’ve seen in her since I helped her move is like night and day. She’s way more comfortable in her own skin, not afraid to be a little more outgoing with me.

We both turn toward the wall and start painting, keeping up a steady stream of chatter the whole time.

“You never sent me that audiobook you were talking about,” I remind her.

“Oh, I completely forgot. I’ll go through my books tonight. There’s one I think you’d enjoy. It’s got everything: action, adventure, as well as romance.”

“Sounds great. I’ll listen to it while I work on the house since it’ll be a little quieter here than on our normal job sites.”

“Good idea. Action or horror movies?”

I love that Hope has taken to my game. I don’t even know where it came from. It was just a way to get to know her without having to ask any personal questions.

“They both have their merits, but action is more fun.”

“I hate horror. My life used to resemble a horror movie, so I’ll pass on those any day.” Hope stills, the paint roller frozen mid-roll against the wall. I don’t think she meant to share that information with me. Her doing so tells me she’s starting to feel comfortable enough to share her past, which is a pretty big deal.

“I hate how hard your life was before you came here,” I say into the quiet room. “I want you to know you’re safe to share whatever you want to with me. I will be here to listen. Always.”

As Hope begins painting the wall again, her whispered words pack a punch. “I haven’t felt safe in a very long time, but with you, I finally do.”

“You will always be safe with me, no matter what.”

Hope’s eyes find mine, almost as if she needs to ensure I mean what I say. I stand there, keeping eye contact with her so she can see I truly mean it until she nods her head and goes back to painting.

The room feels heavy with her confession. Hope’s life should’ve been carefree, beautiful. I want to do that for her. I want to show her how much fun life can be if you’re open to it.

An idea pops into my head of how to liven things up again. It’s probably going to end up in a mess, but it’ll be so worth it. I have to suppress my grin so she doesn’t see my intentions coming.

I run my finger down my roller, then turn to Hope. “Hey, you have something right here,” I say, running my paint-covered finger across her cheek. Hope’s eyes grow wide, her mouth gaping open.

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