Page 28 of Throne of Secrets

She opened her mouth to respond, but her gaze got stuck on the flex of his biceps as he pulled a hammer from his belt. He set a nail against the board and drove it into place with three solid strikes.

Star’s jaw dropped.

He glanced up. Their eyes met. Star snapped her mouth shut so fast her teeth clicked.

“No, I’m done,” she blurted. “Work, I mean. I’m done with work. Not done in general. I just finished for the day. Yeah. That.”

Ethan’s lips quirked into a knowing grin.

“What are you doing?” she asked, forcing herself to focus. “I thought you said just a couple of boards needed replacing.”

He reached into his tool belt for another nail. “Yeah, that’s what I thought, too. But when I removed the boards, I found the structure underneath was riddled with dry rot. It’s safer to replace it all and do it right. Don’t want to break a leg coming over to visit you.”

He pointed the hammer at her, his smile turning into a full-blown, shameless flirt, and her face ignited. She couldfeelthe heat radiating off her cheeks.

Oh my God, he’s flirting with me.

Star slid down the door frame until she sat cross-legged on the kitchen threshold. She folded her arms on her knees and watched Ethan position another board and drive the nails home with effortless precision.

“Did you find out anything about the conversation?” she asked, trying to focus on why he’d been working on her steps in the first place—and not on his ridiculously broad shoulders.

“I did,” Ethan said, driving another nail with two sharp strikes. “I’ll fill you in when I finish up here.”

“Where did you get the lumber?”

“Hardware store.” He reached for another board. “Ran into Kyle while I was there.”

Her stomach dropped. “Oh?”

Ethan leveled the board, then nailed it into place with mechanical efficiency. “Yeah.” He gave her a lazy smile. “I believe Kyle now understands you don't want to go out with him. I don't think he'll be bothering you again.”

Star's eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Whatdid you do?”

Ethan didn’t look up. “I just explained that I didn’t appreciate him hitting on my woman.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Am I?” she asked softly. “Am I your woman? When did we decide that?”

Ethan finally lifted his gaze but didn’t say anything as he grabbed the next board. Only when he was kneeling to secure it did he answer, his voice casual but firm. “This morning, when I told you I wanted to date you.” He lined up the board and drove the nail in with three measured strikes. “I'm assuming that when you date me, you won’t be dating anyone else at the same time. But if I’m wrong, you should probably let me know.”

“Oh no! No, that’s not wrong!” Star sat up straighter. “I don’t date multiple people. Heck, I don’t really date at all. Or ever, really. I mean, Ihavedated—like in college. But that was before, you know, my parents died. And after that, I’ve just been … well, working mostly.” She winced. “But Ihavegone out with people. Like, to dinner and stuff. I just haven’t … dated-dated.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “God, I’m blowing this, aren’t I?”

Ethan laughed, a deep, genuine sound that made her peek through her lashes.

“Dated-dated?” he repeated, his grin widening. “Let me guess—that means you haven’t been serious with anyone since college?”

She nodded vigorously. “Yes! Exactly! What you said!”

Ethan’s laughter rolled through the backyard as he placed the last board and secured it with his usual efficiency. Star exhaled and ran a hand over her flushed face.Smooth, Star. Very smooth.

She watched him work, marveling at how easily he handled the task. Each movement was purposeful and confident. There was something undeniably sexy about a man who knew how to build something with his hands. A few minutes later, Ethan stepped back, hands on his hips, and surveyed the completed steps.

“Okay,” he said, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “I’ll replace the handrails tomorrow. I need to grab a couple of four-by-four posts from the hardware store.”

“Be careful,” Star said with a laugh. “Kyle might ask you out next.”

Ethan chuckled as he headed toward his toolbox. “If he does, I’ll let him down gently.”

Star smiled and pushed herself to her feet. She started toward the steps, then hesitated. “Wait … you said handrails tomorrow?”

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