Page 6 of Fairy Tale Lies
Jacob. A strong and masculine name. It suited him.
“We’re delivering a living room Baroque set and installing a Lobmeyr chandelier.” He glanced at the clipboard then back at her. “Is this the Silverstone residence?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry. Come in.” Greta stepped aside, hoping he didn’t notice the heat creeping up her neck and cheeks. She’d been gawking at him like an idiot. He was probably wondering if she was a mental case. “Let me show you the room.”
The hallway was wide enough for them to walk side-by-side, even as they moved past the main double stairs. Silence fell between them, not uncomfortable, but it made her aware of his warmth and the unexplainable pull toward him. She studied him surreptitiously, noting his height. She was five ten, yet her chin didn’t reach his broad shoulders. He had incredible biceps, muscular with a light dusting of hair. Ink peeked from his shirtsleeve, and she wondered if it was a continuation of the tattoo at his collar.
She gave a mental shake.
Why was he so fascinating? He wasn’t her type. At all.
A deliveryman.
She didn’t have anything against them. She’d just never noticed before. At least not like this.
Was it the brewing storm or the man himself, giving the air an electric charge?
Stopping at the threshold of the great room, she explained the layout her mother and stepfather wanted for the set. Then pointed to the light fixture they wanted removed and replaced with the antique chandelier Jacob was also delivering.
The room was enormous, but he told her they’d need to take apart the double doors and possibly the frame. He asked where they were to put the old stuff. Greta tried to remember where her parents wanted the original set stored. She was finding it difficult to concentrate. Jacob stood close, and all she could focus on was how good he smelled. It took every single ounce of her willpower not to lean in and inhale him.
A charged silence filled the room as her gaze drifted from his tantalizing neck to focus on his face. She was startled to find him studying her with more than a hint of polite curiosity.
“Sorry,” he muttered hoarsely, breaking eye contact and moving back. “I’m gonna let the other men know we might have to break down the door and frame before they begin unloading.” He started down the hallway.
As he moved farther away, she wondered about his apology. Was it for their close proximity or the brief heat she’d seen flicker in his eyes?
Either way, distance between them was a good thing. She breathed through her nose and let it out her mouth, running her fingertips along the V-neck of her sundress. Her minds-eye flashed to his hands taking the place of hers and dipping in past the cotton neckline.
Get yourself together, Greta.
She distanced herself from Jacob, from her unsettling desires. Once in the kitchen, she leaned against the counter, letting relief and disappointment flow through her. She couldn’t understand her sudden and visceral reaction toward a complete stranger.
Shoving her agitation aside, she grabbed the mug she’d discarded earlier and poured her much-needed coffee while vowing to stay away from the movers. Particularly the one with sexy, volatile, hunger-filled eyes.
Clutching the cup as if it were a buoy keeping her safe from treacherous waters during an approaching storm, she left the kitchen and kept her gaze locked straight ahead and away from the great room. Needing a quiet sanctuary, she climbed the main stairs to her stepfather’s library. Books always had a calming effect on her.
Gripping the railing, she slowed her pace, denying the urge to dash up the final steps like a child trying to outrun messy emotions. Reaching the top, she crossed to her stepfather’s overly masculine and stuffy room.
She’d never cared for the leather furniture, dark paneling, or the ostentatious desk. However, the papery smell of books was heaven on her frayed nerves. Running her fingertips along the nearest shelf, she picked a couple different titles and sat on the couch. Settling into the supple leather cushion, she opened the book on the top of her pile and prepared to lose herself inside it.
And failed miserably.
By twelve she quit. She’d had enough of reading the same page over and over. Her mind kept wandering from the book to a particular man in the great room.
Restless and hungry, she left in search of food. When she made her way to the stairs, the movers’ voices floated to her.
“I parked us under a large tree near the front of the driveway. Let’s eat there,” came a man’s voice she didn’t recognize.”
“I didn’t bring anything but saw a few restaurants within walking distance. I’m going to see what I can find.”
Greta recognized the deep timber of Jacob’s voice. It sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs as the three men came into view, moving past her and toward the front double doors.
Without thinking too much about her motives, she interrupted them. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I overheard your lunch dilemma.” She inclined her head in Jacob’s direction. “There’s a great carry-out close by. I was going to walk there. You’re welcome to join me.”
The three men eyed her in varying stages of surprise. Jacob opened his mouth, but a guy with a gray beard answered first. “Thank you, ma’am. We don’t want to be a bother. I’m going to share my lunch with him.”
Jacob and a tall, rail-thin guy standing next to him broke into raucous laughter.
