Page 18 of Handling Skylar
“What’s in it?”
“Jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang, powerful aphrodisiacs. There’s soya milk, too that makes the water white, softening your entire body—or hot bodies—smooth as silk. There is a pink rice paper flower in the middle.”
“I love them…hey, why don’t you do a line of bath and beauty products for the shop? This stuff would sell so well. We could even come up with a website if you wanted to sell them over the net?”
“That’s a great idea. Let me give some thought to what I would want to do, a good way for us to expand.”
“I know Mrs. Jennings loves the salve. She told everyone, and I’ve been getting requests. So, that’s a potential candidate.” She made a note on her tablet.
We discussed the everyday business of the shop, my employees and what products to produce along with logo, name and packaging.
When we were finished with the meeting, she hugged me and told me to stop worrying so much about Anna Kate. That shrew didn’t give a fig for me. Jordan was right. The memory of Jake was embedded on my body and mind.
I decided that starting to work on that salve would be a good idea.
When I heard the car outside, I wondered if it was Jordan checking up on me. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Jake’s sleek convertible.
He got out dressed in old faded jeans that cupped every part of his lower body and a long-sleeved T-shirt, the sleeves pushed up to his elbow, revealing his smooth, powerful forearms. He headed for my porch and a small shriek escaped me. Crimeny, I looked like hell. My hair was piled haphazardly on my head and I was still in my jammies.
I rushed for my bedroom and peeled off the boyfriend shorts and tank top, reached for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, unraveled and ran a brush through my hair. The house smelled of lavender, roses and coconut, three of the ingredients in my salve.
The knock was short and loud. I almost tripped on my discarded shorts as I headed for the bedroom door. I took a breath in the hall to calm my rapidly beating heart. I so could use aromatherapy right about now. I headed for the front door and opened it. Jake pushed his sunglasses up to the top of his head.
“Hey, sugar.” His voice was warm and rough like velvet, his accent thickening. He captured my gaze with his and held it.
“Hey, yourself.” I tried to ignore the wave of liquid heat that washed through me as my gaze strayed to the sexy curve of his lower lip, and I remembered the feel and taste of his mouth on mine.
His eyes roamed over me, and I was glad I took the time to change. Temptation curled around me and drew me toward him. It seemed insane, this attraction between us. I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to navigate this minefield with this man and his baggage, but I wanted to try, to be in his presence. I would take Jordan’s advice and stop worrying about Anna Kate. Jake was here which spoke in spades that he wanted to spend time with me. I just didn’t want to be his second choice or his little secret.
“How about making good on the offer of your hands.”
For a moment, I was confused, and he took in my face, grinning. He studied me more carefully than I think I was ready for. Jake was sointense, so masculine. He made me feel underdressed and such a hick, and I resisted the urge to reach up and check my hair. “You offered to help me with the grove? The Elliott nuts.”
“Right, the pecans.”
“Are you busy? I just thought you might like to see the grove and all.”
“I’d love to as long as you have a spare pair of gloves.”
“Got them in the car.”
“Let me lock the back door and grab my boots. I’ll just take a jiff.”
“A jiff? Is that like two shakes?”
“Pretty dern close,” I drawled. When I got back, he was standing in the foyer, looking around like he was interested in seeing where I lived, getting more of a sense of who I was.
“It smells good in here. Everything always seems to smell good around you.”
“It’s a salve I was making.” I grabbed my hat off the peg by the front door. “I start with calendula—”
“Calendula officinalis, an herb known commonly for its skin healing magic. The skin can get an enormous benefit from plants. Lavender for anti-inflammatory, right?”
“That’s right. Of course, you would know the science and all with your masters. Coconut oil is very moisturizing as well as a nice compliment to the lavender scent.”
“I noted the scent of grapefruit, too.”
“You really are good. I add it just for its uplifting qualities.”
