Page 5 of Matthew
“Give me time. I’m just getting started.”
His voice was low and smooth with a hint of mischief, and Callie did not have the time or brain space for mischief right now. Especially the tall, bicep-flexing, dimple-hiding kind.
She reached the back table, grabbed two trays of Thai basil, and turned, only to find him right behind her, leaning in slightly to get a look. “Planning to supervise the lift or just breathe on it?”
His mouth twitched. “You said don’t touch anything. I’m following orders.”
Smartass. A dangerously charming smartass.
She nudged one of the trays into his hands and held the other herself. “Then let’s get these to your truck before the basil bolts from the humidity, and I toss you in the compost bin for real.”
They walked the length of the greenhouse in companionable silence, save for the squeak of her boots and the hum of the industrial fans.
Outside, the sun had shifted, casting sharp shadows across the gravel path. She loaded her tray into the passenger seat of his truck while he tucked his into the backseat.
When she turned, he was leaning against her side of the truck, sunglasses now hooked on the collar of his shirt, watching her as if she were a puzzle he hadn’t quite solved yet.
“What?” she asked, squinting up at him, then immediately regretted it.
Green eyes.
Of course, he had green eyes. The kind that made a girl forget her to-do list.
“You have a unique way of treating your customers,” he stated with a disarming grin.
Good thing she was immune.
Mostly.
“Only the ones who show up without warning.”
He cocked his head. “Don’t most of them show up without warning?”
Touche.
“Yes, but not like you,” she replied.
“Ah,” he said with a slow grin. “So I’m special.”
Her brows lifted. “That’s one word for it.”
“Callie Morgan,” he said, sticking out a hand now that it was free. “It’s been…an experience.”
She hesitated, then took it. His grip was firm, callused, warm. Too warm.
“Matthew Walker. Remember?” he asked. “I work with Eagle Security, but today I’m Annie’s mission commander.”
She tilted her head. “As you’ve stated. You the muscle or the distraction?”
“Depends on the job.” He winked. “Today? Herb boy.”
“Good,” she said, pulling her hand free. “Then mission accomplished.”
He didn’t step away, not immediately.
Instead, he studied her with that same calm intensity he’d had when she first caught sight of him lurking by the roses.Except now there was something else in his gaze, a flicker of interest that wasn’t tactical in the least.
“You always this bossy,” he asked, “or am I lucky today?”
