Page 31 of Quintessentially

“Shit!”

My scream comes out as I run face-first into a brick wall.

“Oh shit,” I mumble, backing away and looking up at what isn’t a brick wall, but a solid wide chest—anexposed,solid wide chest. My mouth goes dry as I look up at the man I once thought I loved, the man with the same golden eyes as our daughter.

I can’t help but assess that my brother is wrong. Dax is not soft.

“Kandace?”

Hearing my name from his lips is the final blow to my awful day.

“You scared the shit out of me.” My head is shaking. “What are you doing here?” It’s then I notice the small baseball bat in his hand. “Why do you have a child’s bat?”

Other than my name, Dax hasn’t said a word. Yet I feel his stare, the way he’s looking at me, the same as I felt on me at the softball game. Now, instead of being yards away, he’s right here. Close enough to touch. His face is even more handsome close up. His blond hair is longer than it was. His cheekbones are as prominent and his strong, chiseled jaw is set.

This is not good.

This is bad.

Inhaling, I stand taller. “I need to leave.”

As I push past Dax, I notice the scent of bodywash and despite not trying to look, I see that he’s barefoot, wearing only a pair of nylon shorts. I need to get out of here before my emotions get the better of me.

Yes, I’m tired and dirty and sad and upset, but a new emotion is rearing its head. I’m pissed.

How dare Daxton Richards think he can waltz back into Riverbend. And how dare my body and heart betray me by yearning for someone who was never mine.

I make it to the stairs when Dax is behind me.

“Wait, Kandace.”

Straightening my neck, I turn and set my gaze on his. “For what, Dax?”

His head is shaking. “I’m here because the Inn Suites in Washington is crap. Why are you here?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m sure you’ll learn about it soon enough from Mr. Murphy.”

He leans the bat against the wall. “You’re here because of Quintessential Treasures?”

I nod. “Ruth and I stored some of the merchandise here, and I should have thought about it when the contractors started working on the house, but I’ve been a little busy and I didn’t.” I lift my chin toward the furnace room. “Those boxes belong to the store. If you’ll let me get them back there, I can come back when you’re not here.”

“I don’t understand, why would Mr. Murphy tell me that?”

My resolve is waning.

“Because he asked for an updated inventory this morning. There were more things here, totes, big ones, and obviously, they’re gone. I’ll repay the store and the sellers. It’s my fault they’re missing.”

His lips make a slight grin. “I saw some totes upstairs. Do you want to see if they’re the ones you’re looking for?”

Go upstairs with a nearly naked Dax Richards?

Hell no.

“I should go.” I take the first step on the stairs when Dax reaches for my arm. My eyes go to the place he’s touching, and again my body betrays me. His touch is electric while also safe and familiar. Mostly, it’s unwanted. I meet his gaze. “Don’t touch me, Dax.”

Immediately, he releases my arm. “I can look in the totes and send you pictures. Let me get your number.”

My eyes narrow. “It never changed. Don’t worry about it. I’ll ask Justin to come and get the boxes and he can look in the totes.”

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