Buddy rang the doorbell of Molly’s house, critically eyeing the large windows that ran the length of the 1960s ranch. He didn’t like the fact that the shrubbery was trimmed down so far as to allow unimpeded access to the windows. The sound of the dead bolt turning snapped Buddy’s attention back to the door, which cracked open to show Molly’s forehead and eyes. She unlocked the safety chain and opened the door all the way, a big, beautiful smile on her face.

“Hey, Buddy!” She looked around. “Oh, I figured you’d bring Lucy around this morning.”

“Oh, she’s at dance. Maude’s parents and I switch off taking and picking them up. I dropped off today.” He cleared his throat. “So, yeah. That’s why she’s not with me.”

“Oh, okay. Oh, come in. You can’t do what you need to do from out on the porch.” She stood aside, and Buddy stepped through the door.

A deep bark echoed through the living room, and the biggest dog Buddy had ever seen sat on what looked like a full-size futon on the floor. The dog barked again but then whined and put its head on its paws.

“Oh, yeah—ferocious.” Buddy couldn’t help but laugh. That dog probably weighed as much as he did, but he could tell it would be absolutely worthless if something happened.

“I told you. Buddy, this is Lou. Lou, this is Buddy.”

Lou got off her futon and casually wandered over to investigate Buddy. He stood stock-still as she sniffed his shoes and the hem of his jeans until she seemed satisfied and gave his hand a slobbery lick before ambling back to the futon.

“I guess you passed,” she said with a laugh. “Um, so now that you’ve met Lou, this is me, um, my space.” She gestured awkwardly. “Yeah.”

“I like it. I like the ceilings,” Buddy said, gesturing at the raw beams overhead.

“Yeah, I think that’s my favorite part besides the big kitchen.” A high-pitched giggle escaped, and Molly slapped her hand over her mouth. “Um, so, I’ll let you get to it. I’ll be futzing around if you need anything, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

Buddy got to work, installing sensors on the windows and the door frame in the front of the house. Molly wandered in and out of the kitchen, and he found himself stealing glances at her when she would come into view. She seemed relaxed, content, and beyond sexy in a close-fitting T-shirt and snug jeans that hugged her curves. She was the polar opposite of Natalie, who wouldn’t dream of having a visitor unless she was fully made up. Buddy sighed and attached a sensor to the final window.

When he went into the kitchen, the first thing he saw was her full, heart-shaped rump bent over the table, one knee propped on a wooden chair. Her whole attention was completely absorbed in a large piece of foam-core board. She moved elements around while muttering to herself.

Buddy knocked on a cupboard. “I’m finished with the front of the house.”

Molly shrieked, and the cutouts she had in her hands went flying as she jolted. “Oh, Buddy! You scared the snot out of me!”

“I’m sorry. I figured you heard me come in,” Buddy said with a stifled laugh that caught in his throat when she turned. She was completely stunning, with her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Buddy concentrated on the ground so he wouldn’t be tempted to stare. She was barefoot, and her toenails were painted a sparkly aquamarine. He liked the bright, unexpected color. “Working on classroom stuff?”

“Yeah. I like making displays and things that aren’t all computer generated. I’m old enough to appreciate doing things with actual paper and scissors.” She moved the cutouts around on the board. “It’s mindless, but it’s not.” She turned to Buddy again and flashed him a brilliant smile. “Sorry, I’m just babbling.”

“No, I get it. I’m the same way, only it’s when I’m punching the speed bag or the heavy bag.”

They stood close to each other, and the air suddenly seemed heavy with expectation.

“You said you were finished?” Molly took a step back, breaking the spell.

“Yeah, with the front. You said you had a dead bolt you’d like me to install?”

“Yeah, the back door just has a simple lock. The door’s solid, but . . .”

“Sure thing. Lead the way.”

Molly pointed him to the back door. “Let me go get the lock. It’s in my office.”

Buddy knelt to examine the lock. “What . . . ,” he murmured.

“Here you go, Buddy,” Molly said, handing him the dead bolt.

“What happened here?” he asked, pointing to the scratched and scarred door. “Has this always been this way?”

“What? No. Oh my gosh. Since school’s started, I haven’t been in the back.” Molly’s face lost all of its lovely color.

“It looks like it’s a good thing you’re replacing this lock.” Buddy made quick work of installing the dead bolt lock and the final alarm. After he’d finished, he went back into the kitchen, where Molly was staring at the display.

“You okay?” Buddy hesitated but then put his hand on her back. “Look, Molly, this might be none of my business, but is this a reason you’re taking self-defense classes?”

She paused but then said, “No, I just thought I needed to have some tools at my disposal.” She didn’t meet his eyes, and he didn’t believe her for a minute. “But thank you for taking time out of your weekend to do this for me. I appreciate it.” She looked at him then. “Really, I do.”

Molly gave him a hug and brushed her lips against his cheek. Buddy felt her gasp afterward, like she was surprised she’d kissed him. He turned his head, and they locked eyes. Then Buddy tilted his head and pressed his lips against hers, softly at first. But when she exhaled against his mouth, Buddy gently pulled her to him. He opened his lips, and she followed his lead as he tenderly probed her mouth with his tongue. He moved his attention to her jaw, peppering kisses along her jawline and ending with a nip to her earlobe. He pulled his head back to look at her, and Molly blinked back at him.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But not really.”

And she began kissing him again, plunging her tongue into his mouth. Buddy had returned to plundering her mouth, when he felt a buzzing in his trouser pocket.

“I have to go,” he murmured.

“Okay. Thank you.”

Buddy grinned. “No, thank you. Call me if you need anything else.”

“Okay.”

When he left her, she was standing in the kitchen with her hand on her lips and wearing the most wondrous, inscrutable expression.