Jed, can I get your help over here?”

I looked up from what I was doing and jogged over to Jose, who was standing at the base of the stairwell.

“What do ya need, boss?” I asked.

The guys and I had taken to calling Jose boss or Jefe, just because it drove him nuts. He complained he was no suit, but just a hardworking guy like the rest of us. Still, we were a group of men working on a site together, so busting balls came with the territory.

“Can you work on getting these in? I have to go to a meetup with Sadie, I’ll be back in twenty.”

“Sure thing,” I replied, then got to work.

Most of what I’d done up until then had been demo, then some restricting and rebuilding. We’d taken out the wall that had closed off the kitchen and dining area from the living room, to make it one large, open area, which was something on the Camus’ wish list.

I’d also been a part of refurbishing the bathroom, tearing out the old tiles and tossing the outdated sink, bathtub, and toilet. Now, the entire thing was redone in whites and grays, with a separate tub and shower, complete with backsplash on both, a pedestal sink, separate shelving, and a small closet for storage and a new, top-of-the-line toilet.

That was the one project I’d been on from start to finish, and I was really proud of what we’d accomplished there. It looked amazing.

Shit, I’d happily hang out in that bathroom all day … get some reading done.

Now, I was looking at the shelving we were putting under the stairs. I’d never seen anything like it, and thought Jose was kind of genius for coming up with the idea.

He’d put the shelving units on wheels and cut the tops diagonally so when they slide under the stairs, they fit perfectly and look like a wall. When you slide them out, there are shelves, with space for bins, files, or really anything you want stored out of the way.

I was bent over, adjusting one of the shelves, when I heard behind me, “Well, there’s a sight I could get used to.”

I sighed and stood, knowing who I was going to see standing behind me, staring at my ass.

Kylie was in her version of work wear, a pair of tiny shorts and a tank top that left little to the imagination, with her enhanced breasts spilling over the top. So much so, that I wouldn’t be surprised if a nipple popped out over the top of the white fabric.

“Morning, Kylie,” I said, keeping my tone polite.

Luckily, during our construction days, Kylie had stayed off site, and it had been the crew focusing on what we needed to get done. But, now that we were doing mostly the cosmetic stuff and finishing up so the design crew could get started, Kylie was back.

I noticed a cameraman in the distance, his lens focused on us.

“Morning, hot stuff,” she said, annoying the shit out of me.

Although she was dressed casually, Kylie was still in full hair and makeup, making her look like she was about to perform a burlesque show.

Unbidden, my thoughts flashed back to Serena, whose natural beauty, petite stature, and long chestnut hair were about as far from Kylie’s look as you could get. There was no comparison. And, I found myself wishing it was Serena standing in front of me instead.

“Is there something I can help you with? I have work to do,” I said patiently, cognizant of the camera, when what I really wanted to do was tell her to fuck off.

“I just wanted to stop by and tell you what a great job you’re doing, and to see if you wanted to have a drink at the wrap party.”

She fluttered her eyes at me, which were so gooped up with mascara, I was surprised they didn’t stick together.

“Sorry, I have plans,” I said, my blood heating at the thought of being alone with Serena again, especially after last night in my shop.

Hoping Kylie’d get the hint, I muttered, “Thanks, though,” then turned my back on her and got back to work.

By the time Jose was back from his meeting, the shelves were done and I was pushing them in to make sure the dimensions were right and everything fit like it should. When they slid in and formed a wall, I stepped back with a grin and put my hands on my hips.

“Looks great,” Jose said as he stepped up next to me.

“Cool idea,” I told him, even though I’d probably said so already. It was just that cool.

“Thanks.”

“What’s next?” I asked, enjoying myself immensely.

“I think everyone’s pretty much done in here. Sadie and her team are about to come in and work their magic, so we’re going to head out to the garage to pimp that out, then all we have left is the barn.”

“Perfect,” I said, although I was a little sad for it all to end. The experience had been better than I’d imagined when I signed on, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out and what the Camus thought about their new home.

I was about to head outside when I saw Sadie’s red hair and paused, waiting to see if the rest of her crew was with her … namely, Serena.

And, then, there she was. Beautiful in a pair of jeans and a simple, blue T-shirt, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, with just a light smattering of makeup on her face. She was like a breath of fresh air to me, and my entire mind and body felt happy, just looking at her.

She must have felt my stare, because she looked up and over, then smiled brightly at me.

“Hi,” Serena said, her voice breathless, and her cheeks slightly pink. I knew she was thinking of last night, my hands and mouth on her, and I wished like hell we were alone.

“Hey,” I replied gruffly, my hand reaching for her, needing to touch. “How’s your day?”

“Good, I’m excited to see how it all comes together,” she said, leaning into my touch the way she always did.

I fucking loved it.

“Me, too,” I agreed, then I stepped closer, lowered my voice, and brought my lips to her ear. “But even more than that, I’m looking forward to tomorrow, to being alone with you again.”

Serena trembled slightly beneath my touch, and nodded in agreement, then I let her go so we could both get to work, before I gave into the urge to show her exactly what I wanted.