Signed, Sealed, Delivered (9 page)

“Nah. Nothing like that. Bought them both in a used furniture sale at the school. Twenty-five bucks each. The chairs were only five. Figured it made the office look busier if people thought there were two agents.”

So she was frugal, a good quality in a partner, especially when the money he had available to put into this venture was pretty skimpy. “Good thinking. I take it I get the one without the computer.”

“Of course.” She pulled out the chair and dropped her big purse on the seat. “I’m still waiting to hear that inside information, Connor. You made it all the way through dinner without showing me the ace you’re hiding up your sleeve.”

Connor went to his new desk, gave it a good look, and then took his seat. “Comfy.”

“Glad you approve,” she drawled as she leaned a hip against his desk. “Details now?”

He dropped his bomb. “Hudson County is about to get a new Barrett Foods factory.”

“A what?”

“A new factory that produces a bunch of Barrett products—anything from Tempt Me candy bars to Skinny Minnie frozen meals. Rumor has it that it’ll create a minimum of a couple thousand jobs in and around Cloverleaf.”

“Holy shit.” A slow smile spread over her face. “Houses will sell like hotcakes.”

“See? I knew you were a smart lady.”

“How did you find out about this? Isn’t that like insider trading or something?” Juliana asked.

He couldn’t help but smile when the tone of her question wasn’t the least contrite. She was every bit as ready to make some money as he was. “It’s not a stock or anything. Just land. Besides, the Barrett CEO hasn’t made it a secret she’s looking for someplace in the Midwest. Her main factories are on the coasts, and she’s not a California or New York kind of girl. She wants to get back to her roots, which happen to be in Indiana.”

“Why don’t more people know about it?”

“She’s had her people buying up farmland in small parcels with various names on the titles, but they all belong under the Barrett umbrella. She didn’t want the media sticking their nose into things until she was sure she could get what she wants here.”

She tilted her head, her ginger brows pulling closer together. “How do you know so much about all this?”

“Remember that woman who called me, the one who made you jealous? That was Tracy Barrett. CEO of Barrett Foods.”

The smile she gave him could have knocked him down for the count. “God have mercy, Connor, we’re gonna make a fortune.”

“Bingo!”

* * *

Juliana had one nagging thought.

It’s too good to be true.

She and Connor had information that put them in the driver’s seat of real estate sales in all of Hudson County and the surrounding counties. Her head swam for a moment.

Then she sobered. “Once Barrett Foods makes the announcement, Max Schumm will catch up with us pretty quick.”

“I forgot to tell you the best part.”

His mischievous grin sent heat shooting straight to her core. If he ever figured out exactly how much he affected her, she was in a shitload of trouble. All he’d have to do is incline his head toward the house and wiggle his eyebrows, and she’d be grabbing his hand and dragging him right to the bedroom.

Swallowing hard, she kept her mind on business. “There’s more?”

“Since Tracy and I are such good friends, she’s going to start sending her executives directly to me to help them find homes before the factory’s construction even begins. A few of them want to have custom homes built, so we need to investigate local builders.”

Her heart jumped, slamming against her ribs hard enough to make her dizzy as the ramifications started to hit her, one after another. Barrett Foods would impact a whole lot more than her life. “One of my friends builds the most beautiful homes. We’ll have to make sure we put him together with those customers.”

“We’ll have to go out tomorrow and let me look at a few, although I trust your judgment that he’s good.”

His faith in her only made her want him more. “How soon before buyers start coming?”

“Two weeks.”

She nodded, her mind still reeling. “We’ve got so much to do before then. We need to get a good inventory of the available houses and check for lots. We need information from Tracy on where the factory is likely to be built.” She snapped her fingers as another thought bubbled to the surface. “We should talk to Robert right away. He might have some houses already being—”

Connor’s lips covered hers. She’d been so carried away with making plans, she hadn’t even noticed him standing up.

Eyes wide-open, she stared at the face so close to hers. She wanted to kiss him back. But she didn’t, although it took every ounce of her self-control not to.

He finally gave up, sighing against her lips and easing back. “I’m guessing we’re not going to celebrate the way I want to.”

“I want you,” Juliana admitted.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“For now, I really think we need to keep things business only.”

“Why? We’re good together.”

“Too good.”

“That’s crazy. How could we be
too
good?”

She took a seat on the desk and patted the spot next to her.

Connor sighed again and sat down.

“Whenever you touch me,” she said, “I kinda lose control.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“No. And yes. We’re both crawling out on a shaky limb with this new firm, Connor. We need to give it a hundred percent of our attention. For now, at least. Let’s get the business up and running, make sure things are going to work in this partnership, and then we can see if we want something more.”

“Why can’t we try being a couple
and
starting a new business?”

“Because you and I both know that would take more than either of us has to give. Besides, if we hadn’t met the way we did, we wouldn’t even be thinking about anything but business. At least not for a while. So for now let’s make Kelley-Wilson Realty a priority.”

“If I don’t agree?”

“I’ll be forced to pick either the relationship or the business. Right now, as much as I want you, I would choose to get my life in order first. If you don’t want that, too, then we sell the Ryan house, shake hands, and part ways.”

He let out a snort. “Like I’m gonna do that. Even if I hadn’t shared what I knew about Barrett Foods with you, I really need this office space.” He picked up her hand and wrapped his fingers around hers. “And I need you.”

While she loved hearing that, she wasn’t entirely sure she believed him. “You didn’t even know me when you made your plans to come here. How could you possibly need me?”

“You’ve given me back something I lost, Juliana.”

“Which is?”

“My drive. You make me want to succeed again. This partnership is exactly what I needed to help me get back to being Connor Wilson, the one who knows his job and handles his life like a grown-up.” He turned his caress into a handshake. “So I’ll agree to your terms. Business only. For
now
.”

“Good.” She punctuated the word with a curt nod.

Then why was she so disappointed?

“Connor,” Juliana called across the office. She didn’t look over her shoulder for fear of screwing up the form she had open on her computer. “Can you tell me again what I’m supposed to do to get the spreadsheet to total the square footage?”

“Right click, then ‘update field.’ ” His voice came from the kitchenette.

Curious, she glanced up to see him pouring another cup of coffee, which made her smile. It was nice to work with someone as addicted to caffeine as she was. Prevented embarrassment over explaining why she was having yet more coffee. The last month, he’d matched her cup for cup. “At least make a fresh pot so I can have some when I’m done.”

“Sure thing, Red.” He obeyed with a wink.

She tried to ignore the flutter he set off inside her with his charming smile.

“Update field,” she whispered, returning her attention to the form. “Update field.” Once she got the information recorded, she could make the post active. Her first solo listing, from meeting the homeowner to getting the listing to putting the information online. If only the stupid computer would cooperate. It had a habit of messing up anything she worked on, and she’d threatened on more than one occasion to toss it in the trash. If only she could afford something better, something more up-to-date.

Not now. Not yet. But soon.

Juliana tried again, frustrated with the spreadsheet. As a teacher she’d used a bunch of different programs, but none of them were this kind of spreadsheet, not even the electronic gradebook. She’d let Connor handle all the computer work, watching and learning.

Evidently she hadn’t learned enough.

A low growl rumbled in her chest when she did as he’d said—again—to try to get the square footage to calculate. “Dumb-ass computer,” she muttered, fearing it was more user error than a software problem.

She knew Connor was behind her before his hand covered hers, guiding her mouse as his warm breath brushed the back of her neck. Although she couldn’t swear to it, she was pretty sure he rubbed his nose in her upswept hair.

“Here.
Right
click. See that ‘update field’?” His voice, so close to her ear, made her close her eyes and long for things she couldn’t have as shivers raced over her skin.

The last month had been a dichotomy—paradise and torture.

The work was paradise, and she looked forward to opening the office every morning. Connor had even begun to show up before official hours with a couple of bagels or breakfast sandwiches that they’d eat at her kitchen table. He evidently hated cooking as much as she did. They’d share breakfast as they chugged coffee and talked about their appointments for the day.

He had a habit of sitting close to her, seeming to use every opportunity to touch her. A brush of his palm over her hand. Fingers tickling her knee. Quick hugs that seemed to last a little longer each time he caught her in his arms.

Had she been a stronger woman, she might have resisted. But Juliana couldn’t. She craved his touch and often had to steel her nerves to keep from taking their shared, stolen caresses to a higher level.

The morning ritual continued when they went into the office. Connor had found a great smartphone app that allowed them to synchronize their calendars as they ate breakfast, so all the data was entered before they slipped out to the office. Once there, they were totally business. No heated glances. No sexual undertones. Nothing to indicate they shared any kind of attraction.

That
was the “torture.”

Whenever she wasn’t occupied in sales and listings, her thoughts were consumed with the night they’d shared. They’d been so good together in bed, and the sex had been…

No. It was more than sex.

Juliana had to face that revelation and deal with it. One day. Connor meant so much more to her than a great lover. One day, she would have to process what that meant for their future and the future of Kelley-Wilson Realty.

Eventually.

“It’s easier if you open your eyes,” he teased.

“Sorry.”

He guided her through the process, helping her with only a few things before lifting his hand. Then he started rubbing her shoulders. “You’re full of knots.”

His magical fingers found stiff and sore places down her neck and spine before fanning out across her shoulders then slipping back up her neck. “That feels wonderful. You should be a masseur.”

“Just another of my many talents.”

Before she could say another word, his lips pressed against the pulse point of her neck, making her hiss in a breath. Her first inclination was to scold him. They’d agreed to keep things strictly business, but after a month of denying herself and trying to be content with simple touches, she just couldn’t resist. Truth was she craved his touch, his kiss. All of him.

She tilted her head to allow him more room to play.

“Oh, Red.” Connor nibbled on her earlobe, tugging gently with his teeth. “You’re a temptation that’s too hard to resist.” He followed the shell of her ear with his tongue, sending heat pooling between her thighs.

“Connor, don’t—”

“Don’t?” He stuck his tongue in her ear at the same time his hand slid over her shoulder to cup her breast. “Don’t what?”

Juliana was torn. Her mind screamed to keep her distance. This business was too important to risk on an office romance. Her future, and his, depended on the success of their firm.

But her body refused to listen. “Don’t… stop.”

He spun her chair around, fell to his knees, and cupped her face in his hands. Then he brushed his lips over hers. Once. Twice.

Unable to bear the tease an instant longer, she kissed him. Ferociously so, thrusting her tongue past his full lips to find his tongue. She stroked the inside of his mouth, starved for his taste. His groan stoked the fire raging inside her.

They were playing with a lighted stick of dynamite, one with an incredibly short fuse. She knew that. She simply couldn’t make herself care. Dropping from the chair to kneel with him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, letting their bodies touch in the way she’d craved constantly since their night at the Ramada.

Connor slipped his hands down her back, skittering his fingers over her body and settling his palms on her butt. He pulled her hard against him and growled low when she rubbed against his erection.

The door abruptly opened. “Jules?” Her name was followed by a deep chuckle. “Oops.”

Ben Carpenter.

Shit.

They scrambled away from each other like a pair of teenagers caught making out on the living room sofa. It seemed to take forever for both of them to stumble back onto their feet.

Juliana smoothed her hands down her skirt, wishing Ben had a better sense of timing. By the time she gathered her scattered wits and looked up to greet him, she wished she hadn’t bothered. Ben’s grin made heat bathe her face and neck.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt.” He closed the door behind him.

“Sure you did,” she grumbled.

He only broadened his smile. “Anything to drive you crazy, Jules.”

Their relationship was one of mutual respect and unmerciful teasing, something that had begun early in Ben and Mallory’s courtship and had endured. Juliana liked Ben now. But because Mallory had seemed so fragile at the time, she’d feared he would be more than her friend could handle. Her mistake was in underestimating them both. Mallory was made of the strongest steel, and Ben’s heart was bigger than the Montana sky. They were so very good to each other and for each other.

Still, the teasing was fun, and he didn’t seem inclined to end their little game. Neither was she.

Ben checked his watch, probably for effect. “I had an appointment. Am I too early? If you want a few more minutes alone”—he reached for the doorknob—“or does he take longer than a few minutes?”

“Stop it, Ben. Connor, please go keep an eye on him before he pockets a calculator or something. I’m going to work on my laundry before it takes over the place.” Juliana headed into her house. Since his appointment wasn’t with her, she figured the guys might want to talk business without her eavesdropping.

* * *

If Connor hadn’t just gotten Juliana back into his arms, even if only for a brief yet highly pleasurable moment, he might’ve been jealous of the way she bantered with Ben Carpenter. Their obvious caring reminded him of his relationship with Tracy.

“Hey, Ben.” Connor offered his hand as he held open the swinging door on the half wall separating the desks and conference area from the clients’ waiting area.

Ben shook his hand and followed him to the table.

After they sat, Connor picked up a pen and pad. “So what do you think?”

“I think I’d have a hard time living in that house the way it is. How can you stand it?”

Connor shrugged. “The shower and the toilet work.”

“That’s about all that does.”

“I’ve got a bed and a place to hang my clothes.”

“Not much else,” Ben said with a smirk.

Connor frowned, not seeing nearly as much humor in the matter as Ben obviously did. “It’s livable and you know it. It’s not much, but it’s got potential. Right?”

“Loads of potential, depending on what you’d like to do. Tell me exactly what you want an estimate on. Or are you wanting the whole place gutted and redone?”

“Gutted. Eventually.”

As he fiddled with his pen, Connor hated hearing Ben’s harsh words. Sure, the place was a disaster. The problem was he had next to nothing to pay Ben for labor let alone buy any of the fixtures he’d need. Almost every last dime of his savings, including his retirement money, had been used to buy the place, and it wasn’t as though he could get credit from anyone other than a loan shark. Hell, he’d bought the place with cash since he couldn’t even pass a credit check to rent an apartment.

He shook his head, banishing the burgeoning self-pity. Tracy’s voice sounded in his head.

“One day at a time, one problem at a time. Don’t let things overwhelm you.”

“Right now,” Connor said, “I need the kitchen working.”

Ben set his electronic tablet on the table and brought up some thumbnail photos. “I took a few pictures while I was there.”

As if Connor needed a reminder of the disaster he saw every time he walked in his front door. At least the place was his, an important first step. Someday he’d make it all it could be.

“I was thinking we’d try something different for the countertops,” Ben said. “Granite is getting cliché. I suggest stained concrete. Durable and original.” He flipped to the next picture, another angle of the kitchen. “As for the cabinets, I’d go for new. These are showing an awful lot of wear and tear.”

A pleasant exaggeration. Several cabinet doors were barely hanging on, most sitting at odd angles. “Yeah, they are.”

Ben went on as if he didn’t hear the sarcasm in Connor’s voice or simply chose to ignore it, probably from years of experience dealing with homeowners’ reactions to bad news. “Although if you want to keep costs down we could paint them and add new hardware and new hinges. Would give you a nice retro look and would go well with the concrete.”

“That all sounds great, Ben, but I really need to be frugal about this. The immediate problem is the kitchen sink. Evidently the water isn’t hooked up to it right or something’s blocking it, but anything that does get to the sink drips right through to the cabinet.”

“Yeah, and the stuff you’ve got there is kinda gross.” Ben skimmed to another picture as to prove his point. “That’s all you wanted?” he asked, quirking a brow. “The kitchen sink?”

“After I get some more cash, we can talk about more substantial changes. Concrete for the kitchen. New cabinets. New floors. A few good commissions and I’ll keep you as busy as you can handle.”

“You know”—Ben stroked his chin in thought—“I can do a lot more than you think for a low price if you don’t mind me getting things secondhand.”

“Works for me,” Connor said. “Anything to keep costs down and get me a kitchen I can use. I’m sick of fast food.”

Juliana slipped back into the office, plopping herself down on her desk chair and attacking her computer.

“That reminds me,” Ben said. “Mallory made me promise you two would come over for dinner tonight. I can do some shopping, and we can talk then.” He folded his arms over his chest at Connor’s dubious expression. “Don’t even think about turning her down. Knowing my wife, she’ll come over here and drag you there by the sleeve of your fancy suit. Besides, I’m making lasagna.”

“You’re cooking?” Juliana asked.

“Yep,” Ben replied.

“We’ll be there,” she announced. Her back was still to them as she worked on her computer again, but Connor had no doubt she was smiling.

“Fine,” he conceded. “We’ll be there.”

“Great.” Ben held out his hand, and Connor shook it again. “I’m going to do some investigating and see what I can come up with to show you tonight.”

He strode to the door, gave Juliana a cocky salute, and left.

“Ben’s a great cook.” She stood up, pushed her chair up to her desk, and grabbed her purse from the bottom drawer. “I’m really tired of eating out. Aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I am.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Maybe Ben will be able to make a miracle for me—beyond dinner, I mean.”

“If you’d have seen Mallory’s house before he worked on it, you’d know how much of a miracle worker he is. I’m sure he’ll get your kitchen done, and it’ll be great.” She slung the enormous purse over her shoulder. “Gotta scoot now. Busy Realtor. Things to do and all.”

“You don’t clean that thing out soon, you’ll end up paying a chiropractor a fortune to fix your spine.”

With a cock of her head, she tossed him a quizzical frown.

“Your purse, Red. It weighs more than I do.”

She poked her index finger against his chest. “Word of warning, mister. Never try to come between a woman and her purse, especially when it’s a Kate Spade. I need to take pictures of the Reid house for the website. You’re still updating it this afternoon?”

“Yeah, right after Mike Walker comes in to sign his buy offer.”

When she took a step toward the door, he wrapped his fingers around her upper arm, dragging her to a halt.