Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (7 page)

He grabbed the bottle and moved them to the bedroom, then he said, “Lay down on your stomach.”

“I’m okay standing.”

“Do you want this done right? Or do you want a trip to the emergency room?”

You really know what to say to get me to do what you want. It’s like bossy is your default. It’s kind of hot, but not right now. Hot? Really? Even in this situation I’m thinking he’s hot? Maybe they have a shot for these insane thoughts running through my mind.

Before she laid upon her bed, Mark placed a towel down to protect her sheets. If it were any other circumstance, she’d appreciate his thoughtfulness. But she didn’t care about sheets or shorts or anything else. All she could think was her bare butt was only inches away from his face.
Don’t think of that. Think medical bills. Think of how foolish you were in the first place for entering the room. Think about . . . how he looked when he was holding up the beam. Every muscle defined. And how his biceps felt when he carried yo—
“Ow! Sweet Jesus! Ow!” He continued to wipe the open cut with the alcohol-soaked cloth. “Are you trying to kill me?”

The burning was worse than she’d expected but no matter how she protested or tried to stop him, he held her in place and continued to clean the wound.

“Almost done.”

When she thought she couldn’t take any more, the torture ended. She didn’t remember when she stopped yelling at him and began sobbing, but her face was buried in her wet palms. It wasn’t just the pain. Everything seemed to be crashing down on her all at once. Getting hurt was just the icing on the cake.

Hannah hadn’t allowed herself to cry when her father died. She’d told herself to be strong. But the truth was she was tired of always being strong. Everything fell on her shoulders and the weight seemed unbearable now.
I should give up. Walk away. Dad would understand. I am not strong enough. Never have been and never will be.

The tears flowed harder, and her body began to rock with sobs.

The hands that brought such pain stroked her back gently. Mark had somehow come to lie beside her. He pulled her up against him, so she now lay half on him with her head on his chest.

“Sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’s over.”

No. It’s not. It’s far from over. As long as I’m here, it never will be.
Hannah didn’t want to hold on to him. She wanted him out. Wanted to be alone. Yet she found herself clinging to him as she cried.

Dad. Please forgive me. I can’t do it. I don’t know how, and no matter how hard I try, the result will be the same. I’m going to lose this house and everything you worked for. You always thought I was stronger than I actually am. Why did you think I could do all this by myself?
She couldn’t bear disappointing him. It had been his dying request that she keep the house, and one day raise a family of her own there. It was his dream, not hers, but she agreed, and now she couldn’t bring herself to give up. She also couldn’t continue to do it alone.

She felt a light kiss on her shoulder, and
that
snapped her back to the present. Hannah pulled herself off him and rolled over until she was able to stand up.

“Mark. I can’t do—”

“We weren’t doing anything,” he said, still lying on her bed.

Kissing my shoulder and pulling me into your arms is
not
nothing.
She pulled up her pajama shorts again to cover her nakedness. She’d never been comfortable with her body before and even less now. With the wounds treated, there was no reason for him to be there. So why was he?

“I’m okay. You can go back to whatever you were doing before.”

She knew she sounded cold and unappreciative, but the last thing she wanted was to give him the wrong impression.
Or maybe it was the right one, but either way, I don’t want him knowing I want him. That will only make it more awkward.

He got off her bed and stood by her side. “Why were you crying?”

She didn’t look up at him. Lying wasn’t something that came easily for her. “It hurt. That’s all.”

Mark stood there for a moment, and she was positive he was going to push the subject. Holding her breath as he moved, she waited for him to pull her into his arms and kiss her. But instead, he brushed past her and left her standing alone.
This is good. This is what I want.

She grabbed the soiled towel off her bed and threw it on the floor, then went and laid down, pulling the sheet over her head.
When was I last held in a man’s arms? Had it really been years ago? It felt so nice, so . . . safe. Sheltered. Less . . . alone.

Mark didn’t want to leave her, and that only angered him. He went into protective mode when he saw the blood. It was all instinct, and he never once had to think about what to do. It was no different than what he would’ve done for any of his men.

What wasn’t natural was his reaction to her. His heart was pounding when she was crying. He could’ve held her forever and wanted to promise her the world if it’d stop what was hurting her. She might’ve said it was the alcohol, but he knew that wasn’t the only thing.

If she would’ve opened up to him, he would’ve been lost. He wasn’t sure if he was glad she shut him off or not.
Warm and fuzzy empathy isn’t really in my wheelhouse, so I stay far away from such situations. I’d probably be useless anyway.

When Mark re-entered the second-floor apartment, Don was sitting on the beam waiting.

He wasn’t in the mood for any jokes, not even Don’s. His emotional state was unexpected. Blood wasn’t an issue for him. He’d seen plenty of it and patched up wounds that would make a trauma nurse cringe. So what had shaken him about a small puncture wound? The answer didn’t please him. Mark was a man, and everything in him wanted
her
. That was a physical reaction that could easily be explained. That, however, didn’t explain why he’d felt a punch in his gut when he felt the blood on his hand or why he felt the need to hold her while she cried.

Mark didn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve for people to see, but he knew it would be different with Don. For better or worse neither of them could bullshit the other. He had no choice but to prepare himself for some of Don’s harassing, and by the look on his face, it wasn’t going to be long before it started.

“Heard some screaming down there. I was almost tempted to see if you needed my help.”

And it begins.
“Thought you’d have that beam up by now.”

“Are you kidding me? You expected me to work while you were downstairs having all the fun?”

“She was hurt. I was just making sure she was okay.”

Don laughed. “If I hadn’t come in when I did there wouldn’t be any work getting done in this place. Don’t blame you. She’s easy on the eyes and the way she was looking at you . . . Damn. It was like you were one sweet tasty dessert, and she was hungry.”
The way she was looking at me?

Mark normally could laugh at such things but something was different. Hannah wasn’t the type of woman to make lewd comments about.

“Leave it alone, Don.”

Of course, Don didn’t listen. He never did. He enjoyed pushing Mark’s buttons, which usually didn’t get him very far. It took a lot to get a reaction out of him. Mark knew it was more about what was going on inside him than anything Don was saying.
At least, Hannah isn’t around to endure Don’s pathetic jokes
.

“And the look on your face when you saw she was bleeding. I wish I’d had a camera. Trust me; you weren’t
the controlled
Mark that you always are. Can’t believe I was here to witness it.”

Neither can I.
“Are you planning on talking all morning or can we start this job?”

Don got off the beam and picked up his tool belt. “I can multi-task. Besides, giving you shit will help me forget how fucking hot this place is.”

“I warned you about the air conditioner.”

“How low on the list is that or can we sneak it up here? Remember, I’ve been off the job for a few years now.”

“Yeah, I can tell; you’re out of shape,” Mark teased, but Don probably spent half his day working out.

“I seem to remember you complaining about the beam earlier. Maybe you need to hit the gym yourself. But you had no problem swooping Hannah off her feet, did you?”

So close to changing the damn subject.
“Give it a rest.”

“Hit a nerve, did I?” Don raised his hands as if pushing him wasn’t wise. “Easy, Mark. It was an observation. Okay? There’s no connection between you and Hannah. It’s possible I was wrong.” Don mumbled under his breath, “But I wasn’t.”

Mark wasn’t sure if Don had meant for him to hear that last comment or not. Giving him another warning wasn’t going to change one damn thing. Don did and said whatever he wanted. He would’ve been hell to deal with in the military. Honestly, he wouldn’t have lasted a day. But as a friend, he made life interesting. If it hadn’t been for Don and his sense of humor, he might’ve snapped after those first few missions. He had a knack for taking a situation and ripping the stress right out of it.
Probably what you’re trying to do right now. But stress isn’t what I’m feeling. And what I need isn’t something he can help me with.

He might be near Don, but Hannah was first and foremost in his mind. He’d never faced such distraction. If one of his men was in this mindset, he’d tell him to get his head out of his ass and get back to business. There was no room for this in their line of duty. It’s what made men get wounded, or worse, killed. He hadn’t been there even a week, yet somehow she’d found a way past his defenses. Mark wasn’t sure how it happened, but it was the first and hopefully the last time.

It has to be. There can’t be anything more than business between us.
He bent down and grabbed the sledge hammer. Breaking something sounded great. “Then let’s get this job done and get out of here. I have places to be.”
Any place other than here. Damn. I’d prefer sleeping on the hot desert sand than alone in my bed just two doors away from hers.

T
he remainder of the day Hannah hid in her bedroom. Partially because she couldn’t bring herself to face Mark, and the rest because she never imagined how one small puncture wound could be so painful. Although she wasn’t happy when Mark cleaned it, she was grateful it wouldn’t get infected. As she got dressed for work, she was regretting she’d agreed to cover the early morning shift. It meant being up at four to get there by five a.m. With little sleep last night, this would’ve been a perfect day to sleep in.

She grabbed her purse and searched for her keys. Normally she left them in the car so she didn’t have to search for them. Since Mark had drilled safety into her head, she found herself doing things she hadn’t done since living in Providence with Bailey.

Maybe I should give her a call today. She’s wanted to come for a visit. Might as well let her before I lose this place. Besides, I’m totally outnumbered with all this male testosterone suddenly present. Time to even things out a bit.

Hannah opened her bedroom door gently, hoping not to make any noise. Since she hadn’t heard any noise above her, she assumed Mark and Don caught the hint about waiting until daybreak before starting repairs.
Not that I don’t want it done, but seven to seven is long enough.

As she left her room, she couldn’t stop herself from turning toward his room. The door was closed.
Good. Stay there till I’m gone. I need to start this day off on a good note, not a lusty one.

Hannah tiptoed down the hall and exited the house. She saw the lights on in her tenant’s apartment as she sat in her car.
Strange. Strange. That man never seems to sleep.
When she first met Jason three months ago, he’d been a sweet, polite young man. She hadn’t felt uncomfortable at all. He was attractive, but he didn’t affect her like Mark. She’d tried talking to him when he first moved in, but he seemed . . . lost, but not unsettled. That’s how she’d felt since her father died, so she didn’t push the issue. Giving someone the space they want was sometimes the best thing. Although she was in and out often, she’d only seen him leave the apartment once, and that was very late at night. Hannah wasn’t one to judge another only on odd or strange behavior. She thought about the comment Mark made about him.
Should I have done more checks? No. Don’t think about it. He pays his rent; that’s all you need to be concerned about.

She started her car and headed to work. There was no point in worrying about it. The possibility of losing the house was fast becoming a reality. She knew there was no way Mark and Don could make the vacant second-floor apartment safe by Friday. There wasn’t even a bathroom floor, and the kitchen wasn’t much better.
At least Mark and Don will have a place to stay until the bank kicks us all out. I don’t know where they’ll go afterward, but I’m sure those two will find someone to hire them. Maybe I should write them a letter of recommendation.

Hannah burst out laughing as she thought to herself what Mark’s would say.

To whom it may concern,

I recommend Mark Collins to work shirtless. Also, his butt looks fantastic in jeans. He’s great with his hands.

P.S. He also knows first aid
.

She had to wipe the tears from her cheeks, picturing his next potential employer reading it.
I’m sure he’d have a line waiting to hire him.

Then her laughter stopped. She didn’t want to think of him working for another woman. That sexy shirtless man was for her enjoyment only.
I never liked sharing as a child, I guess I haven’t outgrown it.

She was almost at the diner when she saw a huge truck pulling away from the hardware store. They didn’t normally get large deliveries mid-week. Whatever it was, she was sure the driver had stopped at the diner for breakfast, so she’d soon have the scoop.
One thing about a small town—everyone talks. And that’s why I don’t want to live in one anymore. Everyone talks but that doesn’t mean they have their facts right.

She remembered the rumor that she’d left home because she was pregnant and didn’t want her father to know. Her father had called her to ask if it was true. He was both relieved and crushed to find it wasn’t. He’d said he wanted to be a grandpa. Hannah had promised he would be when the time was right.
Yet another promise I couldn’t keep, Dad. But neither of us knew how little time you had. I really miss you, Dad. It’s not fair. First Mom and then you. Why did you both have to be taken away so young? If only I’d known, I never would’ve gone away to college. I would’ve spent every moment here with you making more memories.

She was tired of counting all the times she’d let him down. The last promise she’d made was about that darn house. Once that one was broken, she’d have nothing left. Closing the door on that would be bittersweet. She would have to live with regret instead of the endless need to make it work, when no matter how hard she tried she was bound to fail.

As she got out of her car, she told herself to put her sweet southern smile on. She’d become a wonderful actress over the past few years. No one could tell if she was faking it or not.
Well, no one except Bailey. Guess that’s what a best friend is for.

Pulling her cell phone out, she debated calling her. She never knew what Bailey was doing. Some nights she did standup comedy, and some days she worked as a certified nursing assistant. The last thing she wanted to do was wake her. So instead she sent a text.
It’ll give her time to think of a nice way to tell me no.

What was it that she wanted to ask? If she sounded desperate, Bailey would be worried, and that wasn’t what she wanted.
Really just texting and saying I could use a hug is probably too much. But accurate.

She put her phone back in her purse. No matter what she texted, Bailey would read right through it.

Just before she entered the diner, her phone dinged. Reaching back in her purse, she pulled it out.
Bailey.

A smile came across her face as she read the message. One that only a best friend would send.

Miss you. I am boarding a plane today, so you better make up the guest room for me. If you don’t let me come this time, you’ll never get that pink sweater you let me borrow ten years ago.

She loved Bailey.
I can always count on you to make me laugh.
Hannah didn’t need to wait to respond.

Can’t wait to see you. So much to tell you, but I’m sure you’ll see for yourself when you get here.

Now all she needed was to get through the day at the diner, go home, and clean the house like a mad woman. It wasn’t what one would call messy, but the two men coming and going left a trail of dust and dirt on her floors, and their tools were quickly piling up.
Who knows, maybe the maid will clean it while I’m out.

“Mark, you’re asking too much.”

“What’s the matter? You’ve been spending so much time behind a camera that you can’t handle a field job anymore?”

Don shot him a look. “Look at this bathroom. Who the hell in their right mind runs the electrical wires under the tub and shower? And besides that, the wires aren’t even grounded. I’m shocked this place hasn’t gone up in smoke.”

Mark wasn’t going to dispute that. There were more signs of amateur repairs, which he hadn’t shown Don. Doing so might cause him to pack up and leave.

“Since we gutted the bathroom, moving the wires shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Mark, quit trying to make this seem easy.”

Quit trying to make it seem impossible. Nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough.
His entire career was based on that theory. It kept him and his men alive through some impossible situations.

“The truck is pulling up. You better tell me quickly if we tell the men to bring it in or return it.”

Don didn’t answer him right away. He stood in the bathroom doorway rubbing his chin, as though he was plotting out each step to calculate the odds of completion. Mark wanted to tell him to hurry the fuck up. Standing there was wasting valuable time. Time was their enemy. Don had expedited the order of a double-wide tub shower, vanity, stove, and refrigerator. This was one of the times it came in handy to have a friend rich as shit. But he also needed him and his genius to get the house up and running.

“Call it, Don. Stay or return,” Mark said, his patience wearing thin.

“Keep it. And make sure they bring it all up here and leave it in the living room. Any time we can save right now is going to make a difference. Hope you’re up for pulling some twenty-hour days.”

Mark smiled and patted Don on the back. “Didn’t know there was anything less.”

He opened the window and yelled to the men who were standing by the delivery truck. “Bring it in. Bring it up.” Then he grabbed his tool belt to get started on ripping out the remaining boards.

“Don, are you sure this is going to fit?”

“That is something you should’ve thought of before you had me order it.”

Don walked over and looked at the box then went back to the bathroom to measure. He was shaking his head.
I’m counting on you right now. Don’t give me any bad news, buddy.

“What’s on the other side of this wall?”

“That guy’s apartment that you’re supposed to be keeping an eye on for me,” Mark said softly because he didn’t want that bit of information getting out.

“How can I listen when I don’t understand a fucking thing he says?”

Mark raised a brow. “What does that mean? If he’s talking too quietly, I can get you some equipment to help.”

Don shook his head. “Won’t help. It’s not in English.” Before Mark could ask, he raised his hand and said, “If you want to know what it sounds like, then I suggest we switch rooms. I’ll take your guest room with the bed, and you can have my room with the folding cot from like World War II. Really, why was this shit in their house?”

Mark wasn’t sure if Don was acting difficult so he could change his accommodations or if there really was something going on that he needed to research. Either way, he needed to find a way to get into that guy’s apartment. His gut was saying something was off, but he’d been so distracted with Hannah he’d let a few things slip. That wasn’t like him.
And it’s not going to happen again.

“One night, Don. That’s all. I’ll take your cot.”

Don smiled. “Great. And you know the saying if you see it rocking don’t com—”

“Shut the fuck up, Don.”

Don burst out laughing while grabbing the sledge hammer. “Too easy. Way too fucking easy.”

Don was right. When it came to Hannah, he didn’t play. That didn’t mean what he felt for her was anything more than great concern and empathy for her situation. All he wanted to do was help her and leave.
And that is exactly what I’m going to do.

But to do this, he needed a way to ensure Hannah didn’t see the apartments until they were done and they were heading out. That was going to be far from easy. If he told her not to come upstairs, then she’d be there in a heartbeat just to be defiant. Don was no help; she’d never take anything he said seriously.

I could put locks on the doors and not give her the keys.
He knew that’d be a big red flag that he was hiding something. As he picked up the breathing mask, he knew exactly what to say. It wasn’t a lie and was a viable reason why she couldn’t enter.
This place is filled with mold and asbestos. Both hazardous to your health. There is no way you should enter until we professionals have it all removed.

“What are you smiling about over there, Mark?”

He looked and Don and said, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

“And I love it when you’re working while planning. Now get your ass moving already. Or did you forget we are shooting for a miracle here?”

He ignored Don. He was working with an entirely different attitude now. He felt confident that his plan was going to work. And it wasn’t even a lie. The place was far from up to code for a rental, but he and Don were going to change that. When they left, she was going to have her feet planted on solid ground. He wouldn’t need to worry about her.

Of course, this all was betting on her believing him. If she caught wind that the repair was so much more than what she’d requested, he was sure he’d find out what she meant by her “southern temper.”