SEAL The Deal Read Free Page B

fingers—
    Feeling very much like an insect pinned in a collection box, she inhaled loudly, stuffed her foot into her errant shoe, and picked up the pace of her typing.
    He continued to watch her, occasionally piercing the quiet with his sips.
    The room was beginning to heat up. The late fall weather pattern was growing hot, which meant some long, sweaty nights with crickets chirping madly, since Sophie’s house didn’t have air conditioning. Neither did the nursery. She sighed, blowing air up to her bangs.
    “You should have worn something sleeveless.”
    “A fashionista as well?” She was wondering when he’d take the hint and stop trying to distract her.
    “I just notice you’re looking rather hot today, Devon.”
    No way was she going to look at him. He had her really bothered now. But then she did look up, and damn, he was fine.  She fell into the crease at the right side of his mouth, the huskiness in his voice that made her ears buzz. She had to get him to stop.
    “So you sit there and make an obnoxious ass of yourself while you watch me work? You think that’s some kind of fun?” Did he hear the waver in her voice?
    “I enjoy watching beautiful women.”
    It was getting hotter in the room. “Really? Women who don’t know you? Women who don’t care in the slightest anything about you? Sounds like a rather pathetic way to spend a few minutes.”
    “Not from over here.” She could tell he was enjoying laying it on thick, and she was powerless to stop him. She had to act now or she’d be completely lost.
    Devon shot up to her feet. “Enough! Nick. Go outside. Make yourself useful. I’m sure there are some weeds to pull or some walkways to rake.”
    He shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He took his mug and swaggered outside into the afternoon sunlight. She found herself still gasping for air at the sight of him making his way lazily across the parking lot.
    Devon’s heart rate was thumping wildly. A bead of sweat trickled down between her breasts.
    Whatever it was she’d dreamed about five years ago was still there. Lurking. Waiting to pounce.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Nick drank his coffee and looked out over the tattered nursery. Dark green cloth covered the nursery’s frame, letting only bits of light through. Nick found it depressing. He couldn’t honestly understand what Sophie saw in it, except for the location—those beautiful hills beyond. He’d loved hiking Bennett Peak. Those had been happy days.
    He continued to look for something that would explain why Sophie loved it so much. The state of disrepair would certainly telegraph to anyone that the nursery was a failing enterprise. He thought it was odd that now she was finally going to sell it, now that she was dying.
    Sis, you should have done it sooner. You could have had a life.
    But he knew that line of thinking was off-purpose. It wouldn’t help him navigate the shoals of his own feelings, where the deaths of their parents still lay lurking in the deep. Sophie had been his lifeline whenever he felt morose or defeated in spirit. No matter where he went, his sister had always been the one he came home to, and now he would be completely alone.
    Better buck up and get used to it. You can’t afford distractions. Distractions get you killed. Make you do stupid things.
    He walked under the shade, brushing the tops of green and red lettuce starts with the tips of his fingers. He looked at chrysanthemums getting ready to burst forth in fall colors of burgundy, gold and yellow. Fruit trees were beginning to lose their leaves. Rose leaves were yellowed and the roses sparse, crumbling beneath his fingers as he touched them.
    He turned to face the opened doorway of the nursery office, and could barely make out Devon’s red suit glowing from the shadows inside. Something about her brought out the worst in him. He had to admit, he’d been a complete dick. Yes, she had caught him in a lighter moment, washing dishes, and singing no less, trying to get his