surrender. The thought stirred fear in her. Instead of pulling away, Joe pulled her closer, she could feel one arm wrapped around her lower back and waist. The other hand was knotted in her hair, pressing her closer and closer. It felt like home, like home should feel; only she had never experienced this before. This was natural. This was nothing that could be taught or trained. They simply…fit. She couldn’t think about it. If she did, she could be too scared to continue, too bothered to carry on.
He spoke. “So, now what?”
Though she couldn’t be sure what he meant, she knew what had to be done. “We have to finish the house. I need to move in as soon as possible. I’m hemorrhaging money and I no longer have the supply I did before. I have to go to Vermont. I have to move my stuff down here…what’s left of it. I’ll have to meet with a lawyer up there…” Her voice trailed off. She was still leaning into him, tucked neatly under his chin. Her growing list could have been overwhelming, but somehow she felt like she could handle anything from the warmth of his arms.
“Would you like me to go with you?” He asked.
“No, I’ve got this. Thank you for offering.” She sighed and pulled away. It was time. “Let’s get to work.”
He looked her over for a moment. She could practically see the wheels spinning in his head. “What?” She asked with a shy smile. He didn’t say anything. “What?” She was more insistent the second time.
He finally opened his mouth. “Have you thought about changing your hair?”
She stiffened.
“I’m not trying to be critical, but I see…so much potential.” He reached out slowly, making sure she understood that he was going to be touching her hair. “I think…I mean.” He dropped his hand and stared into her eyes. “If my husband had just sent me divorce papers, and in moving my things I had to risk seeing him, I’d want him to see me strong and sexy. I’d want him eating his heart out. Of course, that’s just me…”
She smiled a little, her lips still closed as she contemplated what he had said. There was more than a little merit to what he had suggested. She knew Suzette. She knew what he had left her for. And she wanted him to absolutely eat his heart out. She imagined how he might react. Her smile grew. “What do you recommend?”
“Get your things and go hop in my truck. I’ll be right there.” He turned and walked over to speak to his crew members.
Because he always backed in, she could see him as he walked around her yard. He seemed to be leaving everyone a list and his expectations. He was so certain, so confident. It was incredibly sexy. What was strange was that while Joey could come off sexy and confident, similar actions by Blaine had only served to make him appear cocky and arrogant. They were so different. She shook her head, wondering where that thought came from. Better that she should wonder what he had in mind for her. Clearly her hair was on the agenda. And sure…she wasn’t exactly known for her sense of style, but she was beautiful on the inside. That mattered, right?
He had barely opened the door when she started to question him. “Where are we going?” And before he could answer she smirked. “I need to ask you see, since I may get accused of not properly planning later.”
Luckily, he understood she was joking and he chuckled appropriately. “I thought today would be a good day for a makeover.”
“Oh, goody.” She sat quietly for a moment. “What does that mean?” They had barely pulled out of his driveway and already she was having doubts. “Am I going to regret this?”
He gave her a sideways glance as he drove. “I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t know you well enough to say. Am I going to regret this?”
“I don’t know,” she responded. “Are you paying?”
He laughed. Then he realized she was serious. “No. I’m not paying. Why would I pay?”
“Then you have your answer. If this goes badly, only I will regret it.” She smirked and stared out the window.
Hours later they were back to the house. They had driven to Charlotte. He had asked her a budget. And when she gave him a number, he decided that they should just go to the mall. The first thing he did was