Lines We Shouldn't Cross, page 10
Ella lets out an amused scoff. “Is that so? Well, in that case…”
She bends at the waist and complies with Tiny’s ploy, giving his belly a vigorous rub. Legs splayed, the shameless lug soaks up the lavish attention like a sunbather.
“Appears I’ve been promoted to the elite belly-scratcher ranks,” she quips, shooting me a sly grin.
Yeah, the way he throws himself at her mercy? That big oaf has zero dignity. None. Guess those belly rubs make him the real genius here?
I laugh and shake my head. “He’s playing you like a fiddle, Sunshine.” I drag my gaze back to the task at hand, smirking. Can't get distracted by how Ella's fitted t-shirt shows off her curves every time she moves.
I open the measuring app on my phone and line it up with the space above the garage doors where her sign will hang. I hold it steady, letting the app’s guidance system calibrate before tapping to capture the dimensions. I check the number on the screen, squinting as I visualize how it will lay out. Not quite lining up right.
Ella’s still mumbling to Tiny. I catch her crooning, “Who’s a good boy?” Tiny lets out a high-pitched, needy whine that borders on an indecent sound of canine bliss. Christ, she’s even got my damn dog acting like a fool.
I chuckle, unable to stop myself from sneaking a peek back at her. She’s still focused on that shameless mutt, her fingers squeezing and kneading his belly rolls. I square my stance, aligning everything until I've got the precise measurement locked in.
Ella’s pretty, alright. And out of your league, my inner man throws in his two cents, as if I don’t know it. She has a fancy career, expensive-looking clothes, designer labels. She’s rocking yoga pants and a V-neck today. I swear it shouldn’t make her look that polished, yet they do. Watching her shower Tiny with love is like spotting a fancy city girl on a country getaway. Too stylish and full of spirit for the muddy-boots and worm-filled world I live in. The type I’ve sworn off after the drama with my high-strung, demanding ex.
I take a few more readings, confirm the height, then lock in the measurements.
Sure, Ella keeps me entertained with her quick mouth and curves that won’t stop grabbing my eye. But at the end of the day, she’s still the kind of high-maintenance heartache I don’t need in my life again.
Yet something about her is different. Her confidence? That. She’s not lacking drive and ambition. The occasional defiant spark, the challenge? Could be. It’ll definitely keep me on my toes.
“Okay, got the measurements.” For a beat, I almost tack on some wisecrack about her finding any other areas in need of my skilled assessment. The words are right there on the tip of my tongue when a terrifying thought hits me. What if she’d tumbled off the ladder and bashed her head instead of dinging that slender hand of hers?
Would I have been there to catch her?
The sudden vision of cradling Ella’s frame against my chest slams into me like a physical force. The mental image is so real, I can almost feel the warmth of her body molding against mine.
Whoa, easy there. I slam the brakes on that dangerous train of thought before it completely derails. Admiring the scenery is one thing. Imagining those soft curves molded against my body? Yeah, that’s an express ticket to terrible decisions. Pull your mind out of the damn gutter, Daniels. Besides, she’s my client and my landlady’s granddaughter, not some casual fling, for Christ’s sake.
“You know he’s buttering you up for treats, right? Total con artist,” I say, pushing aside the improper thoughts.
“He’s definitely working an angle here.” Her lips curve as she gives Tiny’s belly another vigorous rub. “Though I can’t quite figure out if he’s got an ulterior motive.”
The glint in her sky-blue eyes as she peers up at me makes it clear she’s hinting at something more than my stupid dog lying at her feet. Heat licks up the back of my neck as that flirty lilt tries to stir things lower. I clench my jaw and smother that spark before it can catch.
It’s dangerous territory… territory I should know better than to get into after my idiotic teasing back at the apartment.
Why had I baited her? I’m an idiot for toying with fire like that, chasing some sort of thrill by edging into forbidden flirting. She deserves my professional attention, not some impulsive jackass who forgot for a minute why romantic entanglements are off the table.
“Alright, Ella. Fill me in on the designs. Let’s make this dream of yours a reality.” My voice is gruffer than intended, a knee-jerk attempt to reassert boundaries after I let them get blurred, I know.
She tilts her head a bit, sky-blue’s locking onto mine with an unreadable expression. She gives a small nod, accepting whatever warring impulses I’m giving off.
“Right, yeah, of course.” She gives Tiny a last pat before standing and straightening her shoulders. “I have a few thoughts, but I’d love to hear your ideas.” Her tone’s all business now. Without waiting, she strides to the front of the main house with my traitor dog trotting by her side.
As we’re walking around the corner, she points to the foundation shrubs. “Those could use pruning, I believe. Add some pops of color to brighten up the area.”
Couldn’t agree more. Pippa had mentioned that too. I keep quiet, wanting to hear what else she envisions.
“Set up some garden beds along the edges of the driveway.” She gestures toward the wide circular area.
“Sure, we can make that look nice. How about adding a mix of perennials like daylilies and Russian sage? They’re colorful and low maintenance. For the border, we could go with something low-lying, like sweet alyssum or white edging lobelia for contrast. They’re both easy to maintain and will create a neat, attractive edge around the beds.”
While I’m talking, it’s hard to stay focused when she’s standing this damn close. That lemongrass and rain scent hits me again, reminding me of earlier, when I checked her hand. Had me thinking about how it would feel to wrap that ponytail around my fist… Dammit Cooper. Lock it down.
I pause, scratch the back of my neck, and keep my expression impassive. Platonic fences need reinforcing here, even if it means overcompensating with curt briskness.
“You got it. Though I’d start by adding some more greenery. Dogwoods along the driveway. Flower beds or blooming shrubs in-between will give it a more welcoming feel. Pathway lights to make it look more inviting at night.”
“Yeah… that would look great.” She gives a slow nod, clearly picturing it in her mind. “What else do you suggest making this place more… exciting?” She watches me with those cool blue eyes, head tilted in consideration.
I swallow hard at her choice of words, my mind going straight to places it shouldn’t. I can think of a hundred ways to get her excited, all right, and none of them involve landscaping.
Dragging my thoughts back to work, I point to the space in front of the house where the driveway curves around. Ella lifts a hand to block the sun from her eyes and follows to where I’m pointing.
“Those shrubs don’t look as healthy as they should.” Being professional here, otherwise I’d say they look half-dead and like crap. The contractor in me kicks in full force, bulldozing everything else out of my head. Thank fuck.
“Okay, so you suggest taking them out?”
“You bet. Salvage what we can and move those somewhere else. Then we’ll turn this front yard into something that’ll make people slam on their brakes.”
“Oh?” She arches a brow, a hint of skepticism in her expression. “So, how would you amp up the curb appeal?”
“Well, for starters, a fountain would elevate the whole vibe. Metal, French-inspired design, multi-tiered, surrounded by fresh landscaping, and decorative stonework.” Gesturing toward the area, I go on. “We could frame it with hedges, colorful perennial beds, the whole nine yards. Make it a proper grand entrance worthy of this place… though it’ll depend on your vision and what you’re working with budget-wise.”
There’s a flash of curiosity in her eyes before she nibbles on her bottom lip.
Don’t go there, Coop… My inner man gives me a hard nudge.
“Won’t that cost a small fortune?” Ella asks.
The concern in her eyes tells me she’s doing the math in her head already. Most clients nod along until the estimate hits. Not Ella. She’s cutting straight to the money talk. Can’t fault her for that. My eyebrow goes up as I feel my mouth twitch into a half-smile. Looks like Pippa’s money doesn’t make her less careful. Still, something about her concern over costs scrapes at old wounds.
“I’m guessing Pippa’s the one footing the bill?”
“Excuse me?” Ella folds her arm across her chest and cocks her head. The look in her eyes says don’t-even-think-about-bullshitting-me. She’s not having it.
Why did I have to edge her on? My inner man is ready to rip me a new one. Deep down, I know. Her money question stirs up crap I’d rather leave buried deep. Like my ex. Hell, for some reason, I’ve thought about Larissa more in the last three days than in the entire two years since our divorce. Why now?
Ella’s a paying customer with a fair concern, not some shallow gold-digger act, so I clear my throat, buying myself a second to get my head straight.
She leans closer. Hand on hip, her concern is clear as day.
“Since you asked—yes, Pippa’s footing the bill. Doesn’t mean we should go splurging. She’s generous, not a money tree. I want this place looking top-notch without taking her generosity for granted. So, level with me, Cooper—what’re we looking at for a nice fountain and the installation cost?”
The intensity in her eyes, her tone, and her stance demands respect. This woman’s protective streak of her grandmother’s purse strings is locked and ready to fire if I make another wrong move. A moment stretches, and the electricity crackling between us feels almost too charged.
I nod, feeling an unexpected surge of respect mixing with a protective instinct I don’t fully understand. Lifting my hat, I scrub a hand through my hair, trying to get my thoughts back on track.
“Sorry, Ella. Look, I’ve… seen people screw each other over, you know? Makes a guy cynical. Pippa’s a real gem. Glad you’re not taking her for granted.”
So much for my snap judgments. After that fuel fiasco, I’d written her off as another princess with a platinum card. But watching her now, tallying costs like they’re coming out of her own pocket… hell, maybe I’m the one who needs an attitude check.
“As for cost? Depends on what size fountain and design you want,” I say. “Decent sized cast-iron one with a basin, you’re looking around seven grand minimum.”
She gives me a slow nod, forehead wrinkled in concentration.
“I know it’s pricey, Ella. You could go for a stone fountain instead. There’s a guy next town over who does excellent artisan work with that. Give me a ballpark budget figure, and we’ll find something classy that works for you and Pippa. I’ll break down options with and without the fountain.”
“Thanks, Cooper. After a beat, her smile comes back—the real one, not the polite kind. “That fountain sounds perfect.”
We’re back on steady ground, and I mirror her smile. “You got it. We’ll make this place a showstopper Pippa will love.”
I’m still digesting Ella’s protective stance of her grandma’s finances when my phone buzzes. Digging it from my pocket, the name on the screen makes me do a double take. Well, I’ll be damned… Liz Pitman.
Less than two hours ago, I stormed out of her office, mad as hell when she had the nerve to suggest buying out my garden center. Suppose I could decline the call.
“Excuse me, Ella. I need to take this.” Against my better judgment, I step away, swipe the answer button, and bring the phone to my ear.
“Cooper.” My voice is ice.
“Wonderful, you picked up.” Liz’s tone is pure business, like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. “About that landscaping project I mentioned earlier.”
What the hell? She acts as if she didn’t try to torpedo my business earlier.
“My client is willing to compensate generously, given the tight timeline.”
My teeth grind together. None of this adds up. After I flat-out walked away from her project, she’s still pushing this?
“Only condition,” she says. “You’ll need to start like yesterday.”
I still haven’t said a word, and Liz doesn’t wait for my reluctance to shift into denial.
“So, Cooper, I’ll take it you’ll reconsider my offer?” Her tone is expectant, confident, as if it’s a done deal.
I nearly scoff at her lack of pretense. This woman’s relentless, I’ll give her that. A ruthless negotiator through and through.
Despite everything inside me screaming not to, I hesitate. I feel that irritating muscle in my jaw tick. The idea of my hands digging into soil for someone this underhanded makes my skin crawl. I press my fingers to the bridge of my nose. Everything in me wants to hang up. This is what it must feel like to sell your soul to Lucifer. But my business needs the work…
Dragging in a deep breath, a surge of resolve settles over me. I’m working too damn hard to let this place fall behind. If I want to take my business into the future, I can’t keep turning down lucrative jobs. Even if it means negotiating with snakes.
“Alright, Liz.” My tone’s resolute. “I can meet your clients tomorrow.”
There’s a brief pause before she responds. Likely taken aback by my change in attitude. “Excellent, I’m glad to hear you’re open to—”
“Here’s the deal,” I cut her off. “I want a separate meeting with you and Mr. Pitman to discuss solutions that don’t involve me sacrificing my garden center for your development plans.”
The line goes silent for several tense beats. It’s her turn to decide, and I’ll be damned to be the first to speak.
“Very well,” she finally says. “I’ll set it up.”
“Thank you, Liz. We need to find an arrangement that benefits everyone.”
“I’ll text you the client details, and set something up with Dad,” she says and disconnects.
I let out a long exhale, my gaze catching Ella’s.
“Sorry about that. New client.” As I slide the phone back into my pocket, I pray to all that’s holy that I hadn’t awoken a sleeping dragon by challenging Liz.
“Anyway, I’ll put together some detailed plans and pricing options for you in the next few days.”
“Sounds good.” She tucks a loose strand of hair that escaped from her ponytail behind her ear. My dog ambles over from sniffing out a track and starts licking her free hand. A soft laugh escapes her as she scratches behind his ears.
My eyes linger on the curve of her neck until she leans down and whispers something to the dog before pressing a light kiss to his nose. A twinge of envy hits me watching my mutt soak up all her attention. Off-limits territory, Cooper. Get a grip. Fuck me if I’m not jealous of my own dog right now.
Our eyes meet when she looks up, and something in that blue gaze makes my pulse kick up a notch. The pink staining her cheeks tells me she hasn’t forgotten—my hands on hers, the lingering touches, words heavy with suggestion.
“I should get started on that estimate,” I say, keeping my voice professional.
“Yeah, of course.” She straightens up, tucking back that stubborn strand of hair again. ”Well, thanks for… everything,” she says, her cheeks going a shade darker.
“No problem, Sunshine. Glad that ladder didn’t crack open your head before you had a chance to wow me with your ideas. Besides, Pippa needs you around,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes and waves me off. “And there you have it, the definition of a butthole.”
Damn, this woman’s a spitfire wrapped in sugar.
“Touché, Sunshine.” I touch two fingers to the brim of my hat, chuckling at her comeback. “I’ll get those estimates to you by tomorrow afternoon.”
I whistle for Tiny and head back to the carriage house, resisting the pull to look over my shoulder. Come on, Coop. This is business, remember? Nothing professional about how she gets to me with every quick-witted jab, or how my focus shatters when she’s near. But that’s all this is. Business. Just business.
Chapter 12
Ella
“Iswear, if I have to fill out one more mind-numbing form or wait in one more soul-crushing line, I’m going to lose it.” River’s sympathetic chuckle crackles through the speakers as I drive down Main Street with one hand, lifting my travel mug from the cup holder with the other.
“Oh no, what fresh bureaucratic hell did you have to endure this morning, babe?”
“DMV and all the license and registration fun stuff when you move to a new state,” I groan. “Jeez, I bet there’s a special circle in Dante’s Inferno for government offices and their torturous wait times.”
“Tsk, tsk,” River playfully mocks. “You poor thing. So, what are you up to now that you’ve escaped DMV purgatory?”
“Next up is Cooper’s garden center, and once that chore is off my list, want to grab lunch?”
“Hold up,” River’s voice spikes with sudden curiosity. “You’re going where?”
I can almost see the glint in her eyes as her tone takes on that familiar teasing lilt. Ugh, she’s never going to drop this; I already know it.
I laugh, trying to tamp down the flutters in my stomach at the thought of seeing Cooper again. “Don’t start,” I warn River. “I’m looking at shrubs, not scouting for a date. Especially not with him.”
“Are you sure about that?” River’s skeptical tone comes clearly through the speakers. “Because if I recall, things seemed pretty tense between you two that first night after you moved back.”
“You mean when we were half drunk on wine, and you were playing matchmaker, declaring ‘sparks’ between me and that ‘tall drink of water’ next door?” I shake my head, smiling despite myself. I take another swig of coffee.
“Exactly.” River’s laugh rings out. “The way he was checking you out whenever he thought you weren't paying attention? Please. He might as well have had ‘interested’ stamped across his forehead.”
