Keeping Secrets

Excerpt

Story Excerpt

Samantha’s ears twitched at the sound of a crackling coming from the ceiling just above her. She watched as a trickling line split and plaster showered downward like a heavy rainfall.

Suddenly a set of strong arms encircled her and held her tightly, taking the breath from her chest. Her feet were lifted from the concrete floor and she was yanked backward, slamming her and her rescuer into a wall. An image out of a romance novel, where the hero sweeps the woman of his dreams into his arms, declaring his everlasting love, flashed through her mind…until another large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling, crashing loudly on the floor before shattering into thousands of tiny pieces. Samantha no longer saw a vision of two lovers, but one of her, crushed under the debris. She took several deep breaths.

Hammers stopped and were followed by the rush of work boots running across the concrete. “Matt, you okay? Is the lady hurt?” they asked. “That was a mother of a close call!” another said.

Her hero ignored the men and set her back on her feet. His once warm brown eyes were now cold and throwing daggers. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I...I was...looking for you.” Winded, her breathing was heavy.

From the drooping brows and harsh pressed lips, she could tell Matt was not at all happy to see her, but Samantha couldn’t have been more pleased. Her search was over and the incredibly attractive man she had been seeking had rescued her.

“Didn’t you see the warning signs outside and the hard hat guideline on the door?” his voice demanded. “You could have been seriously injured.”

“Stop yelling at me.” The air returned to Samantha’s lungs, and with it, her body started shaking with the realization of what had almost happened. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Matt softened his grip on her arms, his close proximity warming the chill and fright flowing through her body. He eyed his workers. “We’re fine, thanks, guys. If you could get that mess cleared and check the ceiling for impending disasters.” They nodded, leaving them. Matt turned back to her. “You need to be out of here,” he said, removing his hard hat and placing it gently on her head. A warm hand held her elbow and led her out of the building.

Once outside, Samantha inhaled a deep breath of air, gaining control of her nerves. “Thank you.”

“Thank you. That’s all you have to say?” Matt was loud again.

“Please, stop it,” she pleaded. “Damn, you’re relentless, cut me a bit of slack. I’m a little shaken up by what happened, or by what almost happened in there.”

“Why are you here?”

“I told you, I was looking for you.”

“Well don’t. Stay as far away from me as possible, because whenever we’re near each other someone ends up hurt.”

Samantha threw her hands in the air. “You’re impossible and getting on my nerves. Do you know how much time I’ve wasted looking for you today? Why are you so difficult?”

“Look lady, after what we’ve been through the last twenty-four hours, do you really have to ask?” He took a step back. “You said you were looking for me?”

She narrowed her eyes, picking up a suspicious change in his mood “I came here to persuade you to take on my project.”

Matt laughed. “How many times do I have to say no before you get it?”

“Then why were you snooping around my house? It’s obvious you were reconsidering your decision.”

“Not after last night.”

“Oh come now, can’t we get past that? We were both at fault. You came to my house unannounced. I was scared. I also apologized for hitting you.” She straightened her shoulders and held her ground. “Can we move on and talk business?”

Matt shook his head. “I admire your determination, but you’re wasting it on me. I’m still not taking your project.”

“Give me one good reason why.”

“I did, I’m busy and don’t have the crew to spare.”

She was waiting for this. “Your so-called busy schedule consists of one front porch that should take until the end of the day to complete, and a siding job that will be done tomorrow. That leaves you one job.” She pointed a well-manicured fingernail at the building. “This crumbling old library. I’m wondering why your company came so highly recommended if it can only handle one job at a time. You seem to have enough crew, so what else could it be?”

Matt took a deep breath and started to speak, then closed his lips tightly. Gram would be so proud of her right now.

A ringing cell phone stopped her interrogation. Samantha kept her eyes locked with Matt’s while she slipped a hand in her pocket to retrieve her BlackBerry. “Hello, Glen…yes, I’m fine. I’m actually in a meeting with Mr. Sullivan right now.” She winked at Matt, trying to ease his obvious grumpy mood. She had previously studied his handsome face, but while Glen gave her the details of her grandmother’s office documents, she let a discreet gaze linger over the rest of him.

Scuffed work boots led to faded blue jeans that fit his long legs perfectly. A black T-shirt hugged his muscular chest and arms, pulling tight when he crossed his arms…very nice indeed. A shiver ran down her spine as her gaze continued up past his broad shoulders to his strong jaw line. Last night, she had assumed it was a five o’clock shadow, but now saw he kept it purposely trimmed that way. The scruffy beard and slightly above the shoulder length hair would have had her grandmother tagging him a hooligan, but every masculine detail of this man appealed to Samantha, perhaps a bit too much.