A Hot Winter (New Adult Romance) (The Attraction Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

might not be looking to date right now, that didn’t mean she had no sense of vanity.)
    Now Matt interrupted her mental rant.  “So if you’re hiring me, I guess a trip to the Hardware Warehouse must have scared you straight?”
    Inhaling a breath, Emma willed herself to relax, to shed the self-consciousness that was creeping in--that she was allowing to creep in.  What was the big deal really?  So it was a coincidence.  Things like this occurred everyday.  If Matt could carry on like normal, so could she.  He was here because he had a job to do; Emma needed her mind to cease its silly chaos right now and focus on that.  
    “By the way, what happened to France?” he asked.  There was nothing in Matt’s tone to indicate that he doubted her.  If he had called her out on fibbing to him, then Emma would have tried to laugh it off and make a joke about her whole gallivanting-on-the-French-countryside story.  But since Matt’s tone of voice and expression were neutral, there was a slight chance he did believe her story, and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings by admitting it was all a lie.
    “It fell through,” she said instead.  “The woman who was going to swap houses with me…she, um…caught the French measles at the last minute,” she improvised, hoping Matt wouldn’t have the interest or mindset to ask the difference between French measles and German.
    “Oh, sorry to hear that,” he offered.  “Tragan mentioned that you’re putting your house on the market soon?”
    “Yes, when the renovations are done,” Emma said.
    “So…you were going to try to sell the house with that woman living in it?” Matt asked.
    “Um…”  Clearing her throat, Emma fumbled for a response.  “It’s complicated.”
    “Ah,” was all he said.
    Sucking in a breath, she changed directions.  “Well, let’s get back to business.” 
    She hadn’t meant it to sound so abrupt.  But she needed to sweep her lie under the proverbial rug.  Also, feeling self-conscious about the way she’d been flirting with Matt at the hardware store, Emma was now determined to reset the tone of their acquaintance.  After all, with him working in her house, a flirtatious vibe would cloud things.  This would have to be pure professionalism all the way.
    “All right,” he agreed and opened up the protective case on the tablet he was carrying.  “Show me what you need,” he added, pulling the stylus out of the inside flap.  He didn’t bother taking off his jacket, so she had to assume he was taking the hint.
    As she turned, she caught sight of her overflowing laundry basket again.  Then she swallowed a sigh.  Of course .  Two pairs of panties were sitting on top of the pile.  One was red lace and one was pink cotton--and both seemed to be jumping out for attention.  Fighting a sudden impulse to snatch them up and shove them in the bulky front pocket of her sweatshirt, she opted instead to act oblivious.
    “I’ll show you the kitchen first since that’s where most of the work will be done,” she said, briskly leading Matt out of the foyer.
    “Okay,” he said, following her.  “By the way, I’m glad you’re not hiring whoever did that weather-stripping.”
    She whipped her head around, surprised.  “What?”
    Jerking his head toward the front door, Matt said, “That’s a mess.  I couldn’t help but notice.” 
    “Oh…well…”  Emma’s cheeks flamed scarlet; her pride wouldn’t let her admit that she had done it herself in one of her DIY delusions.
    “Have you noticed a draft?” Matt asked.
    “No.  Not really a draft,” she insisted.  “Just, you know, a feeling of coolness when I’m in the foyer…” 
    Matt’s eyebrows lifted knowingly.  “Also known as a draft,” he said.  Helplessly, Emma gave a self-effacing laugh.  “I can fix it if you want,” he added.  “It’ll save you on your heating bill.” 
    “Okay, maybe,” Emma replied, not wanting to commit yet.
    When they