Fixed Up Read Online Free PDF

her.
    Their gazes locked.
    He held the stare as long as he could, hoping she’d be unable to resist the famous Luke Colton smoulder.
    Then her eyes dropped to his crotch and he felt himself burning up.
    â€˜That’s mine,’ she said. For a second it seemed all his fantasy Christmases had come at once, until he realised she was referring to the DIY Divas folder dangling forgotten in his hand.
    He pulled himself together. ‘You dropped it in the car park.’
    â€˜You could have posted it. Used the phone. Saved yourself a trip.’
    â€˜And missed seeing you like this? Hell no.’
    A look of horror washed over Harper’s face. She brushed her hands across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, causing the most adorable smudge. ‘I look terrible, don’t I?’ she said, then must have regretted her words. ‘Not that I care. Nature of the job.’
    â€˜You look like a ghost.’ Luke couldn’t help smiling. ‘What are you doing in there?’
    â€˜I’m sanding the floor. It’s messy work.’
    â€˜What are you using?’
    â€˜I’ve hired a floor sanding machine,’ she said, giving him an odd look.
    â€˜That would explain the dust.’ And also the change of outfit into the old, gorgeously fitted jeans that revealed her petite but perfect figure. He had the urge to pop her into his pocket and whisk her away. Instead he handed her back the folder. ‘I liked your brochures.’
    â€˜Thanks. I was so steamed up I hadn’t noticed I’d dropped them.’ Harper took her cap off and banged it against the door frame. A cloud of dust disappeared in the breeze.
    Luke laughed. ‘Nice dye job.’
    Harper’s hair was dark where the cap had been, with a grey ponytail draping over one shoulder. She picked it up, flicking it backwards in a self-conscious gesture. Her forehead furrowed into a frown.
    â€˜So you’re doing the house up? I own a construction company that deals with homes just like this—’
    â€˜Deals? What do you mean? Renovates?’ A look of horror flashed over Harper’s face. ‘Please don’t tell me you’re one of those wrecking ball people who can’t see the beauty in anything that isn’t brand-spanking new?’ Harper’s hands went from her hair to her hips, as she glared up at him. Those long, dark eyelashes fluttered, pulling him back to the memory of her breathing in the scent of a candle.
    â€˜No, not at all. But many people would rather build a brand new house than put in the hard yards doing what you’re doing. Believe me, I know how much work is involved.’ He shook his head, hoping he looked sympathetic rather than judgemental. Harper’s shoulders drooped a little and she hugged the folder to her chest.
    She took a deep breath. ‘Look,’ she said.
    He looked. Waited. A thumping in his gut, told him to expect the worst.
    She looked him straight in the eye. ‘You seem like a nice guy.’
    Ouch.
    â€˜Maybe a bit do-goody—’
    Double ouch.
    â€˜â€”but hey, as a person to have on my doorstep, better than an axe murderer any day. The thing is, I don’t have time for people or non-work-related activities at the moment. I’ve got this house to renovate, my classes to fill. I’m all about work right now. Sorry.’
    â€˜How ’bout I help you out? I could do the floor sanding,’ said Luke.
    â€˜How would that look to my clients? DIY means Do. It. Yourself. It doesn’t mean get a crackerjack construction guy in to do it for you.’
    â€˜It is what it is, a friendly offer of help.’
    â€˜Thanks, but I’m trying to give you a polite brush off and you offer help? That’s just too weird for me.’
    â€˜If I told you that chasing you around today is probably the weirdest, most out-of-character thing I’ve done in years, would that support my case as a normal, well-balanced