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started to mentally sketch some ideas for renovating the space. It was larger than most bathrooms in houses this old. A walk-in shower would go beautifully in the corner and a claw foot tub would fit perfectly in a spot right over there. He envisioned a crisp, clean honeycomb tile pattern on the floor, a new set of custom cabinets and marble countertops.
    Sergei would jump at the chance to help Bianca restore her home to its former glory but would she allow him to work with her? He knew for a fact that she had been taking bids from other contractors for various projects around the place. Even if he came in with a rock-bottom bid, she'd probably laugh in his face and send him on his way.
    Facing the mirror, he frowned at the dirt and grime marking his hands and chest. He'd smeared rust on his face while working. Mud and flecks of grass clung to his pants. Wanting to get cleaned up, he shucked his pants and boxer briefs and stepped into the shower. The tepid water blasting his skin made him move a new hot water heater to the top of his shopping list. He grimaced at the floral scent of her soap but lathered up with it anyway.
    After drying off, he wrapped the damp towel around his waist and examined his tuxedo. There was no way he was getting back his deposit now. In fact, he'd be lucky if the rental place didn't come after him for damages. There was no way he was slipping back into the wet fabric tonight. He considered asking Bianca to run out to his SUV to grab the gym that held two changes of clothing. The sound of her moving around in her bedroom gave him another idea.
    Her earlier reaction to the teasing kiss he'd placed on her cheek emboldened him now. What if he went for it? No more sweet and playful overtures that she could so easily shoot down. It was time to be brave and maybe even the slightest bit brash.
    Wearing only the towel, he opened the bathroom door and stepped into the bedroom. She had her back to him as she arranged an outfit on the back of her closet door. He could tell by the modest cut of the pretty green dress that she planned to wear it to church. He hadn't been joking earlier when he'd said he wanted to hear her sing.
    Judging by the look she'd given him, Bianca must have thought he was crazy. He'd long ago stopped caring what other people thought of him. When he wanted something, he went after it. The hell with other people's opinions.
    "I guess the shower works?" She draped a wide belt over the hanger holding the dress.
    "Yes."
    "Great. I really wanted to thank you for…" Her words drifted off when she pivoted to face him. Her dark eyes flashed open, and she gestured wildly to his mostly naked state. "Where are your clothes?"
    "They're wet and dirty." He didn't even bring up the jeans and T-shirt tucked into his gym bag outside. He wanted to see how far this would go.
    "So put them on, go home and throw them in the dryer." Her voice had risen to a slightly higher pitch. What was she so afraid of? Was it his size or his criminal ties? Or was it something else? Was she afraid of how good they would be together and how hard it would be to push him back outside that fence she'd built around herself?
    "I'm not going home tonight."
    She blinked. "Excuse me?"
    "I broke down your door." He gestured in that direction. "I'm not leaving you alone in a house that can't be properly secured, especially when you have a prowler bothering you." He tilted his head. "Unless you want to come home with me?"
    "No!" She hastily shot down that option.
    "Then I'm staying here." He took a step toward her bed and started to remove the plush, decorated pillows. She had the sort of bedroom that looked like it was straight out of a designer catalogue. Though why one woman needed nine pillows on her bed perplexed him!
    She held up her hands. "What are you doing?"
    He tossed a fringed pillow onto the floor behind him. "It's late. I'm tired. I'm getting in bed."
    "Not in this bed," she retorted sharply. "You can go sleep in the