Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“It’s okay.” She took a step back. She really needed to get away from him before she said something stupid. “Well, nice to meet you. I guess I’ll see you around.”
His smile was lopsided and sinful as he nodded at her. “Yes. We’re neighbors after all. Bound to run into each other.” He pointed at her lawn. “Would you like me to mow your lawn for you? I was going to do mine in the morning.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I can do it.”
He lifted a brow. “I’m sure you can, but I’d like to this time as an apology for my error.” He glanced around at the expanse. “Do you normally do it yourself?”
She stiffened and had to work hard not to growl. He might have been easy on the eyes with a dazzling smile and friendly demeanor, but if he insinuated she couldn’t mow her own lawn because she was a woman or implied that she didn’t take care of her grass… Yeah, flames would come out of her head.
Never mind that she hated yardwork and didn’t normally mow it. That wasn’t the point. She narrowed her gaze, hands on her hips. “What are you implying?”
He lifted both hands, palms out. “Nothing, Nicoya. I’m simply asking a question. It’s a huge lawn. I noticed you work long hours. I haven’t seen anyone besides you coming and going. If you’re looking for a regular landscaper, I have a reliable staff and people I could recommend.”
She stared at him, assessing his implication. She had no idea why she was scrutinizing the man so hard. He’d done nothing wrong except make an honest mistake, which he’d apologized for in spades. He was kind and friendly and warm. His smile was infectious. She wanted to burrow herself in his lap and…
What the hell am I thinking?
She blew out a breath and tried to loosen her stance. “I usually have a neighborhood kid mow for me, but he’s out of town. That’s why it’s gotten so long. I haven’t had a chance to do it myself. I would be grateful if you would recommend someone to help me out for the month. I wouldn’t want to permanently replace the boy who does it. I’m sure it’s good pocket money for him.”
“Of course not.” Axel smiled again. She was pretty sure he had dimples under his beard.
“How about if I do yours tomorrow when I do mine. That takes care of this week, then we can talk about next week another day.”
Be grateful. Be nice. Stop being suspicious. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.” There. She did it. She said nice things. It was so hard to not wonder what was wrong with this man. He seemed larger than life and too good to be true.
She pointed over her shoulder and started walking backward. “Well, I should get back inside. I left my dinner in the microwave.”
He winced. “Leftovers or a frozen meal?”
She pursed her lips and continued walking backward. Why did he care?
He shook his head in dismay as if he knew what her answer would be and didn’t like it. As if he thought he was in charge of her eating habits. As if he were her Daddy.
Nonsense. He’s not even a Daddy, let alone yours.
She was several yards away, still walking backward, when he called out, “Hey, Nicoya. Just so you know, I’m aware you’re a police detective. I’ve seen your badge attached to your belt. I’ve also seen you jogging early in the morning. I know you’re perfectly capable of damn near anything you set your mind to, but you don’t have to be badass all the time. It’s okay to relax and let someone else help out.”
Nicoya turned around and nearly ran back inside. Her heart was racing. Her Little was so close to the surface it was a wonder she hadn’t started crying. Her new neighbor was Dominant and tempting and he made her nipples hard.
She was panting by the time she got inside, and it wasn’t from exertion.
Damn. He knew so much about her. He was obviously observant. She hadn’t even known who her neighbor was, and he knew her profession. How embarrassing. She felt like a fool.
And she’d gone out there all fired up, hands fisted, ready for battle.
Her sexy neighbor had knocked all the wind out of her sails and made her feel things she hadn’t felt in forever.
He’d made her feel Little. Special.
Hell, he’d made her feel.
Chapter Two
“If she’s not Little, I’ll eat my shirt,” Axel said out loud as soon as his adorable neighbor slipped back into her house.
He hadn’t moved an inch yet, mostly because he’d watched her retreat, not wanting to miss a single moment. She had stunned him in every way.
When he’d first spun around, he’d had no idea in the world who he’d been looking at. Nicoya the police officer was severe and intimidating. Half the reason he hadn’t gone over to her house to introduce himself was because he hadn’t been certain what to expect from the tall female cop next door.