Hello Temptation (Hello, #3)

by Kelsie Hoss

My cheeks felt hot as I slipped my hand into his. It was large and warm and calloused. So freaking hot. Not to mention his grip was just the right firmness.

Now that I looked a little closer, I could tell he worked outside. His white skin had a deep tan, like he spent a lot of time in the sun, and his strong jaw had a light cover of stubble. Not to mention, there were flecks of paint on his hands as he reached for the key. Interesting. This head contractor wasn’t just a stand-by-and-tell-everyone-what-to-do kind of guy. He must have been highly involved in the work. And that made me even more interested than the tattoos or his defined biceps.

God, the way my name sounded off his lips. “Is that a Texas accent I hear?” I asked as we pushed out the door and stepped outside. He chuckled. “It’s that obvious? I’m from the Fort Worth area.” “It’s subtle,” I replied. Cute, I didn’t add.

“That’s real nice of you, Hen.” God, could he stop saying my name so my heart would slow down?

Standing in the hallway, I faced him again. “Did I miss something?” “Your number,” he said with a smooth smile. My heart skipped a beat, and I was about to say something stupid before he added, “In case I need anything?” “Oh, right.” Of course he wanted my number for business, not for any other reason.

She had these sharp eyes that cut straight to the point like she did with her words. Her relaxed, raven toned hair curled past her shoulders and drew my attention down to luscious curves and legs that went on for miles. I knew I couldn’t date her—I never dated anyone when I was on location. It would be unprofessional, not to mention futile with me leaving once the project was done—but damn was she something to look at.

“If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me,” I said, reaching for my duffel bag. “Mind if I change?” She had looked so pretty in her flowy sundress, and I didn’t want to look like a schlub in front of her and her friends. Because for some reason... it mattered. She was right. If we’d be working together, it would be good to start things off on the right foot. And if there was one thing I learned from my sister, Liv, it was that if you didn’t pass the girlfriend test, you wouldn’t be making much progress with the kind of girl that mattered.

She opened her own door and said, “It’s unlocked.” I grinned. “You know my dad would have my head for not getting your door.” “Your secret’s safe with me, Tex.” She shook her head with a small smile and got in, and me? I was grinning like a damn fool. It had been a long time since I’d bantered with a woman I wasn’t related to.

Damn was that hot. Especially in the way she said it—not bragging, only stating the facts.

“I always thought I’d be settled by now, starting a family. It’s hard to do when you’re moving all the time.” “Hard to do when you’re staying in the same place—at least for me.” I was about to ask what she meant, how a catch like her could possibly still be single if a relationship was what she wanted, but instead, she turned into the parking lot of a chrome diner building.

She reached for the door, but I stepped ahead and held it for her. At her questioning look, I said, “Making up for last time. A man never lets a lady open the door.” “Who says I’m a lady?” she teased. Her soft, raspy voice made my pulse quicken. Steeling myself, I said, “No one needed to.”

She shook it, an impish grin on her face. “I adore your accent.” I chuckled. “That obvious?”

He nodded, then grinned at the girls. “Good handshake. I like him.”

Everything was going well, until I was enveloped by her scent. Intoxicated was more like it. And damn was it hard to think with her thick thigh brushing up against mine.

“Haven’t found the one yet. Still looking.” I inadvertently glanced toward Hen, who was looking anywhere but at me. Birdie smiled and said, “You’ll find her when you least expect it.” Chester nodded. “And then you’ll never be able to let her go.” “Maybe someday,” I replied, thinking that was years down the road, when I could afford to stay in Cottonwood Falls and invest in my dream.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mara mouth to Hen, I like him.

The more I got to know Tyler throughout dinner, the more I liked him.

He walked with Chester to the register, insisting he pay for each of our meals, while the girls and I finished up our drinks.

Because even though I maybe had a crush on Tyler, there was no way a guy like him would ever want a twenty-eight-year-old plus-sized virgin like me. And did I mention I still lived with my parents? Not exactly a great look, especially to a guy like that.

“He’s a great guy. I mean if I wasn’t married with a baby... I’d be getting his number.” Birdie gave her a coy look. “Or building a weak chair for him to sit on.”

And my friends were right. He was cute. From the strong edges of his stubbled jaw to the ridge of his nose and the fullness of his lips that revealed a breathtaking smile. And God, the way my name sounded with his accent. If I moved to the South, I’d be in trouble. Pining for men just for the way they spoke.

“You about ready, or do you need some more beauty work done to that face of yours?” I snorted. “I’m good, but I could give you a few pointers.” He let out a mix between a grunt and a chuckle. “See you in a few.”

I spotted her immediately, the sunlight glancing off her dark hair. The blue dress she wore clung to her curves, and I found myself wishing I could be just as close. She was clearly in her element, talking freely with her colleagues, a stunning smile on her face.

in my hurry, bumped into Henrietta. She swayed in her heels, and I reached to catch her, my hands landing on her curvy hips. But the feel of her under my palms caught me off guard. She was soft, but solid. And my mind went places it shouldn’t have gone in public. “I’m so sorry,” I said, quickly righting her and pulling my hands away. She wouldn’t meet my eyes and muttered something about it being okay before grabbing a hat from Nancy. Great. Two days in and I’d already made things awkward by practically fondling her on the job site. I’d apologize to her later, maybe with lunch, and hope it would patch things up.

When we bumped into each other and he'd reached out to catch me, his large hands had landed on my hips, steadying me. His touch had sucked all the air from my lungs, and I’d stared at him, stunned at his strength. But I could see the moment he realized just how big I was. His eyes had clouded over, and he stepped away, immediately apologizing.

I didn't bother telling Tyler goodbye before I began walking toward the parking lot with Janessa. She had her hard hat under her arm and a slight grin on her face. “That contractor’s something to look at. I'm a little jealous you get to see him every day.” I didn't argue with her because Tyler was handsome in every single way. In fact, I'd never really been that into guys in polo shirts, but the Crenshaw Construction shirt hugged his biceps perfectly, and the collar dipped down to his chest where I could see just the slightest hint of chest hair. For a split second, I wondered what it would be like to feel the crisp curls underneath my fingertips, but I quickly shut down that thought. “He's all yours,” I said.

Tyler’s clear disinterest had only reminded me of my failure in the romance department.

Because if I was being honest, I wanted a man to look at me the adoring way that Cohen looked at Birdie or the proud way Jonas looked at Mara.

“Some people just don’t get happily ever after, at least not in the traditional sense.”

It rang once before I saw his pickup pull into the parking lot. There was a twinge in my chest as I saw him open the heavy black door and step out. Instead of khakis, he was wearing jeans smudged with dirt and a dark blue T-shirt that clung to his muscled chest and arms. With that tattoo peeking out...I almost forgot to hang up the phone. Not to mention the Griffen Farms hat that was on his head made him look younger, more relaxed. I much preferred this look on him to the khakis and polo from earlier.

“You'd win me over pretty fast with beer and pizza,” I admitted. “Well, I don't have any plans for supper, and I can always go for a second beer,” he said. “Nice use of supper. You’re catching on,” I teased,

Not that I had to worry. I remembered the way he looked at me earlier. A romantic relationship was never in a million years going to happen between us. This was work and friendship only.

I nodded and sat on the couch I’d picked out myself. It was just as comfortable as I remembered. Add that to a good book and the smell of his cologne that was lingering in the apartment already... Well, it was a great way to pass a quarter of an hour.

The bedroom door opened, and I looked back to see Tyler running a towel through his wet hair. With his arms lifted, his shirt pulled up, showing a sliver of his abs and a trail of hair into his waistband that practically had me salivating.

I couldn't quite find something to say because, honestly, I was breathless. Most men didn't really give two cares about what happened to their grandparents, or their parents for that matter, but here Tyler was reading research books on his time off to make a better home for his grandpa and everyone else. It was incredible.

But to be fair, I was more excited for her company than anything.

But conversation flowed easily between Hen and me, and I never felt her coming on to me like Janessa had earlier.

So the fact that I was over thirty without so much as a divorce or an illegitimate child under my belt made me the number one bachelor in town, aside from my brothers. The youngest, Rhett, was a perpetual playboy, and my older brother cared more about his Dallas-based business than dating.

When we were alone at the table, I asked Hen, “What was that about?” She kept her eyes on her menu. “She didn't believe that someone like you would be here with someone like me.” I nearly choked on my spit. “What? That’s crazy.” Henrietta gave me a look with a tinge of annoyance. “Guys like you don't exactly go out with girls like me. Especially not to a fancy place like this.” I studied her for a moment in utter disbelief, wondering what Henrietta had seen. What would make her think that a guy like me wouldn't be interested in her? I knew plenty of guys who liked their girls with curves—myself included.

He glanced at me and said, “Looks like your grandma found someone else to set you up with after all.” God, I already hated this guy. And his date seemed just as stuck up. Hen opened her mouth, probably to correct him, but I hurried up and said, “Actually, I saw her walking by my work and couldn’t let her go without taking her on a date. We’ve been together about a month now. Although, I don’t know how you let a chance with her go.” I winked, extending my hand.

He was jealous, but only because another guy was interested. It pissed me right off. He had no right to be jealous, especially since he’d turned her down once and then made a joke at her expense. Not to mention he was here with a different girl.

Without thinking, I reached across the table, covered her hand with mine, a strange sense of protection rushing through me. Maybe it was because my sister was full-figured, maybe it was the wine, but I needed her to know she deserved better. “Do me a favor?” I asked. She tilted her head in question. “Don't let those guys make you feel bad about yourself.” Her eyes flickered toward our joined hands and then toward me. She nodded, and it took all I had to pull my hand away.

Birdie asked, “How did Tyler handle it?” I wrapped my hands around my mug, holding on to it as I searched for the right words. “He rescued me.” With a smile, Mara said, “This is the part I was hoping for.” I shook my head at her. “I think he took pity on me—he pretended to be my boyfriend and made the guy totally jealous in front of his date. He was really sweet about it after too. There was a moment...” I paused, my throat catching with emotion. Tyler had seemed so sincere, and my hopes were getting far too high. But this was the part I needed help sorting through, so I continued. “He put his hand on mine and looked me in the eyes and said not to let them make me feel any less beautiful than I am. And it seemed like he really meant it.”

“Let him choose his intentions.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “You’re already assuming you know the ‘why’ behind what he did, but the truth is, Tyler’s the only one who knows.”

I had already pegged him as just another hot guy who would never be interested in a plus-sized girl like me. What if he had other reasons for doing what he’d done?

Stewing over the “why” behind Tyler’s actions had driven me crazy. Mara’s advice gave me permission to simply... enjoy.

Gravel crunched under slowing tire treads on the shoulder, and I looked up to wave them off. I was no damsel in distress. But the sight of Tyler's pickup and his concerned face through the windshield had me freezing. Now I was really embarrassed. I straightened, wiping gravel off my knees and pulling my dress down. He hopped out of his truck, his work boots crunching dirt beneath him.

“Can I help you change it? I'd hate to see you ruin that pretty dress.” He thought my dress was pretty? I bit back a smile. “I can handle it. I wouldn't want us both being late to work.” He glanced at his watch. “If we work on it together, I bet we can get there on time.” Everything in me screamed that I needed to be independent. That I didn't want him to see me as any more of a charity case than he probably already did. But then Mara’s words came to mind. Let him choose his intentions. “If you're sure,” I finally said. His grin was crooked as he stepped closer to me, taking the tire iron. “My dad would whoop me upside the head if I didn't stop to help.”

He tightened the lug nuts in a star pattern, just like my dad taught me. Then he lowered the jack, setting the car firmly on the ground. Tyler knew what he was doing; that much was clear. And if I was being honest, watching his muscles do the job was more than a little attractive.

I was used to being alone, used to taking care of myself, but him stopping and helping, inconveniencing himself, I didn’t know how to react, how to let him know that it meant the world to me.