Flirty by Cathryn Fox Page A

absolutely gorgeous, and to think he’d restored this by himself was beyond impressive. It did, however make her wonder more about him, and why, after sleeping with her for a week, he kept this side of his life private when she’d spilled so much about herself.
    After the shower, she made her way along the bustling streets. She breathed in the smells of the ocean and raw seafood as she watched the fishermen bring in their catches and sell it at the outdoor market. She found herself smiling. This really was a quaint old town, and the people in it were so different from the city where she lived.
    As she passed by Hauk’s bar, she caught a glimpse of Errol, Harold and Byron making their way inside. She couldn’t hear what they were saying but she did hear something about a month’s worth of rum. She also saw Errol swinging his cane, walking like he didn’t need it at all.
    She hurried home, and when she stepped inside the old Victorian home, she just stood there for a moment. As she looked around, taking in the grand front entrance, she suddenly began seeing the rundown place with its paint-chipped walls and battered floors in a new light. She made her way from room to room and considered the drastic changes she’d put in her report and sent to the restoration committee. Changes that didn’t adhere to their code. She truly loved the work Sam had done on Josie’s home and wondered how he might envision this house, if she was keeping with old-style tradition. There was no denying that the man had talent. So why did he leave Whispering Cove some ten years ago to become a ghost hunter in New Mexico when the people here clearly loved his work? He definitely had a future in the renovation industry.
    She ran her hands along the crumbling hearth, and when footsteps heralded someone’s approach she spun around. Her heart did a weird little leap when she caught Sam standing there watching her, a small smile on his face.
    “How was the baby shower?”
    “It was great.” She looked at his tanned face. “How was sailing?”
    He took a predatory step toward her. “Fun, but not as fun as hanging out with you. It’s all I could think about all day.”
    She swallowed at the heat she spotted in his eyes. “Sam?” she asked.
    His steps slowed and he gave her a curious look. “Yeah?”
    She waved her hand around the empty living room. “If you were to renovate this room, what would you do?”
    Conflicting emotions moved over his face, and he jammed his hands in his pockets and went quiet for a moment. Then, tone sober, he finally asked, “Why do you want to know?”
    “I saw your work at Josie’s place today.” She gave a slow shake of her head. “I had no idea you knew how to do any of this.”
    He shrugged like it was nothing, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes when he said, “That was a long time ago.”
    “I know, but I’m still curious to know what you’d do with this place if given the chance.”
    Sam walked over to the hearth. He ran his hands over the rough stone, and went quiet for a long time.
    “Sam?” she asked.
    “First I’d bring this back to life, and give it the proper care it deserves.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled and said, “Can you imagine all the families that lived in this house, all the kids who sat on this wooden floor and huddled around this hearth on a cold winter night?”
    Lex smiled as she pictured it, and then something lit in Sam’s eyes when he moved to the window to examine the trim. Once he started talking, he couldn’t seem to stop, and Lex just stood there in amazement listing to his ideas, shocked and a little impressed at how deep and profound this laid-back playboy really was.
    He moved around the house, and she followed, listening quietly and intently as he spoke. Even though his ideas completely conflicted with what she wanted, she couldn’t deny that the man had a rare talent. He clearly loved restoration work more than anyone she knew. Which