Age of Ava (Vested Interest - ABC Corp 4)

She clapped her hands. “No, I can help you. I’m good with a measuring tape and recording.”

She sounded so excited I didn’t want to burst her bubble. I wasn’t used to help—even on jobsites, I was known as a loner who got the job done. It was only a few measurements.

“Okay. I’ll get the paper and the measuring tape.”

“Great!”

Inside, I grabbed what I needed, changing into a pair of long shorts and a T-shirt. I grabbed a baseball cap, knowing the sun would be overhead, then picked up a second one for Ava. I walked out back, trying not to gape at the scene in front of me. Ava, bending over to pick up something, her long, bare legs set off by a pair of tight shorts. Her ass was full and round, and I recalled how it felt in my hands. Firm and perfect. I cleared my throat, and she straightened.

“Didn’t you have, ah, pants a moment ago?”

She nodded. “I had these on under them. In case I got hot.”

She was making me pretty damn hot. My cock was sweating already, and we hadn’t even started the project. It didn’t help that she had tied her T-shirt in a knot at her waist, the sliver of skin above her waistband tempting and sexy.

I shook my head to clear it. “Fine,” I said gruffly. “I brought you a hat.”

I groaned inwardly as she bent again, gathering up her hair and tucking it under the cap. A few strands escaped. She looked sexy, younger than her early thirties I guessed her to be, and happy standing in the sun, her creamy skin on display and dressed so casually. It was very different from what I was used to seeing with her.

“Will you burn?”

“Nope. I used sun block spray before I got dressed. I figured we’d be outside.”

“Huh.”

“What?” she asked, cocking her head in query.

“You’re very easy. Not high-maintenance.”

She laughed. “Let’s see how you feel in a few weeks.”

I had no clue what to say to that statement. It was rare that anyone would remain in my life for a few weeks. Yet her words only made me grin, so I let it go. “Let’s get to work.”

Half an hour later, I bent over the drawing Ava had made on graph paper I had given her. I stared at it with narrowed eyes. What I had seen in my head didn’t seem to work on paper. She had been correct—she was great with a measuring tape and recording the figures. I had a template of the house already sketched out on several sheets so I could tweak as needed to take to an architect for the final renderings. I knew this might take a few attempts to get what I wanted.

I blew out a huff of air, looking around. Something was off, and I wasn’t seeing it. Beside me, Ava sat quietly, her head bent over another piece of paper. I glanced over to see what she was doing, but she turned so I couldn’t see. Amused, I pretended to turn back, and when she relaxed, I slid my hand over, snagging the paper. She gasped and lunged, but I was too fast for her, standing on the top step and holding it over my head.

She stomped her foot. “Give me that back!”

“I want to see it first.”

“I’m not finished.”

“I don’t care.”

She crossed her arms, looking down at the ground. “Fine.”

Suspicious, I stepped back and glanced at the paper. I blinked and brought it closer, looking at what she had done. With a few extra strokes, the image in my mind had been copied to her paper. I looked at her in amazement. “What have you done?” I asked. “Explain this to me.”

She hesitated and took the paper from my hand, sitting back down. I sat beside her as she explained. “I extended this piece, so the kitchen becomes bigger, as well as the bedroom. You can add another bath here if you want, and right here, you can install an outdoor hot tub. Imagine sitting outside at night with the view, the hot water bubbling around you, a glass of wine in your hand. It’s so private up here, it would be amazing.”

I tapped the corner. “An overhead trellis for some sun protection.”

“Yes,” she agreed enthusiastically. “Sliding doors off the bedroom. A wraparound deck you can access from the kitchen to the master bedroom. I know you said you plan to rent the place. That would be a huge draw.”

I nodded, her vision spot-on.

I ran my finger along her lines. “Adding to the kitchen will change the inner layout.” I had only planned on making the master bedroom bigger to attract holiday renters—add a small en suite. The front porch was already going to be bigger. I would paint and refurbish the kitchen but had planned on leaving it rustic. Cottagey-like.