Hyde's Absolution (Sydney Storm MC 4)

I’d spent the day going over everything that happened with Hyde the night before. My heart warred with my head yet again, and while I felt uncertain about what to do, I knew deep in my gut exactly what I would do.

I’d keep seeing him. He’d worked his way that far into my heart already. But he’d have to step his game up, that was for sure.

Paperwork called my name that afternoon, but the front door bell tinkling dragged me back out to the front of the shop. I slowed when I saw Hyde standing near the front counter holding a tape measure.

Closing the distance between us, I nodded at the tape measure and said, “What’s that for, tiger?”

He didn’t miss my intent when I called him tiger. It was my way of letting him know I’d softened my stance since last night. We’d talk it over later, but for now, we could move forward knowing where we stood.

Jerking his chin, he said, “I’ve come to measure the space you want converted for this waxing room of yours.”

Surprise flooded me. I hadn’t seen that coming. Placing my hand on my hip, I cocked my head to the side. “You’re good with a hammer and nails?”

A sexy grin spread across his face. “I’m good with my hands, full stop. Anything you need doing, I’ve got it covered.”

“Mmm, the cost of the building supplies is a little out of my reach at the moment, but I’d be happy to put your hands to work in other ways.”

His arm slid around my waist so he could pull me close. “I’ve got contacts in the building industry. How about you let me worry about the cost for now?”

“No, I don’t ever let men pay my way.”

“I figured that already. That’s why I said for now. When you’ve got cash coming in from the waxing business, you can pay me back then.”

Every independent gene of mine wanted to say no, but the businesswoman in me knew this was a good deal. My independent side tried to win the argument, but she lost badly. That could also have had something to do with the horny side of me wanting Hyde spending time working in my shop. Possibly with his shirt off. Definitely with those arms of his on display.

“Okay, yes.” I pointed my finger at him. “But you agree to take my money, without argument, when the time comes, or I’m taking that yes back.”

He chuckled and dropped a kiss to my lips. “Deal.”

“And Hyde?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re going to talk about last night. Preferably tonight if you’re free.”

His mouth brushed my ear when he said, “You trying to boss me, sugar?”

“Damn right I am.”

His eyes met mine, and I couldn’t miss the earnestness there. “Tonight is blocked off for you.”

The fact he took this so seriously made me feel like I’d made the right decision. “Good. If you’re lucky, I’ll cook you dinner.”

Lines formed around his eyes as he smiled. That smile morphed into a cheeky grin when he said, “I like a woman who knows her place is in the kitchen.”

I smacked his chest. “You did not just say that to me!”

Laughing he said, “Calm down, red, I was just fucking with you.”

“You better have been. It’s gonna be a long night for you on my couch taking care of the hard-on I give you if you weren’t.”

“Sounds like any night I don’t spend with you,” he murmured as he let me go. “Now tell me where you want this room built.”

I’d been with Hyde for approximately two hours, and he’d managed to drive me almost to the point of not being able to hold myself back. No, scratch that. I’d been with him for exactly two hours and eleven minutes, and I was way past the point of not holding myself back.

We’d made it to my place after I closed up at the shop, and after putting steak in the microwave to defrost, I’d practically thrown myself at him. My intent for the night had been to talk to him first and then have sex, but the man was skilled at messing with my thoughts. Just by existing. It was maddening.

He dragged his mouth from mine and took hold of my arms that were around his neck. Pulling me off him, he said, “We need to talk first, sugar.”