Hard Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 1)

I'm really lucky she only ruined six of the nine cabinets I made for his new property. It could have been a lot worse.

I pull the wood from the rack and lay it on the table. I can smell the sweet scent of the cherry wood as I run my hand across the smooth surface. Grabbing the measuring tape out of my pocket, I hear someone enter the building as the door swings open and closes with a gentle thud.

“Finally decided to show up?” I say, keeping my eyes on the wood.

“Sorry man, I thought you knew I was going to finish up that other job and be here a little later than usual?”

It's not Narissa, it's Hardin. He's my employee and best friend. We met by chance. Hardin was in a tough situation, needing a job desperately, and I needed an extra hand. Four years later and we're as close as brothers. I can’t imagine this place without him. I know when I need something, he's the person I can count on.

Former military, Hardin is perfect for this line of work. He's dedicated, determined, and has plenty of self-discipline. I never have to track him down to see if he's actually where he should be. I never have to get on his ass about a job and deadline. He's a hard worker, and I'm lucky to have crossed paths with him.

As for Hardin, well, I know he appreciates the fact I took a chance on him. Something Narissa will never understand, and could never even begin to understand. How could she? She's never had to be responsible for anything.

A spoiled rich girl will never know the meaning of hard work. She can't separate herself from her money long enough to know what it means to earn a living and work hard for what you have.

I have no idea why her father would ever think sending her here is going to do shit for her. But he's king of the property world. Bidding for this job and landing it is far too important to stand on any ground and deny him a single request. Even if that request is for his daughter to come work for me. Saying no to him is something I just can't do. This job is going to help my business grow. Exponentially. It's exactly what I've been waiting for, and I'm not going to destroy it by turning down his request.

Maybe I'll get lucky and she won't show up.

That would the perfect scenario. I didn't say no, and she didn't show up. I can't control what she does, it's really up to her. It doesn't matter how cute she is, or how much the thought of fucking her makes me hard, I'm not going to be her babysitter.

Lifting my head, I smile. “Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

Hardin cocks a hard brow, staring at me like I'm going crazy. “Someone else? Why the hell would someone else walk through our door?”

I can hear the sudden worry in his voice. “Don't worry, I'm not replacing you.” Hardin exhales a breath, his muscles relaxing as I say, “Ethan Thayer's daughter is going to be doing an internship with us. I guess that's the best way for me to put it.” That's it, that's what's she's doing, an internship. I'm sure it will serve her well. She gets to learn something she'll never ever use, and I get to waste my time watching her in the process.

“What the hell are you talking about? Ethan Thayer's daughter is doing what?”

I let out a soft sigh, standing up straight and turning to face him. “She—” I start to say, when the door opens again, and she steps inside.

“Morning,” she says, holding up a white paper bag. “I brought doughnuts.”

My eyes run up and down her body, indulging the tight jeans and sexy pink crop top. Her tits are pushing out of the top, her cleavage almost begging for me to stuff my face inside. Her plump ass is outlined in the light blue jeans, bubbled out and perfect.

Narissa's hair is pulled back into a messy bun, and she's not really wearing any makeup. Her lashes have a light coat of mascara and that's it. A natural beauty if I've ever seen one, in the purest form.

Long red wisps of hair frame her face, and wild curls wrap and dangle on the top of her head. There's an instant scent of lavender that fills the room, mixing with all the aromas of different types of wood. It creates an air of forest and meadows. Something so different and strange in my shop, and I actually start to like it.

Hardin gives me a look, shrugs his shoulder, and waves his hand. “I'm Hardin, and I'll absolutely take one of those.” She holds the bag out to him, and he pulls open the top as he looks around inside. “Does it matter which one I take?” he asks. She shakes her head no. Taking out a chocolate glazed doughnut, he pops it in his mouth, grabs his work belt off the table, and gives me a smug grin. “All right, I'll see you later,” he says with a mouthful as he thanks Narissa for breakfast and hightails it out the door.