“Then what are you doing in this building?” And then her gaze lowered to the toolbox in his hand. “You borrowed Alina’s toolbox?”
“Worse than that, I’m filling in for the building manager.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “For a moment, I’d forgotten about Alina’s arrangements.”
“Do you need something fixed?”
“Come with me.” She crooked her finger.
His business would have to wait a bit longer. Perhaps he should have asked Alina more questions before agreeing to her terms. From his point of view, she definitely got the better end of the deal.
* * *
He was the sexiest building manager ever.
As soon as the totally inappropriate thought of Graham came to Alina, she dismissed it.
The next morning, Alina couldn’t think of Graham as just another man. He was anything but the usual guy that passed through her life and it was more than his devastatingly handsome looks. He held the keys to her future. He decided if she stayed or left—of whether she clung to the makeshift family that had surrounded her through the loss of both of her parents. And it was for that reason she had to keep her wits about her.
Showered and dressed for work, she moved to her bedroom door to find Prince waiting for her. He lifted his head and blinked.
“Mrrrr...”
He got up from his spot at the end of the bed and rubbed over her ankles. Alina bent over and picked him up. Prince stretched his neck, pressing his nose to hers. Alina’s heart swelled with love.
She ran her hand down over Prince’s back as his deep purr emanated. Holding him with one arm, she opened the door. She carried the still purring Prince to the kitchen, where she lowered him to the floor.
“Mrrrr...”
“Okay, I’m getting your breakfast.” She reached in the cabinet and grabbed a can of cat food and one of Prince’s bowls.
Once Prince was taken care of, she turned and filled the coffeemaker with water and added a pod. With a press of a button, her morning caffeine was under way. And boy did she need a nice big mug of coffee this morning.
Prince sat next to her as he woofed down his breakfast like he hadn’t been fed in days. When the bowl was licked clean, he looked up at her. His eyes begged her for seconds.
“Sorry, bud
dy, that’s all you get. The vet said I had to quit spoiling you.” When she bent down to soften her words by scratching behind his ears, he dashed past her. He definitely didn’t like his new diet.
Knock-knock.
Alina opened the door to find Graham standing there. “Good morning.”
“I need more time.”
“Time? Time for what?” She had no idea what he was talking about.
He smiled at her and then pointed at the earpiece. “I don’t care what you have to do to make it work. I’m not signing off until I have a chance to review the details. And yes, I know it’s Saturday. I have to go.” He glanced at her, looking a bit sheepish. “Sorry about that. It was the office.”
“Come in. Why are you working on the weekend?”
“Business waits for no man.”
She shook her head in disbelief. He needed a break more than she thought. She gave Graham a quick once-over, finding him dressed in jeans and a red sweater. At least it was a change from his designer suits and ties. Although she couldn’t decide which look she preferred. He looked good no matter what he wore—
She stopped herself. What was it about being around him that muddled her thinking? She just got done telling herself that she wasn’t going to be susceptible to his good looks. This was important. He had to take her seriously.
“Is something wrong?” He glanced down at his outfit, then lifted his head, his brows knitted together in confusion.