Out Of The Smoke Read online

  This woman cleans houses? Seriously? She looked more like a debutante than a cleaning lady. Hell, even if she couldn’t clean for shit, she would at least be nice to look at.

  “Sorry. Come on in.” He backed up and held the door open. “I was expecting…” What, someone less gorgeous?

  Liz raised her eyebrows at him. “Someone…taller?” She laughed.

  His face heated. Had he spoken those words out loud? Shit.

  “Uh, I guess. Well, I don’t know what I was expecting.” But it wasn’t you.

  She practically floated on dainty feet. He could picture her in cute little sandals with sexy pink toenails. Maybe barefoot, just carrying the sandals. The current outfit she wore didn’t do her justice. Cheap tennis shoes, khaki pants, and a white polo that had seen better days. The clothes didn’t quite fit her. In fact, they didn’t seem to be hers at all. Did she shop at the local army surplus?

  She was a puzzle. That was for sure. And since when did he care about puzzling women who cleaned houses? Or any women at all for that matter. Hadn’t he just three days ago declared himself a perpetual bachelor, not interested in getting involved with anyone?

  “What a nice house you have.” Liz looked around the entry that led into a great room and Alan turned to see the space through her eyes. It looked drab actually. Boring. He found himself feeling embarrassed on his own behalf as though she were someone he needed to impress and he’d failed miserably.

  Alan cleared his throat. “Thank you. I haven’t really done that much to it yet. I suppose it’s rather uninteresting.”

  “Not at all,” she said politely.

  Alan chuckled and glanced at her profile again. “Well, someday…” He trailed off. Someday what? Someday you can decorate it for me? What the hell was he thinking?

  You’ve sworn off women. Before Claire, there’d been two others since law school. It seemed they only cared about how much money he made. And telling him how to use it. He wanted to concentrate entirely on getting his private practice off and running.

  “So, I understand you haven’t had a cleaning service before? Is that right?”

  “No, I haven’t ever thought much about it. My friends pressured me into this.” He grinned, but then pulled up short at the unamused look on Liz’s face. “Not to say that I don’t want someone to help out, mind you. I just haven’t ever, gotten around to it I suppose.”

  “So, I guess you don’t have an idea of what you want me to do? How about if this first day I do a regular thorough cleaning and then we’ll see how you feel about it and we can talk about more specific needs for next time. Does that sound all right with you?” Liz continued to look around at her surroundings, probably weighing the options of just where to begin. She was too poised, too proper. Hell, she wasn’t what he expected.

  “Perfect, actually. I’m in the process of transitioning to my home office, so I’ll be in there if you have any questions or need anything.” Alan pointed to the left behind Liz at the messy arrangement of books, papers and file folders cluttering the office space. Suddenly the room looked horrifically uninviting to him.

  When Liz turned to confront the room herself, she visibly cringed for only a fraction before regaining her professional persona.

  Alan laughed again. “Now that you’re standing here, I’m thinking that doesn’t really look like a relaxing atmosphere for a client. Good thing the only clients I’ve had so far have been people I already know. Are you any good at organizing?” He knew he was putting the proverbial cart before the horse, but he had a good feeling about this woman. She may not look the part, but she was confident. If only he could get over the idea that he’d rather sleep with her.

  She seemed far more educated than he would expect from someone in her profession. Judging from her jargon and accent, he guessed her to be from the East. Her speech was sophisticated. Her stance professional. Her meager clothing tidy.

  “I’m sure we can work something out and make this office area more attractive. Will your clients come in through this front door?” She pointed behind her. “Or do you have another entrance?” Her voice was so tender and sweet.

  She was so composed. Where had he been meeting the women he’d dated that were bossy, demanding, and rude?

  “No. They come right in the front and through to the office.” He looked around, realizing the extent of his personal life that was on display for any and all persons visiting. Even the few steps it took to get to the spacious office afforded his clients a thorough view of his great room and the kitchen attached to it.

  “In that case, everything they see between the front door and the office creates an impression on them before you’ve even begun your meeting.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to insult your home. Just an observation…”

  “No, not at all. Any help I can get is greatly appreciated. I never realized how utterly boring this place is. I don’t expect you to tackle my office today. I know it’s overwhelming. Maybe next week after you have the lay of the land. And perhaps I’ll even have made more progress organizing by then.” Alan wrinkled up his face and glanced back at the pixie beside him. Her full lips pulled up at the sides when she smiled warmly back at him.

  Alan felt a little ill at ease. Perhaps they just needed to break the ice. Why? She isn’t here to date you. She’s here to clean, bozo. And you’re not interested, remember?

  “Shall we get a cup of coffee first?” Now why the hell would you ask that? This isn’t a social call. Riiight. Under any other circumstances in any other venue in a past life, he would assuredly be hitting on this woman and asking for her number.

  Never mind that he’d already had a cup of coffee and put everything away. He just wanted desperately to engage her in conversation a bit longer. Couldn’t seem to stop himself.

  “Oh, of course. I’m so sorry.” Liz looked around, and headed toward the kitchen while speaking over her shoulder. “Where do you keep the coffee? I’ll get that started for you right away.”

  Shit again. She’d misunderstood. And she was so endearing scurrying around. His pulse raced. Did he want her to clean his house or did he want to kiss her?

  Liz peaked in cabinets and reached for mugs. He watched frozen at the entrance to the kitchen as she reached up on tiptoes, her slender frame pressed against the counter. He had the urged to grip her ass with both hands. Her waist dipped in so small his hand could probably span it. His arousal increased with each passing moment and he couldn’t bring himself to stop her and ruin the view.

  Alan licked his lips and spoke in a rough voice that didn’t sound like his own. “No. I didn’t mean…I was just suggesting that…Liz?” She finally turned to look at him. He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to imply that you had to fix me coffee. I just thought you might like a cup before you get started. It’s, well, freakishly early for most people.” He pulled out a chair for her, hiding his burgeoning erection behind it. “Sit. Before you make me dizzy.” And notice my hard on.

  “Oh, I couldn’t. Really.” He watched her throat as she swallowed hard. Liz backed toward the living area. “I should get to work.” She flashed him what she couldn’t possibly know was the most sensual smile he’d seen in a long time.

  His dick got harder. The flush of her embarrassment at their misunderstanding was sexy. Would she have a similar flush while he sucked on her clit? Would she maintain the business façade, or let go and scream her pleasure under his ministrations?

  “Are you sure?” Anything to keep her engaged for a few more minutes. Perhaps he could pretend they were at an outdoor café somewhere enjoying each other’s company. Of course, his daydream involved his hand roaming under the table to caress the crease in her pants where her leg joined her crotch. Could she gaze into his eyes without letting her leg bounce? He could practically feel the wetness seeping through her pants. What was with him today? “I personally can’t function until after the first cup of coffee gets into my blood stream.” He smiled at her imploringly. He felt mor
e like a desperate teenager asking for a date to the prom. Even his palms grew sweaty where he gripped the chair back.

  “To be honest, I don’t drink coffee.” She grit her teeth and her face scrunched up in disgust.

  The tension finally broke and Alan laughed. “I’ve never known anyone who didn’t drink coffee. Especially New Yorkers. You are from New York, right?” Her accent was sexy as hell and every time she spoke, he felt his heart rate increase.

  Liz went wide-eyed for just a moment. Had he seen a spark of fear in her eyes? Did he say something wrong?

  Perplexing really. “Do I have it wrong? New Jersey maybe? I don’t always pick up all the nuances of the northeast. Sorry, if I offended.”

  “Oh, right. I guess I do have an accent.” She visibly relaxed a tiny bit. Her shoulders dropped a mere inch.

  Ya think? Alan chuckled at her naiveté. “Well, just a small one.”

  “Yes, near New York. Originally.” She smiled again, although it appeared forced, and she said nothing else. Not much information and she didn’t at all indicate where she came from precisely now. She clearly had no intention to, so he dropped the subject.

  “I’ll let you get to work then. Follow me. I’ll show you around.”

  *

  Lord. How was she possibly going to get anything done? She’d never shown up at a house before and found herself attracted to the occupant. In fact, she’d had a standing rule for the last two years to not date anyone at all. Men had tried from time to time, God only knew why. But Liz had only one goal in mind at the present, save money and move again. She was getting nervous being in one place so long.

  Liz did not date. In fact, she did not even look twice at any man. She couldn’t even remember the last time she found anyone so attractive. Alan was beyond attractive. He was a god. Even his back was sexy, she’d thought, her gaze traveling the length of him as she’d followed him through the house.

  Thankfully, he’d finally gone into his messy office and left her to get to work. Her hands were actually shaking. Why did he have to be so damn nice? Of course, Matthew had been nice in the beginning too. Nice shouldn’t mean anything to her. On the flipside, most men she worked for had an air of pretentiousness about them that suggested they were better than her and they knew it. Alan McCarthy did not. He was completely down to earth from his stylish wavy brown hair to his faded blue jeans.

  His gorgeous home was a story and a half. Liz headed upstairs first to get as far away from Alan as possible and slow her heart rate down a bit. The second floor had a huge game room that appeared to rarely be used. The focal point was a pool table that made a shiver run down Liz’s spine as she remembered the times she’d gone to sports bars with Matthew while she’d been in college. She’d had the job of standing in the shadows to hold his beer and his cue. She’d felt so important. Back then she’d been young and in love. Lusted after him. It was hard to believe there’d actually been a time when her husband seemed like the perfect gentleman. Or so she’d thought. Now Liz knew better. He’d been grooming her. Manipulating her into being the kept woman he intended her to be for the rest of her life.

  When the job of cleaning houses presented itself, it was the perfect solution. Matthew had always demanded perfection from her in the home. She was good at it. It wasn’t like she could’ve gotten a job in accounting. Although it had only been a few years since she’d graduated, there would’ve been questions, forms, ID’s needed. A social security card. She’d had nothing but the borrowed clothes on her back and the wad of cash in her pocket.

  Liz worked frantically all morning, dusted and vacuumed the upstairs and then got nitpicky. She was a perfectionist in every way, making sure baseboards and window blinds were as spotless as the tile behind toilets. That was what made this business work so well for her. That and the ability to get paid in cash. Her clients revered her work. She gave them more than they asked for and charged a fair price. After only a few weeks in town, she’d gotten calls to do enough homes to pay her rent. Within months, she’d been booked solid. Business was a boon.

  It had been a relief considering what she’d had to live on when she’d arrived.

  By eleven o’clock Liz finished the main floor guest bath and headed down the hall for the three bedrooms. A gasp made her jump and turn around mid-stride.

  Alan stood in the hall staring into the bathroom.

  Shit.

  “Is something wrong?” Liz chewed on her lower lip, a nasty habit she couldn’t seem to break. She hated to mess up on the first day. In fact, she’d never let any client down yet. Maybe he was overly particular.

  “Wrong? Hardly.” He turned to her with a wry grin. “I’ve never seen the place looking so fantastic. I just came from upstairs and I couldn’t believe it. How’d you do all that in just a few hours?”

  What a relief. Liz let out the breath she held. Her face grew warm at the compliment. “It’s what I do. Not a big deal really.” She shrugged and backed farther down the hall.

  Being this close to Alan reminded her of his incredible physique. He was the sexiest man she’d ever set eyes on. Looked like a bodybuilder with his chest and shoulders bulging underneath his casual navy polo shirt. The jeans he wore fit low on his hips, well-worn and frayed slightly at the floor. He smelled fresh like the aftershave he must have used before she’d arrived. And he hadn’t bothered to put shoes on. Something about his bare feet padding around the house struck her as incredibly sexy and…domestic.

  He peered at her over his shoulder. His head cocked slightly to the side.

  “Well, I’ll just… I’m going to get back to work then.” Liz backed down the hallway and slowly turned in the direction of the bedrooms. As soon as she entered one and sucked in a lungful of air, she regretted her choice.

  The room was clearly the master bedroom and undeniably occupied by Alan himself. His own personal musk filled the space and gave Liz the urge to press her face into the pillows and inhale his scent. Her nipples hardened as she pictured herself in his arms, naked across that huge expanse of silk lying in disarray and hanging over the edge. She couldn’t shake the image. What the hell is the matter with you? She hadn’t been this attracted to any man since…

  “Is everything okay?”

  Liz jumped a foot when Alan’s warm breath reached her ear. She hadn’t realized he was behind her, preoccupied as she was with thoughts of making love to him. You need to get a grip.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Alan reached out to steady her. Liz nearly choked at the contact. It was the first time he’d touched her and it zapped her back to reality. His grasp on her bicep was gentle. Nothing like the grip Matthew had been accustomed to. There wouldn’t be any bruising.

  A concerned expression zoned in on Liz from only inches away. Probably because she stood there like an idiot all tongue-tied. Her mouth was dry as she attempted to squelch her general fear of men. A few shallow breaths and then a deep one…

  Rarely did anyone ever touch her, mostly because she never gave anyone the chance.

  She raised her face up toward his. “I’m fine,” she mumbled. “Just…um…deciding where to begin is all.” Would he buy that?

  Alan glanced into the room and winced. He looked back at her with raised eyebrows that begged her forgiveness. For what?

  Liz managed to relax. He obviously wasn’t angry. She stared up into his eyes as he turned to look back down at her. Even after more than two years, she still found herself expecting the worst out of men. Assuming they were all angry and demanding.

  “Pardon my mess. I just realized how disastrous this room must appear. I have to admit to being a confirmed bachelor. Not used to anyone seeing my room in order to care about its appearance. No wonder you can’t decide where to start.”

  No one sees his room? Why did that make her feel good? Alan finally let go of Liz’s arm and moved passed her to scramble around picking up clothes strung around the floor. He quickly shoved them in a hamper and turned back around. His cheeks
were red…in embarrassment?

  Hers were equally as hot thinking about his misunderstanding.

  “You weren’t planning to do my laundry were you?” Alan gripped the basket and pulled it to the side of the room.

  “Only if you want me to.” Suddenly the idea of washing Alan’s clothes seemed too personal. She did the laundry of other clients without flinching. Why were his different?

  “No. No. That’s asking too much. I hadn’t expected half of what you have done.”

  “Well, I’ll do whatever you’d like. That’s my job.” As strange as it suddenly seemed. “I will, however, be glad to wash your sheets each week if you want. That is, if you decide you’d like me to come weekly.” She silently hoped. For the money, of course. “Most clients like a nice clean bed to go with the house.”

  “Sure. I guess I’m new at this. I don’t want to be different from whatever ‘most’ are doing.” He shrugged his shoulders and left her alone.

  By five o’clock Liz had the entire house, with the exception of Alan’s office, in the best shape it had probably ever been in.

  She knocked softly on the frame of his open office, hoped she wasn’t disturbing him. “I’m going to head out now. Would you like to look around and see what you think before I go? Or do you want some time to think about it before deciding on a future schedule?”

  In truth, Liz was torn about this job. She loved the house and cleaning it would be a breeze. There were no messy children or toys lying all over the place. On the other hand, she couldn’t imagine coming here every Monday and sharing the space for eight hours with a man she was so undeniably attracted to.

  “Oh, no. That’s not necessary.”

  His cryptic answer left Liz raising her brows in uncertainty.

  Alan was quick to realize his ambiguous response and rushed to explain as he stood and came toward her. “What I mean is that I’d love to have you come by weekly. Does this day fit your schedule on a regular basis?”

  “It’s just fine.” Liz backed toward the front door as Alan approached her. She didn’t need to deal with his magnetic masculine scent any more today. In fact, what she needed was a long hot bath…and a shrink.