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I check my watch for the hundredth time. He should be here any minute. I pace up and down the corridor, repeatedly checking my reflection and smoothing down my dress.

Why is my stomach all in knots over this guy?

I'm twenty-two and I have slept with a grand total of two people. I have been single and sexually inactive for over a year. I'm not this girl! I don't do fawning over guys, I don't have sexual dreams and I certainly don't get up an hour early to get my jog out of the way so that I can look good for a guy when he arrives.

I don't know who I've become since meeting Joss Walker, I don't recognise this girl, but I don't mind her, either.

Why am I wearing my best summer dress? Oh, yeah. I'm wearing it for the super-hot handyman who I've been crushing on ever since he first jumped out of that beat-up truck.

He's so rugged and handsome. He has this air of danger and aggression about him, yet he's so subdued and polite around me. I'm addicted to the way he looks at me when he thinks I'm not looking. I've caught him checking me out a few times and each time has made my heart beat faster.

The thought that he might be as attracted to me as I am towards him is exhilarating. I need to try and test this out later and see if he does fancy me or not. He might not. Some guys will stare at any woman in a bikini, regardless of how attractive they find them. Boobs are still boobs and butts and still butts.

I hear the truck rev up the driveway and then cut out as he parks. Butterflies take wing in my stomach and I clench my hands into fists. I can't believe how worked up I am at the promise of seeing him in a few seconds.

I was so happy when he told me that his truck had broken down and then when he agreed to stay for dinner. It took a while for him to open up and stop giving me blunt answers, he's not much of a talker. After hearing his history in the army and his accident, I'm not surprised. He's been through so much more than I can imagine.

I can't believe he opened up to me like that as well. I hope I wasn't too pushy. I was flattered that he trusted me with his story. It certainly explains the scars weaving through his hair. I was unbearably curious the first time I saw them but couldn't ask how he got them.

I figure there's a lot more to his accident than he's told me, but that totally makes sense. He barely knows me so I don't expect him to be sharing his innermost secrets with me. I haven't really shared me with him, have I?

"Morning," I greet him chirpily as he stands on my porch.

Joss looks me up and down. He keeps his expression schooled, but I don't miss the way he visibly swallows. His eyes linger a little too long on my chest.

Knew I liked the cleavage on this top.

"Morning," he replies gruffly.

I wonder if that's the first word he's said this morning. He mentioned last night about living alone.

I let him get on with finishing plastering the second room. I catch up with some lesson-planning in the morning and then make lunch.

I know that Joss eats his lunch alone at front. I've offered for him to sit with me before and I try again today, but he's really awkward and says he's fine by himself. I can't work out if he just likes being by himself or if he's avoiding me.

I wish I could hear his thoughts. Sometimes I think he likes me and then he barely says two words to me. He's a total enigma which makes me want him even more.

After lunch, I decide to get some more tanning time. I work my ass off in school all year, I should savour this break whilst I have it. I'll blink and be back in the classroom again.

I go upstairs and change into my bikini. As I'm lathering up in sun cream, I realise that my legs need shaving. With my leg propped up on the sink, I dip the razor in water and start to hurriedly shave my legs.

I get one leg done and swap over to my other. The door is ajar but suddenly opens fully, making me squeal and almost fall over. Joss's hands grab my forearms and he holds me steady so that I don't tumble to the ground.

"Shit, sorry!" He stutters. "I didn't mean to scare you, fuck! Are you okay?"

I take my foot out of the sink and set the razor down. Seeing that I have my balance back, Joss releases his tight grip on my arms.

"No problem, it's fine," I reassure him. His eyes drop down to my boobs, pushed up in my bikini and then quickly back up to my face. "What can I do for you, Joss?"

"Uh, I'm done plastering and it's still too early for the first room to be painted. Hopefully, I can do it tomorrow. Is there anything else you need? Otherwise, I'll go."

I feel a tinge of disappointment that he's leaving until I think of another job for him, if he wants it.

"Can you do any landscaping? Or do you know someone who can?"

"Um, it depends what it is. What do you need doing?"

"I bought some slate slabs ages ago to make a pathway down to the pond, but I haven't gotten round to digging the holes and laying them cause they're too damn heavy. Would you be able to help with that, please? It's totally okay if you can't."

"I can help with that. Can you show me the slabs and where you want them?"

"Of course!"

I dry off my leg and lead him outside. The slate is leant against the shed and I mark out with the spade where I want them to go. Joss seems content enough to get started, so I leave him to it and lay down on my sun lounger.

I feel bad, tanning whilst he works, but I am paying him quite a lot of money per day, so it's not how it looks. He double-checks that the slabs are in the right position a couple of times and asks permission to bring his radio down.

I enjoy listening to the music as I lie on my front with my eyes closed. As I doze, I think about the new restaurant that has opened in town. I want to try it out and this is the perfect excuse to find out if Joss is interested in me properly or not. He only has two or three more day's work here, four at the most, so I need to shoot my shot whilst I can.

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Joss finishes up just after five and taps me on the shoulder. I admire the work he has done, which is actually brilliant. The slabs are laid neatly and perfectly flat, they dot a path down to the pond just how I imagined they would.

I walk with Joss back through the house and to his truck.

It's now or never, Maya.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I feel nervous as hell as I wait for his answer. Joss looks at me with his eyebrows drawn together. He rubs his hands awkwardly on his trousers.

"Not at the moment. Why?"

"There's a new restaurant that I want to try out, but they don't do take away and I'm too chicken to go in and sit by myself. Would you maybe want to go with me? It's a free dinner! But you can totally say no."

He hesitates and panic floods me. I should never have said anything. I've just made things uncomfortable between us.

Damn you and your big mouth, Maya.

"Sorry, I've just made things awkward, haven't I?" I laugh but it sounds high and forced. "Forget I said anything, no worries."

Joss shoves his hands in his front pockets and rocks back on his heels. His face is pensive and his jaw set.

"No, you haven't," he reassures me but his voice sounds hesitant. "I'm not sure it's a good idea, though."

I wave him off like it's nothing, like I haven't just been majorly rejected.

"Yeah, no worries, totally understand," I reply, trying to sound blasé.

I feel like Monica Gellar trying to be breezy on the answering machine.

This is not working, is it?

Joss goes to get into his truck. He opens the door and then stops to look back at me.

"Sorry, Maya."

"Don't apologise! It's cool." Stop talking. Stop talking. "Just out of interest, why don't you think that it is a good idea?"

He looks me up and down and sighs. "Because you're employing me. It could become...difficult."

I smile softly. "It's just dinner, Joss. But, I get it. Have a good evening and I'll see you tomorrow!"

I turn on my heel and restrain myself from running towards the door like I want to. I want to sprint into the house and slam the door and hide as quickly as possible.

"Maya!"

Fuck.

I turn back and force a smile. "Yep?"

"Shit," he curses quietly. I don't think I'm supposed to hear it. He runs his hand down his face then looks at me again. "How about tomorrow night?"

Yes!

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