Free My Love at Last by Donna Hill

in the pit of her stomach. She turned her face up to the pulsing spray and let the steamy water flow over her. But nothing could wash away the need for Connor Lawson to fill the hot, wet space between her thighs.
    * * *
    Olivia pulled up to the work site and cut the engine of her car. She took a minute to compose herself, prepare to see Connor. The run had burned off some of the tension but now the anxiousness had returned. How would he treat her? Better question, how would she respond when she saw him? To compound her anxiety, Victor had left her a message insisting that she make certain that Connor used all the proper materials — oak, cedar, mahogany — to rehab the original structures. He wanted her to check everything. She heaved a sigh.
    Clearly she couldn’t sit there forever. She gathered her things, got out and trudged down the incline to the homestead. The crew was busy working and didn’t notice her. She looked around for Jake and spotted him getting into one of the trucks. She walked in his direction.
    “Morning.”
    He turned, cupped his hands over his eyes to block out the sun. A half smile lifted his lips. “Good morning.”
    “I was going to get started today. Did Connor — Mr. Lawson — tell you?”
    “No. He hasn’t come in yet. But you do what you need to. Can I help you with anything in particular?”
    “Um, I’d like to start on the outskirts of the homestead and work my way back to the buildings.” She cleared her throat. “I will be checking on the materials being used to ensure that they meet our criteria for restoration.”
    Jake’s brow knitted. “We
always
follow the specs,” he said, his warm tone turning cool. “You need me to go with you?”
    “No. I’ll be fine. I’m used to working alone.” She offered a tight-lipped smile.
    He extended his arm. “Take that trail. It leads to the other side.”
    “Thanks.” She started toward the trail.
    “I’ll let Connor know you’re here when he shows up.”
    She waved her hand in acknowledgment.
    * * *
    Olivia began by taking photographs and then collected soil, rock and plant samples. She needed to put together as much empirical data as possible. Often something as minute as a tiny plant could provide clues to the past and the people. She worked diligently for more than an hour, becoming totally absorbed in what she was doing. And then she felt him. Behind her. She turned and gazed upward. All the air stilled in the center of her chest.
    “Hey.” He slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His warm, dark eyes moved over her.
    “Hey,” she whispered back. She brushed the dirt from her hands.
    Connor walked down the short incline and knelt beside her. “What are you doing?”
    She explained her goal and the process, while Connor studied her samples.
    “So these pebbles and soil can tell you things, huh?”
    She grinned. “You sound a bit cynical, Mr. Lawson.”
    “Not really.” He twirled a blade of grass between his fingers. “I guess I never thought much about the smaller pieces of the puzzle. My focus has always been on rebuilding, re-creating, not what it took to make it.” He turned to her. “Guess that’s where you come in.”
    Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “We all have a purpose.”
    “And we all know our roles and responsibilities.”
    Olivia flinched at the edge in his tone and knew instantly that it was a result of her conversation with Jake.
    “And one of mine is verifying, at
every
stage of the reno, that
all
of the materials that I use on a project are the original materials, from glass to shingles and every cut of wood. I built my business
and
my reputation on authenticity.” His dark eyes bored into hers. He pushed out a breath and softened his tone. “How about we both accept the fact that we know what we’re doing.”
    Olivia pressed her lips together and the knot in her chest loosened. She could read that so many ways. “I could agree to that.”
    He watched her for a moment before