Flirting With The Boss. Tina Beckett

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      Lori had trouble deciding where to put her things. There were six bedrooms and a master suite. One had been turned into an office, and the one next to it was nondescript, with only a queen-size bed covered by a soft floral comforter. It had a connecting bath, so that was where she put her one bag.

      She unpacked the few items she had, but went into her father’s office. She couldn’t get into his computer because she didn’t have access.

      “Okay, need to make a call to Dennis Bradley first thing tomorrow.”

      What she knew for sure was she needed to have someone to work with. Someone she trusted. As far as she knew her father had worked out of his office at the bank and from home. Did Lyle handle everything himself? Had he not trusted anyone? She rubbed her hands over her face. She didn’t know the man. She stood up and walked out.

      In the hall curiosity got the best of her and she began to look around. She peeked into the next room, then the next until she came to the master suite. She opened the door but didn’t go inside.

      The dark room had a big four-poster bed that dominated the space. The windows were covered with heavy brocade drapes and the bedspread was the same fabric. The furniture was also stained dark. Bits and pieces of childhood memories hit her. She pushed them aside and journeyed on to the next room. She paused at the door, feeling a little shaky, then she turned the knob and pushed it open.

      She gasped, seeing the familiar pale pink walls. The double bed with the sheer white canopy and matching sheer curtains. There was a miniature table with stuffed animals seated in the matching chairs as if waiting for a tea party.

      Oh, my God.

      Nothing had been changed since she’d lived here. Lori crossed the room to the bed where a brown teddy bear was propped against the pillow.

      “Buddy?” She picked up the furry toy, feeling a rush of emotions, along with the memory of her father bringing the stuffed animal home one night.

      She hugged the bear close and fought tears. No, she didn’t want to feel like this. She didn’t want to care about the man who didn’t want her. Yet, she couldn’t stop the flood of tears. A sob tore from her throat as she sank down onto the mattress and cried.

      “Lori?”

      She heard Jace’s voice and stiffened. She quickly walked to the window, wiping her eyes. She fought to compose herself before she had to face him.

      He followed her, refusing to be ignored.

      “It’s okay to be sad,” he said, his voice husky and soft.

      She finally swung around. “Don’t talk about what you know nothing about.”

      Jace was taken aback by her anger. “It seems that everything I’ve said to you today has been wrong. I won’t bother you again.”

      She stopped him. “No, please, don’t go.”

      She wiped the last of the tears off her face. “It’s me who should apologize for my rudeness. You caught me at a bad moment. Why are you here?”

      “Maggie sent me up to Lyle’s office. I have some papers for you to sign, but they can wait. Believe it or not, Lori, I came to apologize for what I said to you at lunch. I had no right to judge your motivation.”

      Jace glanced around the bedroom and hated what he was feeling. What Lyle must have felt when his daughter left. Would this happen to him if his ex got Cassie back? “I take it you were about six or seven when you left СКАЧАТЬ