Flirting With The Boss. Tina Beckett

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ any longer and he captured her tempting mouth.

      She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him as her fingers played with the hair at his nape. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and found heaven. She was the sweetest woman he’d ever tasted, and the last thing he ever wanted to do was stop. He wanted so much more, but also knew he couldn’t have it.

      He tore his mouth away and took a step back. “Damn, woman. You pack a punch. I just can’t …”

      “It’s okay.” She pulled her coat tighter. “It would be crazy to start something.”

      He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted to. “Right. Bad idea. We’re business partners. Besides, I have room for only one female in my life. Cassie.”

      Her gaze wouldn’t meet his. “I should go.”

      “Let me walk you out.”

      “No, you don’t need to do that. It’s too cold.”

      He tried to make light of the situation. “Right now, I could use a blast of cold air.” He followed her out. Grabbing his coat off the hook, he slipped it on as they went through the mudroom. The frigid air hit him hard as they hurried out to the well-lit driveway and around to her side of the car.

      “Nice ride.” He glanced over the four-wheel-drive SUV. “You’re ready for the snow.” He held on to the door so she couldn’t rush off. “Are you coming by the site tomorrow?”

      “No.” She paused. “Unless you need me for something.”

      He found he wanted to see her again. “I guess not.”

      “Okay then, good night, Jace.”

      “Thank you, Lori. Thank you for being there for Cassie.”

      “You’re welcome. Goodbye.” She shut her door and started the engine and was backing out of the drive before Jace could stop her. That was the last thing he needed to do. He didn’t need to be involved with this woman.

      Any woman.

      It would be a long time before he could trust again. But if he let her, Lori Hutchinson could come close to melting his cold, cold heart.

      Lori had spent the past two days at the bank where she’d been trying to familiarize herself with her father’s business dealings. How many people expected her to fail at this?

      She’d stayed far away from Jace Yeager, although that didn’t change the fact that she’d been thinking about him.

      Had he been thinking about her? No. If he had been, wouldn’t he have called? Or maybe he’d resisted, knowing getting involved could create more problems.

      Lori looked up from the desk as Erin walked into the office. The receptionist had been such a big help to her, going through files and being the liaison between Lori and Dennis Bradley’s office.

      Erin sat down in the chair across from the desk. “I found this in an old personnel file, and it’s kind of interesting. Kaley Sims did used to work for Mr. Hutchinson. It states that she managed his properties up until two years ago.”

      Lori had found this woman’s notes on several contracts. “Why isn’t she working for him now?”

      Erin gave her a funny look and glanced away.

      “You know something?”

      “It’s just some bank gossip, but there might have been something between Kaley and Mr. Hutchinson, beyond professional.”

      So her father had someone after his divorce. “I take it they were discreet.”

      “They went to business and social functions together, but no one saw any signs of affection between them.”

      Lori shrugged. “Maybe that’s the reason Kaley left here. She wanted more from Lyle.”

      “If you want to talk to her, I could call her mother and see if she’s available to come back to work here.”

      Lori needed the help. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to call. I sure could use the help, especially someone who already knows the business. I don’t want to put in twelve-hour days.”

      Had Lyle Hutchinson become that much of a recluse that all he did was work? She was curious. Had her father driven off Kaley?

      “Okay, I’ll make the call tomorrow,” Erin said as she stood. “Is there anything more you need today?”

      Lori checked her watch. It was after five o’clock. “I’m sorry. You need to get home.”

      “Normally I’d stay, but I have a date tonight.”

      Lori smiled, feeling a little twinge of envy, and immediately thought about Jace. Since the kiss she hadn’t heard a word from him in two days. Stop. She couldn’t let one kiss affect her. She wasn’t a teenager. “Well, you’re great, Erin. I’m grateful to have all your help.” She paused. “How would you like to be my assistant?”

      “Really?”

      “Really. But you have to promise to stay in college. We can schedule hours around your classes, and you’ll get a pay raise.”

      “Oh, wow. Thank you. I’d love to be your assistant.” Erin reached out and shook her hand. “And everyone thought you coming to town would be a bad thing.”

      “Oh, they did, huh?”

      This time, Erin hesitated. “I think they thought that a lot of jobs might be lost.” The pretty brunette beamed. “Instead, you’ve come here and come up with ideas so people can save their homes, and you’re helping women advance, too.”

      Lori was happy she could do something. “So it’s a good thing?”

      “Very good.” The girl turned and left the office.

      Lori sank back into her father’s overstuffed leather chair. “Lyle Hutchinson, you must have really been some kind of tyrant. What made you so unhappy?”

      She thought about the sizable amount of money Lyle had acquired over the years. When the waiting period was over next year, she’d never be able to spend it all. She could give the money away. Right now, she received a large income just from his properties.

      Sadness hit her hard. Seeing how her father lived, she realized he’d died a lonely man. Outside his few male friends, he didn’t go out with anyone. “I was always there, Dad. Just a call away. Your daughter. I would have loved to spend time with you.”

      It might be too late for a family with her father, but there was a second chance, because she had a sister and nephew. Gina and Zack would always be her family.

      A few days had passed and Jace hadn’t been able to get Lori, or the kiss, out of his head. Even working nonstop at the site couldn’t keep his mind from wandering back to Lori Hutchinson. Until work came to a sudden halt when problems with the staircase came up and didn’t meet code. They had to make some changes in the design.

      He СКАЧАТЬ