Tina Beckett - Flirting With The Boss

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 needed Lori’s okay to move ahead with the architect’s revisions. He went by the bank, but discovered she was at home. So that was where he was headed when he realized he was looking forward to seeing her. Glad for the excuse.

He pulled up out front, sat there a moment to pull it together. Then he jerked open the door and got out of his truck. The early November day was cold. He looked up at the gray sky, glad that they’d finished the outside of the building. At the very least they would get some rain.

He walked up to the porch, but slowed his steps at the door, feeling his heart rate accelerate.

He hadn’t seen Lori since the night at his house. When she had been in his arms. He released a breath. Even time away didn’t change the fact that he was eager to see her.

Maggie opened the door with her usual smile. “Mr. Yeager. It’s nice to see you again.”

He stepped inside. “Hi, Maggie. Is Lori here?” He held up his folder. “I have more papers for her to sign,” he said, suddenly hearing the noises coming from upstairs.

“Oh, she’s here.” Maggie grinned. “Been working all day trying to get things finished before her sister and nephew’s arrival tomorrow. Charlie’s helping.” There was a big thud and Maggie looked concerned. “But maybe you should have a look.”

Jace nodded. He headed for the stairs and took them two at a time to shorten the trip. He walked down the hall and was surprised when he found the source of the noise. It was coming from the room across from Lori’s childhood bedroom.

He looked in the slightly open door and found Charlie and Lori kneeling on the floor with sections of wood spread out. The two were engrossed in reading a sheet of directions.

Lori brushed back a strand of hair, revealing her pretty face. Then his heart went soaring and his body heated up as she reached for something and her jeans pulled taut over her cute, rounded bottom.

“It says right here that A goes into B . Okay we got that, but I can’t find the next piece.” She held up the sheet of paper. “Do you see this one?”

Hiding his amusement, Jace stepped into the room. “Could you two use some help?”

They both swung around. “Mr. Yeager,” Charlie said and got to his feet. “Oh, yes, we could use your expertise. And since you’re here to help, I’ll go do my work.” The older man left, looking relieved.

Jace turned back at Lori. “What are you building?”

“Bunk beds,” she offered.

Jace pulled off his jacket as he glanced over the stacks of boxes. “Why not buy it assembled?”

Lori stood. “I didn’t have time to go to Durango, so I got them online. I didn’t realize it would come in boxes.”

“You should have called me. I would have sent Mac over.” He took the paper from her. Their hands brushed, and he quickly busied himself by looking over the directions. “Okay, let’s lay out the rails and the end pieces.”

Lori took one end and he took the other. He set the bolts, then went to her end. He was close and could breathe in her scent, which distracted the hell out of him. He finally got the bolt tightened. He got up and went to the other side, away from temptation, but she followed him.

Over the next hour, they’d become engrossed in building the elaborate bunk-bed set. They stood back and looked over their accomplishment.

“Not bad work.” He glanced at the woman beside him and saw her blink. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Zack is going to love it. He’s had to share a room with his mother the past few months. Thank you for this.”

“Not a problem,” he told her. “You helped me out with Cassie. I know how much you want to make a home for your sister and your nephew.”

“They’ve had a rough time of it lately.” She put on a smile. “It’s going to be great for them to be here.”