Victoria Pade - Not Strictly Business! - Prodigal Son / The Boss and Miss Baxter / The Baby Deal

“Some of it dating back to the sixties,” Jack murmured.

“You’re right. I didn’t want to get too wild, but I like having color to inspire me.”

Which, apparently, applied to her clothes, he thought as he took in the orange-and-gold tunic top she’d pulled on over black slacks. Her hair was loose, in a riot of red curls that tangled in her beaded dream weaver earrings.

By contrast, his suit that day was gray, his shirt white and his tie a traditional burgundy. They couldn’t be more different. Which is what had always made their relationship interesting, he reminded himself.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Have you met Roger Arnet?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Arnie’s boss, right? I shook hands with him in passing, but we haven’t spoken.”

“Be prepared. He’s not one to move with the times. He’s opposed to the Internet expansion on many levels. He thinks the plans are too ambitious.”

“Great. Just what I need. The person in charge of a critical department for me not getting onboard.”

“I know he’s going to be a problem. I told him he could get with the program or get out.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s not subtle.”

“It’s my style. I think he’s a little more willing to compromise now. He does have one legitimate concern and that’s to keep the site secure. Children are vulnerable.”

“I agree and I’ve been working with the IT guys on different ideas for that. We’re going cutting edge. No stalkers allowed.”

“Roger felt very passionately about it, as well. You might want to put him on the team.”

Samantha recoiled physically. “Do I have to?”

She sounded more like a twelve-year-old than a responsible adult.

“No, you don’t,” he said, holding in a smile. “It’s your show. You can do what you like. I’m simply pointing out that sometimes it’s better to find a way to work with those who don’t agree with us. If you make Roger feel important and really use him on the project, you’re more likely to win him over. I’ll fire him if I have to, but I would prefer not to. He knows the company and he knows his job. All my reports about him are excellent.”

“Good point,” she murmured. “I’ll do the mature thing and work with him. But I won’t like it.”

“No one is asking you to.”

“Good to know.”

She stood up and walked to a coffeepot on a low table by the window. When she held it out to him, he nodded. She poured two cups.

He took the one she offered and watched her walk back to her seat. He liked the way she moved and the way her clothes swayed with each step. When she sat back down, she sniffed her coffee before sipping, as if making sure no one had accidentally changed her drink for something else.

She’d been doing that for as long as he could remember. He used to tease her about it, which always sparked a furious argument during which she denied the action. Then he would hand her coffee and she would sniff and they would both laugh.

But this time he didn’t say anything. A couple of nights ago, at the pub, she’d shut him down good. She’d been doing it in various ways ever since they’d first met. At some point he was going to have to accept the truth. Samantha simply didn’t want him.

In his world, chemistry usually went both ways, but she was the exception to the rule. No matter how powerful the need inside of him, she didn’t feel it. It was time to accept that and move on.

“Nothing about this job is boring,” she said. “You have to admit that.”

“Right now I’d be happy with a few days of boring. That would mean no new crisis.”

She sighed. “You’ve been going from one to the other. That can’t be easy.”

He shrugged. “It is what it is. I’ll deal with it. Are you still enjoying your condo?”

“Very much. You were right—the location is fabulous. Have you had pizza from that place across the street?”

“I’m a regular.”

She sipped her coffee, then sighed. “I ordered it the other night. It’s amazing. It was so good, I actually had some for breakfast. I’ve never done that in my life—not even in college. Until I tasted their pizza, I never really understood the whole deep-dish thing. But now I get it. Heaven. Pure heaven.”

“Wait until you order their pasta.”

“Really? I might do that tonight. I’m hoping to get out this weekend and explore a little more of the neighborhood. So far all I’ve seen is work and my building.”

He consciously had to keep from offering to be her guide. He generally spent Saturday mornings with Charlie in the park, but a walking tour would give his dog plenty of exercise. They could—

No, he told himself. Samantha had made her position incredibly clear. He wasn’t going to push anymore.

“You can go online,” he said. “There’s lots of information about the city there. Points of interest, planned walks, that sort of thing.”

“Thanks,” she said, sounding a little puzzled. “I’ll do that. But if you’re not busy we could—”

Mrs. Wycliff knocked on the open door. “Mr. Hanson, you have a call from Mr. Baynes.”

He rose. “I need to take that,” he told her, aware she’d been about to suggest something for the weekend. While he wanted to accept and spend more time with her, he knew it would be a mistake. He’d spent too much time wanting what he couldn’t have where Samantha was concerned. He needed to move on.

Saturday, Samantha dressed for the cool, clear weather, then collected what she would need for a morning spent exploring. As she stepped out of her condo, she thought about going up to Jack’s place and asking him to join her. Except she had a feeling he would say no.

Not that she could blame him. She’d been so careful to shut him down time and time again, shouldn’t she be happy that he finally got the message? It was better for both of them if they were simply work colleagues.

She walked to the elevator and hit the down button. It was better, she told herself. Sure Jack was a great guy, but he was also the type of man to push all of her buttons and not in a good way. As much as she liked him, she was also wary of him. He was too much like her father and Vance. Too much in charge. She’d been fooled already—she wasn’t willing to go there again.

Not that she was even looking for a serious relationship, she reminded herself. The best thing would be to find rebound guy and make that work. If only Jack weren’t so sexy and smart and fun to be with.

She stepped out into the crisp morning and drew in a deep breath. Enough, she thought. For the rest of the day, she refused to think about Jack. She would simply enjoy herself and—

Something bumped into the back of her legs. She turned and saw Charlie. The border collie gave her a doggy grin, then barked. Jack smiled.

“Morning,” he said, looking delicious in worn jeans and a sweatshirt.

“Hi.”

“Out to see the sights?”

She tugged on the strap of her purse/backpack. “I have everything I need right here. Maps, water, money for a cab in case I get lost.”

“You picked a good day. It won’t get too hot.”

Was it just her, or had things taken a turn for the awkward? “So you and Charlie are headed for the park?”

He nodded. “Every Saturday, regardless of the weather.”

She rubbed the dog’s ears. The smart choice was simply to walk away. But she was lonely, she liked Jack and she wanted them to be friends.

“Can a non-dog owner come along?” she asked.

He hesitated, but before she could retract the question, he smiled. “Sure. When I get tired of throwing Charlie the Frisbee, you can take over.”

“I’d like that.” She fell into step beside him. “So how did you get Charlie? Did you grow up with dogs in the house?”