Baiting the Boss by Coleen Kwan

Author:Coleen Kwan [Kwan, Coleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: boss/employee, unrequited crush, island, paradise, Coleen Kwan, businessman, Indulgence, contemporary romance
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

That night Grace opened the door to her apartment, half expecting it to be dark and silent, but instead, light spilled from the living room and food aromas hung in the air. Jack walked out of the kitchen, his face a carefully controlled mask.

“Working late?” he asked, his tone as neutral as his expression.

“Yes. I had some things to finish up.” Plus she’d been reluctant to go home.

“There’s some leftover Chinese takeout in the fridge if you’re interested.”

“That’s okay. I had something to eat at the office.” She shifted her briefcase from one hand to the other, unsure of how to react to this composed Jack, so at odds with the furious man who had slammed out of her office.

A faint line appeared between his eyes. He rubbed his jaw. “I want to apologize for this afternoon. I was way out of line.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I know how you felt about Becky…I understand why you lashed out. It’s okay.”

“It’s not, really. My grandfather riled me, and I took it out on you. I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry.” He flexed a hand. “And it wasn’t just about Becky. I’m concerned for your well-being, too.”

His solicitude eased some of the tension from her body. “Well, I accept your apology, and you don’t have to worry about me, so let’s talk about something else.” Relieved that he was still here, she shrugged off her jacket and moved past him into the kitchen. “Want a glass of wine?”

She busied herself pouring out two glasses of wine, and they returned to the living room. Jack took a seat on the couch. A short, not uncomfortable silence ensued as they sipped wine before Jack nodded toward the shelves lining one entire wall of the room. “I couldn’t help noticing all your collections.”

“I guess I’m a bit of a hoarder.” She wandered over to the shelves and rearranged a few items. Her collections of miniature elephants, ammonites, perfume bottles, and Art Deco figurines gave her pleasure every time she handled them. “Some of these pieces I’ve had since I was a child. They’ve followed me everywhere I’ve gone.”

“Must take a long time to pack when you move.”

“Ages, but soon I hope I’ll be making my last move.” She walked to the sliding door that led out onto the balcony. “Over there. That’s what I’m aiming for.” She gestured toward the building on the opposite side of the street.

Jack came and stood next to her. “That place being renovated?”

“I’ve put my name down as an interested buyer.” The late-Victorian former tea warehouse was being converted into apartments, and as soon as Grace had seen the display suite she’d fallen in love with the high ceilings and decorative features. “It’s due for completion next month, but I’m not sure if I’ll be in a position to put down a deposit right away.”

“Why not?”

She sighed and took a sip of wine. “I don’t want to burden myself with a hefty mortgage if I’m not certain I can make the payments.

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