“Jake emailed me after he’d left you and Lucy did indeed call me to tell me that I had a legal and moral responsibility to and for all of my employees, including you. Lizzie called several times, but was still unsure what was wrong beyond the fact that you’d stopped eating, oh, and Gerry called the house to say he was worried about you in general and all of that before your grandfather called me on the Saturday before you flew home to ask if I was treating you appropriately and as you deserved to be treated because you were, and I quote,pale, gaunt and obviously in some distress. When you assumed Lizzie was responsible for my call that night where I persistently questioned you until you made your confession via your questioning of me, you were wrong.” He stared at her and waited for her reaction to gauge his next move.
“They all snitched on me?” she asked disbelievingly. “And you already knew before I asked if you thought I needed to lose weight? You really are unbelievable, James. You could have just told me.” With a pout Tasha got to her feet, definitely preparing to walk out.
“Natasha, I am going to say this just once so listen real good. If you’re planning on storming out of here and making yet another scene at lunch you need to reconsider because this is a very busy restaurant and some of the diners here are business associates—” He waved across the restaurant to someone she didn’t see. He looked back at her and continued, “So, if you take another step away from this table and embarrass me again or in any way tarnish my image as a complete bastard in the boardroom or just make me look like a dick that can’t control his future wife, I will not hesitate to follow you and bring you back here to spank your bare ass in front of all of these nice people to regain my bad guy reputation, do we understand each other?”
He stared darkly before smiling as she sat down again, not that she believed he’d really follow through with histhreat.He wouldn’t, would he?
“So to surmise, you made a poor decision in not discussing this matter with me sooner. I was worried about you, baby, and upset that you didn’t trust me then mad as hell that firstly you’d listened to an ass like Alan, but secondly that you’d compromised your own health and wellbeing in such a ridiculous way because your wellbeing is the most important thing in the world to me. I’m still mad about it, but I’m glad we’ve talked about it, however, I now know that I need to keep a closer eye on you, a much closer eye, because I know I can’t trust you to make the best choices independently,” he said firmly.
Tasha opened her mouth and closed it several times.
Jim smiled at her rather smugly. “Good, then we’re agreed.” It was Jim who got to his feet now and standing next to her helped her to stand. “And now we can leave.”
****
Tasha stretched out as she woke from a deep and sound sleep. She smiled at the empty space next to her where Jim had been earlier. She ran her hand across the sheet where his body had been and could feel a little warmth resonating still. Suddenly he appeared from the bathroom and grinned at her.
“Good morning. I thought you would have slept in this morning after such a busy night.” He bent down and kissed her gently on the end of her nose.
“Maybe I would have done if you’d stayed in bed with me.” She gazed up at him.
“Dear God, woman, you are insatiable.” He laughed as he disappeared into the wardrobe.
“I am what you’ve made me,” she protested, sitting up now.
“If you say so, honey,” he called back to her on a chuckle. “What do you have planned today?”
“Not much. Juan wanted to meet up at some point so I may call him and see if he’s free.” She was out of bed and heading for the bathroom as Jim reappeared in the bedroom.
“Did you say Angie had been in touch about work?” she heard him call as she closed the bathroom door behind her.
“Yes,” she replied as she returned from the confines of the bathroom.
“Tell me about it later, okay? Oh, and if you and Juan hook up please be discreet, unlike Amanda,” he said mysteriously.
“What? Amanda was indiscreet with Juan?” Tasha was confused, but even more fascinated to hear the details of their indiscretion.
“No.” Jim laughed at Tasha’s slightly disappointed expression. “I believe when she was on your little night out last week she was a revelation.”
“Says who?” Tasha already knew the likely answer.
Jim was just fastening his tie when he looked at her squarely. “I warned you Abby was inclined to share details with Bobby and now it would appear he knows more about your evening than me.”
“That’s some crazy sibling rivalry.” She laughed, hoping to avoid asituation.
He arched a brow. “Really?”
“Sorry. Bloody Abby or should I sayDaddy’s best girl,” she muttered.
“What?” Jim paused at the door.
“Bobby doesn’t share all the details with you then?” she mused as she fastened the belt around her satin wrap and joined him at the door. “See, I can be discreet.” She slipped past him and headed downstairs where Sandra had already prepared breakfast.
“Are you going to share your information with me?” asked Jim as he helped himself to pancakes.
“I don’t know that I should,” Tasha replied seriously, making Jim laugh.
“As you wish. You know I’m seeing Bobby later this afternoon for a round of golf, don’t you?”
