“Did I really say he’s hot and I’m horny?”
The sound of hysterical laughter filled the room.
Chapter Fifteen
It had been four days since Jack had seen Lauren. During that time she’d sent him a bunch of emails regarding paint colors, furniture ideas, and times for when workers would be at the office. And Jack did not reply to any of them. Call him childish, but he refused to do business through emails, no matter how uncomfortable she felt being in the same room with him. She would have to face him sooner or later.
Even though he was annoyed with her for avoiding him, her latest email made him laugh. She’d informed him that because he hadn’t returned any of her emails regarding colors, the painters had been instructed to go ahead and paint the office purple and pink as previously discussed. An order of white, frilly curtains were also on their way.
He didn’t regret kissing her, and if she’d stopped acting pissed off, she’d be able to admit she damn well enjoyed it too.
He hired her to decorate his office, and dammit, she needed to stop hiding behind a computer screen and get her sweet ass over there to do it. As if he’d conjured her up, she came storming into the office, looking fiery and ready for a fight.
This morning she’d dressed in a tight, black skirt with a white top with black-capped sleeves. Her honey silk hair hung in waves down her back. She was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen, even with the scowl she wore.
“Good morning, Lauren. Nice of you to finally show up for work.” He leaned back in the chair, put his feet up on the old, scarred table, and took a sip of his morning coffee.
Lauren dropped her briefcase hard on the desk and snapped, “You haven’t answered any of my emails.”
“I know,” he said with a cocky grin.
She dug her hands on her hips. “We agreed we’d do most of this through emails.”
“No, you suggested it. I never agreed.”
“I sent you plenty of things you could have selected for me to get started. Now we’re behind several days, and I can’t get the painters here for another two days, all because you’re playing games.”
Jack dropped his feet, rose, and leaned a hip on the edge of the table. “I’m not playing
games. You’re my decorator—I need you here, in my office, todecorate.”
A flare of annoyance crossed her face. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m not the one who can’t face me after what happened here the other day.” He pointed
to the chair.
Lauren’s gaze darted to the chair. She blushed deep red and reached for her locket. Jack wondered what her attachment with it was.
Pulling out a folder from her briefcase, she opened it up on the table. “I’m here now.”
If she didn’t want to talk about it, fine. She could try to pretend nothing happened if it made her happy, but he was going to remind her that it did.
As he stepped closer, the scent of flowers and sunshine filled his senses. Damn, she made his mouth water. “So, what have you got to show me?”
He leaned over her shoulder, brushing slightly against her back. Sucking in a breath, she took a small step back, but not before he felt a tremble rake through her body. A smirk of satisfaction played on his lips.
“I’m thinking of keeping the walls neutral, that way your sporting memorabilia will be the main focus.” Her voice shook slightly, and he knew she was trying hard to not act affected by their closeness.
He took a step closer. This time Lauren drew in a deep breath and stood her ground. Her false bravado didn’t fool him.
“As for furniture, I’m hoping you’re not into the stainless steel and glass look. I think it would feel too sterile and clinical.” She flicked through a couple of pages, and once she found the one she was searching for, she tapped it with her finger. “See how the timbers and warm color fabrics are more inviting?”
“I thought we were going with a pink and purple color scheme?”
A cute huffing sound whispered past her lips. “I really should do it. It would serve you right. Do you like the pictures I’ve shown you?”
He hadn’t looked at the folder since she opened it. Instead, he had been paying special attention to the curve of her neck. He wanted to trail his tongue along the smooth skin but answered, “It looks good.” And he wasn’t talking about the new color scheme.
