Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss)

by Annie Seaton

  Luckily they were parked beneath a streetlight, and he was able to see into the engine in front of him, but nothing stood out as being disconnected, covered with oil or water, or in the wrong place. That was about the limit of his mechanical knowledge. Sienna stood beside him quietly, stretched on her toes, holding the hood above his head. He ducked beneath her arm as he peered at the back of the engine, and the warmth of her body touched his skin. The need built higher and hotter, and he closed his eyes for a moment before he leaned forward, acting like he was still checking the engine. Standing so close without her pulling away was enticing. He muttered a few “ahs” and “hmms” so he sounded a little knowledgeable before he reached up and took the weight from her as he eased the hood down.

  “Everything looks fine to me.” He shrugged. “So I guess we’re stuck here until a mechanic shows up.”

  Sienna looked up at him without speaking and her dark eyes widened even further, filled with a hunger that echoed what was churning inside him. From the first time he’d laid eyes on her in that “doohickeys” shirt from the hardware store two years ago, he’d known this moment would come.

  Something elemental shifted in him as his control fell away. He reached for Sienna without hesitation and turned her, lifting her to sit on the hood of the car so that her face was level with his. For a long moment, he stared into her eyes and she looked back at him, holding his gaze.

  Wordless. But a thousand words passed silently between them. Jack moved, and her stifled gasp puffed gently on his lips as he cradled her small, delicate face between his hands. He brushed his thumb gently over her full bottom lip.

  “I know we’re not on a date, and I know you have an issue with me being your boss, but I would very much like to kiss you.” Her gaze locked with his and still she didn’t speak. Jack waited. He wasn’t going to take what he thought she was offering until he knew for sure.

  Damn the woman. He’d been reading her wrong all day and he didn’t want to make the wrong call now. Sienna leaned into him and laced her fingers behind his neck. Her eyes, full of mystery and promise, remained locked on his. Her short hair, dark as the shadows of the still night around them, caught the moonlight. Her skin was warm and the sweet fragrance of her perfume drifted across to him.

  He lowered his lips and lightly touched her mouth with his. That first kiss was gentle, full of promise, and her unexpected sweetness hit him like a punch to the solar plexus. This was not the Sienna she presented to the world. Jack gathered her even closer to him, running his fingers through her silky short hair as the need to protect and comfort her sprang from some unfamiliar place deep inside him. Somehow in that kiss he felt her confusion, and her willingness to give, despite the tough exterior she showed the world.

  …

  Sienna shivered as a fire raced through her. Never in her life had she felt such a need, and it frightened her. She pulled back with a jerk and stared at Jack, fighting to keep her expression bland. Her response to his kiss had come without thought, and now she tried to force herself to be strong, and not lean back into him like her traitorous body was demanding.

  “Well, considering we’re not on a real date, that was a bit of a surprise.” She tried to put a level of sophistication she wasn’t feeling into her words, but it didn’t come out like that. She knew her uncertainty sounded in her voice, with a hint of wariness mixed in, which was probably just as good.

  “A nice one, though.” Jack’s face was shadowed, but she had felt his heart thudding hard against her chest as he’d held her.

  Sienna slid down from the hood of the car and forced a casual smile onto her face. “It was. But now I need to do something about this car, seeing as your mechanical skills leave a bit to be desired.”

  This time her grin was genuine, because it had been obvious all along that he knew nothing about cars. “One more try.” She opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat, relieved in one way to put some distance between them. Her heart was still thudding and she ached to be back in Jack’s arms, but she was going to listen to logic.

  “Come on, start,” she muttered. “Please.” On the first turn of the key the engine fired. “I knew you could do it, old girl. Quick, Jack, get in before she changes her mind.”

  Jack climbed into the passenger seat. “Changes her mind?” He flicked a glance in her direction and she knew he wasn’t talking about the car.

  “I need to get home. I have a lot of emails to send tonight. It was so busy in the gallery today, the work’s piled up.”

  “Can’t let the work wait, then.” Jack settled back in the seat and she eased the car out onto the road. His tone was light, but the look he sent her was full of respect and a warm feeling filled her.

  The roads were quiet and Sienna was grateful for the monotonous swishing of the windshield wipers when a light shower of rain began to fall. She took the route around the peninsula through Pacific Grove and skirted Monterey Bay. The moonlight bathing the water glistened eerily through the fog. As they passed the sign for Lovers Point Park, Jack turned to her and she wondered what he was going to say for a moment.

  “It’s a beautiful coastline. Great inspiration for the creative soul.”

  “It is.” Sienna took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel tightly. A connection had been forged between them tonight. Not just the kiss they’d shared, but the conversation they’d had when Jack opened up about his sculptures. She was looking forward to seeing them.

  “Thanks for the night…and dinner.” Sienna switched off the ignition after she parked in the carport next to the cottage. “I enjoyed myself.”

  Unsure of what Jack expected, she fumbled with the car door handle and turned to him.

  “Well, I hope she starts tomorrow so I can get her to the mechanic.”

  “I’ll have to give you a lift to the gallery if she won’t.”

  Sienna’s toes almost curled when Jack shot a cheeky grin in her direction. The interior of her little sports car was small, and he was way too close for comfort now that she wasn’t focused on driving. She pushed the door open and grabbed her bag off the floor.

  “You’re determined to get me on that bike.” She smiled at him as he followed her up the steps to the small porch. “But I’ve never been on one and I don’t intend to start now.”

  “Where’s your spirit of adventure, Sienna?” Jack was so close his breath brushed the back of her neck. She stepped away from him with a small sigh of relief when the door opened.

  Thank God. She needed some time by herself to restore her equilibrium and remind herself why a fling with Jack—the boss—was out of the question.

  “I put my all of my spirit into my work.”

  “And I get to reap the benefits of your hard work.” Jack’s voice was thoughtful, and Sienna wasn’t sure what he was referring to. His words had echoed her thoughts. She turned to him as he followed her to her bedroom door and looked at him from beneath her lashes. She didn’t want to risk heady eye contact, not trusting the nervous little flutters running through her stomach. Sienna lowered her voice as she held the door half shut.

  “What are your plans tomorrow? Are you coming into the gallery?” She lifted her chin and forced herself to look up at him, gripping the edge of the door between her fingers.

  Jack held her gaze with those deep green eyes for a long moment before he smiled at her. “I’m not sure. Depends on what time the delivery truck gets here.”

  She’d forgotten his stuff was arriving tomorrow.

  “Okay, then. I’m going in early so I’ll be at the gallery when you need to get in.”

  “I do have a key, remember?” His grin got wider, but his words had the effect she needed. The urge to grab his shirt and pull him into her room behind her faded as her boss spoke.

  “Of course. Silly me. How could I forget? You own the gallery, don’t you?” She turned away and nodded at him as she pulled the door shut. “Good night, Jack.”

  Chapter Nine

  Jack la
y for a long time staring at the shadows on the ceiling before he went to sleep. The window was open and the rustling of the leaves drifted in on the soft night breeze. Events of the last couple of days looped through his head like scenes from a movie, and Sienna was center stage in every shot.

  For the first time in his life, he’d really let a woman get under his skin, and the feeling bothered him. Everything she did stayed with him. He enjoyed sparring with Sienna; he loved watching the way she walked, the expressive gestures she made with her tiny hands when she was talking. And her low, husky voice was enticing.

  He would love to see her sculpting—to watch those hands involved in the process of creation. There was so much at stake now that he knew how vulnerable she was. Sienna wanted the same things he did; they came from different backgrounds and were following different paths to get there. He knew the attraction was mutual. She’d said it in so many words yesterday, and the kiss they’d shared had shown him exactly how she felt. It was a shame he hadn’t followed through on that date a couple of years back. There was no place for commitment or settling down in either of their lives. They could have had fun, gotten it out of their systems, and moved on. He could be the boss and she his employee without the flirting, and the skirting around the attraction between them.

  And he still had to sort out the problem of them both needing the studio to work.

  He had his sculptures and his deadline to worry about, and he owned the gallery. There was no way he was going to get in a relationship, or tied down to a career and end up running the business himself.

  Look what it did for Dad.

  Jack woke to bright sunlight shining on his face. He yawned, swung his legs out of the bed, and wandered over to the open window. The lake was a brilliant blue, reflecting the cloudless sky above. He glanced down at his watch and grunted with surprise when he saw that it was after nine o’clock. Even after sorting out his thoughts last night, he’d still had a lot of trouble getting to sleep.

  Shoot. He wondered if Sienna’s car had started. She should have left for the gallery by now. He sat back down on the side of the bed and listened, but there was no sound coming from the house. If she’d needed him, she would have come knocking—wouldn’t she?

  Jack made himself a coffee before strolling out to the back porch. Last night’s light rain had washed everything clean; it was a glorious morning.

  Perfect for a run.

  But before he went back in for his running shoes, he couldn’t help himself. He strolled down the steps and around the side of the house. There was no sign of Sienna’s car.

  Great. The car must have started okay and he could forget about her, and focus on waiting for the truck and getting his stuff unpacked.

  A quick call to the delivery company, and the driver told him he was just coming through San Francisco and would meet him within the hour. He would have time for a short run before the truck arrived. He looked up at the little cottage as he stretched before his run. It was a shame Sienna wouldn’t consider selling this place to him. The longer he stayed, and the more he looked around, the more he was convinced he could live here and build a studio. He could understand why she had bought it from the others; for the first time in his life he had found a place where he could combine work and home.

  He’d try again. It would give her more money to buy her own gallery and studio somewhere, which seemed to be what she wanted. Maybe they could come to a deal. Money talked. He’d found that all his life.

  …

  “What are you doing down here?” Sienna smiled at her sister. She was surprised to see Georgie walk through the front door of the gallery. She narrowed her eyes as she took in the redness around her twin’s eyes before she led her to the privacy of the studio. Luckily, the place was quiet. It was early and the tourists hadn’t filled the street yet.

  “Sit on the sofa. Coffee?” Sienna got Georgie settled and went back through the gallery and flicked the closed sign over before going into the small kitchen to pour them both a coffee. Georgie’s voice came through the door.

  “Mom came to see me last night.”

  “Mom? You mean Marietta?” Sienna walked out to the studio and put the two cups on the floor next to the sofa. She’d spread her latest batch of enameling on the coffee table and covered it with a drop sheet when she’d arrived earlier.

  “Our mother.” A little hiccough escaped Georgie’s lips and she dug in her bag.

  “Here.” Sienna had a clean tissue in her pocket and thrust it at her sister. She should have guessed what brought this on. “Aunt Lucia is our mother. And you promised you’d let me know if she turned up.”

  Sienna took a step back, narrowly missing the coffee cups as Georgie glared at her.

  “Well I’m letting you know now. She turned up. You’re not in charge, you know.” Georgie snapped out the words, her voice different. “If you’re not careful, you’ll end up just like her.”

  “What?” Sienna stared at Georgie. “What the heck are you talking about?”

  “You’re so hard on her. She had her reasons for leaving us. She had to be hard…and in a way you’re as bad as she is for not listening to her.”

  “How much money does she want this time?” Sienna was determined to hide how her sister’s words cut her like a knife. She and Georgie rarely fought, but if her twin insisted on taking their mother’s side, she wasn’t going to hold back now.”

  “She’s dying.” Georgie dropped her face into her hands and burst into tears. Sienna turned away, running her hands though her hair. Her chest closed and her breath hitched as she fought the tears that ached behind her eyes.

  If it’s true…

  She stared through the window, trying to think of the right words to say, holding in her reaction. She didn’t want to upset her sister any more. The sound of the front door closing reached her and Jack called out.

  “Are you out the back, Sienna? Do you want me to keep the closed sign up?”

  He peered around the door and looked into the studio.

  “Morning. Your car started okay for you then? You left before I woke up. I didn’t even hear you go.”

  Georgie leaned around Sienna with a surprised look and a sniff. “Interesting.”

  Jack turned to her with a broad smile. “Hello, Georgie, I didn’t see you there.”

  “It’s not what it sounds like.” Sienna managed to compose herself before turning to Jack. “Look, we’re having a private conversation here. Can you leave us alone?” She softened her tone and gave him a small smile. It wasn’t his fault. “Please?”

  “No problem. The delivery truck followed me into town, so I’ll head out the back. Where would I find the key to the back garage?”

  “It’s on the hook beside the kitchen light switch, the one with the red tag.” Sienna put her hands on her hips and waited for him to leave, but he stood there—all six feet of him, pure male testosterone, in running shorts and a tank top. Sex appeal oozing out of every pore.

  “Everything okay here?”

  Sienna’s mouth dried. Jack lifted his hand and ran it though his damp hair. The muscles rippled beneath his tight shirt.

  “Fine.” She knew her voice was husky and she waited for him to leave. Heck, she could barely catch her breath.

  He smiled at her and disappeared through the door.

  “That was quick.” Georgie wiped her eyes and looked at Sienna. “So tell me, what’s going on?”

  Sienna walked over to the sofa and slumped beside her. “Don’t jump to conclusions. He’s staying in the apartment at the back of the cottage while I use the studio. Just for a couple of weeks.” She looked up at the shelves with a frown and muttered half under her breath. “If I ever get time to work.”

  “It would be a bit distracting having him around to look at all day.” Georgie wiped her eyes and a smile crossed her face.

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m just…busy. And I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Sienna sat straight and tucked her leg beneath her. “
Now tell me what else she said that you had to drive all the way down here to tell me.”

  “I had to come down here anyway. And it’s not the sort of thing I wanted to talk about on the phone.” Georgie patted the bag beside her. “Blake was supposed to come down to Carmel to get some papers signed, but I offered to come so I could see you on the way.” She dabbed at her eyes again with the tissues. “Now I have to clean myself up a bit before I meet this guy. He’s the attorney for some famous author that the store is doing a renovation for.”

  Sienna folded her arms. “I know you think I’m the hard one, but you are always so soft, Marietta knows that. Did she ask you for money?”

  “Well—”

  The sound of a truck beeping as it backed up the back driveway interrupted Georgie’s words.

  Sienna rolled her eyes. “Whatever happened to my peaceful life?” She pushed herself to her feet and crossed to the door to the kitchen before pushing it open. “Jack, your truck’s here.”

  He wandered through casually, cup of coffee in hand, and headed out to meet the truck driver.

  “He’s going to drive me crazy. I guess that’s what being wealthy does for you. Nothing ever seems to bother him. He is so laid-back.” Sienna shook her head and held her hand out to Georgie. “Come on. Let’s get out of here and grab a real coffee, and we’ll figure out what to do.”

  Sienna moved to the door and tried to push away that feeling that her life was about to change.

  By the time Sienna got back to the gallery and flicked the sign on the door to open, there was no sign of Jack or the truck, and she heaved a sigh of relief. She had enough to think about—a gallery to run, her frogs to get finished in two weeks, and an exhibition to organize, and dealing with the riot of feelings Jack set afire in her. And the only way she’d managed to calm Georgie was to promise to see Marietta when she was in Nebbiton for Faith’s birthday party, the weekend after next. Apparently, their dear mother had moved back to the area and needed money for medical treatment.

  Or so she said.