Flirting With The Boss. Tina Beckett

needed to see you.”

      Once again she got caught up in his clean-shaven face. Suddenly the memory of his beard stubble moving against her skin caused her to shiver. The sensation had nearly driven her out of her mind.

      He closed the door and went to her desk. “I thought we should talk.”

      She managed a smile, hoping she was covering her insecurities. “There’s no need to. Cassie’s mother is in town and you need to take care of them. I understand.”

      “There’s nothing to understand except I don’t want you caught up in this mess. I have no idea what Shelly is even doing in Destiny. She was supposed to be in England, married and heading off on her honeymoon.”

      Lori stood. “Did she give you any explanation?”

      “Only that plans change,” he told her as he crossed the room toward her.

      Lori wanted to back away, to tell Jace to leave, that being together now could be dangerous. Instead, she rounded the desk and met him in the middle of the room.

      It wasn’t planned, but she didn’t turn away when his head descended and his mouth captured hers. She surrendered to his eager assault and returned the kiss, hungry for this man. Finally she came to her senses and broke away. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

      “Are we breaking any laws?”

      “But I don’t think Shelly was happy when I walked into the inn with you today.”

      “It’s none of her business.”

      “Jace, you need to get along with her. At least for Cassie’s sake.”

      He pressed his head against hers. “It’s funny. Shelly thinks I’m not worthy of her, but she has this need to interfere in my life.”

      Lori sighed. “I’m so sorry, Jace.”

      He drew back. “That’s the reason I don’t want you involved in this fight, Lori. Maybe it would be best if we cool it for a while. I have to think about Cassie.”

      Lori knew in her head this was the way it had to be, but her heart still ached. She was losing someone she truly cared about. She managed to nod. “Of course. Besides, we both have too much going on to think that far in the future, or at least to make any promises.”

      This time he looked surprised.

      She moved away from him, or he might see how she truly felt. “Come on, Jace. We work together. Last night we gave in to an attraction. It might not have been the wisest thing to do, but it happened.”

      He studied her a moment. “Are you saying you regret it?”

      “That’s not the point.”

      Jace glared at her. The hell it wasn’t. He wanted to reach for her, wanted her to admit more than she was. To tell him how incredible their night was. The worst of it was she couldn’t do it any more than he could. “You’re right.”

      She nodded. “Goodbye, Jace.”

      That was the last thing he wanted to hear, but he would only hurt her more if he stayed. He nodded and walked toward the door. It was a lot harder than he ever dreamed it would be, but he couldn’t drag Lori into his fight.