Page 5 of The Naughty Elf

Twice, Ashley makes some comment that has her slapping her hand against his chest, and jealousy twists within me in response.

This is not appropriate. Still, small tendrils of jealousy work themselves through my veins. The desire to sidle up beside her and protect her with my presence has me taking a step forward, but I shake it off.

Ginger handles the attention just fine.

“Let’s show you inside before it gets too busy in there,” I suggest, reminding everyone that work should be beginning.

I’m shot an innocent look by more than one person, but the best rendition is Ginger’s.

“Sounds good. We all know I have sooo many questions.” Her hands shoot out to Sawyer this time, wrapping around his bicep and tugging him forward.

He easily gives her his elbow to hang off of, like it’s instinct, and lets himself be led away by her. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same. I take in the nice view of her backside again before meeting Ashely’s gaze.

It’s dark and reflecting the same thoughts I’ve been battling since she walked into my office. Fuck, this one’s going to mean trouble.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I glance back at the model home I work out of. No one is waiting there, although Brenda is in.Bennettscrolls across my screen, and I thumb open the call, nodding at the three of them to go on.

“Well, if it’s not daddy dearest.”

Ginger glances back, a knowing look in her eyes before she turns back toward the house, stumbling and gripping Sawyer’s arm harder. Her smile blazes up at him. I can feel the heat of it from here.

“Jack. I’m glad to hear you’ve taken on my daughter.” His soft pause isn’t an invitation to respond, but more to be sure I’m listening. “My girl’s been through a lot, so you’d better keep an eye on her. Especially with all the men you have roving around at your sites.”

His warning is a little late. I can already see I’ll have to watch out for her and watch out for my crew, too.

“Are you listening to me, Jackson?”

“I hear you, boss. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Good. Because she doesn’t need to be thrown to the wolves. Not again.”

The sudden sinking feeling tugging under my ribs has my gaze straying back to her legs and the sway of her hips. “What do you mean, ‘not again’?”

3

GINGER

Just my luck, the two other bosses at Hayes Homes are also Dad’s friends. But honestly, it feels like most people around here are friends with Dad. I can read the types based on the rotation of workers at the business.

Ashley is the prankster, and the glint in his eyes tells me that he’s going to let me cause a little bit of trouble around here. It’s always been one of my favorite things to do. Some good-natured mischief is always fun.

Sawyer is a less common type. Strong. Silent. They’re fewer and farther between than you might think. My flirty smiles disarm him in a terrible way. It’s written all over his face.

I press my fingers into his arm when he gives me a monosyllabic answer to one of my many questions. He doesn’t react, but he does watch me as I do it.

I turn my smile on the next guy to cometo introduce himself with a handshake and a “you must be new.” Of course, I am.

Ashley leans in with a smirk. “I say we give you a hammer and let you at it. I think you’d enjoy the job.”

He has no idea how tempting that is. I shake my head as he puts his hands in his pockets. I think he anticipated my reply. It might have even been his intention to get me to say no.

“Careful what you offer me, Ashley. I’m sure a hammer would turn me awful wild. Dangerous.” I let a bit of my momma bear seep into my features. I can be scary when I want to be. I need to be for my daughter.

It only seems to spur him on.

“I have a whole belt of tools I’d love to see you wield. Nothing better than a woman who knows her way around a tool.”

My hand slaps against his arm, lingering for an extra second as I feel him flex under my touch. I enjoy the flash of want in his eyes. How hard is he tugging on his own reins today?

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