Page 26 of Obsession

“Man, don’t say that out loud to him.”

“I did.” I leaned against the doorjamb. “Yesterday, when he took me to the showroom.”

Hetsked me. “Not good.”

“We’re getting into a rhythm.” I hated to own up to it, but I was starting to anticipate what he wanted. Some of the things on his checklist I’d already performed before he asked for them.

He didn’t bother me, and I didn’t bother him.

I could almost think of this as just a job. Not a little fib that had snowballed into a much bigger lie that included a damn benefits package.

“What did you actually do before here?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know exactly how much I should say. It wasn’t like I could hide who I was. A background check would show exactly how I’d spent the last seven years since graduatingfrom high school. I’d gotten a fine arts degree and minored in some business courses. Other than that, stained glass and the history of New England artistry was my life.

And I’d liked that life just fine until nearly three weeks ago. I looked at my scuffed toes. “I was an artist.”

“And you’re not now?”

I shrugged again. “Circumstances have changed, and I need to do some juggling.”

Jack sat forward in his chair and rested his forearms on his desk. “Like what? Painting and shit?”

I grinned at him. “I do a little painting, but my medium is glass.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

I nodded. “Do you go over to Marblehead at all?”

“I’m more Nantucket because of the clientele, but I’ve been over there.”

“My biggest piece is the Italian restaurant on the coast. A little place called LoBrocco’s. I did rehab on some old stained glass from a little church and expanded on it.”

“Wow.”

“I do a lot of historical stuff with glass, rehabs, and, of course, my own art.”

“And now you’re here?” Jack shook his head. “That’s a shame.” He lifted a brow. “Or maybe not.”

I laughed at him. Jack would flirt with a paper bag if it talked back to him. “Well, I better get back before Mr. Carson figures out I’m gone.”

“Look at all that work ethic. You both make me sick.”

I huffed out a laugh because he was expecting it. “See you later, Jack.”

I tore back the wrapper on the breakfast bar as I headed back to the main part of the office where my desk was. It tasted like peanut-flavored sawdust, but it was supposed to be chock full ofprotein to give me energy. I needed all I could get. When I came around the corner, Blake was waiting in front of my desk.

I blocked my mouth with the back of my hand and swallowed. “Can I help you?”

“Where have you been?” His dark brows snapped low over his eyes. They were even darker today. Shadows bruised under his eyes, and his scruff had gone to a light beard. He’d gone home at least.

And right now, I wished he hadn’t.

The traditional gray suit was distracting enough.This?

No.

I didn’t have any reserves to handle the navy vest, tie, and pants that were created for his body. The lines were perfect, and his tanned skin glowed against the crisp white dress shirt. I swallowed and dropped my gaze.

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