Page 17 of Fairy Tale Lies
Greta took a deep breath, arranging her expression into one of indifference. “Mr. Grimm, let’s go through your business portfolio. I need to get a better grasp on what type of online presence you’d like to have, after which I’ll show you a couple design ideas…”
~ * ~
Greta’s posture relaxed, and her words lost their tight edge once she focused on work. Jacob was jealous.
He, on the other hand, was finding it hard to concentrate on anything excepther. His fingers burned to touch her again. He kept having to resist the urge to lean forward and run them along her lips and down her neck, where perhaps he’d stop at the couple of open buttons of her respectable blouse.
Her conservative outfit didn’t reveal much, but her lush curves were impossible to forget, no matter how well hidden they were under her oh-so-proper clothing. Or forget how good she’d felt in his arms and pinned under his body.
Okay, time to move away from those types of thoughts.
Shifting in his seat, he tried to settle his mind back on web design.
“Time for a break,” came a man’s voice, two seconds before he strolled in the office, carrying four cups of coffee. He handed one to Jacob. “Sorry, Mr. Grimm. I’m not sure how you take your coffee. I left it black and brought cream and sugar.”
In tan chinos, loafers, and a light blue button-down, the guy screamed smarmy but had a laidback smile. “Thanks.” He grabbed a few creamer and sugar packets. “And Jacob’s fine.”
The man nodded. “Same here. I’m Allen, Allen Carnaby.” He set the coffees on the desk and offered his hand. “I work in the office with these lovely ladies. However, I’m not assigned to your account.”
Though Greta did try her damnedest to give it to you.
After handing the women each a coffee, Allen set the last mug in front of what Jacob assumed was his workstation. Leaning forward, Allen checked his reflection on his darkened monitor and fixed his already perfect blond hair.
Yup. Smarmy. Jacob managed to hold in a snort.
After Allen finished primping, he turned to Greta. “I spent the morning in the legal department. Blake says hi.”
“Be quiet, Allen.” She shifted as if the topic made her uncomfortable. “Don’t be petulant because you couldn’t spend the morning in HR flirting with Emily and Hannah.”
Allen gazed at Greta, all starry-eyed and shit. “I’m offended. I only flirt with you.”
Never mind. The guy isn’t nice. He’s an asshole.
Greta raised an eyebrow and took a sip of coffee. “Uh, huh…maybe if I was the only woman in the room.”
Her blatant disinterest went a long way in soothing Jacob’s need to punch Allen. Funny, until now, Jacob hadn’t known he had a jealous side. Now it lived inside him, a beast trying to claw from his chest.
What the hell is going on with me? I don’t even know this woman. Why should I care?
“Anyway,” Greta shifted her focus to Jacob. “This coffee break is great, but are you ready to get back to work? I’ve gathered enough information from you to begin working on your webpage. Rae, you want to discuss financials?”
She motioned Jacob over. He blinked.
Yes, perfect. Maybe the distance would help him focus on what was important. Rework.
All morning his mind had been on her, letting his business take the back burner. She’d talked about his website and other such stuff, and he listened with half an ear. He was more focused on her scent and soft skin than the next stage of Rework. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this distracted, and it needed to stop. He shook his head, trying to lose his annoyance with Allen, along with his lust toward Greta.
“Yes, I’m ready.” Jacob scooted his chair to Rae’s desk.
“My first question is more of a curiosity.” She tapped a pen on his file. “Your client base and income’s impressive. Why’d you wait so long to do this?”
Damn, she dove right in, going straight for the jugular. In any other circumstance, he’d have appreciated her blunt manner. But this was personal. Not that she knew it.
Best to keep it vague. “Nothing to do with Rework. For a while, my money was needed for other things. Personal stuff.” Jacob glanced at Greta. She was staring at her computer screen, a little too focused. She was listening. No way was he going to share what those issues were, not with her believing he was some sort of reprobate. “Anyway, everything’s been resolved, and I’m able to put my funds and time toward expanding Rework.”
“Fair enough.” Rae handed Jacob a thick ream of papers. “Let’s go over some of the changes you’ll need to make.”
Chapter Five
