Page 44 of Fire and Ice

"This is Isabella, Jack's girlfriend. Who are you?"

Oh God, why in the world did she answer the phone. Should she say, your boyfriend's fuck-buddy? More to the point, didn't Jack imply he was not with anyone at the moment? Otherwise, Maia would never had slept with him.

"I'm a friend of the family."

"Well, is Jack there?"

"Hold on." Maia figured out the code to the gym and transferred the call. Now that was that.

She went looking for Grace to hand her the receiver. She was not Jack's secretary and would not be answering calls from his ladyloves.

She found Grace in Jack's room; specifically, Grace was transferring her clothes into Jack's closet and drawer.

"Grace, what are you doing?" Maia asked in alarm as she handed the housekeeper the phone.

"Jack told me to move your belongings in here," the older lady answered merrily.

Maia was speechless. She didn't want to argue right now, not with a raging headache but she vaguely remembered Jack mentioning her moving her stuff into his room. It was a good thing Maia had transferred her weapons bag to the control room.

The intercom feature of the phone beeped.

"Grace," Jack barked. "I thought I told you not to accept Isabella's calls."

Grace eyed her in horror and said, "I didn't, Maia did."

Silence.

Maia grabbed the phone from the housekeeper and said, "She said she was your girlfriend."

"Ahhh, I was wondering why Grace would get chatty enough to say a friend of the family was staying over," Jack said with amusement. "Is that what you told her?"

"Well, I could hardly tell her I was your fuck-buddy, Jack," Maia retorted then cringed when Grace gasped behind her. "Sorry, Grace." She was making a habit of scandalizing the housekeeper with her unladylike language.

"Damn it, Maia. Isabella and I broke up weeks ago," Jack said in exasperation.

"You don't have to explain."

"We'll talk later."

"Jack, really, it isn't necessary."

"We'll. Talk. Later," Jack said firmly and disconnected.

Shit. Not looking at Grace, she handed her the phone.

"I told you he likes you," Grace said with a knowing smile.

Maia bit back her reply so as not to offend the housekeeper with what she really thought.

***

Jack sighed as he pushed the button to end the call with his mom. Apparently, Isabella had informed his mom that he was cheating on her and was keeping a woman at the stonehouse.

Shaking his head, Jack thought his ex-girlfriend needed to clue-in. Their conversation had been almost bizarre. Only a few people knew he was at the stonehouse, and heads were gonna roll at the office. Isabella could be intimidating, but his employees should know where their loyalties lay and should know better than to reveal his whereabouts, especially when he was on vacation. He recalled their earlier conversation.

"Why are you calling, Isabella?" Jack asked in barely concealed irritation.

"Jack darling, how long are you going to freak out?" Isabella purred. "I've given you some space and enough time. I know you're not ready to get married and I'm willing to wait, but I can't wait forever."

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