Page 51 of Teasing Her Grumpy Boss

Now it wasn’t enough. And for the first time he could understand his mother’s side of his parents’ relationship. As a youth he’d been angry with her for leaving angry that she hadn’t understood the drive that pushed his father, the ambition that he’d inherited. The desire to be the best, to make that difference. But looking around his father’s opulent office he wasn’t sure his father was interested in making a difference. He seemed more concerned about making money. Given there’d been money in the family going back generations, this seemed pointless. How much was enough?

Status. Was that why he pushed Daniel to aim to be the youngest partner? Or youngest judge? So he could bask in reflected glory? Daniel couldn’t even be sure his father was happy. Sure, he had a successful career, but at the end of the day he went home to a house empty of everything except material possessions. He’d been so driven to succeed in his field he’d lost sight of everything else.

His father glanced unsubtly at his watch. Time was money—every minute was assigned to some client’s account. Daniel geared up to go—realising communication on a level other than work was never going to be part of his relationship with his father. He started to wonder that if he hadn’t done law, he’d ever have had a thing to talk to him about.

Time. His mother had wanted more of it—from his father. Said she wanted someone who had time to laugh with her, to love her.

He’d been following in his father’s footsteps for so long, been so determined to succeed, he hadn’t really understood.

That evening he sat in his apartment not wanting to go to the bar, but illogically wanting to see Lucy. Increasingly uneasy, he looked around his lounge. Lucy’s possessions were taking over. Her bag. Her sarong. He wandered around the room and breathed in the scent of Lucy. He wished she were home, then wished he didn’t wish at all.

He stepped into the hall and peeked through the open door of her room—not sure why he was feeling so reticent given that she slept every night in his bed. Her cowgirl boots were lying on the floor. She must be in sandals tonight—given that it was hot and humid, this was hardly surprising. He smiled at the boots, happily indulging in the memory of the pool table where she had lain wearing nothing but them. Those boots were made for walking. And, yep, he was quite sure they were going to walk right over him.

Probably soon.

He looked at his watch and frowned—near to closing time. He needed to move if he was going to be there in time to walk her home. He refused to have her walk home alone. Bad martial arts moves or not, she was vulnerable. And while she was on his watch he wanted to make sure she was okay.

He walked quickly to the club, foreign anxiety rising in him. He was setting up for a fall here. He wanted Lucy—a lot. More than wanted? His jaw clamped. No, because he knew what to expect—she’d leave. Sooner or later, she’d up and walk out leaving him nursing what—a broken heart? His blood chilled. He’d better end it. He should have finished it with her days ago. That was his rule—finish the fling before she does. But he just couldn’t bring himself to—not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

He woke late again, his brain even more confused. Only knowing that he was pillowed on something soft and warm and he really, really didn’t want to move. His eyes jerked open. What the hell was happening to him?

He really needed to do some exercise. He tossed up his options—sex or swim? As if there were any question. But as he watched her sleep he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. He ought to resist the urge to run his hands over the tanned curves peeking out at him. He’d love to have her right now but she needed rest. With regret he snuck into the shower at the other and of the flat, dressed and headed to work.

Once back at his office he stared at the email. Damn Lara. He didn’t need anything more for his brain to dwell on. Certainly not more Lucy-related stuff.

How long would the transaction take? He had no idea, but he knew he couldn’t rely on Lucy to last the duration. She’d never signed on for anything long-term in her life. The minute she found out she’d be off. He knew it in his bones. Somewhere, deep in the chest region, a little spark hoped that she wouldn’t. But Daniel didn’t rely on sparks. He always, always prepared for all eventualities. He looked at a case from every angle. Broke it down. Decided on his response to each possible scenario—cold and analytical.

He picked up the phone to call a temp agency. He certainly wasn’t going to walk into one of their offices—you never knew what you might come across. It didn’t take long. A quick outline of what he needed and when he was likely to need it.

After making the call he went to see one of the partners in the commercial arm of the firm. He sent Lara an email back explaining he’d handed over her request to someone else. She was on the phone in a nanosecond.

‘What’s going on? What do you mean, you can’t do it yourself?’

‘I can’t sell the club for you, Lara.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I’m involved...’ Ah, he didn’t want to go there. ‘It’s complicated, I do criminal, not conveyancing.’

‘Did you say involved?’

‘You need to get the best price you can and I need to be out of the negotiations.’

‘What sort of involved?’

‘Peter is taking over for you, He’s the best in the firm and he’ll see you right.’

‘Are we talking romantically involved?’

‘I think you’ll find things move quickly. Anyway, those bright lights got to you, huh? You’re in Hollywood for ever?’

‘Avoid me all you like, Daniel, but you can’t lie to your heart.’

Ick. She was on a love high. ‘Gotta go, Lara. This is eating into billing time.’

Lara’s soft laughter tinkled. ‘I can’t wait to meet her. Let’s do a video call?’

‘Sure. Next century some time. BYE.’

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