LITMIR.BIZ

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you could let her make the decision.” She literally bit her tongue after the statement. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. There’s that impulsiveness again.”

      “Don’t apologize. It appears we both seem to say things to each other that are perhaps better left unsaid.”

      “Perhaps.”

      He let out a deep sigh. “Well, I should get back to work. I won’t be able to get much done later today seeing as Elise has the night off.”

      Jess blinked in surprise and turned back to face him. “She does?”

      He laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. Contrary to the initial impression I’ve obviously given you, I do cut my employees some slack and give them time off once in a while.”

       Employee.

      She couldn’t help the thrill that seemed to suddenly lift her heart at those words. Sounded as if Elise was the little girl’s nanny. Not a girlfriend at all. And certainly not his wife.

      Not that it made an iota of difference as far as she was concerned. She’d discovered the hard way that when it came to relationships, Jess still had a lot to learn about herself—between her spoiled engagement and her uncharacteristic fling. Something told her that when it came to Jordan Paydan, the third time would definitely not be the charm.

      She gave him a small wave of goodbye as he walked out of the room. What he’d just revealed about this Elise didn’t necessarily even mean he was single. Still, the revelation made her giddier than she would care to admit.

      * * *

      The figures on his spreadsheet floated across his vision in a blurry mess of numbers. He’d never had this much trouble focusing. His mind kept wandering to the woman upstairs busily painting on his sister’s bedroom wall. He really should have planned this better. Every cell of his being vibrated with the awareness that they were alone in the house together. Elise and Sonya weren’t due back for several more hours.

      There was no explainable reason he found himself so attracted to her. For all he knew, Jess was taken. Women like her weren’t typically found wanting of suitors. Though she was nothing like the women Jordan himself usually dated, not that he’d ever been terribly serious with anyone. Nor could he entertain such an idea now.

      He’d just spent the better part of a year watching his father being utterly betrayed by his wife. She’d proven how disloyal she was when Jordan’s dad had gotten sick. His own most recent relationship had floundered as soon as the young lady had learned he’d become the guardian of a little girl. Though she’d used the term “saddled.” No, Jordan was in no place in his life right now to embark on any kind of relationship after the past several months.

      Besides, his work and his little sister had to be the prime focus of all of his attention right now. With Sonya, there was too much at stake. He’d already done wrong by her on an astronomical level. He didn’t need any kind of distraction. Certainly not a distraction in the way of a perky, bohemian artist with olive skin and rich dark brown hair. He found himself wondering, not for the first time, how that thick luxurious hair would feel if he were to run his fingers through it. If he tugged it gently to bring her face closer to his, to finally reach for that kiss.

       Whoa.

      So not where he needed his thoughts to wander toward. Not when said artist was literally a floor above him. It would be so easy to come up with an excuse to go check on her again. And he was tempted. Oh, so very tempted. He forced himself to look back down at the spreadsheet, knowing full well he wasn’t going to be accomplishing much.

      An hour later his assumption proved correct. He’d barely made a dent in his workload. A soft knock sounded from the other side of his office door.

      Jess. No one else was home. He stood and opened the door for her.

      She granted him a small smile. Saints above. How did a woman manage to look so tempting in paint-covered overalls and a do-rag bandanna wrapped around her head? Not that the rag was doing much to maintain any control of her unruly locks.

      “Sorry to interrupt,” she said. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ve finished.”

      Jordan hadn’t been expecting the feeling of disappointment that meandered through his gut at the announcement. Nor did he anticipate wondering when he would see her next.

      “Oh. Well, thanks. Let me just grab my checkbook.”

      But she stopped him with a hand to his chest before he could turn away. The contact sent a surge of heat through his core. As if reading his errant mind, she pulled away in haste.

      “No, don’t do that.”

      “Do you prefer an electronic transfer of funds?”

      She shook her head. “No. I mean I won’t accept any money. It was a labor of love. Truly. I’m happy to know Sonya liked it and hopefully she’ll enjoy it even more with the additions made today.”

      Jordan felt a moment of uncertainty. Should he insist? He’d never had anyone turn down a fee for rendered services before. The original artwork was one thing, but he’d asked her to come by this afternoon and add to it.

      She smiled at his confusion. “It really isn’t necessary, Jordan. You needn’t waste another thought on it.”

      What manner of sorceress was this young lady? She beguiled him. Did something to his senses he wasn’t familiar with nor prepared for. Under any other circumstances, despite their clear differences and incompatibility, he might have asked her out. Maybe something as simple as having her show him around this new town he found himself in. And then at the end of the day, they could share a bottle of wine over a cozy candlelit dinner. Then see where things led.

       Just. Stop.

      Mere moments ago he’d been reminding himself of all the reasons he shouldn’t entertain such thoughts about Jess—or any other woman for that matter.

      “I don’t know what to say. I feel like I should pay for all the time and effort you put in.”

      Her eyes narrowed on his face. “I assure you, it isn’t necessary in this case. Like I said, I refuse to be paid for a task I initiated and loved doing.”

      He’d never actually thought about it that way; wasn’t sure if it even made much sense. “If you’re certain,” he said, giving her a chance to change her mind once more.

      “I am. I wouldn’t cash a check if you gave me one.”

      Several awkward moments ensued. Neither one of them seemed to know what to say next. Though he felt like kicking himself, he desperately didn’t want her to walk out the door just yet.

      “Do you need help gathering your things?” He finally managed to speak a coherent question.

      “Uh... Thanks but I’ve already loaded everything into my car.”

      “Oh. I guess—I guess you’re all set, then.”

      She glanced away, a rosy glow appearing on her cheeks.

      But then they both spoke at once, over each other.

      “I can see myself out.” Just as Jordan said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”

      Okay, now the air felt really awkward. He was a successful, accomplished businessman for heaven’s sake. He gave professional presentations and delivered talks to some of the most prominent people in the industry. And here he was stammering, trying to talk to a woman he’d just barely met.

      He had to get a grip. And he had to stop focusing on how her curves filled out what should have been a completely unflattering denim outfit. Or how her nose seemed to have just the perfect number of light freckles that he only just now noticed.

      This was getting ridiculous. He shook off the wayward thoughts. There was no use for them. He was bound to run into her from time to time. Especially considering

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