Flirting With The Boss. Tina Beckett
something.…” His mouth brushed over hers again and then again. “My life doesn’t need to get any more complicated.”
“Mine, either,” she whispered.
He fought the smile, but it didn’t stop the hunger, or the anticipation of the kiss he so desperately wanted more than his next breath.
Then Lori took the decision out of his hands as she rose up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his. That was all it took. His arms circled her waist and he pulled her against him, unable to tolerate the space between them any longer. Their bodies meshed so easily it was as if they were meant to be together. All he knew was he didn’t want to let her go anytime soon.
His mouth slanted over hers, wanting to taste her, but all too quickly they were getting carried away.
He tore his mouth from hers, and trailed kisses along her jaw to her ear. “I could get drunk on you.” Then he let his tongue trace her earlobe, feeling her shiver. He found her mouth again for another hungry kiss.
Then suddenly the sound of his cell phone brought him back to reality. He stepped back, and his gaze was drawn to Lori’s thoroughly kissed mouth. Desire shot through him and he had to turn away.
“Yeager,” he growled into the phone.
“Hey, Jace,” Toby said. “What happened? I thought you were coming right back.”
He glanced over his shoulder at Lori. “Sorry, something came up. I’m heading back now.” He shut his phone. “I’m needed at the site.”
“Of course,” Lori said, wrapping honey-blond strands behind her ear. “I can’t thank you enough for your help. I couldn’t have done this on my own.”
Unable to resist, he went back to her and stole another kiss. They were both breathless by the time he released her. “Your sister and nephew arrive tomorrow, right?”
She nodded.
“Okay, I’ll have a security guy in place here before you get back from the airport.” When Lori started to disagree, he put his finger over those very inviting lips. “He’ll work with Charlie so Gina doesn’t have to know. I want you and your family safe.”
Lori smiled. “I wasn’t going to disagree. I think it’s a good idea.”
He blinked. “You’re agreeing with me? That’s a first.”
“Don’t get used to it, Yeager.”
The next afternoon, Lori had agreed to let Charlie drive her father’s town car the 47 miles to the Durango airport to pick up Gina and Zack.
She couldn’t hide her excitement as she watched her sister and nephew come out of the terminal. She gave them a big hug, then herded them into the backseat of the car while Charlie stowed the few belongings in the trunk.
They talked all the way to Destiny. It was as if they’d been apart for months instead of only two weeks.
Lori kept hugging her seven-year-old nephew beside her in the backseat. She’d missed him. “Zack. I was able to work in the second grade classroom last week and met your teacher, Mrs. Miller. I think you’re going to like her.”
The little dark-haired child didn’t look happy. “But I don’t know any kids.”
“The class knows you’re coming. And there’s Ellie and Cassie, who will help you learn your way around the school.”
“Girls?”
That brought a smile as Lori looked at her sister. Although beautiful, with her rich, dark brown hair and wide green eyes, Regina Williams Lowell looked a little pale and far too thin. Lori hoped she could erase her sister’s fear once she knew she was safe living in Destiny. And her son would blossom here, too.
“It might take a little time, Zack, but I know you’ll make lots of friends.”
They drove through town, past the square and fountain, then down the row of storefronts. “Just wait. Soon they’ll be putting up a big Christmas tree with colorful lights. The whole town will be decorated.”
“Can we have a Christmas tree at your house?”
Suddenly Lori got excited. This was going to be a special holiday. And a new year that meant a fresh beginning for all of them. “You bet we can. And you can pick out a really big one.”
Zack grinned as they pulled through the gate. “Wow!” The boy’s eyes lit up. “Mom, are we really going to live here?”
“We sure are.” Gina looked like a kid herself. “Although, I can hardly believe it myself.”
Lori glanced at her sister’s face. “That was my first reaction, too. Welcome to Hutchinson House.”
Charlie drove up the long drive and stopped in front of the house. He opened the back door and helped them out, then sent them up the porch steps.
Maggie swung open the front door and opened her arms. “Welcome, welcome,” the older woman said as she swept them inside the warm house. First, the older woman embraced Zack, then Gina.
“We’re so happy you’re here. Oh, my, and to have a child in this big house again is wonderful.”
“It’s so big,” Zack said. “What if I get lost?”
“Don’t worry. Charlie will show you around. The important thing to remember is there are two sets of stairs. One leads down here.” Maggie pointed to the circular staircase. “Most important, the other one leads to the kitchen and I’m usually there.”
Zack looked a little more comfortable after the quick explanation.
Maggie turned to Gina and smiled. “Goodness, my, you look so much like Lorelei and your mother. Your coloring might be different, but there’s no doubt you’re sisters. And both beautiful.”
Her sister seemed embarrassed. “Thank you.”
“How was your flight?”
“Not too bad, especially sitting in first class.” Gina glanced at Lori. “It was a big treat for Zack and me.”
“Well, we’re planning on a lot of treats for Master Zack.” The older woman placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “After you go and see your new bedroom, come down to the kitchen so you can tell me all your favorite foods. And if it’s okay with your mother you can sample some of my cookies.” Maggie raised a hand and glanced at Gina. “I promise not to spoil his appetite for our special dinner tonight.”
“The way my son eats, I doubt anything can.” Gina smiled, which made Lori hopeful that her sister would start relaxing.
“We’re also having a couple of guests for dinner,” Maggie announced. “Mr. Yeager and his daughter, Cassie. And before you frown, Zack, the girl has a horse. That’s a good friend to have.”
Lori was surprised by the news, and a little too happy, feeling a stir of excitement. Maybe he was bringing the security guard they’d talked about.
Maggie gave her the answer. “Jace has something to discuss with you. So I invited them both to dinner.”
Her nephew called to her. “Can I go see my new bedroom, Aunt Lori?”
“Sure. How about we all head up and see it?”
The child ran ahead of them, following Charlie up the steps with the bags.
Lori hung back with Gina. “Lori, you never said the place was a—” she looked around the huge entry, her eyes wide “—mansion.”
“Okay, so the Hutchinson family liked things on the large size. Now that you and Zack are here, it’s already starting to feel more like a home.” She hugged her sister again. “I want you and Zack to think of this place as home. More important, I want you to feel safe here.”
Gina looked a little panicked. “Just