Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Annie Seaton Read Free Book Online Page B

it.
    “Home sweet home.” She stopped in front of the cottage and turned the car off.
    “Nice.” Jack let out a low whistle when he stepped out and took in the view of the lake. “ Very nice. Lived here long?” It was exactly the sort of place he’d love to find down here along the coast. He’d thought of having ocean views, but this small lake, hidden among the trees, was beautiful.
    “When I was first working with Georgie and Ana in our restoration business, it was one of the first old places we bought. It used to be the boat cottage of the estate up the road. It was going for a song because it was in such poor condition.” Sienna walked up the three steps, and Jack followed her to the porch. “We pooled what we had and it was our first restoration.”
    The view was even better from the porch. The cottage was so far from the road there was no traffic noise. Jack closed his eyes and listened to the wind sighing through the trees. He could move in here right now. His fingers tingled with the urge to get working.
    She grinned at him and her face came alive. “Local gossip says the estate belonged to Douglas Fairbanks back in the thirties, and this was his love cottage. We learned a lot doing the renovation. And we had so much fun. Because it was so far from Nebbiton, we’d stay overnight, camping in the forest.” She pointed to a low fence with a gate at the side of the cottage. “When we finished the restoration, we rented it out, and then when we closed the business, I bought the girls’ share and I moved down here last year.” She put the key in the front door and led him through the house. “The only downside to the apartment is that it shares a common entry with the house. That’s why I haven’t rented it out before. It’s got everything else, but it’s really tiny.”
    “Show me.” As he followed her down a wide timber-lined hallway, Jack watched her walk. Her movements were graceful, and he regretted not having the opportunity to follow up that promise of calling her.
    Too late now , especially if he was going to be her boss…and her tenant.

Chapter Five
    “So, what do you think?”
    Jack stood at the window of the small living room. The apartment at the back of the cottage had an uninterrupted view of the lake. Sienna smiled to herself. There hadn’t been any view until she, Ana, and Georgie had cleared the overgrown garden. The house and its garden were one of the best restorations they’d done. That’s why they never sold it.
    “This light is amazing.”
    She jumped when Jack turned to her, his face alight with enthusiasm. “Have you ever thought of adding a studio to the back here? The aspect is perfect.”
    “I did, but I can’t afford it.” She looked at him thoughtfully. “I saved everything to buy a gallery, but that’s not such a bad idea. Now that the sale’s not going ahead, I could probably think about that.”
    “Have you ever thought about selling?”
    “The apartment?” She tipped her head to the side, unsure of what he was saying.
    “No, the whole property.” His eyes were bright with interest, and he came over and held her arms gently. Sienna tried to ignore the jolt of warmth that shot up her shoulders and settled in her chest when his fingers brushed down her arms before stopping at her wrists.
    “Maybe we could do a deal with the gallery?” She bit back her frustration at his attitude. She had so wanted that gallery for her own; Jack had it and didn’t really want it. And now he wanted her house, too?
    “Uh-uh. I’m settled here.” She kept her voice bland.
    He stared down at her and the warmth fluttered to her stomach. His gaze held hers, and she let go of a little of her anger. How could she not when that sexy grin homed in on her?
    “Well, give me some thought if you ever do decide to sell it.”
    “I guess this means you’ll take the apartment…for the two weeks anyway, while I get my exhibition ready?” She tried to steer the conversation back