Falling For Her Boss by Karen Rose Smith Read Free Book Online

himself again.  "Angela, you know nothing about me."
    "I know you're a reputable businessman.  I know Craig spoke highly of you.  That's all I need.  I don't think you'll back up a van to the place and empty it in the dead of night.  I'm a good judge of character."  She paused and glanced at Francie.  "Usually.  This time I know I'm right.  You're welcome to the apartment."
    "Mama, Noah might feel freer to come and go at a motel."
    Angela clicked her tongue.  "Nonsense.  That place is just sitting empty and I worry about someone breaking in.  He'll be doing us a favor."
    Noah studied Angela for a few moments.  "All right.  It sounds good to me.  You're right about motels, and I see a lot of them.  Cooking my own food is preferable to eating out all the time, too.  When can I move in?"
    Francie's mother grinned.  "As soon as you'd like.  I aired it out and put clean sheets on the bed this afternoon.  It's ready."  She took a key from her purse.  "Here you go.  And if you need something, don't hesitate to ask Francie or knock on our door."
    After Angela left, Noah looked concerned.  "She does know I might sell the rink, doesn't she?"
    "Yes."
    "Francie, I hope she doesn't think hospitality will change my mind."
    Francie was hoping the rink itself would do that.  "Mama's just being Mama.  Don't be surprised if you find a casserole on your doorstep at night."
    He shook his head.  "There aren't many women left like her."
    "You mean women who put everyone else's needs before their own?"  Francie had done that with Brent and that had brought her only heartache.
    "No.  Women who know how to nurture."
    He sounded so sad that Francie said, "Mothers usually have that knack."
    He looked out the window instead of at her.  "Not all mothers."
    "Noah?"
    His eyes were shuttered when he turned around.  He pointed to the printer.  "Let's print this out before something happens to it," he said gruffly.
    ****
    Bearing a gift from her mother, Francie climbed the steps to the apartment above the garage.  Noah had left the rink earlier than Francie to check out of his motel and move into the apartment.  She'd been considering something all afternoon and decided now was as good a time as any to approach him.  Maybe it was an impulsive decision, and maybe it was a mistake, but maybe it was a good financial opportunity, too.
     Francie rapped on the door, hoping Noah would find her mother's pastry as tempting as her lasagna.  She needed him to be in a receptive frame of mind.    A January breeze swept by, making her shiver.  She'd run up here without her jacket, thinking her  sweater would be sufficient.  When Noah didn't answer, she knocked again, louder.
    He opened the door and she stepped back, gripping the dish in her hand so hard she probably set her fingerprints on it for life.
    He was shirtless.  Every muscle on his chest spoke of hard work or a daily workout.  Curly chestnut hair waved in an uneven design across his chest.  A narrow strip led straight under his loosened belt buckle.
    She snapped her gaze back up to his face.  His head was tilted, his eyes sparkling at her discomfiture.  She backed up another step on the small landing.  "I'll come back.  I didn't mean to disturb you."
    He motioned to the living room.  "Come on in.  You didn't disturb me.  I was changing before I work out.  But that can wait."
    Her gaze drifted again to the open belt buckle.
    His lips curved in amusement.  "Honestly, Francie, come on in.  I'll put a shirt on and we can talk."
    Talk.  That's why she'd come.  Right?  She followed him inside and held out the dessert dish.  "Mama thought you'd enjoy this."
    He took it and lifted the plastic wrap.  A cone-shaped pastry overflowed with white cream dotted with pistachios and chocolate chips.  Poking his finger into the filling, he tasted it.  "This is wonderful.  Perfect for an after-workout snack.  It's a cannoli, right?"
    "Right."
    He smiled, then studied