Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke Read Free Book Online

way straight to her core.
    Stopping short, he jerked his arm forward, propelling Hannah into his open arms. Wrapping her against him, he whispered, “Wait for me here. Let me surprise you.”
    She was stunned by the way he whirled her around and her breath had yet to catch up. She could only nod. He brushed his lips against her cheek and then released her and disappeared into a candy shop.
    Hannah forced herself not to stare in the shop window and drool after him. Instead, she turned her attention to the display window of the neighboring store.
    She decided headless mannequins made for a more attractive presentation. The painted faces and tacky wigs distracted from the clothes and accessories. Hannah admired the snub-toe tweed pumps in the display, studying them hopefully.
    “Hannah?” A man’s voice said from behind her. Not Mason’s. Hannah looked into the reflection of the window. Jeremy Tolliver, one of the other store-manager candidates. Fixing a smile on her face, she turned around.
    “Jeremy,” she said, not bothering to mask her annoyance.
    He nodded, his gaze traveling up and down and up again. Pig. “I tried to call you today, but you’d already left.”
    “Really?” she said, feigning interest. “Did you lose your buyer directory again?”
    Jeremy gave a strangled laugh. “No, I wanted to talk to you about the management-training seminar. I offered to help you lead it.”
    Hannah tried not to let her surprise show. The seminars were complete and ready to go. Her entire next week was devoted to traveling to the different stores in the metro area and rallying the management teams to holiday greatness.
    “The seminar for your store? Your input would be helpful. We can target your newer managers directly.”
    Jeremy shook his head. “All of the stores. Dean and Judy agreed you need the help.”
    The heels on her boots gave her an extra inch on him as she met his leering gaze. He’d talked to the district and regional manager about her needing help? She schooled her face into a polite smile. She didn’t need anyone’s help, least of all a chubby deadweight like Jeremy Tolliver.
    “We’ll be spending a lot of time together,” Jeremy continued, stepping closer.
    Where the hell is Mason? Jeremy had made passes at her before, but she’d always been able to deflect with humor or quotations from the Mendelssohn’s employee handbook. If Jeremy stepped any closer, Hannah might find another practical use for the heel of her new boots.
    “Give me a call tomorrow at work and we can discuss what you can contribute.” She knew Jeremy well enough to know he wanted credit, not extra work. She’d give him the kudos if he’d leave her the hell alone.
    “Let’s grab a cup of coffee and talk about it now. Or not talk about it.” He tilted his head downward. She saw no redeeming flecks of color in his black eyes.
    “I’m actually waiting for someone.” Hannah backed against the glass. She took a deep breath and reminded herself she had to work with this guy. She’d pay for a bitchy brush off for years, especially if she wound up managing his store.
    “I don’t believe that.” He lowered his voice. “No man in his right mind would leave you all alone.”
    Hannah squared her shoulders. Bitchy it was.
    “I am a little bit crazy.” She heard Mason’s rich baritone drawl as he slipped his fingers around her clenched fist. She enjoyed every twitch on Jeremy’s face as the two men eyed each other. Mason handed the silver bag he carried to her and then stuck out his right hand. “Mason McNally. And you are?”
    Jeremy returned the gesture. “Jeremy Tolliver. Hannah and I work very closely together.”
    “Oh, Jeremy.” Mason turned and gave her a knowing look. “Right, Hannah’s mentioned you.”
    She fought the grin playing at her lips. Mason played his role very effectively.
    Jeremy scowled at Mason. “I just asked Hannah about going for coffee. Why don’t you join us?”
    Mason looked quizzically