Knightless in Seattle by Jill Jaynes Read Free Book Online Page B

elbow, she mercilessly twisted his hand down and behind
his back as his momentum carried him past her. Just like in practice,
her opponent's nerveless fingers released his weapon, making it easy
business for her to grab it and stab it into the back of his neck as he
bent forward under the pressure on his arm and wrist.
    "Ha!" she cried, as she released her hold. She leapt back to
wave the foam blade over her head in victory. God, it felt good to
win!
    "And that, everyone, is an excellent demonstration of how to
turn an attacker's own weapon against him, even if you are
unarmed." Lance turned a warm smile on Jackie. "Well done, milady,"
he said with a bow.
    Fred straightened, rubbing his wrist. Red faced, he glowered
at Jackie with a look that normally turned her knees to jelly. But right
now, still tingling with the rush of her victory, she refused to back
down. Instead she nodded to Lance in acknowledgement, and then
turned back to her boss with a smile. Curiously missing was the
self-preservation--okay, fear--that usually prompted her to apologize for
bruising his tender, over-inflated ego.
    "You know, I don't know why I've put up with your rude
treatment for so long, but I'm done with it. And I'm done with you,
right here, right now."
    She turned to Lance. "I never realized just how disrespectful
and unprofessional he actually was until he insulted me in front of
you. Nobody should put up with that kind of treatment. And I won't
anymore."
    "That's my girl," said Lance.
    "That's it," Fred snarled. "You just bought your ticket out of
here. Pack up your desk and be gone by the end of the day."
    "Oh, I'm sorry," Jackie said sweetly. "Wasn't I clear enough
for you? I just quit. Good luck getting the cleaning lady to work late
nights and weekends for all your 'emergencies'."
    "See you at lunch, sweetie," she said to Lance, and stood on
tiptoe to press a kiss to his lips.
    Lance returned it warmly and she smiled at the pride she
read in his eyes. She knew it wasn't nice, but it was kind of satisfying
when Fred flinched as she brushed past him on her way out.
    She headed for her desk to pick up the few personal things
she kept there. Freedom winked at her from the other side of the
office doors and her heart lifted in anticipation. She felt like she had
just gotten out of out of school for the summer. Or out of prison.
    "So, I hear you might be available to consider new job
offers." She turned to find Lance behind her.
    Taking his outstretched hands as he stopped in front of her,
she smiled up into his eyes. Even in the dull fluorescent office lights,
he looked every inch the golden hero. "Well, that depends," she said,
like she had any intention of not being available to him. "What have
you got in mind?"
    "How about working for me? Or rather with me. I need
someone to run the logistics side of my new studio in Seattle so I can
focus on the teaching. I could really use your know-how. Starting
with helping me find the perfect location." He smiled, producing his
trademark, knee-melting dimple. "What do you say? I know you
would be the perfect partner for me."
    Jackie's heart did a little happy dance in her chest. It took
every ounce of self-control she had to not jump up and down and
scream "yes."
    Instead she placed a finger on her lips and did her best to
look pensive. "Hmm. Sounds like a pretty good offer, but there is a
condition."
    "Name it."
    Not that she would ever tell him, but she had no intention of
turning down such an amazing opportunity. Truth was, with that
smile she couldn't have refused him if he'd asked her strip naked and
paint herself purple.
    "You have to wear your chain mail at least once a week." She
stuck out her hand for his answering handshake. "Deal?"
    "Sounds fair to me," Lance replied, and pulled her into his
arms by her outstretched hand. "As long as you'll wear that corset
for me."
    Happily pressed against his hard body from breast to thigh,
Jackie tried and failed to squash the smile that spread across