Quitting the Boss by Ann Victor Read Free Book Online Page B

projects.”
    Jenna sighed, her courage waning. She wasn’t ready to give Alec up, but she was realistic enough to know the risk if she told him what she’d really meant.
    Instead of confessing, Jenna nestled closer, letting his warmth blanket her.
     

~ ~ ~
     
    Alec had managed to make a case to human resources that there were too many important projects to spend a lot of time reviewing applications. He had a position, he had a veteran project manager, he was ready to make the offer. His case must have been solid, because Candace Pelack told him to extend the offer to Carly if he thought that was best.
    The situation was likely going to come back and bite him in the ass – because Candace didn’t make anything easy unless there was something in it for her – but he’d deal with that if and when it came.
    Carly had actually squealed over the phone and informed Alec she would give her notice immediately. She’d see if Jenna or Elisa would let her stay at one of their places while she looked for an apartment.
    Alec wondered what Jenna would say to that. More curious, if she did let Carly stay, how would she explain where she spent her nights?
    He supposed once she made the transition over to Gavin’s department, they wouldn’t have to keep their relationship a secret any longer. There would be nothing human resources – or more specifically, Candace – could say or do about their relationship.
    He glanced at his computer screen, checking Jenna’s status. She was in a meeting and so was Cash, so they were likely meeting with Westville Credit Union. Cash had moaned about taking over Westville. Though he didn’t have the kind of finesse Jenna had with that client, the man could handle it. And if he couldn’t, Alec would pass it on to Jalen Foster, who seemed eager to take on the difficult client. The only reason Alec hadn’t given it to Foster now was because he did not want him working that closely with Jenna. Even though Jenna had claimed she’d only kissed Foster once during those long two months when they’d had to cool their heels, Alec didn’t trust the guy to be anywhere near her.
    Even though jealousy ran hot in his veins, Alec wasn’t ready to go public. One of the appealing things about his relationship with Jenna was that there were no expectations, especially external ones. He hated when people stuck their noses in, speculating and asking questions. Alec had no intentions of marrying, not after learning what a farce his parents’ marriage was. No, Alec wasn’t going to let a woman play him the way his mother played his father.
    Yet, just as he’d confessed to Jenna, he wasn’t ready for things to end between them. He didn’t like the thought of her working for Gavin. In college, Gavin had had the opportunity to cross the line with Alec’s girlfriend and hadn’t. Alec wanted to trust his friend with Jenna, but he had learned a long time ago that even those you trusted could betray you.
    “Got a minute?” Gavin asked, leaning through the door frame.
    “Sure. Have a seat.”
    Gavin tossed a magazine on Alec’s desk. “This came today. There’s a project management track. The PDUs are good to maintain certification.”
    Alec grabbed the magazine and scanned the cover. Software development conference in Las Vegas.
    Sin City. Alec wouldn’t mind going there, specifically with Jenna so they could commit all kinds of sins. No one would know them there. They could be completely anonymous.
    He didn’t think about what they were missing often, but on occasion the little things nipped at him. In the City of Lights, he could put his hands on Jenna in public.
    Tossing the magazine back on his desk, Alec focused on the here and now. “Elisa mentioned the other day she needed some professional development units. You been to this conference before?”
    Gavin nodded. “It’s a good one; little pricey, but worth the cost. If you send her, your team will get a lot out of it. Hell, she can work with