Seth closed the door to the office, putting his back against it. “So this is where you disappeared to this morning.”
Her eyes closed, and her expression went to dismal. “I realized too late that I didn’t leave you a note. I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you.”
Jessica crossed her arms. “Why is it—do you suppose—that one of the only four men that I’ve met in the past twelve hours turns out to be the owner of the place where I desperately need to get a job?”
He lifted one shoulder. “Because fate is a cruel bitch?”
She nodded. “Undoubtedly.”
“Four men?”
“Ryan, the desk clerk, two hot, sexy lovers, I forget their names right now, and, of course, number four is my new boss who’s surely guessed very easily that I’m involved with you, my other new boss. Making this just awesome.” Her tone didn’t sound like she thought it was awesome.
“Seth and Garrett are the two names you searched for earlier.” Seth smiled. “And, I won’t be your boss. Gray is your supervisor.”
“Yeah, you just sign the checks. That’s worse.”
“That’s only a figure of speech. Gray will be the one signing your checks.”
“But you own this place.”
“So what?”
“I’m not a fan of nepotism.”
“Are we related?”
“Okay, then how about favoritism, instead? I’m not a fan of that either.” She tilted her head back with exasperation, pushed out a deep short breath, and stared at the ceiling. “I do not believe my stupid, idiotic luck.” Her arms unfolded, falling away from her luscious body.
Seth moved forward and took her in his arms before he realized he’d planned to touch her.
Jessica dropped her chin, stared deeply into his eyes, and suddenly seemed as mesmerized as he was.
After several moments of contemplation Seth lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her gently and thoroughly.
She responded in kind. The kiss started out very tentative and promptly turned volatile. One of her arms slid around his neck, and she pulled him closer as if remembering the perfect time they’d spent together already.
A moan from her put his thoughts in a dangerous place for an office that wasn’t truly his. He didn’t know how long Gray would be gone. He tried to think of some statistics to keep his cock from rising up and making a bold appearance, but then couldn’t even think of a single sport to consider when she wrapped her velvet, soft tongue between his lips in carnal abandon.
Memories of the night before sifted into his brain one by glorious one, making Seth want to relive and recreate them immediately, if not sooner. As he pressed forward, kissing her like this was going to lead somewhere, Seth tried desperately to think of something else besides sex.
Honestly, he was so grateful not to have lost her like he’d been worried about all morning long. Here she was getting a job within his new business. He could see her whenever he wanted to now.
His thoughts then shifted in a different direction all of a sudden. What had Gray said about this new day manager hire? Hadn’t he mentioned that his number one choice had most recently worked for a college rival of Seth’s?
Gray had wanted assurances Seth wouldn’t be uncomfortable with his selection. Before today, he’d assured him it was fine. And it was still fine, wasn’t it?
Low and behold he was a little uncomfortable, however, it was for a completely different reason than a former college conflict. He maybe shouldn’t be jamming his tongue repeatedly into the warm sexy mouth of his brand new day manager.
Seth’s mind wandered elsewhere. She’d worked for Peter Barrington, his former college rival. The words pampered rich kid blazed into his brain. Peter had already been a graduate student during Seth’s first year.
A tickle of uncertainty registered deep in his head regarding her past association with Barrington, but was dismissed easily. He’d been with this woman. Intimately, in fact. He liked to believe he had a good sense of discovering deceit in a person’s character.
With that in mind, Seth assured himself quickly that Jessica wasn’t here to spy on him and promptly report back to Barrington. What would be the point? This project was unique to Old West Town and not easily translated to the luxury hotels Barrington owned.