Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

Yeah, he’d pushed her into that date. And, no, he wasn’t going to let her pull out. But he wouldn’t want anyone else to do that to her.

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; Ah, well, after your date you won’t let anyone else close to her anyway.

He wasn’t sure what it was about her that called to him so strongly. But he wanted her.

And no one was going to get in the way of what he wanted. Not this time. Never again.

2

Jardin stepped into the outer office just as Thea started to lower herself onto her seat.

“You’re late, Ms. Garrison,” he barked. He felt a flicker of guilt as she startled, and her seat flew backward on its wheels. She teetered on her heels and he dove forward.

He might be an ass at times, but he wasn’t about to let her fall flat on her butt. Grabbing hold of her waist, he steadied her.

Her waist was so tiny that his hands fit all the way around. His pulse picked up. He should never have hired her. It had been a stupid, impulsive decision. One made with emotion rather than logic. Something he prided himself on no longer doing. Emotion would be his ruin. Once, he’d let himself be run by it, and he’d lost everything.

Quickly, he drew his hands from her waist, still tingling. Need for her was a thirst inside him that would never be quenched. Because Thea Garrison was off-limits.

He’d hired her because he’d been desperate. He’d gone through more personal assistants than every other lawyer in the firm. Combined. He was a hard taskmaster. He knew that. Once, he’d had more give in him. More laughter. But that was all gone. All he had was work. And family.

And he dedicated his life to both. Allowing nothing to interfere.

Especially not a petite, gorgeous woman who wore ill-fitting clothes, had far too many shadows in her eyes and was definitely too young for him.

“I’m seriously rethinking these shoes.”

He glanced down at the hideous things with a grimace. How did she even walk in those? And they looked to be too small for her, her toes poking over the edge of them.

If she were his, he’d have her in Louboutin’s. Those red soles would look sexy as hell. Especially as that would be all she’d be permitted to wear.

Focus. She’s your personal assistant not your sub.

And she would never be his sub. He didn’t take on untrained subs. Not anymore. Plus, she was his employee. He didn’t mess with people he worked with. Although that soon wouldn’t be a problem.

“You’re fired. Get packed up and leave.”

Her mouth dropped open and the blood left her face as she swayed, making him worry she was about to faint. He reached for her again, but she shocked him by slapping his hands away.

He blinked. She was normally so professional. It had surprised him considering her lack of experience. Part of him had expected her to be gone by the end of the first day. That she’d lasted two months shocked him. But he didn’t have time in his life for mistakes. And he didn’t suffer anyone taking advantage of him. Not again.

This is what he got for taking a chance on someone.

“You . . . you’re firing me?”

“I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear,” he said smoothly. “Yes, you’re fired.”

“For being late?”

“Yes, for being late.”

What wasn’t clear about that?

Devastation filled her face, almost swaying him. But he couldn’t allow it to. The New Orleans Malones didn’t deal with emotion. They didn’t like displays of affection and feelings. He couldn’t remember ever seeing his parents kiss or hold hands. It just wasn’t done.

Unlike his wild cousins, he wasn’t given to letting everyone around him know exactly what he was thinking. His visits to Haven were now few and far between. Even though he was glad Alec and West had found women who made them happy, it was difficult for him to see. One evening at dinner, Alec had sat with his wife, Mia on his lap, feeding her bites of food, his hand rubbing her swollen belly as he watched her with affection.