Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

Never. Again.

“Thea? Thea?” Jardin frowned as his assistant didn’t even move or acknowledge him. What was she doing?

These last two days there had been something off about her. She’d been jittery. On edge. And her work had suffered. Irritation filled him.

But, surprisingly, not because her preoccupation was affecting her work.

It was because something was wrong. And he had no clue what it was.

And he wanted to know.

These feelings he had toward his assistant really had to stop. He listed all the reasons it was a bad idea: she worked for him, if things didn’t work out, he’d be down an assistant, she was way too young, she’d likely run a mile if she knew how truly dominant and controlling he could be—both in and out of the bedroom.

He’d made a complete mess of a relationship once; he couldn’t do that again.

And yet he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Dreaming of her. Wanting her.

Striding over to where she sat at her desk, he cleared his throat. Still nothing. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped out of her seat, turning toward him with her arms up over her face.

As though defending herself. From him?

What the fuck was going on?

“Thea,” he said in a low, calming voice. “It’s all right. It’s just me.”

She heaved in a breath, looking around the room. “Sorry. Um, sorry. You just startled me.”

Startled her? Terrified her was more like.

“I called your name several times,” he pointed out as she composed herself. She was pale and drawn with dark smudges under her eyes that even makeup couldn’t hide. Wasn’t she sleeping? Why not?

“I’m really sorry. What did you need?”

Oh, no. She’s not getting away with that.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

Lie.

“Nothing, huh? Then why do you look like you haven’t slept in days? Why did you jump when I touched you? Why have you been walking around here like a ghost?”

She stiffened, her face becoming a mask, free of emotion. “I’m sorry if my work has been suffering. It won’t happen anymore.”

He deserved that. He’d focused on work and only work with her in order to keep some distance between them. Until the day he’d gone to her brothers’ school. He’d stepped into her private life. Something he tried not to do with employees.

“Is it your brothers? Is something wrong with them? Is it the school?” He’d have thought James would have brought the principal to heel. But maybe he needed to place another call.

Perhaps the school needed a new principal.

Thea gave him a surprised look. “No, the boys are fine. Thanks for asking.”

“I’m not an ogre, Thea.”

Her mouth dropped open slightly. “I never thought you were.”

“I’m not all about work either.”