Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“Well, I’m not most people and I can’t afford the day off,” she countered.

That he could believe.

“It’s with full pay.”

Surprise filled her face, and he saw her think about it. Then she shook her head stubbornly.

Brat.

“Thea,” he said in a low, warning voice. “It’s not a request.”

He preferred his women to defer to him. In and out of the bedroom. He liked to be firmly in charge. No matter where he was.

Her eyes flashed with defiance. His palm itched. He knew that if he ever took her over his knee it would be all over. And he wasn’t just talking about his career, because she’d be in her rights to sue his ass for assault. It was about his inability to keep her at arm’s length. To keep kidding himself that when it came to her, he didn’t care.

“You’re already down a receptionist,” she pointed out in a reasonable voice, ignoring the fact she’d been given an order. He ground his teeth together. At this rate, he’d have no teeth left by the end of the month. “You can’t afford for me to be off as well.”

Fuck.

She had a point. But he didn’t like it. He let out a breath. What was it about her that stirred the darker parts of him? Usually, he kept them better hidden. Most people probably saw him as the easiest Malone brother to deal with. The most reasonable.

Or at least they would have. Before the tragedy.

That’s what the people in his social circle started calling it. The tragedy.

“Fine,” he said. “But you call the agency and get a temp out here quickly. I don’t want you doing both jobs.”

“The other PAs will help cover the front desk.”

No, they wouldn’t. Not unless he ordered them too. They didn’t like Thea and they would like to see her fail. Not that he’d let that happen.

You just fired her twenty minutes ago.

Like he’d actually meant it. Although, he should send her away. Maybe Maxim could use her services. Actually, no. There was no way he’d send her over to his younger brother. Maxim was flirt. He went through women like it was an Olympic sport and he was determined to get that gold medal.

“Fine. But if I see you using that hand, you’re going home. No arguments.”

“Yes, sir,” she said impudently.

He just frowned at her as she turned on her heel and walked out. But his eyes lingered over her plump, firm ass in that skirt.

Shit.

When they returned to her office, Maddox was nowhere to be found. Thea walked out into the main reception area. He followed, groaning as he saw his cousin sitting at the front desk, his feet up on the desk, arms crossed behind his head as he spoke to one of the firm’s biggest clients. Melanie Arnold was rich, smart, and a total bitch.

Fuck. Jardin was going to have to do some fast talking and groveling. Then Melanie threw back her head and brayed with laughter at something Maddox said.

“Well, that’s unexpected,” Thea muttered.

“Get that temp here now,” he commanded, stepping forward with a smile and a hidden glare aimed at Maddox, who just gave him a shit-eating grin.

How had this day gone downhill so quickly?

4

Using her fork, Thea stabbed her salad with disinterest. The sun beat down on her shoulders. She probably should have chosen a shady area to sit in. Her hand throbbed with pain as she forced another forkful of the bland food.

“Argh, I’d be looking all sad and depressed too if I had to eat that rabbit food,” a familiar voice drawled. Then a long-limbed body dropped down beside her. His scent reached out and teased her.