Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“Asshole. Now I’ve got a hard-on.”

“Be a good boy and I’ll take care of that later on for you,” Jardin purred.

“Fuck. Later.”

The call ended and Jardin grinned. Finally, things were coming together. He had Carrick back. They’d work on bringing Thea into their relationship.

Yep, things would work out perfectly.

17

“Hello, Thea.”

She squealed, turning away from the storage cupboard to find Carrick standing in front of her desk, watching her from too-knowing eyes.

“Shit. You gave me a fright.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re very pale, rocket. Why don’t you sit dow

n?”

He was concerned, for her? Shouldn’t he hate her? Yesterday, he’d been so angry at her. And he’d had every right to be. She’d completely messed up. Treated him badly.

With a hand that shook, she reached up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Thea?”

“What? Sorry. Did you say something?”

“Thea, sit down,” he said more firmly. “Before you fall down.”

Not bad advice, really. She grabbed the chair and sort of slumped into it. She managed to give him a small smile. “Sorry.”

“What’s going on? Aren’t you feeling well?” His gaze roamed over her. She guessed she looked like shit. Why shouldn’t her outside reflect her inside?

“Are you here to see Jardin?” she deflected. “He’s on a call but he’ll be free soon.”

“I’m meeting him but I’m early,” he said, not pointing out that she’d avoided answering him.

“Please take a seat. Can I get you tea? Coffee?”

There. She sounded almost normal. Then she noticed how his gaze was on her hands. Her shaking hands. She tucked them down under the desk.

“When’s the last time you ate, rocket?”

Please stop calling me that. Please stop being nice to me. She didn’t deserve it.

“I’m so sorry, Carrick.”

He sat in the chair across from her. Today he was dressed in another black shirt and black jeans. God, he was gorgeous.

She wished the circumstances were different. That she didn’t have that threat hanging over her.

Right. Because things would have worked out for you both. He’s with Jardin now.

She wasn’t quite sure how their relationship worked. Were they together-together? Did that mean they were both bi? Because she knew Jardin had dated plenty of women; she’d seen them in the society pages. The Malone’s were wealthy and respected. Powerful. And people lapped up information about them. That’s why there was so much gossip around the office about Jardin.

More than one of the other PA’s had tried to throw herself at him.