"We're not going to exploit anyone, Leah," I protested. "We're going to streamline the warehouse and make it easier for the workers to do their jobs without interference."
"But you're going to expect more for less!" she cried as she shot up out of her chair and began pacing along the side of the small room. "This is wrong, Jack! This is not how your father ran this company! I don’t know what bone you have to pick with him, but he ran this company fairly and was always decent to his workers. I have a bad feeling about these improvements and what they're going to do to the workers who've been loyal for years."
"I'm not going to exploit people!" I yelled as I stood up. "Why do you think that only bad things can come out of this change? Why are you such a damn pessimist?"
"Because I've seen what this kind of change can do to people!" she shouted at me as she stopped pacing.
She was inches from me in the small room, and I could hear her breathing. I wanted to reach out and push the stray piece of hair off of her face as I looked down into her soft-blue eyes. I could feel the need that I'd pushed aside earlier starting to rise again as she held my gaze. The memory of her pressed against my chest at the wake flooded my brain, and I felt myself grow instantly hard.
Neither of us moved a muscle.
"When are you going to start this project," Leah asked quietly. "I need to let the workers know so they don't get spooked."
"We're going to begin construction next week, but it won't interfere with business," I said, picking up the drawing from the desk and holding it in front of my pants so that my straining seams wouldn't be as obvious. “The storage platforms will be installed above the work floor, so you all will have to wear helmets, but other than that, the workers will be out of your way.”
"Fine, then let me know what you need from me, and I'll do my best to keep us on track in the warehouse," she said still holding my gaze. I couldn't look away, nor did I want to.
Finally, she broke the connection as she turned and opened her office door. I nodded and moved past her, slightly brushing against her as I made my exit. I was two steps out the door when I turned and ran right into her.
"Oof!" she cried as my hand hit her midsection causing her to double over. "What did you do that for?"
"Payback for the bloody nose," I grinned as I put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine now that the score is even, you big oaf!" she laughed as she stood up and tried to take a deep breath. "Damn, you hit hard!"
"Sorry, I really didn't mean to," I said, trying to look properly chastised. Leah burst out laughing, and the sound made me want to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her off the ground.
"What did you want to say?" she asked as I stood silently, staring at her.
"Oh, just that I really do want to keep this company running smoothly," I said. "I'm not trying to be the Big Bad Wolf."
"All right, well, I'll take you at your word and try not to treat you like the enemy," she said with a small smile that made me want to kiss her even more than I had when I first walked down to the warehouse.
"I'd appreciate that," I nodded as I fought back the urge, and turned and walked away.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Leah
It wasn't until Jack was safely out of view that I finally exhaled. Being that close to him put all of my senses on high alert and made it incredibly difficult to focus on anything but how much I wanted to feel his arms around me again.
"What are you, some kind of silly high school girl?" I muttered to myself as I walked back into my office and sat down in front of the computer. I punched the keyboard as I continued chastising myself, "Quit being an idiot! Whatever happened was obviously a mistake, and he has zero interest in you. Stop acting like a lovesick teenager. Ridiculous!"
"What's ridiculous?" Burt asked as he tapped on my door. "You okay, Leah?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking out loud," I said turning to face him. I was immediately alarmed by how pale Burt looked. "Are you okay?"
"I think I ate something bad at lunch," he said waving me off. "I'll be fine with a little Pepto and rest."
"Are you sure?" I asked eyeing him warily. Burt was one of the best warehouse guys, and I couldn't afford to have him out sick right now. "We need you, man."
"I know, I know," he grinned as he kept one arm wrapped around his midsection. "I'm going to cut out a little early and go to Urgent Care just to make sure."
"Go, go!" I said waving him away. "And call me to let me know if you're okay or if we need to start collecting for Gloria's widow fund!"
"Ha, ha, very funny," Burt said rolling his eyes. "I'm fine. I'll be in tomorrow morning."
"Take care of yourself, Burt," I said seriously. "We really do need you. Jack's got plans for upgrading the warehouse, and I can't afford to lose even one of you guys when they start this crazy renovation."