Lust or Love (The Love Vixen #2) - Jeannette Winters Page 0,1

go back to whatever it is he normally does.” I had been following his career for years. And when he was competing at the Olympics, I had been glued to the TV. Back then I’d thought Jack couldn’t get any sexier. But he’d proved me wrong. He was…model material. If I hired him in sales, he probably wouldn’t even have to open his mouth to outsell every other consultant.

“What is that grin for?” Allison asked.

Getting up I said, “Just thinking about what I’m going to tell your mother when I see her at the party tonight.”

Allison crossed her arms and huffed. “Probably the same thing your dad’s going to say when I tell him what you really sell.”

Point taken.

“I’m actually going to grab some of the new products to bring with me,” I stated.

Allison’s eyes widened and she smiled. “Wait. Do you mean the Ultimate Pleasure Wand came in already?” she asked.

“Only one as a demo. The rest is on backorder,” I said, knowing that Allison would be hounding me for some if I told her where the stash was.

She slumped back into the chair. “Don’t get a girl all excited and tell her she can’t get one for God knows how long.”

I shook my head and said, “Allison, I think you spend more than you make here.”

Holding her head up high and trying to look serious, Allison said, “For research purposes only. I mean, a good salesperson should be familiar with the product they’re selling!”

“TMI, Al,” I laughed. I grabbed my purse and headed out of my office, Allison following close behind. “Thanks for listening to me,” I said.

“That’s what friends are for. Besides, it’s nice to see you…uneasy for a change. You’re normally so in control. I think having Jack here, even for a short time, is going to spice up this place.”

I turned and shot her a warning look. “Allison, I want you to stay away from Jack.”

“Want him all for yourself?” she teased.

“No. I just don’t want any complications, personal or professional,” I stated firmly. It was the truth. No matter how much I had liked Jack when we were younger, and dreamed of us someday being together, the reality was, we weren’t meant to be. Not then, and not now. “Please promise me, you won’t play any of your…matchmaking games,” I begged.

Allison said, “No problem. But if it’s fate, you two won’t be able to stop it.”

My cell phone rang and I pulled it out of my purse. Please be Beatrice cancelling her party. I shouldn’t think like that, but tonight, I just wanted to go home and stop thinking. I had once thought Jack was the one. But he’d been so focused on training to win the gold that there was no room in his life for me. And now, I have no time for him.

I looked at the caller ID and it was my father. “Hello, Dad.”

“Hi Deidre. I’m just checking to see how you’re doing,” he asked.

I knew he really wanted to ask about Jack. I got it-Jack was the son he never had. The fact that he’d been Jack’s swim coach and prided himself on training Jack for the Olympics didn’t help any either.

“I’m good, Dad. Just getting ready to check on some inventory.”

“Won’t it be nice to have Jack around to help you with things like that?” he asked.

And there it was. Jack. Always Jack. It was hard growing up in the shadow of someone who wasn’t even family. And if it wasn’t for Dad being Jack’s coach, maybe we’d have ended up together like we used to talk about, when Jack was allowed some free time. Maybe this. Maybe that. None of it matters any more.

“Dad, I only hired him to drive the box truck and unload it. That’s all,” I said firmly. The last thing I needed was Jack interacting with the product. He wouldn’t judge me. Pick on me endlessly is more like it. I missed our playful, flirtatious, banter. But we were adults now. And I might sell adult toys, but I still took my business seriously. After all, it was what put food on my table and paid my rent.

“He starts tomorrow right?” he asked.

“Yes, he does. Why?” I made the mistake of inquiring.

“Why don’t you and Jack come for dinner? I’m sure he could use a nice home-cooked meal.”

“I’m working.” Didn’t need to check my schedule. Whatever day or time Dad suggested, I was going to be conveniently booked.

“You really should learn to slow