Lust or Love (The Love Vixen #2) - Jeannette Winters Page 0,14

Vixen and wanted to show my appreciation as a reader.

I opened the bottom drawer of my desk, the one drawer that held new products I wanted to hand out to my employees. Guess one of you will need to wait a bit longer. I knew it wasn’t Allison, because she most likely had already snagged hers. And if she hadn’t, well, I’d never hear the end of it if she got hers last. The problems with hiring friends. I pulled out what I needed and packaged it. I prepared the tag for pickup and shipping. The Love Vixen should have her gift in a few days. A gift that keeps on giving. Even if she didn’t like it, hopefully she’d mention my company on her blog. Maybe one of her readers will be lucky enough to get it.

Leaning back in my office chair, I found myself smiling. Maybe The Love Vixen wasn’t so bad after all. Not that I expected her to actually choose my letter for her blog, but what could it hurt to at least ask the question?

I opened my laptop and spent the next hour writing the letter over and over again. I finally got what I thought was right and hit submit on her website.

Dear Love Vixen:

I’m frustrated, both mentally and physically. I’ve been crushing on this guy since I was a teenager. Back then we had a major roadblock, namely my father, who was also his coach. How Jack filled out that Speedo distracted me, but back then dating was a no-no because his focus needed to be on winning the gold. But the Olympics are over and guess who’s back in town looking for a job?

Of course, I hired him. What was I thinking? I’m not a sadist, but this is pure torture. To make things worse, Jack knows damn well the effect he has on me. Again, the rules are clear, no fraternization between employees. I followed the rules once, and I lost him. If I break them now, I jeopardize my livelihood. But daydreaming about running my hands over every inch of his gorgeous Olympic Gold body isn’t doing much for the quality of my work, either.

Do I fire him or act on every one of the fantasies I’ve ever had about him? I’ve got to know, is this lust or love?

-Risky business

That wasn’t so bad. It’s not like I signed my name on it. Then again, Allison would know it came from me. I never should’ve mentioned the Olympics. Hell, I never should’ve sent it.

This was all Allison’s fault. I never should’ve listened to her. Somehow I knew this was going to blow up in my face. The Love Vixen would tell me to go for it so I don’t end up needing to buy stock in batteries, too.

What am I worried about? She probably gets thousands of letters a day. She probably won’t even pick mine.

Just in case, I would be proactive and take the hit before Allison finds out. Picking up my cell phone again I called her.

“Really, Deidre, I hear from you more now than ever. Is this just another way to avoid dealing with the hot and sexy beefcake who is painting your storage room?” she teased.

“How do you know about that?” I asked, totally forgetting about the email to The Love Vixen.

“I was there earlier. There were a few things I wanted to bring to display at the demonstration tonight. Or did you forget that I’m working?”

“No. I’m the one who booked the party for you after all,” I reminded her. “What did you say to Jack?” I asked, knowing damn well that Allison would never see him and just walk by.

“Not much. I was too busy drooling. I mean Deidre, what the hell are you doing trying to get that exquisite specimen to leave? I’m beginning to think you’re losing your mind,” Allison joked.

I’ve never been jealous of Allison before, but something deep down inside of me didn’t like the fact she’d been drooling over his half naked body. Why the hell did he need to take his shirt off anyway? Was it to impress me with all those delicious muscles? It worked. But I didn’t need my employees lingering for the free show.

Just the fact that I was perturbed about this meant I had made the right decision. Jack needs to go.

“Did you find everything you were looking for?” I asked.

“Funny, but I can’t even remember what I had stopped in to get. Guess