Free Working With the Enemy by Susan Stephens

whipped and sweetened cream, thick Greek yoghurt, strawberries, raspberries, and crumbled chunks of home-made meringue. ‘Please, tuck in,’ she announced brightly, swallowing back her embarrassment at the thought that her feelings for Heath must have been aired extensively at some point today.
‘This pudding is delicious,’ Heath said, looking up.
His eyes held all sorts of thoughts that went beyond pudding—none of which Bronte trusted herself to examine too closely. How would Heath’s energy translate if they were left alone together for any length of time? Perhaps he had better install a sprinkler system along with all his other DIY improvements.
‘We’re going to be here for the best part of six months according to the boss,’ one of the men said, directing this comment at Bronte. ‘I hope you’ll be staying on?’
‘She’ll be here,’ Heath confirmed.
‘Oh, will I?’ Bronte challenged.
‘Where else would you go?’ Heath demanded.
Everyone went silent and turned to look at them.
‘We definitely can’t let a cook as good as you go,’ the first man said politely to break the standoff.
‘We won’t let her go,’ Heath assured him while Bronte frowned. It wasn’t just that she didn’t like to be told what she was going to do—she was beginning to wonder if she had blown the bigger job. Not that she didn’t enjoy cooking, but her mother was the one trained in household management, while Bronte’s training had been geared towards managing the estate.
Don’t make a fuss, her inner voice warned … softly, softly catchee monkey.
‘I’ve really enjoyed cooking for you all,’ she said honestly, thinking it best to leave it there.
‘If you do stay on and work here,’ Colleen piped up, ‘I’m sure Heath will pay excellent wages.’
‘We definitely need to talk terms,’ Heath agreed above the laughter.
Great wages and impossible terms? Bronte smiled and kept on smiling as if she hadn’t a care in the world. But when everyone started getting up from the table and she noticed Heath was looking at her, her senses sharpened. After what Heath had described as her less than promising start, she hoped she had gone some way to making amends tonight. But she still needed clarification about a formal interview—that was if Heath’s offer still stood.
Her first thought was, what would the position be?
Missionary? Or up against a wall— Stop! Stop!
Estate manager, or housekeeper, Bronte told herself firmly, wiping her overheated forehead on the back of her hand. She’d settle for either—though of course she would hand over the housekeeper’s position to her mother, with Heath’s agreement, the moment her parents returned from their trip.
She was so busy clearing the table and trying to see into the future that she managed to crash into Heath. ‘Well?’ he demanded, steadying her, his firm hands so warm and strong on her arms. ‘I’m still waiting for your answer, Bronte.’
‘Wages?’
‘Terms,’ he murmured.
‘And is that look supposed to encourage me to accept?’ His gaze was currently focused on her lips.
‘I haven’t offered you anything yet,’ he pointed out. ‘Is this a better look?’
His face was so close she could see the flecks of amber in his eyes. ‘Barely,’ she said.
Her body disagreed. Her body liked Heath’s brooding look very much indeed. ‘You can let me go now,’ she said, staring pointedly at his hand on her arm.
Heath hummed as he lifted it away, leaving behind him an imprint of sensation that it would take more than a shower to wash off.
This was everything she’d ever dreamed of, Bronte reflected as she cleared the table—Heath back at Hebers Ghyll, picking up almost, but not quite, where they’d left off, flirting with him.
Flirting with Heath was a very bad idea indeed. It put her heart at risk, while his was in no danger at all. And she didn’t kid herself where this was heading, if she let it. Heath had a healthy appetite, and it was up to her to