Free Out Of The Smoke by Becca Jameson Page A

even stood up.
    Renae had even outfitted her with dainty black heels that showed off her shapely legs.
    “Wow. You look…fantastic.” It was the truth.
    Liz smiled shyly and turned around once. She was just as proud and having a hard time keeping her excitement at bay. But he could see it dancing behind those gorgeous green eyes. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do this, and I fully intend to repay you when I can.”
    “We’ll see.” He didn’t want to upset her by letting her know he had no intention of ever taking her money.
    To top it off, Renae stated, “I called my friend Jennifer next door at the salon. She said she had some time right now if Liz wanted to get a style.” Renae reached up and ran her fingers lightly through Liz’s soft hair. “She’ll look like a new woman in half an hour.”
    “Thanks, Renae. I knew I could count on you. Can you ring everything up while I get Liz settled at the salon? I’ll be right back.” And explain myself a little better .
    Alan pulled Liz through the boutique, unable to keep his eyes off her stunning body. Such a tight figure and fine ass. If she came out looking very much better after a cut and style, he’d start to drool.
    * * * *
    Liz felt like she’d died and gone to heaven. Thirty minutes after leaving the most fantastic little clothing shop she’d ever been in, she spun around in her swivel chair to see the results of her haircut.
    A gasp escaped her lips. Never, in all her life, had she ever had a professional haircut. Her mother couldn’t have afforded it and wouldn’t have spent that kind of money on her even if she could. And Matthew…well, Matthew forbade her from cutting it from the moment she’d met him. In fact, she believed he actually preferred it so long largely because it was easier to grab her and drag her by the head that way. When she’d finally escaped his wrath, one of the first things she’d done had been to cut about a foot of that long heavy hair off. It had still been below her shoulders, but she’d felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her, both figuratively and literally.
    The miracle the stylist had created was incredible. When Liz stood and faced the front of the store, the results were confirmed. Alan did a double take, glanced up from his magazine twice, clearly having not recognized her the first time. She smiled in appreciation.
    “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were someone else altogether. Even your head is held higher.” Alan stood and reached for Liz’s hand, which she allowed him to take for some unknown reason.
    He swiftly paid the stylist and led Liz to the car. After the chivalrous gesture of helping her inside once again, he quickly rounded the hood and climbed in himself, only to turn and stare at her, dumbfounded. “Who are you and what have you done with my cleaning lady?”
    Liz put her hands in her lap and looked down, trying not to cry. How could this man wrap her so firmly around his finger so quickly when she’d let not one single soul into her private life for so very long?
    She had to remind herself he wasn’t Matthew.
    He broke the spell, helping her save face. “Where would you like to eat?”
    When Liz locked her gaze on his she couldn’t believe her current good fortune. Was it possible he just felt obliged to pamper her a bit simply as a sign of his gratitude for her accounting skills? “You don’t have to do all this you know,” she stated for the third time.
    “I want to…Liz?” He waited for her to return her gaze. “You’re fired.” He smiled as if his statement had been the most casual thing in the world.
    Her cheeks burned and her bottom jaw fell open. What did he just say?
    “Don’t look at me like that.” Alan laughed, hard.
    “Did I do something wrong?” She was appalled and dismayed and…she didn’t even know what else.
    “Hardly. Though I do wish you would have. I’ll never find another cleaning lady as good as you, especially one with accounting