Free [B.S. #1] Tied Up in Knotts by Dale Cadeau Page B

all a bit edgy. It’s the first day, so why don’t you sit and calm down and just take a minute,” Clay said in his most calming voice. He didn’t want to add to the tension between her and James.
    Avery sat down and considered her behavior. She was letting James get to her again. She just had to get her mind set that she had to ignore him. Not that it would be easy for her to do. Her body betrayed her every time he was near. He was a beautiful man, but his personality could do with some work. Nodding at Clay, she went about setting up her desk.
    Clay left Avery thinking things over and walked down the hall and into the kitchen. He found James was still sitting at the table, drinking coffee and staring into space.
    “I know, don’t say it. I woke the kitten up again with my remarks. But Clay you have to admit that her outfit is a bit much.” James watched his friend pour himself coffee and return to the table where he sat.
    Clay sat down across from James. “I agree. It must have been your sparkling presentation that did it. Did you even go home last night? You didn’t have to stay. We have a security system installed now and Angel is always lurking around. He would have kept an eye on her.”
    James stood and took his cup back to the sink and rinsed it. He glared over his shoulder at Clay. “Am I already fucking this up? I can’t seem to stop wanting to control her. This morning she looked like a little old bag lady with that getup. I know if I had picked her clothes out she would have looked like the woman I know she can be.”
    Clay laughed at James’s serious expression. “If you would have dressed her, we would have had to have gone into another business. Knowing you, she wouldn’t have been wearing much. You wouldn’t have wanted clothes to hinder her look shining through.”
    James grinned back at Clay. “I’m not that bad, since she would be in the public eye. But you have to admit that a shorter skirt and a less bundled up appearance would be an improvement.”
    “Yes, I agree. Wrapped up like she is, no one could see the woman inside. Should I talk to her? Get her to loosen up her image a bit.”
    “You’re the boss, as you keep rubbing in. Get her to lighten up but not too much. After all, I don’t like my property to be on display. Unless I’m the one doing the displaying.”
    Clay rose and put both hands down, leaning on the table. “You better make your move soon. You’re jumpy and not on your game. If you wait too long, someone else might come along and snatch her away.” Clay pushed off the table and left the kitchen.
    James laid the rinsed cup down on the counter and thought of Clay’s words. Hell, no one’s going to claim her except me!

Chapter Ten
     
    The next week passed with relative ease, a few phone calls, running errands and making gallons of coffee. Avery had revised her daily outfit and she hardly saw either James or Clay. There seemed to be some strange individuals going in and out but not any stranger than how Angel looked in a suit. He must have had it made to fit. His arms bulged, stretching out the sleeves, and because he was so tall, Avery knew it didn’t come off any rack.
    Avery was aware of James’s presence as he moved around the office, but since their last blowout, he had not approached her. She kind of missed his twinkling blue eyes that seemed to follow her every move. Now he only seemed to be interested in business and didn’t talk unless it was necessary.
    Had Avery missed her chance with him? He might be ignoring her, but he still got her system going every time he turned in her direction. Avery decided that enough was enough. She was going to talk to him the next time he walked by. Almost like she willed it, the door at the end of the hall opened and James stepped out of Clay’s office, his hands full of papers.
    “I’ll look into this and get back to you, Clay.”
    Now or never. Avery got up from her seat and proceeded down the hall. She kept her