Free For the Love of You by Donna Hill Page A

I’m going to sit with Dad for a while.”
    â€œOkay. See you soon.”
    Jewel plopped down on the stool and gazed off into the distance, trying to paint a portrait of what her life might look like with a man like Craig Lawson in it. But then she looked at the stack of bakery boxes and her eyes lifted to the floor above where her father slept. She pushed back from her seat and stood. This was her life.
    * * *
    Throughout the meeting with his team, Craig struggled with keeping focused on the items at hand. His thoughts continually shifted between topics of discussion and kissing Jewel Fontaine. He was pretty sure that was a bad move on his part. He had a long history of getting involved with people he worked with, Milan Chase being a prime example. He didn’t want his somewhat jaded history to repeat itself with Jewel, but the truth of the matter was that, as inappropriate as it might be, he wanted to see her again. He wanted to take her to his bed and strip her naked. He needed to see and feel for himself if her skin was as silken as it looked. Did that lovely scent that drifted around her find its way beneath those gauzy dresses she wore? What would it feel like to be sheathed inside her? The merry-go-round of his questions was endless. He was immensely happy when the meeting came to an end.
    â€œWe can start preliminary shooting next week. Exteriors,” Diane was saying as Craig pushed back from the table.
    â€œGet the full schedule printed up and sent to everyone’s tablets,” Craig instructed her and Paul. “Norm, you can get some stills as well for the storyboards.”
    â€œNo problem, boss,” Norm, the technical director, said.
    Craig checked his watch. He had time to shower and change before meeting up with his sister. He crossed over to Anthony before he headed to his room. “As soon as the revised contract is ready, let me know. I’ll drop it off and get it signed.”
    Anthony shot him a sidelong look. “Not a problem.”
    He walked over to the minibar and poured himself a short glass of bourbon. “I’m gonna get ready to meet up with Alyse. I need all the fortitude I can get.” He tossed the warm liquid down in one swallow, shut his eyes briefly against the burn then set the glass down. He clapped Anthony on the back. “Thanks for holding it down, man.”
    â€œWe got this,” he said with a grin.
    Craig turned away and lifted his hand in salute.
    He changed into a black cotton shirt and black slacks, slid his phone, credit card and room key into his pocket, and headed down to the lobby to meet his sister.
    He was seated in one of the lounge chairs checking out the day’s headlines when Alyse pushed through the revolving door. She didn’t see him at first, and it gave Craig the opportunity to take in and appreciate the attractive and self-assured woman his little sister had become. His heart filled with warmth and good memories, which at the same time partnered with sadness that he could have allowed his rift with his father to keep him away from his sister. He stood just as she turned her head in his direction.
    Her arms stretched wide, and her dimpled smile beamed as she literally ran to him. Craig swept her up in a hug, pressing her face to his chest. She locked her arms around his waist and craned her neck to look up at him.
    â€œGod, it’s so good to see you,” she said as tears formed in her eyes. She sniffed hard and stroked his strong jaw. “Those pictures are much better looking than you, though,” she teased, deadpan.
    Craig tossed his head back and laughed. It would be his little sister that had no problem giving him a reality check to remind him that he wasn’t all that special. He pressed his palm to his chest. “You wound me. No respect for your elders.” He grinned down at her. “It’s good to see you, too, sis,” he said with affection.
    â€œPoint me to the drinks and