Free Her New Boss: A Rouge Erotic Romance by Michelle M. Pillow

NODDED, LISTENING to Charlie talk about business expansion as he occasionally glanced out the window toward the diner. The general store’s front window had a perfect view of the restaurant’s entrance. What was Zoe doing in there? Sheryl left soon after she had arrived. He almost felt bad for Zoe, knowing how much of a tyrant the older woman could be. But Sheryl, like most of the town, was like family to him. It was this close-knit feeling that he missed when away in the big city. He knew people here, really knew them. He visited them in the hospital and knew that they’d come and see him if anything happened. He knew their kids, mourned at their funerals, celebrated at their weddings. Then why had he brought Zoe here? Why to a place that was so special to him? To a place he rarely let even the most elite of his clients come to, and then only if they were in the horse market?
    ‘I heard your new cook was young and pretty.’ Charlie followed Jackson’s gaze through the front window. ‘Also heard she wasn’t big on the small talk.’
    ‘She’s from New York.’ Jackson knew that would explain everything. He tried not to think about the searing kiss they’d shared. What had prompted him to kiss her like that? On her first day and so passionately?
    Charlie nodded. ‘Heard that.’
    Jackson chuckled. ‘Marta’s been by, I see. That woman should write the gossip column.’
    ‘I’ll mention it to her.’ Charlie laughed.
    ‘Oh, no, please don’t.’ Jackson tensed as the restaurant door opened. Zoe was on her cell phone and began to walk away before turning to lock the door. Whatever the conversation was, she was deep into it.
    ‘Go,’ Charlie said. ‘No point in standing around here when she’s out there.’
    ‘Nothing is going on. She’s just a temporary employee. Bob needed a vacation.’ Jackson didn’t take his eyes from Zoe’s slender figure as she held the phone with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist in a protective gesture.
    ‘He using the cabin?’
    ‘Callie threatened my life. I think they’re going to Savannah for a few weeks. Jefferson’s fiancée has family there and the ladies are going to do some wedding shopping.’
    ‘I’d prefer the fishing cabin.’ Charlie coughed, tapping his chest.
    ‘So would my brothers.’ Jackson kept an eye on Zoe as he made a move for the door. ‘I’ll see you later, Charlie. I need to make sure she’s not going to ruin the diner.’
    ‘Now that would be a true tragedy. All of Main Street would starve without it.’
    ‘Kat, it’s awful. I mean, the menu is like … is like …’ Zoe shivered. Out of all her sisters, Kat was closest to Zoe. They just seemed to get each other. ‘It’s like a diner’s. Chicken fried steak, grits, potato salad, ruebens, hamburgers, hotdogs, coleslaw, macaroni with cheese, fried foods –’
    ‘Oh, sweetie, do you want me to send the jet?’ Kat interrupted, concern in her voice.
    ‘No, there are a couple of bright spots. I get to choose the soup of the day and I get to do my own specials, except for Tuesday, which apparently must be meatloaf.’
    ‘Ew!’
    ‘Yeah.’ Zoe nodded, though her sister couldn’t see her. She paced to the end of the block, passing the bed and breakfast. ‘But I can do this. I can prove myself.’
    ‘Of course you can.’
    ‘I’m going to go. I’ll call you later.’ Zoe said goodbye and hung up. She found herself a block from the bed and breakfast in a residential neighborhood. Some of the children playing in the front lawns stared at her, a little girl grinning as she held an enormous rainbow lollipop in her dirty hands.
    Giving a brief, uncomfortable smile, she turned and went brusquely back toward Marta’s. She watched her feet, not making eye contact out of habit from living in the city. Hearing a car, she glanced up. Her gaze instantly drew forward, magnetically drawn down the sidewalk. Jackson stood before the bed and breakfast’s picket fence.
    Instantly,