Free One Night of Misbehavior by Shelley Munro

censor his words. “I rang every night this week. Whoever answered promised to pass on my messages. They didn’t.”
    Ivy’s mouth firmed with disapproval. “You have proof?”
    “Yes,” Ash snapped. Damn it, he wasn’t a liar.
    “Why didn’t you ring her cell phone?”
    “I did. The number is out of use.”
    “Are you up to drinking a coffee, Gran?” Charlotte appeared in the doorway. She’d taken the time to brush her hair and confine it to a high ponytail.
    “That’s strange. Is your cell phone not working?” Ivy asked.
    Charlotte stilled, her gaze shooting to her bare feet. “Elizabeth said I didn’t need one. She canceled my account.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” Ivy asked.
    Color stung her cheeks, but she lifted her head. Ash could tell his presence embarrassed her. Too bad. He wasn’t leaving until he was good and ready.
    “Charlotte?” Ivy might be ill, but her tongue still lashed with the strength of a whip.
    “It wasn’t important in the scheme of things,” Charlotte said, and Ash knew she was picking her words with care. “I don’t need a phone.”
    “You do need a phone,” Ivy said. “Ash, pass me my handbag please.”
    Ash handed her the bag, and she rifled through the contents, pulling out a purse. She handed several notes to Charlotte. “Buy yourself a prepay phone.”
    “I don’t need—”
    “Ash, will you take her to buy a phone?”
    “I will.”
    “I can’t leave you alone, Gran.”
    “I’m not going to pop my clogs today,” Ivy snapped. “Next week or the week after, but not today. I have things I want to take care of first. Besides, Esther is coming to visit and we can’t have a good gossip if you’re hanging around.”
    “You want to talk about me,” Charlotte said.
    “Of course I do, child.” She cast a sly glance at Ash.
    “Oh, no,” he said. “You can leave me out of your conversation.”
    “Pooh, you’re no fun,” Ivy said. “Where’s my coffee?”
    “You turned down the job,” Ash said, once they were sipping their coffee.
    “She said she wanted to spend the hours with me,” Ivy said gruffly. “I tried to talk sense into her.”
    “Gran, it doesn’t matter,” Charlotte said. The glare she raked over him held a trace of temper.
    “It’s not right,” Ivy said. “Elizabeth had no—”
    “Gran,” Charlotte interrupted.
    Ivy subsided, but her expression spoke of frustration.
    “I might have a solution,” Ash said into the yawning silence.
    “Do tell,” Ivy said.
    Charlotte bit her bottom lip, worrying it until her mouth turned redder. Ash imagined doing the same thing and need gnawed at him. He stirred uneasily, his body taut with a rush of desire.
    “I’m still here,” Ivy said, humor lacing her tone. “Although I have to say watching you two circle each other is better than a movie.”
    “Gran.” Delicate color washed into Charlotte’s face again, and she refused to glance in his direction.
    “You’re a troublemaker,” he said to Ivy.
    Ivy chortled until an alarm clock went off.
    Charlotte stood. “Time for your medication.” She walked over to a dressing table and took pills from various bottles. She left with an empty glass and came back a minute later with it full of water. “Here you go.”
    “Start talking, young man. I want to hear your idea.” Although Ivy’s words were fighting, she slumped back against her pillows.
    “I’ve taken charge of a new account, and I want Charlotte to help me. She can work from home, and I’ll drop in each day to offer advice and help with any problems. What do you say?”
    “A real campaign?”
    “She’d do it,” Gran said immediately.
    “Do you have a laptop?” he asked.
    “Yes, Gran bought me one for Christmas. Will I need any special programs?”
    “Mostly you need to brainstorm ideas and design a motif and slogan for the customer,” Ash said. “So you’re interested?”
    “She is,” Ivy said. “She’ll take the job. How much do you pay?”
    “No, I