Free The Big Bad Boss by Susan Stephens

smiled and kept on smiling as if she hadn’t a care in the world. But when everyone started getting up from the table and she noticed Heath was looking at her, her senses sharpened. After what Heath had described as her less than promising start, she hoped she had gone some way to making amends tonight. But she still needed clarification about a formal interview—that was if Heath’s offer still stood.
    Her first thought was, what would the position be?
    Missionary? Or up against a wall—
Stop!
Stop!
    Estate manager, or housekeeper, Bronte told herself firmly, wiping her overheated forehead on the back of her hand. She’d settle for either—though of course she would hand over the housekeeper’s position to her mother, with Heath’s agreement, the moment her parents returned from their trip.
    She was so busy clearing the table and trying to see into the future that she managed to crash into Heath. ‘Well?’ he demanded, steadying her, his firm hands so warm and strong on her arms. ‘I’m still waiting for your answer, Bronte.’
    ‘Wages?’
    ‘Terms,’ he murmured.
    ‘And is that look supposed to encourage me to accept?’ His gaze was currently focused on her lips.
    ‘I haven’t offered you anything yet,’ he pointed out. ‘Is this a better look?’
    His face was so close she could see the flecks of amber in his eyes. ‘Barely,’ she said.
    Her body disagreed. Her body liked Heath’s brooding look very much indeed. ‘You can let me go now,’ she said, staring pointedly at his hand on her arm.
    Heath hummed as he lifted it away, leaving behind him an imprint of sensation that it would take more than a shower to wash off.
    This was everything she’d ever dreamed of, Bronte reflected as she cleared the table—Heath back at Hebers Ghyll, picking up almost, but not quite, where they’d left off, flirting with him.
    Flirting with Heath was a very bad ideaindeed. It put her heart at risk, while his was in no danger at all. And she didn’t kid herself where this was heading, if she let it. Heath had a healthy appetite, and it was up to her to decide yes or no and then take the consequences for her decision whatever it might be.
    Everyone else had left the kitchen to return to work. No one stopped until a job was done now, Bronte had noticed, even thought it was quite late. Heath’s influence, she supposed. He never seemed to tire. She had asked him to mend a fuse for her before he went back to join the others. ‘Seems I can’t get rid of you now,’ she teased him as he straightened up.
    ‘Isn’t that what you want?’ he said.
    She was staring at his lips again, Bronte realised, shifting her gaze to Heath’s work-stained top. ‘Do you really think I find the scent of spark plugs and engine oil irresistible?’
    ‘I think you love a bit of rough.’
    ‘I—’
    Before she had chance to deny it, Heath had dragged her into his arms.
    ‘It might have escaped your notice,’ she told him, coolly, ‘but I’m in no danger of falling over at the moment.’
    ‘You’re right,’ Heath agreed, lips pressingdown. ‘You’re in no danger at all.’ He lifted his hands away.
    The master tactician was at it again, Bronte suspected, feeling the loss of him before Heath had even left the room. There was more to foreplay than she had ever realised. Turned out Heath was master of that too. Still, he’d gone now, which would give her chance to cool down. She’d clear up the kitchen—and then, as she’d announced over supper, she would paint the wall Heath had plastered. The plaster had dried out now, and she didn’t feel like going down to the pub. Sometimes she liked to be alone with her thoughts—though where that would get her tonight was anyone’s guess.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    E VERYONE was going down to the pub in the village after work. Heath wasn’t and neither was Bronte. She was still fixing up the kitchen. Having cooked and cleaned and cleared, she had declared her intention to paint the wall. He