Page 18 of Faith

“That’s not what I meant.”

“No?” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “Why don’t you tell me what you meant?”

“I don’t think I want to do that. And I truly don’t like your tone.”

“Then you shouldn’t be such a total jackass.”

Irritated with him and herself, she grabbed her coffee and rose out of her chair.

“When you are through with breakfast, I’ll be inside working. Something I like to do...mostly alone.”

She stomped off across the lanai and into the house. She was better off in the cool air of the house than dealing with Jensen.

* * *

Jensen watchedNicola as she made her way to the house. He had done it on purpose. He’d been raised better than to say rude things to a woman in the manner he did with Nicola. It was the only way to put distance between them. If she was angry with him, she’d be cool to him. No more fun banter, sexy smiles, and maybe—just maybe—he’d be able to fight this need that kept building inside of him.

He’d walked outside just a few seconds ago thankful that he had relieved himself of the tension that had been growing. All he had to do was hear that warm tone in her voice and the calm he’d created had slipped from his fingers in a matter of seconds.

One more glimpse of her rounded backside before it disappeared into the house along with every other luscious inch of her. With a groan, he shoved his hand through his hair. This was just not going the way he thought it would. Worse, he felt like a perv. Nicola might forget it sometimes, but she worked for him. He was not some bloody sexual predator. It had never been his thing to seduce a woman who worked for him or for his company. It was just not done by Wulfs.

All of that didn’t seem to matter because he wanted her. More than was good for him or her. He’d learned control, but with her, this woman who coordinated everything in his life, he couldn’t seem to control himself around her. He was sure a psychiatrist would have a field day with that one.

He rolled his shoulders and decided he needed to buck up and be a man about it.

Now he just had to persuade his cock not to stand at attention begging for a pet every time he was in her presence and he would be right as rain.

chapterfour

After their skirmish on the lanai, if one could even call it that, they settled into work without a problem. Nicola knew their one issue being there would be the hours. Their sleep patterns were off, and it left both of them cranky. She thought it might have more to do with Hawaii itself.

From the first time she had visited the islands, she had been in love. She could never live in the climate all the time. She still loved snow and cold weather, but there was something beyond special about Hawaii. Beauty surrounded you no matter if you were in the swankiest hotel or the humblest of homes. There was no denying that Hawaii had one of the most breathtaking vistas. It helped that her best friend in the world lived here.

“It’s not like you to stare off into space.”

She blinked and focused on Jensen. He’d behaved himself the rest of the morning, but that was how it went with him. She knew from his case history that he had acted out that way with drugs also. He’d get pissed and strike out, but the way he did it in those days was by getting high. Now he said inappropriate things. Most of the time he directed it toward other people, but lately, he’d increasingly zeroed that acerbic wit in her direction. And that led her to think about her future beyond the Wulfs.

“Nic?”

She shook her head. “Sorry. It’s Hawaii. It makes me want to just lay around.”

“Hmm, I can understand that. Something about the air I think. It’s heavy and sweet.”

She nodded. “So, you are ready for your meeting next Monday.”

“Tell me again why you aren’t coming?”

“Pool. Me. Not moving.”

He looked over his glasses at her, and she was sure most people would find the move condescending. Instead, it turned her on. Heading into his very late thirties, the bad boy turned into the very naughty professor with those glasses on. Like right now as he gave her a look of disappointment. It made her want to do all kinds of naughty things to him.

“Instead of spending time with me on Maui, you want to sit here by the pool?”

“I also have a friend coming in on Monday from my old days of skating.”

And, as soon as the words left her mouth, her phone vibrated on the table. She saw it was Jeff.

“Give me a sec.” He nodded. She clicked on the phone. “Why are you calling me?”

---