Page 2 of Price of Paradise

“Hell, yeah. She sure could bake.”

A light knock at the door pulled Gunner out of memory lane. He looked up in time to see Mae, his assistant, striding into the office, her low black heels clicking against the tile floor. She had on her usual black slacks and a button-down blouse. Today it was dark emerald. The shade complimented her light green eyes and ivory skin tone. The rich deep color of her shiny auburn hair made Gunner wonder at the texture. He’d imagined reaching out and touching, but that would surely be grounds for harassment and lose him the best assistant he could ever hope for.

“I need your signature on these documents, then I’m heading out.”

“You are?” Gunner frowned at the time on his laptop. “It’s only two in the afternoon.”

She slapped the papers onto his desk, then propped a fist on her hip. “I have a flight to catch, remember?”

Fuck. “Vacation,” he groused. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“You’re taking a vacation?” Jake asked, speaking up for the first time since Mae had entered the room.

She smiled at him. “Three days in sunny Miami, then the rest of the week at home relaxing.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “I can’t wait.”

Gunner stiffened. Jesus, he was expected to do without her for an entire week? “What am I supposed to do for the next seven days?”

“Seriously?” Her eyes turned icy. “I told you I’ve already arranged everything through the temp agency. I sent you an email with all the details weeks ago. You approved it.”

Jake laughed. “Never mind my absentminded brother, Mae. When are you going to put me out of my misery and let me take you to dinner?”

Mae grinned right back, then pointed a pink polished fingertip at him. “You’d break my heart and we both know it.”

Jake slammed a hand over his chest. “I’m wounded, sweetheart.”

She laughed and shook her head, then locked gazes with Gunner. “Anyway, her name is Viola and she’ll be here Monday morning.”

“Viola?” He pictured a seventy-year-old woman and a disapproving frown. “What kind of name is that?”

Mae took a deep breath and let it out. “Viola Higgins is a sweetheart. I’m sure you two will get along just fine.”

“Right, uh, okay.” He stared at her, surveying her fair skin, then said, “Miami sun is brutal this time of year. You’re certain this is a good idea?”

“Yes, and besides that’s what sunblock is for,” she shot right back, then tapped the stack of papers. “Signature.”

He signed without even bothering to look at them. Something he never did. But Mae distracted him, always had. “Anyone going with you?”

“Nope.” She grinned. “I’m solo and looking forward to every second of it.”

At Mae’s words, Gunner’s protective instincts kicked in. “That could be dangerous, Mae. A woman traveling alone, I mean.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, then stared down her nose at him. “True, but I’m taking precautions and the hotel is top-notch.” He started to speak, but she wasn’t quite through. “And I have family in Miami if something does come up.”

Gunner heard her loud and clear, but he still worried. Hell, she wasn’t just his assistant, but also a friend. “What’s the name of the hotel?”

She told him, then snatched the papers and left the room, leaving Gunner to stare at the closed door. His brother cleared his throat, catching his attention. The shit-eating grin on Jake’s face told him plenty. “Don’t start.”

“That woman is fucking gorgeous and you’re a damn fool,” Jake said, lowering his voice and leaning forward to keep the conversation from reaching Mae on the other side of the door.

Don’t I know it?“She’s my employee, dumbass,” he said, attempting to be the voice of reason.

“Look, I get it, but she watches you, bro. She’s into you.”

“That’s bullshit,” he grumbled. Mae wasn’t into him. The thought was absurd. Or was it?

“I’m telling you right now that woman is not thinking about numbers when she’s around you,” Jake replied, not willing to let the matter drop. “And she’s clearly not dating anyone or she’d take them with her.”

“Terrific.” He threw his hands in the air, pissed off that Jake wouldn’t shut up about it. He had a hard enough time keeping his mind out of the gutter around Mae as it was. “What am I supposed to do about it? If I make a move she could file a sexual harassment suit. I’m not fucking around with that shit.”He thought of how much he’d lose if Mae ever quit. “Besides, she’s too important to me. To my business.”

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