Page 6 of Bayside Heat
“Yes, but that was years ago, and it was a tiny firm where all I did was decorate. KHB has huge clients. They assured me I would be an integral part of the client teams, involved with all design-management decisions, not just picking out fabrics and pictures. If I ever want to make a name for myself, it’s the place to do it.”
He was glad she’d thought it through, but that didn’t take away his heartache over her leaving. “You’ve been doing interior design for months with Shift. We gave you an office in the community center so you wouldn’t have to drive to Hyannis. I thought you were happy here.” He’d even sent her a number of design clients over the winter, hoping to help her get off to a good start so she could build a reputation for herself.
“I am happy, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, giving me the office to work out of and sending clients my way. And I love helping you get the music stores up and running, taking a blank slate and creating something amazing like we did with the resort. All those cottages, the office, the community center…We made them gorgeous and homey enough so customers feel like they’ve come home when they arrive each summer. I love doing that, and I adore our friends. You know I do. But I need more, Drake. I need something of my own. The resort just doesn’t need me anymore.”
But I do.
Every iota of his being wanted to give her more, but he couldn’t give her the kind of more—the career—she wanted. He turned away to try to regain control of his emotions.
“God, Drake, what do I have to say to make you understand?”
He faced her again, and she crossed her arms. Her long dark hair lay sexily over her bare shoulders, contradicting the angry press of her lips. The look summed her up perfectly. She could be tough as nails or sweet as sugar, depending on the situation. She’d spent her life fighting for everything she’d ever had just to overcome a mother who worked too many hours in order to keep a roof over her girls’ heads and spent her nights prowling for men. There was no way in hell he was going to make it any harder for Serena to chase her dreams.
With a softer tone, he said, “There’s nothing more to say, and I’m sorry I was a dick. It was totally selfish of me. Let’s get started on the space designs. I’m sure you’ve got a billion things to take care of before you leave.”
“Whoa. That was a complete turnaround. You sure you’re not going to secretly chain me up in the office or something so I can’t leave?”
“Or something,” he said with a laugh.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because I don’t chain women down to get them to stay.”
Her jaw dropped open. “But you do…chain women down?”
He didn’t respond.
“Oh my God! You do!” she said. A hint of intrigue in her eyes warred with the shock on her beautiful face.
“Tie, not chain,” he clarified, struggling against an image of her bound to his bed, her hungry eyes and her fuckable mouth begging him to take her. As he’d done for years with such fantasies, he gritted his teeth, forcing the thoughts away, then added, “And only if they ask me to.”
“They ask you to?” She mouthed, Wow.
Jesus, why did he say anything? “We are not having this conversation.”
“How did I not know this about you?” she asked incredulously.
He grabbed her bag and handed it to her. “Dig your notebook out of there, Supergirl. It’s time to get to work.”
Her beautiful eyes were wide with curiosity that he wanted desperately to satisfy. “But—”
“Serena,” he said sharply, leaving no room for negotiation. “We are not going there.”
Chapter Two
SERENA RACED FROM the file room into her office Wednesday evening and grabbed her phone, typing a quick group text to Mira, Desiree, Emery, and Chloe. Leaving in five minutes. I’m sorry!! I promise I’ll be there soon. She was supposed to meet them in Orleans in five minutes to shop for clothes for her new job, but Drake was still behind closed doors with the last interview of the day. She hoped that was a good sign, considering he’d nixed the first two candidates she’d brought in.
