Page 106 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"No. Stop it." I picked up my mug and turned to walk back to my office. "We have that interview at eight with the new marketing agent. Make sure you ask her all of the questions I gave you, all right?"
"No way. They were horribly boring."
I turned and walked backward down the hall as he stood just outside of the kitchenette. "They were important. Just because you're a fruity artist tucked into the body of a businessman doesn't mean that you can hire anyone and hope for the best."
"But if she's got the right personality, I can teach her everything else."
I snorted at the look on his face. "Why does that worry me? You teaching her shouldn't look so sensual. Get it together and behave or you're fired."
"You can't fire me. I'm your partner."
"Sure I can. It's in clause four of our agreement." I turned and walked into my office as a smile lifted my lips. He would be in there in three... two...
"You're not serious, right? You wouldn't do that." He moved into the doorway of my office, his look far more serious than I was used to.
"Of course not. We built the firm together." I smiled and set my coffee down.
"All right, but could you technically based on the agreement?"
"Her name is Keira Langston. Ask the questions I sent you and then add a few of your own."
"Wait. You're not coming with me?" He crossed his arms over his strong chest. He had more of a swimmer’s body, but he was beautiful no matter which way he turned.
"Nope. You're a big boy and this is your first employee for the marketing department. You don't need me in there."
"What if I want you in there?"
"You're thirty-six. Stop being a baby and interview the woman."
"Girl." He smiled. "She's only twenty-five, Becca."
"And that's not a girl. It's a woman, or so you told me when I was worried about Jason being a kid."
"Touché." He shrugged and put his back to me as he started to walk out. "I hate you sometimes."
"No you don't, but good try." I sat down and turned on my computer before glancing over at the picture of me and Jason that sat on the edge of my desk. His smile warmed my heart and the gleam in his eye had my stomach contracting in lust. "I'm ready for you to come home."
More than that, I was ready for him to call the big house I'd built home. His home. Our home.
I wanted him to move in. It was time.
CHAPTER 2
JASON
I glanced around the restaurant where I sat, waiting on one of my clients to return from the restroom. The noise level was almost annoying, but I quickly found myself lost in my thoughts. It had been an interesting year, but the best of my life thus far. I was an old soul, trapped in a time and place I didn't much feel like I belonged to. I wanted peace and serenity in my life far more than action and adventure.
It left me with few friends and a longing to marry Becca far before she'd be comfortable with agreeing to it. We'd only been dating for nine months, but I was ready. Beyond ready.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The line to the restroom was ridiculous." The pretty blond that ran Deming Electronics sat down across from me and gave me a cute smile. They would be a great client for Martin and Co., and Becca would be thrilled. She'd been after Deming for a couple of years from what she told me.
"No worries." I pulled my napkin into my lap and picked up my fork. "I'm glad we could work out the details of you bringing your company on board with us. We'll take good care of you."
"I hope so." Her voice softened, and I looked up, not at all surprised that the cuteness had morphed into something a little more bold. Too bold, perhaps. "I want you on the account, Jason."
I nodded and cut my steak. "Sure. I'll talk to Rebecca about it when I get back to Houston."
"Good." She smiled and picked up her fork. "Now that we're done with business, tell me about yourself." She took a bite of her lasagna and moaned softly.
