Baiting the Boss (Entangled Indulgence)

by Kwan, Coleen

  He sighed and shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “I don’t like leaving when there’s all this unresolved tension between us. We used to be friends, or at least I thought we were, and I’d like us to be friends when I leave.”

  The mention of his leaving filled her with an icy weight. Hearing him say it compounded the finality. “Of course we’re still friends,” she said.

  “Are we?”

  “Yes.” She nodded and fiddled with the pen some more. Friendship was all he could offer her, but that still meant a lot to her. “So,” she continued on a more upbeat note, “you’re heading straight back to Filemu Island?”

  “I am. I want to finish the village hall and get my school project off and running soon. If there’s one thing you’ve showed me, it’s that I shouldn’t be wasting any more time.”

  She pictured him back on the island, working shirtless in the balmy weather, and her throat tightened.

  “I have an idea how you could help the islanders even more,” she said, determined to stick to practicalities. “When I was on Filemu, Tupua told me how he wished there were more opportunities on the island for young people, so they’d have more incentive to remain instead of moving to the bigger towns. I was thinking that rather than paying for contractors to come in and build the school hall, you could use the opportunity to involve the locals. Get them to design the school they’d like. Give them on-the-job training so they have the skills to maintain the buildings. It would take more time and money to deliver the project, but in the long run you’d make a far greater impact.”

  Jack studied her with renewed respect. “Grace, that’s a brilliant idea.”

  His praise made her warm all over with pride. “You think so?”

  He nodded. “Definitely. I’ll be sure to incorporate that in my plans.” He paused, his eyes soft with appreciation. “Sure you can’t make lunch tomorrow? It’d be great to discuss this further.”

  For a second she wavered, longing to bask in his admiration a little longer, but she knew she’d only be making things worse for herself. “I’m sorry, I really can’t. Too many last-minute tasks for the ball.” She pushed to her feet. “If you don’t mind, I have a meeting to go to.”

  “Of course. Please don’t let me hold you up.”

  He nodded politely and left without trying to press her.

  …

  “I specified purple orchids for the centerpieces.” Louisa jabbed a finger at the offending flowers. “These are white!”

  Grace consulted her notes. “Actually, according to this original order to the florists, you did ask for white orchids.”

  Louisa pouted. “I distinctly remember changing my mind and deciding purple would be much better.”

  “Yes, but did you tell the florists that?”

  Louisa flicked back her hair, looking offended. “I thought you’d take care of the details.”

  A swift retort rose to Grace’s lips, but over the past few days she’d found it easier not to descend to Louisa’s level. Instead, she said mildly, “I would have, if I could read minds.”

  Louisa puffed out her cheeks as if ready to argue the point, but then she shrugged. “I suppose it’s too late to do anything about it,” she conceded. “But purple would have been so much better!” With another toss of her head, she stalked away in a cloud of expensive but cloying perfume.

  Grace shook her head. Trust Louisa to chuck a wobbly about something as insignificant as the color of the flowers. In her opinion, the ballroom looked spectacular. Everything was ready for the big night. The parquet dance floor gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and the circle of linen-clad tables sparkled with glass- and silverware. The first guests were expected soon, and she and Louisa had arrived early to see to the last-minute arrangements.

  Tonight would be work for her. She would be up and down all night making sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes, leaving Louisa free to mingle. Grace didn’t mind. She wasn’t in a festive mood. Not when she knew this was Jack’s last night in town. He would be here at the ball, of course, but she didn’t expect to talk to him much. The other guests would monopolize him, and she’d be too busy overseeing the event.

  So really, she had no reason for going to so much trouble with her appearance tonight. No reason at all, except she wanted to look her best for Jack. She’d bought a new dress, an elegant, red chiffon gown that fell in soft folds around her hips, and high-heeled, silver sandals. She’d styled her hair into gentle waves around her cheeks. She wanted to look as attractive and feminine as possible, if only for one night.

  Her thoughts about Jack were cut short by Louisa storming back and demanding to know why the guitarist in the band had studs in his nose. By the time she’d convinced Louisa that nose studs would not bring down the tone of the ball, Lachlan arrived.

  “Everything going to plan?” he asked as he approached Louisa and Grace.

  “Just.” Louisa rolled her eyes dramatically. “I’ve been rushed off my feet!” Then, catching Grace’s wry look, she added, “Grace has been a big help to me, Dad. You must let me borrow her when I put on our Melbourne Cup function.”

  “Of course,” Lachlan said. “I’m sure Grace won’t mind, will you?”

  Grace was too flabbergasted to reply. No way was she going to be turned into Louisa’s party planner, but before she could protest, Louisa darted off to meet some new guests. Grace turned to Lachlan as all her pent-up frustration came to a fast boil.

  “Do you have a moment for a quick talk?” she asked him.

  She must have spoken in a more abrupt tone than usual because Lachlan took one look at her before steering her away to a table in a quiet spot. Motioning her to sit, he pulled out a chair next to her.

  “I want to thank you for helping Louisa with this function,” he said before she could speak. “I know how difficult she is to work with, but you seem to have a knack with her.”

  “Well, I appreciate that,” Grace said, slightly mollified by his words. “But what I have to say isn’t specifically about Louisa.” She clasped her hands together and drew in a steadying breath. “I’m not sure how best to broach the subject, so I’ll just come out and say it. Lachlan, I don’t want to be your Special Projects person anymore. I want a transfer to another position.”

  Lachlan gaped at her. “What are you talking about?” he finally spluttered out. “You can’t transfer now. You’re my Special Projects person.”

  She shook her head sadly. “We’ve talked about this before. I want to do something else. There’s nothing special about Special Projects. It’s just a euphemism for doing stuff nobody else wants to do.”

  Lachlan’s chest swelled. “That’s poppycock! I need you in Special Projects. You’re of vital importance to me and to the company.”

  “I’m only important to you because it’s convenient for you having me around.” Her fingernails dug into the flesh of her palms as she struggled to keep her voice even. “But I’m tired of doing mundane things like recruiting graduates and organizing balls. I want to do things that matter. I know I can do something more meaningful.”

  Lachlan’s face flushed as his anger mounted. “Oh, so suddenly taking orders from me is mundane, is it? It doesn’t matter much to you, is that it?”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  She massaged her temples tiredly. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to bring up such a delicate subject at a time like this, but she was sick of biting her tongue and suppressing her resentment.

  “I suppose you’ve already been job-hunting behind my back,” Lachlan barked.

  Her gaze slid away from him. “Well…”

  “I knew it! You’re looking for another job and you’re using that to try to blackmail me. Well, it won’t work. Not with me. You’ve got some nerve, after everything I’ve done for you! Goddammit, is there no one I can rely on these days?”

  He hauled himself to his feet and glowered down at her, patches of red fury staining his cheeks. “Girl, you better hope
you’ve got another job lined up, because I expect to see your resignation letter on my desk first thing tomorrow morning.”

  She stared after him with growing alarm as he stomped off. She hadn’t meant things to go this far, but she’d underestimated Lachlan’s volatile temper, and now she was as good as fired.

  As the first guests began to trickle into the ballroom, Grace made herself stand up, but her legs felt shaky and her stomach bilious. The ramifications of what she’d just done began to sink in. She’d lost her job, the job she’d had for more than three years, the job she’d thought was secure for as long as she wanted it. Sure, she hadn’t been too thrilled to be stuck in the slow lane, but that was infinitely preferable to being tossed on the roadside. What if she didn’t land another job soon? What would she do then? Suddenly all the foundations of her life were rocking on quicksand.

  She forced herself to walk forward, to concentrate on the outstanding tasks at hand. If Lachlan had effectively fired her, did she still have to remain here at the ball? Maybe she should drop everything and go home. Louisa would have a fit, and the ball would descend into shambles. Served them right, too. But she couldn’t abandon her post. She was too boringly conscientious.

  She busied herself ticking names off lists and showing people to their tables. She’d just returned from the bar with a bottle of organic wine someone had requested when she spied Jack standing in the center of the ballroom, surrounded by a crowd of elegantly dressed guests. The sight of him, dark and captivating in a tailored black tuxedo, brought her to a sharp halt. As she stood there, he turned, as if he felt her scrutiny, and the glint in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. It felt like weeks since she’d last seen him. She’d missed him, and it was all she could do not to run up to him and fling her arms around his neck.

  He walked toward her, his gaze taking in her flowing chiffon and her softly curling hair. “You look beautiful,” he said with something almost like awe in his tone. “Red suits you.”

  “Thank you.” She felt herself coloring, taken aback and thrilled by his admiration. She studied him, appreciating the contrast between his deep tan and the snowy whiteness of his shirt. The tuxedo highlighted his rugged good looks to aching perfection. “You look wonderful, too. I’ve never seen you in a tux before.”

  “It’s not my preferred attire.” He cocked his head toward Lachlan, who was standing apart from the crowd with shoulders hunched, a ponderous scowl weighing down his forehead. “Any idea what’s got into my grandfather? He’s been snapping at everyone since I arrived.”

  “I’m afraid it must be my fault. I know it’s not the appropriate occasion, but before the ball I had a talk with Lachlan about my job. I told him I wasn’t happy and, well, the upshot is he wants my resignation tomorrow morning.”

  Jack inhaled sharply. “What? You mean he’s fired you?”

  Several people turned their heads at Jack’s explosive tone. Glancing around impatiently, he took her by the elbow and steered her to a less crowded part of the ballroom. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  “There’s not much more to tell. I should have known it wasn’t the right time to broach the subject but, to be honest, your aunt was driving me batty, and I was at the end of my tether, so I was less than tactful. Lachlan feels betrayed. He thinks I should have brought my complaints to him sooner, and he thinks I’ve been sneaky in looking for a job behind his back. I tried to set him straight, but once his blood is up, he won’t listen.” She blew out a sigh. “So now I’m out of a job.”

  “No, you’re not. Lachlan will calm down and realize he’s acted rashly.”

  “In your case it took him three years, didn’t it?”

  Jack clamped his jaw hard. “He can’t treat you like this. I’ll talk to him.”

  “No,” she jumped in. “I shouldn’t have told you in the first place. This is something I have to deal with myself.” She hesitated a moment before adding, “Besides, you’re flying out tomorrow. After all the effort you’ve gone to with him, I don’t want you leaving your grandfather on a sour note.”

  A muscle in his taut jaw flexed in and out. He didn’t stop staring at her. It seemed he was struggling with himself, as if he wanted to say something to her but couldn’t decide if he should.

  Before he could speak, a thin woman dripping with diamonds pushed between them. “Excuse me, but is that the wine you were supposed to fetch me?” she asked Grace querulously.

  Grace glanced at the forgotten bottle still clutched in her hands and silently handed it to the woman. The ballroom was getting more crowded by the minute, and people were milling about as they searched for their places.

  “I’d better go and help people find their tables.” She turned to leave.

  “We’ll talk later.” His chin was set, and he looked austerely unflinching.

  …

  Jack bided his time. He waited through the dinner and the speeches, all the while simmering beneath the surface. He conversed with people and responded to questions, but didn’t remember what he’d said or who he’d spoken to. Eventually, his grandfather got up to visit the restroom, and Jack followed him, waiting outside the ballroom until Lachlan returned a few minutes later.

  “We have to talk,” he said as soon as Lachlan was within earshot.

  “Business?”

  “Yes.”

  He led his grandfather down to the hotel lobby and found a couple of armchairs in a quiet corner. A dogged tenacity had settled over him, and Lachlan seemed to sense this as he took a seat.

  “I take it from your expression you haven’t had a sudden change of heart about rejoining?” Lachlan asked.

  Jack shook his head. “I want to know why the hell you fired Grace.”

  “Humpf. So she’s already gone bleating to you, has she? Those rumors about you two must be right, then.”

  Jack gouged his fingers into the arms of his chair. “What?”

  “Oh, come on. You think I don’t hear the gossip around the watercoolers? You two are having some kind of affair. You know I don’t approve of office shenanigans. It’s bad for employee morale, and worse than that, you’ve stirred Grace up, making her think she’s been hard done by in her job, and now you’re moaning because I called her bluff.”

  Jack’s head pounded under his explosive anger. He didn’t know which aspect of his grandfather’s words offended him most.

  “Grace is hard done by, and she’s come to that conclusion all by herself. But you’re too wrapped up in yourself to listen to her. All these years you’ve taken her for granted, but she deserves better. And she sure as hell doesn’t deserve to be given the sack just because she’s said she’s unhappy with her job!”

  “She went behind my back. She let me down.” Lachlan barked out the words, radiating pugnacious arrogance.

  “You’re sacking her for thinking of leaving.” Anger twisted through him, anger and deep disappointment, too. Tomorrow he was leaving, and he’d wanted to part with his grandfather in amity, but how could he feel benevolent toward such a vindictive autocrat? “Even though you’re domineering and dictatorial, I always believed that you were essentially a fair and decent man, but now I know better. You don’t deserve someone like Grace.”

  And neither did he. Like his grandfather, he had used Grace selfishly, conveniently forgetting her needs while satisfying his own. He stood up, bitterness souring the back of his mouth.

  “Wait.” Lachlan shot to his feet. Something akin to alarm flickered through his bloodshot eyes. “Don’t go. Not yet.”

  Jack paused, halted by the rare hesitancy in his grandfather. “What is it?”

  Lachlan shuffled his feet and studied the patterned carpet. “You’re right. I behaved badly toward Grace.”

  “Damn right you did,” Jack couldn’t help growling out. “You behaved appallingly. You were a complete bully.”

  “Okay, okay. No need to rub it in. I’ll, er, apologize to Grace.”

  In all his years Jack had never seen his grandfather so
repentant, but it wasn’t enough. Not this time. “That’d be a start.”

  Lachlan pulled on his lower lip, visibly reluctant. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do about giving her different duties, but I’m not sure what, and it’ll be a blow not having her to rely on.”

  Jack shook his head slowly. “You don’t even realize what an asset Grace is. She’s far too talented to remain as your gofer.”

  “You know that for a fact, do you?”

  “I do. In fact, I think you should offer her a position in the Macintyre Foundation. She has some great ideas about philanthropic work, and she’d make an excellent program manager.”

  “Humpf,” his grandfather grunted, still stubbornly contrarian. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Don’t take too long, or she’ll be snapped up by someone else.”

  “Ah, jeez.” Lachlan tugged at his earlobe. “First you, now Grace. It feels as if everyone’s deserting me.”

  Jack held his silence, bracing himself for another bout of haranguing and emotional blackmail, but it didn’t come.

  “Sit down, won’t you.” His grandfather waved him back into his chair. “There’s something I want to say to you.”

  Lachlan waited until they were both seated. For several moments he kneaded his age-knotted hands in silence. When he spoke, his voice was unsteady and unrecognizable. “I want you to know that I accept and understand your reasons for not coming back to Macintyre’s. I know I’ve harassed and pestered you ever since you came back, and that hasn’t been fair to you. I apologize for that.”

  Jack sat up, his eyes widening. “Granddad, I expected you to harass and pester me, so you don’t have to apologize.”

  “No, I do. I’m a cantankerous bastard, but you’re one of the few people really able to stand up to me.” His voice quavered as he reached out and clamped Jack’s arm. “Boy, I want you to know that I’m proud of you. Very proud.”

  Jack drew back as a wave of amazement hit. Proud of him? This was the first time he’d ever heard that from his grandfather.