by Jill Jaynes
"Ha!" she cried, as she released her hold. She leapt back to wave the foam blade over her head in victory. God, it felt good to win!
"And that, everyone, is an excellent demonstration of how to turn an attacker's own weapon against him, even if you are unarmed." Lance turned a warm smile on Jackie. "Well done, milady," he said with a bow.
Fred straightened, rubbing his wrist. Red faced, he glowered at Jackie with a look that normally turned her knees to jelly. But right now, still tingling with the rush of her victory, she refused to back down. Instead she nodded to Lance in acknowledgement, and then turned back to her boss with a smile. Curiously missing was the self-preservation--okay, fear--that usually prompted her to apologize for bruising his tender, over-inflated ego.
"You know, I don't know why I've put up with your rude treatment for so long, but I'm done with it. And I'm done with you, right here, right now."
She turned to Lance. "I never realized just how disrespectful and unprofessional he actually was until he insulted me in front of you. Nobody should put up with that kind of treatment. And I won't anymore."
"That's my girl," said Lance.
"That's it," Fred snarled. "You just bought your ticket out of here. Pack up your desk and be gone by the end of the day."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jackie said sweetly. "Wasn't I clear enough for you? I just quit. Good luck getting the cleaning lady to work late nights and weekends for all your 'emergencies'."
"See you at lunch, sweetie," she said to Lance, and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his lips.
Lance returned it warmly and she smiled at the pride she read in his eyes. She knew it wasn't nice, but it was kind of satisfying when Fred flinched as she brushed past him on her way out.
She headed for her desk to pick up the few personal things she kept there. Freedom winked at her from the other side of the office doors and her heart lifted in anticipation. She felt like she had just gotten out of out of school for the summer. Or out of prison.
"So, I hear you might be available to consider new job offers." She turned to find Lance behind her.
Taking his outstretched hands as he stopped in front of her, she smiled up into his eyes. Even in the dull fluorescent office lights, he looked every inch the golden hero. "Well, that depends," she said, like she had any intention of not being available to him. "What have you got in mind?"
"How about working for me? Or rather with me. I need someone to run the logistics side of my new studio in Seattle so I can focus on the teaching. I could really use your know-how. Starting with helping me find the perfect location." He smiled, producing his trademark, knee-melting dimple. "What do you say? I know you would be the perfect partner for me."
Jackie's heart did a little happy dance in her chest. It took every ounce of self-control she had to not jump up and down and scream "yes."
Instead she placed a finger on her lips and did her best to look pensive. "Hmm. Sounds like a pretty good offer, but there is a condition."
"Name it."
Not that she would ever tell him, but she had no intention of turning down such an amazing opportunity. Truth was, with that smile she couldn't have refused him if he'd asked her strip naked and paint herself purple.
"You have to wear your chain mail at least once a week." She stuck out her hand for his answering handshake. "Deal?"
"Sounds fair to me," Lance replied, and pulled her into his arms by her outstretched hand. "As long as you'll wear that corset for me."
Happily pressed against his hard body from breast to thigh, Jackie tried and failed to squash the smile that spread across her face. "Looks like I get to keep my knight-in-shining-armor on contract after all," she murmured, as she raised her lips to meet his kiss.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed reading Knightless in Seattle. I know I enjoyed writing it. More Knit Witchery Tales are coming soon which will tell the stories of how Nichole's magical knitted gifts cause her friends to find the love of their life.
Please consider leaving a review of Knightless in Seattle at the site where you purchased it. Reviews are the best way for other readers to discover new books and I'd love it if you would like to share your thoughts. All honest reviews are welcome.
You can find me at www.JillJaynes.com, on Facebook at JillJaynesRomance, and on Twitter @jill_jaynes, to learn more about me and my stories, as well as to post your thoughts and comments.
Visit my website to subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to receive news about upcoming releases as well as teasers, excerpts and other extras.
About the Author
Jill Jaynes began her love affair with romance when she was a teenager growing up in Southern California, spending many a late-night under the covers with a flashlight and good romance novel.
This early addiction stuck, and she discovered one day that telling great stories was even more fun than reading them. Today she writes stories with happy endings her own way--with a dash of magic that means anything can happen.
When she's not writing, you can find her (still in Southern California) occupied with one of the following activities: a) wine-tasting, hiking or otherwise hanging out with her hot husband, b) walking her two high-maintenance dogs, c) plotting her next story with her writer-daughter or d) working at her day job in her spare time.
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Table of Contents
Knightless in Seattle
Author's Note
About the Author
