Crazy About The Boss

by Teresa Southwick

  “This is a restaurant proposal—”

  “No.” He frowned again.

  Jack Valentine wasn’t a serial frowner. Twice in one meeting never happened. How could she not want to know more if he kept doing that? First mothers, now restaurants had touched a nerve with him. Although she couldn’t see the connection, and it made her want to know more.

  “I’m aware that restaurants are uncertain, but look at the location. It’s midtown New York, yet the rent is really reasonable and the concept young and fresh. With backing it could be the next hot spot for Manhattan singles looking to hook up.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want anything to do with a restaurant.”

  “Why?”

  That muscle in his jaw jerked again. “I don’t know anything about it.”

  His tone caught her attention. She’d only heard that particular edge to his voice one other time—yesterday when he’d confronted his father. “You don’t know anything about guards for the toilet-paper roll either. That’s my job. I believe in this one, Jack. Very strongly.” She sat up straighter. “And I’ll go to the mat on it. I all but promised this guy.”

  “That’s not like you.” He took her measure for a long moment. “I guess you’ll have to find a way to un-promise.”

  They’d worked together for two years. It was fun and she liked helping him decide what to spend his millions on. She’d gotten used to Jack taking her advice and she was surprised bordering on offended that he’d arbitrarily said no. But this was more than ego. Her gut was telling her his negative on this particular proposal was deeply personal.

  “It’s not like you to turn me down without a good reason. Care to enlighten me?”

  “Not really. No.”

  “Then I don’t understand,” she said, unwilling to take his no without a challenge. “This project has the potential to be big, to franchise in Chicago and Los Angeles. It could catch on with serial daters not unlike yourself—”

  That was uncalled for; she had no right to judge. Except she’d never seen him as he’d been at the restaurant last night and she couldn’t help wondering if he had his reasons. But finding out Jack wasn’t as shallow as she gave him credit for had its own risks.

  “I’m sorry, Jack.”

  “Forget it. What we have here is a stalemate.” One corner of his mouth curved up. “It’s my experience that the best way to handle an impasse is with delicate diplomacy.”

  “Define delicate,” she said.

  “Let’s table this proposal until we get back to New York.”

  “Okay. Fair enough.”

  “We’re leaving this evening.”

  Her gaze snapped to his. “What about the business you had here in London?”

  “We have a meeting later today,” he said vaguely. “Then we’re going home.

  “You promised me a couple days here.”

  “I’m sorry. I have to get back.”

  “So apparently I should take lessons from you about un-promising.”

  “I have business waiting.”

  “Fine. I understand.”

  Who was she kidding? She didn’t understand anything. This wasn’t like the fearless, reckless Jack she knew. This wasn’t the confident bad boy who oozed charm. This same man she’d relegated to the bad-boy section had come to London to meet his sister’s new husband and now was just as anxious to leave. What was he running from?

  He lifted his gaze to hers and there was confusion with a generous dose of wariness in his eyes. “As easy as that?”

  “You’re the boss.” She gathered up her notes and started out of the room. “I’ll be back in time for the meeting.”

  “Where are you going?”

  She glanced over her shoulder because she didn’t want to miss his reaction. “To lunch at Bella Lucia.”

  Jack sat in the town car with Maddie beside him. He’d much rather have lunched with her at the hotel. Last night’s intimate meal had been something of a surprise. He always enjoyed bantering with her, but there’d been something different—intimate—something about sharing memories had pulled them closer. She’d hugged him, for God’s sake, then he’d kissed her. In that moment he’d wanted her. But it was Maddie.

  They were the same two people. They’d worked together over two years. In all that time, he could have put the moves on her, but he’d been careful not to cross that line and change the good working relationship they had. Five minutes with his father had brought out something in him that had moved her to hug him. He didn’t want to risk a repeat of that kiss which was why he’d rather lunch with her anywhere but Bella Lucia.

  “It probably isn’t open today,” he said.

  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Government buildings and small businesses are closed.” At least one could hope. After being in New York all this time, he hadn’t thought about the holiday. “It’s Boxing Day.”

  Maddie stopped staring out the car window and looked over her shoulder at him. “As in fisticuffs? As in no hitting below the belt and go to your corner Boxing Day?”

  “No. As in boxes of food, clothing and gifts that are distributed to the less fortunate.”

  “I thought that was done at Christmas,” she said.

  “It is. This is an extension of the holiday and keeps the spirit of giving alive one more day. So, there’s a good possibility the restaurant may not be open.”

  The car pulled up to the curb in front of Bella Lucia just as four people were walking out the door with leftover containers in their hands.

  Maddie looked at him. “Either it’s not closed. Or those people are some of the less fortunate who just got lucky.”

  Jack refused to comment as he escorted her inside the restaurant where they were seated at a cozy table for two.

  He didn’t want to be here, but he didn’t want Maddie here by herself.

  “This is nice.” Maddie’s voice interrupted the bad memories that were threatening and he looked up from the menu he’d been pretending to peruse.

  “It’s all right.”

  So far today he hadn’t seen a single member of the family, which suited him just fine. There was always the chance of a Valentine sighting, but he hoped to avoid it.

  The restaurant was busy, crowded. And he and Maddie were tucked away in a quiet corner. The white table linens were perfect, as were the flowers and red tapers in crystal holders. It had five-star ambience, although he hadn’t tasted the food yet. If it passed muster, he’d be damn curious to know why the business was in financial trouble. Impatient, he tapped his fingers on the pristine tablecloth, then looked at his watch.

  Just then a waiter appeared with a basket of linen-wrapped bread that he set down on the table. “Good afternoon, sir, madam. Are you ready to order?”

  After the waiter had taken their orders and left, Maddie broke off a piece of Italian bread and steam escaped as she dropped it on her plate. “Something bothering you, Jack?”

  “Of course not.”

  He didn’t miss the expression on her face that said she was waiting for him to explain what had happened last night. He knew she was curious; he knew all of her expressions. Including the new one that had told him she’d wanted him to kiss her last night. That’s why he was cutting short the trip. He’d paid his debt to his sister and soon he and Maddie would be on their way back to New York.

  “Mmm,” Maddie said, taking a bite of the bread. She closed her eyes and her curious expression changed to one of sheer pleasure.

  The look was positively erotic and heat shot straight through him. An image flashed through his mind of him, Maddie, tangled legs and twisted sheets and he couldn’t begin to explain why now. Why the scent of her was suddenly so…vivid. Sexy. That was just one more reason why he was impatient to get the hell out of here. What was supposed to be a quick trip to clear his conscience had turned complicated. Seeing Emma and Max had generated feelings that were complicated. Now feelings for Maddie had turned complicated.

  Jack hate
d complicated.

  And that didn’t sweeten his temper. “Actually, there is something bothering me.”

  “Oh? Fire away.” She wiped crumbs from her full lips with the linen napkin and waited expectantly.

  “I take exception to the serial-dater crack,” he said, trying to take his gaze from her mouth.

  “Okay,” she said slowly, her tone implying she was humoring him. “I believe we talked about this. Sometimes the filter between my brain and my mouth isn’t as efficient as it should be. Another flaw I’m working on. It won’t happen again.”

  “Yes, it will. Because you can’t help yourself.”

  “I promise to try.”

  “If you say so.”

  He didn’t really want her to hold back, but it was a mixed blessing. Mixed because she’d voiced her observations, but she didn’t know his father as he did. Mixed because he’d seen the disappointment in her eyes when she’d asked why he treated women the way he did. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he didn’t like that Maddie was disappointed in him.

  Her gaze moved away from his and followed a slim figure moving toward the exit. “Isn’t that your sister?” Before he could respond, she called out, “Emma?”

  Where was that filter when he really needed it? Jack thought as his sister turned, looked, then came toward them.

  “Hello, you two.” Emma smiled at Maddie, but the look she gave him was guarded.

  “What are you doing here?” Maddie asked.

  “I just came in to see some old friends. They wanted to hear all about how the Meridian monarchy commissioned my services for Sebastian’s coronation, which is how we met.”

  “Very romantic,” Maddie said.

  “Very,” Jack echoed, wryly. These two had bonded over tiaras and he could only wonder what might be next. But his sister must be very good at what she did to have snagged such a high-profile assignment. Nagging guilt twisted. He was a powerful man who could make or break a career, yet he didn’t know as much as a brother should about his own sister’s career. The thought tweaked his temper.

  “So where is the king?” he asked.

  “He’s waiting for me at our hotel.”

  “Don’t let us keep you,” he said.

  “Jack.” Maddie looked surprised before glaring at him. “Have a seat, Emma,” she invited, indicating the chair to her left.

  Emma sat. “I’m going to miss working with Max.” She sighed.

  Maddie looked puzzled. “Is Max a chef too?”

  “He’s manager at Bella Lucia Chelsea, along with my father. He—Max, that is—advised me to live my own life and not worry about things here, but I feel badly adding another headache for him to deal with, he’s such a workaholic as it is.”

  Jack knew she was simply sharing information with Maddie the way women did. Like tiaras. But he felt the words scratch at something buried deep inside and he didn’t want to go there. “His work ethic must please your father.”

  “He’s your father, too,” Emma shot back. “And Max takes the business very seriously.”

  “So the family owns this restaurant?” Maddie asked.

  “Jack didn’t tell you?” Emma glanced at him. “There’s three in all, Bella Lucia Chelsea is the flagship property.”

  “I see.” When she looked at him, Maddie’s gaze held censure mixed with a dose of hurt. As if he’d kicked a kitten. He disliked the look.

  “What’s this about a time of need?” she asked.

  Hesitating, Emma looked at Maddie, then him. Jack knew his sister was being discreet in front of non-family, but there was no one more trustworthy than Maddie. He could have blown it off, but he wanted to know what had caused the flourishing business he remembered to flounder.

  “What’s wrong, Emma?”

  She nodded, recognizing he was giving her the okay to discuss it. “There’s a serious cash-flow problem. To make a long story short, money was embezzled and the business is nearly bankrupt. Without an infusion of capital it won’t survive.”

  “That definitely qualifies as a time of need,” Maddie said. “What are you going to do?”

  “The question is what Jack’s going to do,” Emma countered. “I didn’t want to bring up anything unpleasant last night, but we have to talk about it.”

  “I’m going back to New York tonight,” he said.

  Emma’s mouth pulled tight. “So you don’t care that a business begun from our grandfather’s love for his bride, and nurtured with the blood, sweat and tears of two more generations of Valentines, will cease to exist?”

  “In a word? No.”

  Emma shook her head. “The Jack I remember wasn’t so unfeeling and he was deeply committed to proving he had a future in this business.”

  “You could have said all this on the phone, Emma.”

  “I could, yes. But I wanted you to have to look me in the eye.”

  Anger churned through him. “So that crap about wanting me to meet your new husband was nothing more than manipulation?”

  “Call it what you want.”

  “That’s what it is. This family doesn’t need me to bail them out. They’ve got the Queen of Meridia.”

  Emma’s gaze turned steely. “There are so many things wrong with that statement, I don’t even know where to begin. Suffice it to say that Sebastian is family by marriage, but you’re family by blood. Who has more responsibility?”

  “Are we talking about the same family that turned its back on me twelve years ago?”

  “You left. I think there’s some gray area in terms of who turned away from whom,” she said tightly.

  “It’s black and white for me. I’m just supposed to forget about the past and hand over money.”

  “Not forget,” Emma said softly. “Learn from it, then take the high ground. There’s more at stake than money, Jack. It’s about mending fences with family.”

  Jack had never thought of himself as vindictive, but it was a heady feeling to know that he held his father’s fate in his hands. He could almost taste revenge and wondered how sweet it would be. The thing was, all he had to do was nothing.

  Emma’s glare intensified as the silence dragged on. “You’re impossible, Jack, so much like Dad it’s really quite amazing.”

  “And you’re still trying to please him,” he ground out, deliberately not looking at Maddie.

  “For goodness’ sake, Jack, don’t be such an idiot.”

  The friction between him and his sister was almost a tangible thing and Jack had nearly forgotten Maddie was there until she applauded. They both stared at her.

  “Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to say that to him?” Maddie wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his glare.

  Emma smiled but there was a stubborn glint in her eyes. “Have at him, Maddie, with my compliments.”

  Maddie met his gaze across the elegant table. “Your lordship, you’re being a complete idiot.”

  “That said—” Emma stood “—I have to run. Sebastian and I will be here a while longer if you change your mind and want to talk.” She looked at Maddie. “It’s been a real pleasure meeting you. I hope I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Count on it.”

  “Excellent.”

  Emma turned away, but Jack was staring at Maddie, wondering about her comment.

  “I’ve never known you to say something you don’t mean,” he said.

  “I don’t.”

  “Well, how can you see my sister soon if we’re leaving?”

  “It’s quite simple, Jack.”

  The stubborn expression on her face gave him a bad feeling there was going to be a problem and he’d been told that millionaires had them.

  Maddie met his gaze. “You promised me time in London and I intend to have it. I’m not leaving.”

  Chapter Four

  CHAPTER FOUR

  JACK hadn’t said much after she’d made her announcement, but Maddie knew he’d been thinking about it. All through their afternoon meeting he’d been giving off tens
ion like radiation from a leaky nuclear reactor. On the way back to the hotel, he kept glancing at her and frowning. They’d just returned to the suite and Maddie slipped out of her cashmere coat. After setting it on the back of the love seat, she faced Jack, who was studying her intently. The look was dark, dangerous and her heart responded with a quick, automatic stutter before settling into normal rhythm again.

  “So, the meeting went well, don’t you think? A technology company is right up your alley, but tech toys for kids is a new area for you. I bet you liked that new shift tricycle design.”

  “Back wheels that move closer together as it picks up speed is a pretty innovative way of incorporating training wheels.” He folded his arms over his chest and leaned a hip against the arm of the love seat.

  The gaze he settled on her sizzled with something unsafe and she couldn’t help thinking about that kiss. The memory of all that heat warmed her deep inside, a frozen place she’d abandoned.

  She moved around him and sat on the love seat. “I was amazed at the advancement of doll-house technology. And what I thought was an especially brilliant touch was hooking two houses together and one teenage girl calls the other.”

  “Things do happen when women talk.”

  Maddie had no doubt that was a not-so-subtle reference to her and his sister. And probably her own announcement that she was staying. Waiting for him to say what he thought about it was driving her crazy. “I was thinking that this technology company might integrate well with Mothers of Invention,” she said.

  “It seems like a good risk.”

  She met his gaze. “As opposed to a restaurant venture?”

  His mouth pulled tight before he said, “Just tell me what’s on your mind, Maddie.”

  The more important question was what was on his. “I’d like to talk about your family being in restaurants and how that relates to the fact that you refused to put capital into a promising restaurant venture because you don’t know anything about the business.”

  “I don’t. Not any more.”

  “Not since your family turned its back on you twelve years ago?” she asked.

  He straightened away from the sofa and started pacing. “Do you remember everything I say?”