Read Online Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Annie Seaton - Free Book Online

a studio on the back of the cottage had given her something to think about. If she stayed managing his gallery, and could work on her sculptures from home, it could be the ideal solution.
    His decision to take the gallery off the market had created a lot of problems for her. Her thoughts whirled around as she made a grilled cheese sandwich and poured a glass of wine. Maybe, just maybe, she could build herself a studio out here on the lake. Using her shoulder to push open the back door, she headed out to the porch.
    “You’re home late.”
    Sienna jumped and grabbed for the plate before it slipped from her hand. Jack unfolded himself from her hammock, crossed the porch, and took the plate from her.
    She put her hand on her chest as her heart thudded. “You scared me. I’m not used to company.”
    “Sorry. I was sitting out here enjoying the quiet.” He pulled out a chair and put her plate on the table. “You don’t eat properly.”
    Sienna bit down on the smart retort that hovered on her lips and forced a smile in his direction. He really brought out the worst in her.
    What is it to him what I do or what I eat?
    “I had a good lunch.”
    “That’s okay, then.”
    She couldn’t help herself, despite her intention to keep things nonemotional. “I’m so pleased you approve.” Putting her elbows on the table, she glared at him in the soft moonlight. She’d left the outside light off deliberately to keep the insects away before she’d come outside. Despite the cool breeze, Jack was wearing running shorts and no shirt, and her reaction to the sight of his broad, muscular chest bugged her even more. She pushed away the flare of desire that sparked inside her. “Aren’t you cold?”
    “No, I went for a run around the lake after I ate. I miss my gym equipment. I’ll have to find a place to work out around here.”
    Sienna reached over and picked up the small lighter she kept on the table and lit the vanilla candle in the glass bowl in the center. She drew a deep breath and held her hand steady, surprised by the tremble his proximity caused. The candle threw a flickering light over Jack’s bare skin and she caught her breath. Tipping her head back, she looked up at the stars. It was only his natural beauty that she found appealing. Her artistic eye was drawn by beauty.
    Nothing else.
    She dropped her head and looked out over the lake shimmering in the moonlight. The low branches of the trees surrounding the cottage bowed elegantly in the light breeze, their leaves forming long, draping sweeps illuminated by the soft light.
    “It’s beautiful here.” Jack’s voice was a whisper, and a shiver snaked up her spine.
    Maybe she should do something about this feeling? Let this attraction run its course? What did they say about only living once?
    Not worth the risk.
    “Yes, it is.”
    “Did you get your work done? You put in a long day.”
    Pleased to get her mind off the bare, muscular shoulders across the table, Sienna nodded. “Yes, I got a good amount done. I should be able to finish in the two weeks if I put in the next couple of weekends as well as every night.”
    “Do you always work this hard?”
    She nodded. “Not usually every night. But what has to be done will be. And I love my work. I lose myself in it.” She looked up at him. Maybe it would be hard for a businessman—and one with such a casual attitude—to understand what she was saying about the creative process.
    “Where do you do your enameling?” Jack held her gaze steadily with his. He seemed genuinely interested, so she kept talking.
    She looked back at him. “Did you look at my frogs in the gallery today?”
    All Sienna’s confidence in her work faded in that instant and she bit her lip. Then her temper kicked at the thought of Jack looking at them without her. Her mood seesawed back and forth. “Frogs? No, I read about your upcoming exhibition in the local paper.”
    “Oh. I forgot about that.”
    “According to the journalist,