Read Online Lucky Break by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

break.
    He stepped down, but instead of the floor, his foot hit something soft. Jason jumped back as Fred the basset hound yelped, trying to make his escape. But as slow as Fred moved, Jason tripped on the dog. He lost his balance and reached for the ladder to stop his fall, causing the paint tray to topple to the floor, splattering him with white paint along the way.
    He landed on his ass, beside Fred, who looked up at him with those big, sad eyes. “Yeah, I know. You’re sorry.”
    Jason pushed himself to a standing position and glanced at his paint-splattered shirt. “Another one bites the dust,” he muttered, and stripped off the gray tee. He was going to have to do laundry soonor else he’d have to go shopping. Neither prospect held much appeal.
    He was headed to the loft stairs so he could get a clean shirt when the doorbell rang. “Come on in,” he called, assuming his father or uncle had stopped by.
    Lauren walked in instead.
    â€œHi.” She strode in with purpose, wearing those high black boots he’d noticed the first night they’d met, dark jeans and a black-and-white-striped shirt with some funky vest on top. The neckline of the shirt was rounded and covered her assets. So did the vest. But he could still see the slight swell and curve of her breasts, enough for him to be distracted by the sight.
    And the way she was staring at him, she was equally off-kilter.
    â€œWhat can I do for you?” he asked.
    â€œI was hoping we could talk.”
    He nodded. “I’m glad you’re here. Let me go upstairs and grab a shirt.”
    He hoped she didn’t bolt before he got back.

CHAPTER FIVE
    J ASON DISAPPEARED up the loft stairs, leaving Lauren with one thought. Thank God he’d gone to put on a shirt, because his bare chest was a distraction she didn’t need or want. She’d taken in his muscled forearms and the dark sprinkling of hair that tapered into the waistband of his jeans and her mouth had grown dry. She knew what lay below those jeans.
    Now she had a chance to shore up her defenses. Business first. Last. Only.
    She glanced around the room, noticing the fallen ladder, paint tray and a sullen-looking dog with floppy ears who lay beside both. “Hey there, what’s your name?” she asked as she knelt down beside him and patted his head.
    The telephone on Jason’s desk rang and the answering machine picked up on the second ring. “Corwin Contractors, leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible,” Jason’s deep voice said, followed by a long beep.
    â€œHey, it’s Greg. I can’t thank you enough for trading me the Dunning house for turning down the Perkins job.”
    Lauren heard her last name and rose to her feet, paying close attention to the rest of the message.
    â€œI’m hoping to bag some of the landmark restorations due around here and this job ought to help. I owe you one.” He paused and Lauren thought he’d hang up, but there was more. “Good luck with your lady,” he added before disconnecting the call.
    Jason had sabotaged her opportunity to hire Greg Charlton, Lauren thought, and her blood pressure spiked. She now had no doubt he’d done the same thing with Mark Miller. No wonder both men had been unable to take on her small project.
    Of all the nerve.
    Footsteps sounded as Jason came down the stairs.
    He’d pulled on a long-sleeved navy sweatshirt, but his feet were bare, which she found ridiculously sexy.
    He hit the bottom step and came to a halt. “I take it you heard that?” He pointed to the answering machine on the desk.
    â€œRhetorical question. I’m not deaf.” She clasped her hands in front of her, squeezing them tight, feeling the blood flow nearly stop.
    She took one look at his handsome face, and the words just toppled off her tongue. “Just tell me why. Why do you want to work beside me so badly? Ten years ago you