Upstairs Downstairs Baby

As quick as her daughter could be, Claire had learned to be quicker. She scooped up the envelope and present, depositing them into the upper cupboard that held everyday dishes. Honey set her hands on her hips and scowled her displeasure.

Lips twitching, Claire turned her back to her daughter and began making her lunch. It was almost one and her errands had taken longer than she’d expected. Not until Honey sat at the kitchen table with turkey, cheese and apple slices did the two-year-old’s sour expression ease. With her daughter occupied, Claire focused on the centerpiece arrangements. During the two-year period in her life when she’d been attending culinary school, to make ends meet Claire had gone to work for a florist, first as a delivery driver and then as an arranger.

“Nice flowers,” she heard Linc say from the back door.

Claire looked up from her project and spied him entering the kitchen. Her heart gave a foolish little jump. He looked handsome in his navy blazer with the delphinium-blue pocket square that matched his eyes.

“Thank you, but the arrangement is far from done.”

“I like the colors you picked out.” He approached the center island where she was working and selected a stem of pale gold freesia. Setting the horn-shaped flowers to his nose, he inhaled. “This one smells good.”

“I thought the color and shape would go nice with the Golden Forest china. What do you think?”

Although Claire doubted Linc cared which of his three sets of dishes she chose, talking—or babbling, in this case—kept her from doing something foolish, like blurting out the story of her encounter with Everly.

“And the Waterford, of course,” she continued. “Your mother would approve. What do you think?”

She clamped her lips together to shut down the flow of words, all too aware that Linc was eyeing her. Damn that woman in the grocery store for filling her head with thoughts of being in a steamy affair with Linc.

“Sounds like you have everything in hand.” He glanced at the spot where Honey had found the jewelry box and envelope and then surveyed the rest of the kitchen.

When his brows drew together, Claire realized what he must be looking for. “I put it in the cabinet,” she explained, wiping her hands on a dish towel before crossing to where she’d secured the present. “Honey was all over it. We’ve been working on her colors and she noticed the box was blue.”

“Blue,” Honey chortled from the kitchen table, clapping her hands enthusiastically. “Mama. Down.”

“Finish your lunch, baby.” Claire retrieved the box and envelope and extended it to Linc.

“You didn’t open it?” he asked in surprise.

“No.” Claire gave her head a vigorous shake. She’d never step across the line like that. Was that what he’d made of her bout of awkward chattiness earlier? That she’d snooped and felt guilty about it? She placed the gift on the counter in front of him and returned to her flower arranging. “I’d never do something like that.”

“Mama. Down.”

A weird buzzing filled Claire’s ears, distorting her daughter’s voice, as a lazy smile played over Linc’s lips. He set his hand on the counter and leaned in her direction.

“Did you even look at the envelope?”

A lock of blond hair fell across his forehead, lending a boyish charm to his already overwhelming handsomeness. She realized his effect on her had grown stronger lately.

What would it be like to have him close his arms around her and kiss her hard and deep? Just the thought of being crushed between his ripped body and the unyielding kitchen cabinets made her blood heat. She reflexively clamped down on the rose stem she was holding and winced as a thorn pricked her thumb.

“No,” she said, sticking the injured thumb in her mouth. “Should I have?”

“Mama!” Honey was rocking in her booster seat, demanding that Claire release her.

“It’s for you.”

Her stomach dropped to her toes at his sly grin. He’d bought her a gift? Why would he have done that? From his triumphant expression, he was obviously pleased with himself. Despite her lingering discomfort from Everly’s scandalous assumptions, Claire found herself smiling back at Linc with no clear understanding why.

“For me?” In her bewilderment, she sounded like a complete chowderhead.

“Your name is on the envelope, isn’t it?”

“It is?” Her pulse jerked in an erratic rhythm as she shifted her gaze to the small box and envelope.

He tapped the center of the paper where Claire was scrawled in Linc’s familiar handwriting. “It is.”

“I don’t understand.” The jewelry box felt heavy in her hand.

“You’ve been working for me for a year. I bought you something to celebrate your anniversary.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” But she was thrilled that he had and more than a little relieved that was all there was to it.

She’d enjoyed working for him this past year. His house had become her sanctuary and she’d do anything to protect that. Feeling safe was a luxury she hadn’t known since she’d become pregnant with Honey.

“I wanted to.” His deep voice resonated through her. “Why don’t you take a look at what I got you. I’ve been dying to see if you like it.”

Something in his tone made her skin flush hot.

“Of course I’ll like it.” Telling herself it was silly to feel so breathless over an anniversary token didn’t stop the flutters in her stomach. “You have wonderful taste.”

Linc was always doing something nice for the women in his life. His mother loved to collect cloisonné pillboxes, so he was always on the lookout for them. And whenever he visited her house, he never showed up empty-handed. It might be a bouquet of flowers, sugar-glazed pecans or a bottle of craft bourbon—Linc was always thinking of what Bettina might enjoy.

He’d been the same way with London. In her case, his purchases had been expensive pieces of jewelry or designer handbags. His sister liked gadgets, so whenever Linc ran across something new and innovative, he made sure Sawyer got one.

Conscious of Linc’s keen blue eyes on her, Claire started with the card. As she glanced at the cover, some of the tightness in her throat eased. He’d chosen something funny, a drawing of a dog wearing a big smile above the words Thank You. But when she flipped open the card and glanced at what he’d written, tears stung her eyes.

You’ve been a bright spot in my life for the last year. Thanks for all you’ve done. —Linc

“That’s so nice,” Claire croaked out, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. “Honey and I have really appreciated how kind and generous you’ve been. Not to mention patient.” She indicated the kitchen table, where her daughter was throwing herself back and forth in the chair and chanting to get down.

“It’s been great having you here.” He went over to lift Honey into his arms. “Both of you.”

Claire refused to give in to the warmth suffusing her at the sight of her daughter in Linc’s arms. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence. Linc always enjoyed Honey’s company. So why today was Claire overwhelmed by sentiment? Because that woman at the grocery store had drawn a startling connection between her and Linc? Or was it the notion Everly had put in Claire’s head that she was in a vulnerable position living and working in the same house as a man as attractive as her boss? Not that he would ever take advantage of her. But what if it wasn’t a matter of him taking advantage?

For the first time since Jasper had left for his final overseas tour, Claire confronted the ache building in her body. She’d been doing a decent job of focusing on Honey’s needs and ignoring her own—especially while Linc was engaged to London. He’d been completely off-limits while he’d belonged to another woman.

But now that Linc was single, parts of Claire felt reckless and uninhibited. She longed to wrap her arms around Linc’s neck and plant hot kisses on his sensual lips. To feel his strong hands slide over her heated flesh.

She gulped as her body was battered by cravings she suspected Linc could satisfy only too well. Damn it. She was falling for her boss. This would not do.

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