The woman brushed her long chestnut hair off her shoulder and said, “Thanks, but I’m only looking.” Her painted red smile appeared cold and unfriendly.
Lauren knew not all customers wanted help. “If you need anything, just let me know.” The phone rang and she excused herself to answer it.
Jack’s name appeared on the screen and her heart hammered against her chest. She took a deep breath to calm her jittery nerves before answering. “Jack.”
“Hello, Lauren.” Her name spoken in his low, deep voice sent a blast of heat to her girly parts that, only a few hours ago, he’d paid special attention to. “I have a package waiting here for your attention.”
Gasping, she looked over her shoulder at the customer, and whispered into the phone, “I gave yourpackageenough of my attention last nightandthis morning.” It had given her many hours of pleasurable entertainment.
She shook herself; she couldn’t think about it, otherwise, with her girly parts throbbing their consent, she’d be tempted to go running back for more. It was tough, but she’d already decided that last night was a one-night deal.
His deep chuckle vibrated through the phone. “As much as I loved your thorough attention, and would be happy for more, I have anactualpackage here for you. You know, as in a delivery.”
Lauren slapped her forehead, and her face burned hot. “I’m such an idiot.”
“Nah, it’s only natural after the night we had for you to be thinking aboutmypackage.”
Lauren choked on a laugh. “Oh, you are so full of it, Jack Henderson,” she said, then gave a quick glance at the customer.
The woman was staring in her direction, but as soon as Lauren turned toward her, she averted her gaze back to the display of candlesticks. Lauren noticed an angry expression on her face before she turned away. She probably wanted help now and was upset because Lauren was on the phone. Customers could be funny about things like that.
“Jack, I have a customer. I need to go.”
“What about the package? Will you come by the office to take a look?”
Did Jack sound eager to see her again? A bubble of excitement built, but she squashed it back down just as quick. She had decided she wouldn’t be taking things any further. Last night had been fun—a lot of fun. But fun could turn into dangerous territory for her if she continued.
“Where’s the package from?” she asked.
Jack was silent for a moment, and she heard a rustling sound through the phone.
“Officeworks.”
“It’s a box of stationary. You don’t need me for that.”
“I don’t know what to do with it.”
Was he playing the dumb card just so he could get her to his office? The bubble of
excitement blew up a little bigger and was harder to ignore.
“It’s pens, paper clips, that sort of thing. Put them in the drawers of your desk.”
“But—”
A crash vibrated through the shop. Lauren whipped her head toward the sound. Tiny pieces of glass lay scattered at the customer’s feet. “Oh no! Jack, I have to go.”
“Lauren, wait—”
Lauren hung up, cutting Jack off, and rushed toward the woman.
“Whoops!” the woman said as she stepped away from the broken candlesticks. The glass crunched under her black heels. Five sets of candlesticks lay smashed on the tiled floor, the shelf they had sat on now empty.
“Are you hurt?” Lauren searched the woman’s bare legs for any sign of blood. Relief washed over her when she saw none.
“No, but your candlesticks have seen better days,” the woman said with a twisted smile, and her smoky gray eyes appeared to gleam with excitement. “You should get the shelf looked at, it’s unstable.”
The woman actually looked happy about the damage. Lauren was at a loss for words.
