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David gave a hearty laugh that went right up my ass. He was one of the few people who wasn’t threatened by my wealth or the power I held in the business community. “Well, why didn’t you say so? I’ll call in a favor I’m owed to get it done.”
I grit my teeth. “The key to get into her house is likely in the potted plant by the door in a fake rock.” I had a real problem with Hazel’s lack of security. She insisted she was fine. I knew better.
David groaned. At least he agreed with my assessment.
“In fact, let me know when the plumber arrives and give them a heads up that a security company will also be there.” This was my chance to do what Hazel had chosen not to do. It was a way for me to make sure she was safe. I’d deal with the fallout from her later.
“Will do. Take care, Jareth.”
“You too, David.” We hung up, and I immediately dialed the head of my security team. Once I’d given him my instructions and Hazel’s address, I checked the time. I had less than fifteen minutes until my meeting. Plenty of time to decide how I was going to fire an individual from one of the hotels I owned.
A knock rapped at my office door, and Hazel walked in without waiting for me to acknowledge her, letting the door slam open. My first indication she was angry.
Her curvy body, accentuated by the tight jeans, had my cock pressing against my zipper. Thank fuck I sat behind my desk and could hide my growing attraction to her.
“Hazel.” I tapped my fingers against the mahogany surface to distract myself.
“Jareth,” she snapped out my name in anger.
She propped her hip against the doorjamb. God, she looked good. I wanted to pick her up, splay her across my desk, and make her cry out for me. Instead, I allowed my traitorous eyes to linger for a second on her body until I forced my gaze to her face.
Her tightly pursed lips were my second indication she was unhappy. “Avery Wolfe called and said her dad was sending a crew to my house.”
“He is,” I confirmed.
Hazel had created a network of friends, including the Wolfe family, after I began helping Jessamine run her new company. The one I tried to destroy after learning her parents had framed my father twenty years ago for an embezzlement charge that led to his death. “Yes. I informed him of where your extra key is.” I responded not bothering to hide my sarcasm.
“You worry too much.” She rolled her eyes. We’d discussed her lack of security multiple times.
“You don’t worry enough.”
“We’ll agree to disagree.” She shrugged. Sometimes, I wondered how she kept her eternal sense of optimism going in a world that continuously beat people down.
“Back to my house. Jareth, I told you that you could call a plumber. This seems like way more than that.” She forced her words through clenched teeth. She stalked toward me, and I had to avert my gaze. That damn kiss at the company holiday party wrecked me. Now, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It didn’t matter that I’d told her it was a mistake. It didn’t matter that I knew I was no good for her. It didn’t matter I vowed never to touch her again. I relived that moment more in the last two days than I’d care to admit.
“Hazel.” I sighed.
She plopped down into the seat across from me and leaned forward. With her elbows propped on her knees, her intense stare snagged mine, and so did how her biceps cupped her boobs.
Damn it. I had to focus.
“Jareth. I can’t let you jump in and help like this,” she said softly.
I bristled at her words. “I don’t see why not.” Hazel had no one else to take care of her. If not me, then who else?
“I chose to buy the house. It’s up to me to figure out how to fix things and I have a feeling you’re going to do more than what I thought I was agreeing to.” She bit down on her bottom lip.
I stifled a groan at her movement. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help,” I reminded her.
The corners of her eyes crinkled as she laughed and lowered her voice, likely trying to imitate me. “You’re one to talk, Mr. Broody, I can do it all by myself.”
I forced myself not to join in with my own chuckle at her mockery, knowing it would encourage her. “Hazel, I can’t have you worried about your living situation. Helping you fix it, all of it, is in a way, helping me.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in the seat. I didn’t miss the hurt that flashed in her eyes.
I was a fucking asshole.
“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this one. Tell me how it helps you?” Her green eyes now sparkled in mirth. She never let disappointment get her down for long.
