Lust or Love (The Love Vixen #2) - Jeannette Winters Page 0,4

not sure. It really depends on what size I get.”

“Do you have a measuring tape so I can see what you have already? That is, if you want to go with the same type.”

“No. I don’t have any tools here.”

I raised a brow. “Nothing? Not a hammer or screwdriver?”

“I’m not…handy like that. So what would be the purpose of having things I won’t use?” she asked smugly.

Smiling I replied, “I’ll pick some up when I get the shelves.”

“But you haven’t even measured them. What if you get the wrong size?” she asked.

I walked over and opened my arms as wide as they could go. “Got it. Is there anything else you need while I’m out?”

“You don’t have to do this, you know.”

“I have a feeling that if I don’t, it might not get done,” I said. A poor choice of words. Shit.

She gaped at me and said, “Jack, are you implying that I cannot manage my company on my own? Because I’ve built this business without anyone’s help. Well, maybe a loan from the bank, but that I got on my own as well.”

I understood why she was so defensive. Robert liked to control everything - at least that had been my experience with him. I could only imagine what it would’ve been like to be his child.

“Deidre, I’m only here to help. If you don’t want it, just say the word. No offense taken.”

She sighed. “Sorry. I guess I…like to do things myself.”

“If it will make you feel better, you can help me put the shelves together when I return,” I grinned.

Deidre shook her head. “I don’t want them to fall apart, so I’ll leave it to you.”

“If you change your mind, I’ll be happy to teach you how to use a screwdriver.”

“Really?” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I don’t have time to waste on learning how to build stuff.”

“I’m a good teacher, too. Righty tighty, lefty loosey,” I teased. “Lesson over.”

She rolled her eyes and said, “I’ll be in my office doing paperwork if you need me.”

Before she left the room, I called out, “Still like caramel lattes?”

She chuckled. “Bribing the boss won’t get you anywhere. Make it a large,” she said, closing the door behind her.

At least the tension between us had lifted. But I couldn’t believe I’d volunteered to build her shelves. Then again, there was a time in my life when all I had to do was catch sight of Deidre and I was lost. And that’s why Robert had done everything he could to keep us apart. Smart man.

It didn’t take me long to empty the van and pick up the new shelves. But as I made my way back to the warehouse, flashing lights and a siren from behind told me I should’ve watched my speed.

Damn it.

It would be one thing if I was driving my own vehicle, but this was Deidre’s. For all I knew it was a company van. Hopefully I could get away with handing him my license and pay the ticket without Deidre ever knowing about it.

When the officer approached my window, I relaxed. It was Carlos, another alumnus of my high school swim team. “Hey, Carlos. I didn’t know you became a cop.”

“And I didn’t know you were back in town.”

“Just for a short time,” I said.

“The way you were driving, maybe that’s a good thing,” Carlos said. “Hate to do it, but I’m going to need to see your license and registration.”

I had my license ready and handed it to him. “I take it I was speeding.”

“You were doing forty in a twenty-five zone. And you also have a taillight out.”

“I’ll get it fixed,” I said.

“Still need that registration,” Carlos stated.

I leaned over and opened the glove box. The stop brackets were broken, and it didn’t stop halfway. Instead, it flung all the way open and the contents of the glove box tumbled out onto the passenger’s seat. The glove box had been so packed with junk it was no wonder the hinges didn’t work.

When I looked at the pile on the seat, the first thing I spotted was a pair of red lace panties. My favorite color. Carlos must’ve seen them, because I heard him choke back a chuckle. Fuck it.

“It’s not my van,” I turned to him.

“Was hoping that wasn’t your speedo,” Carlos joked.

I didn’t find it humorous at all. “Can you just write the ticket so I can get back to work?”

“Just giving you a warning this time. But I thought you said you