Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(101)

Krista felt a spark of heat remembering their exchange at the winery. She was a glutton for punishment, but holy-moly, she wanted him. Bad. She wished she could just satisfy her urges, just once, and then never see him again. At least the womanizing part of him. She would miss the part of him that was growing into her friend.

It killed her to feign indifference, but there was no other way. This job was insanely good for her career, it paid well, and what’s more, she really liked it. Sean the Professional was the challenge she needed. His management style worked with her in a way that was enabling her to grow into the position she wanted. Under Mr. Montgomery she would still be back where she started.

“Yeah, we’re good,” she said with more tenderness than she intended.

Before Krista could close up shop with her gushy emotional sabotage, Sean looked at her closely with his brilliant green eyes. He nodded slowly, emotions warring on his face. “Good. I like working with you. I don’t want anything to come between us—that.”

She matched his nod with a fluttering heart.

She was in a tough place. She was finally finding the part of herself she’d lost when she was with Jim. Her personality was emerging from the hiding place she’d stashed it to keep it, and herself, safe. And somehow, Sean had entwined himself in that process. She’d grown to trust and rely on his friendship—the part of him not touched by his womanizer traits. She kept slipping closer to him while trying to push him away. And instead of saving herself by cutting off communication, like she should do, she couldn’t; not after landing an account that would propel her career forward.

She’d been in better situations.

It was a tough place, but for a future that included his friendship and this job, it was a challenge she would meet.

The End