His By Design Read Online Free Page B

jobs for George.
    “I think I’m a shoe-in, as long as I get this estimate pared down to fit into Ms. Silvercreek’s budget.” It would be a tight fit, too, even with his considerable discounts. He’d have to be pretty creative with materials upstairs to make her space livable, while reserving the bulk of the budget for the gallery space.
    “I’m still not sure this is a good idea, Jeff. I don’t like the idea of you lying to anyone for me.”
    “Don’t sweat it, Bug. It’s just a bit of misdirection and a temporary one at that. Once we get you those operations, I’ll confess and you can take your rightful place in the spotlight.”
    She looked doubtful but he pushed on. “It’ll be fine. Trust me. This opportunity is too good to pass up.” He hoped that when the time came for truth or consequences Zoe wouldn’t have him arrested for fraud. He shoved that worry to the back of his mind.
    He gestured to the paperwork covering his bench. “Sorry to crowd you. I wanted to get this done as soon as possible.” He wasn’t about to let this job get stolen out from under him by anyone else. The quicker he got the estimate to Zoe the better his chances of sealing the deal. He snagged a bottle of water from the cooler under his bench and offered one to Jen, who refused it with a shake of her head.
    Though they shared the studio, they rarely worked at the same time, each preferring solitude to create. Jen liked the daylight coming in through the skylights for her painting and since she was an early riser, she did most of her work during the day. Jeff, who made no excuses for being a night-owl, usually slept in, then did whatever outside work was on his agenda. He seldom used the studio until after dinner, often working till one or two in the morning.
    She hunched her shoulders and shot him a quick glance. “I was wondering if you could take me out to that inlet we found last spring? I’d like to get some photos at sunset and do a couple of quick sketches . . .”
    He covered his surprise at her request with a genuine smile. “No problem, Bug. We can go this evening after dinner. I don’t have any plans.”
    Even if he had plans he would have canceled them. Jen rarely went outside and he longed to change her hermit-like existence. This past spring before the hordes of tourists arrived he’d talked her into a ride on the back of his bike to visit one of the hundreds of inlets along the bay. Even with a helmet and huge sunglasses she kept her face buried against his back for the entire trip, but once she was sure no one else was around she loosened up and explored the shoreline, taking photos of anything that caught her fancy.
    “You’re sure? I thought you were all hot and heavy with that waitress at Ed’s Diner.”
    He could only see half of her little sister smirk as she continued.
    “I wouldn’t want to interfere. God knows, you need to get laid.”
    He choked on the water. “Are you nuts? There’s nothing going on between me and Christy.” He realized his mistake as soon as the words were out of his mouth. There really wasn’t anything going on with Christy, but certainly not for lack of her trying. Simply naming her reinforced Jen’s suspicions. Christy had made her interest perfectly clear and never missed a chance to touch his arm or show off her ample cleavage when she served him. He tried to deflect her overtures as gently as possible but she never seemed to get the hint.
    Jen put a fresh canvas on her easel and with an air of nonchalance prepared to apply a thin layer of gesso to its surface. “Oh, so her name is Christy, hmm? How is she in the sack?”
    Luckily that remark didn’t catch him with a mouthful of water or he’d have sprayed it all over his paperwork. How did Jen even know about Christy? She had no friends, she never went out. And what in God’s name made her think he was having sex with the woman?
    “I have no idea how she is in the sack, since I’ve never been there with her.