Blueprint for Love (Choc Lit) Read Online Free PDF Page A

noticed the muscles on his strong forearms flexing every time he moved. She had to stuff her hands in her pockets to stop herself from reaching out and touching him.
              What am I thinking? she chided herself, and forced the conversation back on neutral ground.
              ‘I’ve enjoyed living in London,’ she continued. ‘I probably wouldn’t have had the same opportunities to go to college if I’d stayed here. There’s so much on offer there, and the firm of architects I worked for previously, let me have time off for my exams.’
              She didn’t mention that her immediate boss had grumbled and said something rude and derogatory about how education was wasted on women. He had then added, lewdly, that women belonged in the bedroom, with a look in his eyes that made Hazel’s skin crawl. She couldn’t imagine Jonathan expressing a similar sentiment, but she’d been wrong about people before.
              ‘I expect you’re longing to visit your aunt.’
              ‘I’ll go as soon as I can. Although,’ she shot him a cautious look, ‘I wouldn’t do that without running it by you first.’
              ‘Your time is yours. We might not keep regular hours here when we’re working on a project, but I’m sure you can see your aunt during the day which is probably the best time to visit an elderly person. You can always make up the hours later.’
              ‘Thank you.’
              ‘I may be the boss, Hazel, but I’m not an ogre. You seem to think that I would be. Any particular reason why?’
              He smiled down at her, and her breath caught in her throat. It would be so easy to tell him about her previous boss, but she decided to err on the side of caution. She didn’t know him that well yet.
              ‘No reason,’ she replied, and changed the subject. ‘I met your father last night. He seemed surprised to see me.’
              ‘Ah, yes, my father.’ Grimacing, Jonathan ran his hand through his fair hair. ‘I told him you were coming, but it must’ve slipped his mind. Communication isn’t great between us really.’
              ‘I understand he works on the estate grounds. Isn’t he a little old for that?’ The pathetic image of George, with his flyaway hair and carpet slippers, had stayed in her mind.
              Jonathan sent her a sharp look, although a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘You’re very direct, aren’t you?’
              ‘Is that a bad thing?’
              ‘No, it’s ... refreshing.’
              He eyed her for a moment, another inscrutable look on his face, and Hazel felt herself go hot under his stare. She met his eyes as far as she dared, reminding herself yet again that complications were the last thing she needed.
              They were interrupted by the arrival of the other employees. Soon the office was buzzing with the sound of good-natured banter, printers whirring and mugs clinking. It reminded her of her previous workplace before everything had gone pear-shaped with her manager.
              Jonathan made the introductions, and they all welcomed Hazel enthusiastically. The majority of them were men, in casual clothes and of different ages, but there was one woman among them. Dressed in an exotic, flowing kaftan, Ellie was big-boned, with large, expressive hands. A pair of spectacles hung from a chain around her neck and a hair clip, shaped like a sunflower, tried unsuccessfully to tame her frizzy hair. She pulled Hazel aside.
              ‘We’re very glad to have you here. The office is in a bit of state. But don’t tell the big boss I said that or I’ll be in the doghouse.’ She gave Hazel a conspiratorial wink.
              ‘I won’t breathe a word.’
              ‘Joking aside, it’s a great place to work. Everyone’s friendly