Brushing Off the Boss: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss) (6 page)

A shot of warmth hit his chest and lingered. So the spark was mutual, she’d as much as admitted it. Maybe they needed to do something about it?

“I
do
admire your work ethic, but don’t expect the same from me. That’s not why I’m here, or why I bought the place.” He balled up the sandwich bag and tossed it into the crate on the floor, stood, and came across to join her at the window. “I’ve told you more than once already I’m not here to run the gallery or have anything to do with the day-to-day business.”

She looked up at him, and her eyes were full of uncertainty. “So why are you here?”

The confident, brash Sienna had disappeared, and her hesitation planted some doubts in Jack’s mind. He’d really messed up her plans. He ran his hand through his hair as he wondered whether to tell her about his own work, but he held back. It wasn’t time, and he wasn’t ready yet. Frustration with the situation burned in his gut.

Maybe I should just sell her the place and move on. Find another studio.

He looked around.

No.
It was perfect for his work, and the truck was arriving in the morning with all his sculptures. He was itching to get to work and didn’t want to wait. He’d checked out the space, and there was room in the shed to store his pieces while Sienna finished off the metal sculptures for
her
exhibition. And he had a deadline to stick to.

And he wanted to be in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Contrary to what he’d told her, he hadn’t just shown up here by chance. He’d researched the place thoroughly before he’d bought the gallery two years ago, and this was where he wanted to be. As soon as he spent some time here, he intended buying a place of his own. Shame she wouldn’t sell hers.

And it’s where I want to work. To create the sculptures that are in my head.

He just wasn’t going to let being in the gallery suck him into being involved in business. It was in his genes, and he’d fought against being like his father his whole life. He wasn’t going to replicate the mess his father had made of everyone’s life. He was going to focus on his art and make a successful career. If the gallery was successful, that would be a bonus.

Jack had no commitment to anything or anyone, apart from the completion date for his sculptures. He was an artist, and he’d come here to create and show his work. He had his first big commission, and that was the reason he needed to stay here and sort out what he was going to do with Sienna.

He huffed out a breath. “Okay, let’s be honest here.”

Her eyes were wide, and if he looked closely he suspected there was a glimmer of a tear in the corner of one.

Damn, he was a sucker for tears.
He took her hands gently in his. It was time to come clean. If Sienna was going to be working for him and managing the gallery, he’d be honest with her.

“How about you stay to run the place, but we hire an assistant for you. Then after your exhibition, we’ll see how it works out? I’ll move out of your place and find my own apartment and the only thing you’ll have to do is find a studio…or build your own?” He shot her a grin. “I’ll be busy once my stuff arrives, and as much as I enjoyed playing secretary”—he straightened his shoulders and spoke confidently—“I’ll be busy finishing off my pieces.”

“Your what?”

“My pieces.”

“What sort of pieces?” She pulled her hands away from his and stared at him.

“For my contract. I’m a sculptor. That’s why I bought the gallery and the studio.”

Sienna held his gaze, and her dark eyes were wide.

“That’s why I said I was surprised when I read about you in the local paper. We work in the same medium. After I finish the pieces that are contracted, I’m going to start work on another series and hold my first exhibition here.”

Chapter Seven

Sienna got through the afternoon—barely. Jack’s bombshell about being an artist had thrown her in a spin. Luckily, there was a steady stream of tourists through the gallery, and she tried to concentrate on them. Jack’s being an artist didn’t bother her—not really. In a way, it added to his attraction, but the knowledge put his ownership of the gallery in a whole new light. He had contracted pieces, so he must be good. Why the hell hadn’t Ana mentioned it, or did he keep his art private? Jack Montgomery? She knew the art world…but she hadn’t come across his name before. Had he been hiding the truth from her deliberately? And if he had, why would he?

Who is the real Jack?

The laid-back guy she’d seen this week who wasn’t fazed by anything? The wealthy playboy from New York? Or an artist committed to his work? Lost in her thoughts, she tried to focus on the customers milling about the gallery. It was a busy afternoon, and she needed to concentrate on that. There was still work to be done no matter what problems she was trying to sort in her head.

A couple of times Sienna noticed Jack stroll casually through the shop, but she was busy with a customer each time. She straightened her back and continued to describe the enameling process to an older woman from Australia who loved the frog displays.

“So what do you think?” The lady was looking up at her with an expectant smile.

“Sorry. What was that?” Sienna pushed thoughts of enigmatic Jack away.

“One of each. Shipped to Australia for me.”

“One of each of this set?” They were standing in front a set of her frogs lying on different-shaped pieces of timber, carved into small logs.

The lady smiled at her. “No. I want one of each of your frog sets.” Her wrinkled face lit up in a grin. “I love them all and it has been a magical visit and I want a memento of Carmel when I get home.” She grabbed Sienna’s arm and whispered. “You’ll never guess who was having lunch where I ate.”

Her excitement was infectious and Sienna smiled back at her, delighted with the sale and the customer’s enthusiasm.

“No, do tell.”

“Clint Eastwood! It has been the most amazing day.”

Sienna looked around for Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen. She’d love to tell him that piece of news.

Later.
In the meantime, she had about twenty-five frogs to package up and ship to Australia. Not a bad day’s work.

…

Jack spent the afternoon visiting local stores to pick up some supplies to keep him going until the truck arrived with his stuff. It was due tomorrow, so he checked out the garage and the kiln room beneath the gallery. It was perfect for what he wanted. He’d passed though the gallery a couple of times through the afternoon and Sienna was as busy as ever, and ignored him each time he walked past her. He didn’t need to read the expression on her face or see the depth of color in her cheeks. Her back was ramrod straight, and something was bothering her.

He shook his head. Maybe telling her about his sculptures hadn’t been such a good idea. She’d obviously thought he’d bought the gallery as an investment, which he had in a way. As much as he tried to convince himself and his father that he was a free spirit and his art was all that mattered, Jack knew he needed stability in his life. The contract and the thought of working in the studio here grounded him.

He’d also have to check out how much he was paying Sienna to run the place.

She was working her butt off, and as he’d walked around the village today, he’d realized that Sea View Gallery was by far the busiest gallery in the small town. Sienna had done a great job setting it up and getting it going in the short time she’d been here.

At five o’clock, he wandered back with a couple of packages in hand. Sienna was behind the glass desk looking at her iPad.

“A
very
good day.” Her voice was soft and her expression was wary.

There had been a shift in their relationship since he’d told her about being a sculptor, and he wasn’t sure how to respond to her.

“We had a lot more customers in today,” she said, her eyes still on the figures on the small tablet screen in front of her. “And excellent sales too. I’ve got a lot of work ahead. I sold quite a few of the frogs I’d planned to use for my exhibition.”

“But won’t that mean more work for you to replace them?”

Sienna nodded absently before she lifted her head and looked at him with a frown. “Yes, it will but it was a good sale. Good for the gallery…and good for me.”

Jack looked down at his clothes with a grin. Maybe he could dress up a bit if he was going to spend a bit of time in the place.

Keep it casual.
“Nothing like a bum surfer look to pull the women in.”

Sienna pulled a face and huffed. “I think it had more to do with Clint Eastwood being in town today.”

“Clint Eastwood’s here? And I missed him?” He laughed. “But thanks for the vote of confidence. Wait till you see
me
in my Prince Charming costume.”

Her eyes widened, and he was glad to finally see her smiling. “You bought one?” She pointed to the packages he was carrying. “Really?”

“Yup. Nice tights, too.” Jack grinned. “And I’m looking forward to the party.”

“Me too.” Sienna yawned and turned off the iPad.

“How about we go out for dinner to seal our agreement?” Jack wasn’t sure how she’d take that, so he continued before she could refuse. “There are a couple more things we probably should discuss. The truck will be here in the morning with my stuff and I’ve had a look around. I just want to run it by you.”

“It’s your gallery. You can put things where you want.”

“Whoa. You’re in charge here. Remember?” He held his hands up. “And we compromise. I’m a nice guy.”

Sienna snapped the cover of the iPad closed and stood. “I guess you are. I’m just being me. You’ll get used to it.”

And being her was a big act as far as he could tell. He’d like to get to know the Sienna beneath the prickly surface she showed him.

“So dinner? My treat.”

“I suppose.” She smiled again, and he relaxed as her face lit up.

“I’d like a shower. I’ve been poking about in the kilns. So let’s go home first.” A strange feeling filled him as the words came out and Sienna frowned. He quirked an eyebrow and smiled at her. “I mean, let’s go to your place.”

…

Jack rode his bike back to the cottage, and Sienna followed in her car. It had been a strange day, and she was a little unsettled. Dinner out somewhere lively might snap her out of this mood she was in. She’d get up early and do some enameling before she opened in the morning. Throughout the day she’d moved from uncertainty, not knowing what her future was going to hold, and finally settled in a place where the worry landed deeper as the day wore on. The agreement with Jack about the gallery pleased her, even though she was going to have to find somewhere else to work, but the conversation with Georgie this morning wouldn’t go away, and stuck in her chest like a stone. She flicked on the radio and tried to let the music lift her. By the time she turned into the drive, the rock music had the desired effect, and she was feeling better even though she had to work out whether Jack had been lying to her, or if he just hadn’t bothered to mention being an artist. He was so casual and friendly he sucked her right in. Somehow he had the ability to get past the defenses she usually had in place.

Things would work out
. She would make sure they did. Planning and organization were the key. Knowing she had to replace the pieces she’d sold today meant she had to make the best use of her time. Dinner with Jack was a luxury she probably couldn’t afford time-wise, but no matter how hard she tried to resist him, his sexy grin sucked her in.

Jack was waiting for her outside the cottage, and he’d put his bike away. “Can we go back into town in your car?”

She unlocked the door and shot him a grin over her shoulder. “Bit misty for you here on the coast?” She pointed to the wet helmet in his hand.

“No, I’m used to New York weather.” That damned perpetual grin was still on his face.

Did nothing ruffle the man?

“I just thought it would be nice to travel in together. We could always go on the bike.” His smile did something to her, and her heart gave a funny little flip as she pushed opened the door.

“This isn’t a date, okay?”

“No. It’s a business meeting, but we’re leaving from the same place to go to the same place so it makes sense to travel in the same car…or on the same bike?”

She put her hands on her hips. “All right. You win. It makes sense, I suppose. But it’s not a date…and I don’t like bikes, so we’ll take my car.”

“It’s not a date.” He repeated her words solemnly and she shot him a look. “You’ll have to pick somewhere because I don’t know my way around the area yet.” He put his bike helmet down inside the door. “I’ve only got jeans or bike leathers.”

“Do you like Italian?”

“I’ll eat anything.”

She was sure he would. “There’s a nice place in Monterey. Great food and a live jazz band.” She needed some music and crowds around her to snap her out of the doldrums. Whenever she let the worry take over, the muse disappeared and her work suffered. And she couldn’t afford to have much downtime this week after that sale.

“Sounds great. Half hour?” Jack stood there looking at her, and Sienna snapped her thoughts back to present.

“You might be able to get ready in half an hour, but I’m going to have a soak in a deep bubble bath before we go anywhere.” As soon as the words were out, she regretted them. The grin got wider; he was obviously using his imagination. Sienna gave him a little shove. “You go to
your
apartment and leave me in peace. I’ll knock on your door when I’m ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.” With a final grin he disappeared down the hall, and Sienna didn’t relax until she heard his door open and close.

The restaurant was crowded and noisy, and the band was playing. Jack held her chair out for her after they were shown to a discreet corner table away from the band.

“At least it’s quieter here.” Sienna put her bag on the floor. “We can talk. I made a list of things I want to sort out with you.”

“Water?” The drinks waiter stood beside the table.

“Yes, please.” Sienna pulled out her iPad. She’d taken it into the bath with her and made a list as she’d soaked in the bubbles.

Straight to business
. This was
not
a date.

“We’ve sorted out the studio and your storage. Now we need you to make some decisions on the day-to-day running of the gallery.”

“Put it away.”

“What?”

“The iPad.” Jack pointed to the computer on the table in front of her. “I told you, I don’t want to run the gallery. Do what you want.” For the first time today, he looked serious.

“But—”

“You’ve been doing fine. I’m happy for things to go on the way they are. Like I said earlier, we’ll see what happens after your show. Then
you
decide if you want to stay, or if you want out.”

Sienna frowned at him. “But—”

“If you want out at the end of the month, I’ll find another manager. Now let’s enjoy dinner.”

“So we didn’t need a
business
dinner after all?”

“No, but we will talk salary before we order. I looked into how much we’ve been paying you and it’s not enough. The gallery has been doing so well, you need to be compensated more.”

Sienna lifted her glass and sipped her water. “Well, that is very kind. I won’t object.” With a higher salary and selling more frogs, she would be in a better position to look around for her own place…and maybe build her studio.

“Nothing kind. Good business.”

For a moment, she caught a glimpse of the businessman beneath the casual facade. He was a chameleon, that was for sure. Then his wide grin reappeared, and Jack leaned back in his chair. “So business is over now. We need dinner and you need some time out.”

“What do you mean I need time out?”

Jack reached over and put his finger beneath her chin, and she pulled back a little as a tingle ran down her neck to her back. “I told you this afternoon. You have the most expressive face.”

“Stop right there. Read my lips.” She folded her arms to cover the thudding of her heart. “This. Is. Not. A. Date.”

He held his hands out in front of him innocently. “Did I say it was?”

Sienna tilted her head to the side and studied him, and she couldn’t stop the smile that was tugging at her lips. “Are you always so happy?”

He grinned at her and she rolled her eyes. He’d worn a black polo shirt with his black jeans, and if it was possible, the dark color added to his sex appeal. She was going to have to work very hard to keep him at a distance. “Tell me about New York. You said you went back to help out in the family business. That’s where you know Blake from?”

Jack leaned back in his chair. “Yeah. I grew up in a wealthy family, went to the best schools, and was expected to follow the family path. My father had big plans for me. So when I dropped out of college and took off to art school, you could say he was less than impressed.”

“But why the move out here?” She watched as his green eyes lit up. “You could have bought a gallery back there.”

“I guess I got the idea from Blake. I met him when he worked for Dad at Home and Hardware and we clicked. A few games of golf, and he told me about his home in San Francisco, and how much he loved living out here on the West Coast. I came out on a trip and caught up with him. I actually bought the gallery the same week I met you at that doohickey place.”

Sienna fought the rising panic that welled in her throat. She remembered how she’d been so attracted to him back then. Now his smile was sending constant shivers down her back, contrasting with the hot feeling in her chest.

“The time that Ana and Blake finally got together,” she said weakly.

Fight it.

“So enough about me. Tell me about you. You and Georgie grew up here?” His green-eyed gaze locked with hers, and Sienna focused on her breathing. The shaky feeling disappeared a little as she thought of her background, and she met his gaze squarely.