first sign of trouble. Hearing his boss had instructed them to nurse it along instead of calling in a technician infuriated him. If guests had been stuck there for those couple of hours...
Head Office had cut their operating budget to almost nothing, but they couldn’t expect staff to endanger the wellbeing of their clients, could they?
Jase’s regard for the company he worked for had plummeted since James Laurie’s death. His children seemed more intent on making quick money than building and maintaining a respectable reputation.
With fists clenched he stormed toward his office. He’d be damned if he’d have anything to do with withholding necessary maintenance. If Madeline Murphy wasn’t willing to fight for a more realistic operating budget, he might just have to put his job on the line and approach Head Office over her head.
Chapter Six
Jase’s head flew up as the door burst open. The dark-haired beauty occupying his thoughts disappeared.
Only one person ever waltzed into his office as if she owned the place. As general manager, he supposed she almost did. His fists whitened around the arms of his chair. Struggling to keep his mouth shut and his scathing opinion to himself, he stared at the once-beautiful woman who now made his life a living hell.
Madeline Murphy was a bitch of the first degree. She had evidently used her looks to climb the corporate ladder as she had little nous about people or running a business. But now, despite the secret but noticeable recent facelift, those looks were deserting her.
It was obvious she had barely enough management skill to run a car wash. Jase clenched his teeth. Inside her beat the heart of a predator. She was ambitious and hard as nails. He had no doubt her ambitions included one day taking over the whole company, chewing up and spitting out anyone who might try to stand in her way.
Ten years ago the way she leaned over his desk might have seemed sexy, but at her age such behaviour was nauseating. She was almost as old as his mother. Only by stiffening his body did he manage not to shiver.
Before he could report the lift incident and demand an extension of the maintenance budget, his boss spoke.
“I’ve just had a call from Head Office. They’ve summoned all the general managers. Apparently those Laurie twins have acknowledged they need some expert help running the company.”
Jase almost choked.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be away, at least a week, I expect.” She rested her bottom on his desk, swinging her leg so her skirt rode halfway up her thigh. Seeing the movement in his peripheral vision Jase kept his narrowed gaze glued to her face. “Try to keep everything running smoothly, Jase. There’s a good boy.”
He jerked his head away from the fingers approaching his face. Her slimy little smile helped Jase realise his tolerance had reached its limit. “I do expect you to have that impudent cook under control before I come back. Give him his notice if he isn’t willing to work my way.”
Having no apparent effect on Jase her provocative stance was abandoned. She stood up and wriggled her fingers as she waltzed toward the door. “If you have any trouble with him just call me. I’m sure we can work something out. Just call, Jase. Anytime. Day or night.”
Thank God she and her sick smile disappeared out the door before he could react. Jumping to his feet Jase slammed open a window and sucked deep breaths into his lungs. Moments passed before he purged the overpowering odour of her perfume.
He should have quit the job months ago when she’d started coming on to him. Arrogant sod that he was he’d thought he could handle her, but she was too Machiavellian.
This altercation with Philippe was another of her subtle threats to undermine his resistance. He didn’t care what she might try against him, but her methods were sly, always attacking others. Always letting him know the result was in his hands. He could change things. He could protect the
Head Office had cut their operating budget to almost nothing, but they couldn’t expect staff to endanger the wellbeing of their clients, could they?
Jase’s regard for the company he worked for had plummeted since James Laurie’s death. His children seemed more intent on making quick money than building and maintaining a respectable reputation.
With fists clenched he stormed toward his office. He’d be damned if he’d have anything to do with withholding necessary maintenance. If Madeline Murphy wasn’t willing to fight for a more realistic operating budget, he might just have to put his job on the line and approach Head Office over her head.
Chapter Six
Jase’s head flew up as the door burst open. The dark-haired beauty occupying his thoughts disappeared.
Only one person ever waltzed into his office as if she owned the place. As general manager, he supposed she almost did. His fists whitened around the arms of his chair. Struggling to keep his mouth shut and his scathing opinion to himself, he stared at the once-beautiful woman who now made his life a living hell.
Madeline Murphy was a bitch of the first degree. She had evidently used her looks to climb the corporate ladder as she had little nous about people or running a business. But now, despite the secret but noticeable recent facelift, those looks were deserting her.
It was obvious she had barely enough management skill to run a car wash. Jase clenched his teeth. Inside her beat the heart of a predator. She was ambitious and hard as nails. He had no doubt her ambitions included one day taking over the whole company, chewing up and spitting out anyone who might try to stand in her way.
Ten years ago the way she leaned over his desk might have seemed sexy, but at her age such behaviour was nauseating. She was almost as old as his mother. Only by stiffening his body did he manage not to shiver.
Before he could report the lift incident and demand an extension of the maintenance budget, his boss spoke.
“I’ve just had a call from Head Office. They’ve summoned all the general managers. Apparently those Laurie twins have acknowledged they need some expert help running the company.”
Jase almost choked.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be away, at least a week, I expect.” She rested her bottom on his desk, swinging her leg so her skirt rode halfway up her thigh. Seeing the movement in his peripheral vision Jase kept his narrowed gaze glued to her face. “Try to keep everything running smoothly, Jase. There’s a good boy.”
He jerked his head away from the fingers approaching his face. Her slimy little smile helped Jase realise his tolerance had reached its limit. “I do expect you to have that impudent cook under control before I come back. Give him his notice if he isn’t willing to work my way.”
Having no apparent effect on Jase her provocative stance was abandoned. She stood up and wriggled her fingers as she waltzed toward the door. “If you have any trouble with him just call me. I’m sure we can work something out. Just call, Jase. Anytime. Day or night.”
Thank God she and her sick smile disappeared out the door before he could react. Jumping to his feet Jase slammed open a window and sucked deep breaths into his lungs. Moments passed before he purged the overpowering odour of her perfume.
He should have quit the job months ago when she’d started coming on to him. Arrogant sod that he was he’d thought he could handle her, but she was too Machiavellian.
This altercation with Philippe was another of her subtle threats to undermine his resistance. He didn’t care what she might try against him, but her methods were sly, always attacking others. Always letting him know the result was in his hands. He could change things. He could protect the
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