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you think I’m working so hard?’ Her words had come out defensively and harshly, and the instant they were out she closed her eyes and sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Jasper.’ She hung her head for a moment, rubbing her fingers in tiny circles around her temples before looking at him once more. He was such a nice man and had been nothing but supportive during her time there so far. He didn’t deserve to incur her frustrations and insecurities. ‘I’m just eager to get all this work done and up to date so I can settle down into a more normal rhythm.’
    ‘Filling in for other staff and working yourself to death isn’t going to accomplish anything.’
    ‘Then what do you suggest I do?’ She indicated her desk, piled high with paperwork, as she spoke. Jasper heard a hint of mild desperation in her tone. ‘I was chosen for this job. It’s what I’ve been working towards for a very long time and I don’t want the powers that be to think I’m incompetent and—’
    ‘They won’t think that,’ Jasper interrupted as he stood and walked towards her. He stood behind her chair and placed his hands on her shoulders. She jumped when he touched her but he kept his hands still for a moment and the warmth he generated started to flow into her tired and exhausted trapezius. ‘You are doing an incredible job and no one is going to blame you for taking a night off and relaxing a little rather than beating yourself with a stick and wearing sackcloth and ashes.’
    Her lips twitched at his words. ‘Sackcloth and ashes?’ She was working very hard at ignoring the way her body responded so readily to his nearness. There was somethingabout him which she found highly attractive…in fact, if she was honest, there was a lot about him she found highly attractive and keeping her distance, making sure their working relationship was that and nothing more, was the only thing which had helped keep her unwanted attraction to Jasper in check.
    ‘You know what I mean. Listen. Why don’t we get out of here and go grab a bite to eat?’
    ‘But what about your girls? Don’t you need to get home to them?’ Jennifer was concerned for both Lilly and Lola, not wanting to take their father’s time away from them but, really, she was more concerned with being alone with Jasper for any great stretch of time. In fact, they were alone now…here…in her office…the rest of the staff either on duty or off home. They were more alone here than they would be at a crowded, busy restaurant.
    Jasper’s hands were moving slowly, working their magic and beginning to unknot her shoulders. She would relax too much with him like this…secluded in her office. She needed to move. She needed to put distance between them. She needed to…
    ‘Mmm.’ Jennifer heard herself moan as he continued to massage. It was so good. So nice. So warm and caring. So…evocative.
    At that realisation, she pushed away from her desk, almost knocking Jasper over in her haste to put as much distance between them as possible. Her eyes were wide, her breathing doubling in an instant from its previous relaxed rate, and she started fidgeting with the papers she’d almost knocked off her desk.
    ‘Jennifer?’
    ‘Er…Nothing. I mean, thanks for the massage. Did you say something about dinner?’ She opened her drawer and pulledout her handbag. ‘We can take my car if you like.’ Focusing on searching for her car keys and quite unable to look at him, she tried to pull herself together. When he didn’t say anything, she knew she had to meet his gaze. ‘Unless you do need to get home to your girls. Of course you do. It’s all right. Sara usually keeps leftovers in the fridge for me so it’s no trouble to—’
    ‘Jennifer.’ He interrupted her again, a smile twitching at his lips. ‘The girls will already be in bed by now and are well cared for. Of course we can take your car, if you’d prefer, but just relax. It’s only dinner.’
    ‘Right. I know. I guess your words are