Read HH02 - A Reclusive Heart for Free Online Page B

Mr. Quinn," Jennifer suddenly announced, breaking through the
    Christmas morning-like euphoria Jamie had going on.
    "Ah, that's not really necessary!" Jamie hurried to say, but it was already too late. As the last word flew out of her mouth
    she heard the audible click of the phone being switched to a different line.
    "Good morning, Miss. Harris," Nick said smoothly. "I hear you're not feeling well this morning."
    "I...ah, that is...I'm.....," she rambled on nervously.
    "You're planning on working at home today I gather."
    "Yes," she answered quickly. Then she remembered that she was supposed to be sick and cleared her throat and tried to
    make her throat sound all scratchy-like, "Yes."
    "You don't sound too good."
    Relieved that he was buying it, she relaxed a little. "Yeah, I think I just need a day or two to recover. I should be fine in a
    few days, but in the meantime I'll just have to work here." She added a little sigh at the end to make it sound like she wasn't
    entirely happy with the idea of skipping the office for a few days.
    "I see," he said.
    "So, I'll see you in a few days?" It came out more of a question than she planned. She really needed to work on being firm.
    No wonder people walked all over her, she thought, disgusted with herself. Well, she'd fix that later today with a trip to the
    book store. She was going to buy every self-help book there was on being more affirmative.
    "Hmm, perhaps I should stop by and see how you are. I could bring you something to eat and perhaps some tea for that
    sore throat of yours and we could go over a few things," he offered.
    He wanted to come here? Oh no, no, no, no, that couldn't happen. Today was her fun day. Today she was going relax and
    be girly. She couldn't do that with him here! Plus she didn't want him to burst her bubble.
    Right now she felt pretty and womanly. If he looked at her and still saw the same old Jamie it would break her. She liked
    this new Jamie. She wanted, no, needed to be this Jamie.
    "T-that's okay. I don't want you to get sick."
    "Oh, but I don't mind. Why don't I swing by?"
    "Er......"
    "I can be there in ten minutes. I can see how you are and we can get some work done," he said.
    "Well, I-"
    She was cut off by the beautiful sound of someone knocking at her door. Thank god for annoying neighbors. No doubt Mrs.
    Brigs wanted to tell her to turn down the television that wasn't on or it was Mr. Ames accusing her of stealing his mail, again.
    Heck, even the landlord informing her of a rent hike would be more than welcome at this moment.
    "I have to go. Someone's at the door. So, I'll just see you at the office in a few days. Bye," she said quickly, not giving him
    a chance to respond, knowing he would just find some way to come by.
    She tossed her phone onto the couch as she made her way to the front door. At least she bought herself two more days
    before she had to listen to Nick Quinn tear into her again, she thought as she opened the door.
    A small whimper escaped her as she came face to chest with Nick Quinn. Oh, this was so not good.

    ************
Nick didn't even bother looking at the little recluse as he swiftly backed her up. He had more important things to do like
    get inside her apartment so he could assess the damage and see what needed to be done in order to make this work for him.
    Once he backed her into her apartment far enough he shifted her away, she may have stumbled, he wasn't really sure or
    cared at the moment, and turned to shut and lock the door. Satisfied that he had her where he wanted her, he placed the new
    laptop on the table by the door and let out a relieved sigh.
    Admittedly last night he'd been a little pissed that the little recluse wouldn't let him inside so he could do some damage
    control, but he went home and regrouped. He went through the itinerary he'd worked his ass off yesterday to set up and added a
    few things, deciding that he could in fact be generous and allow the little recluse a few hours to console