Read Hunk for the Holidays for Free Online Page B

a reason to quit work and go home. No one wants to go home to an empty house.”
    He knew exactly what the woman was talking about. He put off getting an office just so he wouldn’t have to leave work. Ever. His home seemed less lonely when filled with assistants, fax and copy machines, and computers.
    “And Cassandra’s long hours are even more pathetic when you consider the fact that she doesn’t even like her job,” Aunt Louise said. Before James could question her, she leaned closer, her strong whiskey breath almost knocking him out of his chair. “I’ll tell you a little secret. I think Albert made one hell of a mistake putting that girl behind a desk. Just like her daddy, she loves to be in thethick of things and doesn’t mind getting her hands a little dirty.”
    The mention of Cassandra’s father brought up a question that had been plaguing James for most of the night. “Where is Mr. McPherson?”
    Aunt Louise chuckled. “Worried about coming face-to-face with Big Al, are you? Well, don’t be. Alby’s more bark than bite. Besides, he just had heart surgery, so you won’t be running into him tonight. Old Doc Matheson put a stop to that.” She got to her feet, and James followed. “Which reminds me. I better be on my way.” She picked up the full bottle of whiskey and tucked it under her arm. “I promised Mary Katherine I’d stop by before I go home.” She held out a hand. “Jimmy, it was nice meeting you.”
    “Same here, ma’am. Are you going to be okay to drive?”
    She gave his hand a hard shake. “Son, I was just getting warmed up.”
    James didn’t doubt her, but he still couldn’t let her drive. Not after an entire bottle of whiskey was almost gone.
    “Just the same, I think I’ll call you a cab.” He pulled his cell phone from the inside pocket of his tux. Since he had turned it on vibrate when he was in the elevator at M & M Construction, he took note of the five calls he’d missed before he started to dial information.
    She stopped him, her green eyes sparkling. “You don’t have any trouble taking control. I like that, Jimmy. I like that a lot. But there’s no need to worry about me. I won’t be driving, not when those crazy nephews of mine wentand got me a big old Cadillac with a cute, young chauffeur.” She patted his arm. “I’ll be fine. Besides, what you need to worry about is standing right over there.” She tipped her head, and James glanced behind him.
    On the other side of the glass wall of the conservatory, Cassandra stood talking with a man.
    “That would be Foster,” Aunt Louise answered James’s unspoken question. “His parents are friends of the family, or like to think they are. Foster’s another candy ass, but at least the other candy asses had jobs. He hasn’t worked a day in his life. Although he’ll tell you different.”
    “Is Cassandra interested?” he asked as he watched the tall, blond man reach out and take her hand. James’s eyes narrowed. He heard Aunt Louise snort, but he kept his gaze pinned on the scene before him.
    “I’ll let you find that out for yourself,” she said. “I think I’ll be seeing you, Jimmy.”
    A sudden draft of cold air pulled his attention away long enough to watch the old woman slip out through the side door. He didn’t watch her for long, more interested in what the candy ass was doing with Cassandra’s hand. He actually had to fight down a feeling similar to jealousy. It surprised him. He wasn’t the jealous type. Yet, for some reason, he felt not only jealous but protective, which was strange considering he and Cassandra didn’t have any kind of a relationship.
    Except the bizarre escort thing.
    After meeting her large, overbearing family, it made more sense. As a fellow workaholic, he understood how difficult it was to maintain a relationship. His ex-girlfriends could attest to that. It looked like Cassandra had founda solution. Not one he would have chosen, but a solution nonetheless.
    But