Mistress Minded by Katherine Garbera

joy flooded her and she knew it was foolish to let his comments mean that much to her. But they did. She steeled her heart and warned herself that the sight of him walking away from her was one she should get used to. But she didn’t feel angry anymore.
    Instead, she was conflicted with emotions about the complicated man who was so much more than a boss. His words made her ache for the boy he must have been. She’d felt many things for the complex man she was half in love with, but sympathy wasn’t one of them until now.
    She’d suspected there were dark secrets from his childhood that drove him to be so successful. He spoke little of his parents, and Jayne had imagined he’d had an upbringing like hers. She’d never suspected that he’d experienced the other side of the coin. Because in her heart she suspected his father must have left Adam and his mom for a woman like her mother.
    Jayne ached deep inside in the emotional place thatreminded her she wasn’t as mature as she wanted to be. The place that made her remember what it felt like to watch her father through a slated-wood closet door. That place that was still recovering from Ben’s departure and didn’t want to ache again.
    She locked the door to the suite and headed toward the main hotel building, where the bar and one of the restaurants was housed. She had to get her focus back on work. It would be nearly impossible to ignore Adam, but that was the only way she was going to be able to survive these two weeks in the Caribbean.
    The cobblestone path was lined with verdant bushes that smelled like the inside of a florist shop. She stopped by a hibiscus and plucked a bright red blossom, tucking it behind her ear. She was tired of being one bloom that never opened to the sun. Tired of living her life on the sidelines. Tired of not taking the biggest risk life had to offer.
    Mentally she started a to-do list for when she returned to New Orleans. She’d have to find another job and prepare Adam to have a new assistant.
    She finally reached the building and crossed the lobby. Standing in the shadows, she observed Adam, who sat alone at the bar. There was a tension in him that she hadn’t noticed since the first few days she’d started working for him. She knew he was in a bad space, and that she was partially responsible for that. Ben had told her one time that just looking into hereyes made him feel guilty. She didn’t really understand what he’d meant by that.
    But for some reason, her code of morality shone around her, and many people had a difficult time lying to her. She also knew that she’d made things as difficult as possible between herself and Adam earlier. She’d wanted him to feel a little of the pain and indecision that was swamping her.
    It looked as if she’d succeeded. He tilted back his head and drained his whiskey glass in one swallow. She knew he was drinking single malt. It was his favorite.
    She knew so many superficial things about him that she’d been able to convince herself she loved him. But only now did she realize how much she still had to learn.
    â€œHow do you like my island, amica? ”
    Jayne turned to face Ray Angelini. He wore a well-tailored suit and held a cigar loosely in one hand. He appeared much more at ease here than he had on the plane.
    His island was turning into her own personal proving grounds, Jayne realized. She had to face herself and make some tough decisions.
    â€œIt’s very nice. Adam has already started making notes on the resort. He’s so excited that you’re talking to him about selling it.”
    â€œI know he is, but I don’t want your business opinion. How do you like the romance of the island? Didithinks some couples need to be pushed along, but I think each relationship has its own timetable.”
    Jayne felt as if she was under a spotlight. She knew that if she said the wrong thing she might ruin this deal for