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“I’m asking you to leave. I’ll make sure you’re compensated. I’ll even help you find another job. I’ll tell your grandfather I’m focusing on my new project and you’ve outgrown me. You’ll see this is what’s best for you.”

“Huxley, you’re what’s best for me.”

“I’m sorry.” I went to the door and opened it. “Crystal, can you come in here?”

“What are you doing?” Angelica gritted her teeth. “Why are you calling her in here?”

“Yes, Mr. James.” Crystal stood in the doorway.

“Angelica has just given me her notice,” I said. “And I think it would be best for her to leave us today, that way she can enjoy her holidays without the stress of me. Would you help her pack up her things?”

“Of course.” Crystal smiled at Angelica. “Whatever you need.”

“Huxley.” Angelica headed for the door. “This isn’t over.”

“It is for today.” I nodded toward the lobby. “I’ll contact Human Resources, and then your grandfather. All of your references will be in order by the time you exit the building.”

I should have done this months ago, but I tried to ignore her advances and remain professional. Now that she had admitted her feelings, there was no denying it. She had put me on notice, and I had a duty to put an end to it. Her grandfather and I had been friends for a long time. He would see things my way and keep her in line.

Once Angelica and Crystal left my office, I shut the door behind them. I went to the table and reexamined the lake access on Ivy’s property. Without the rights to that property, my project would stall. If I hadn’t gotten myself into a personal relationship with the potential seller, I could have resolved this with more money.

That didn’t seem like a viable solution now that Ivy and I were in bed together. How had I become so enamored with her in such a short time?

This was an infatuation that could ruin me in more ways than one. I hated to admit it, but Angelica may have been right.

The last two days wreaked havoc on my system. The tension in my head was at an all-time high. Business deals didn’t take a toll on me the way this one had. I always knew when to push forward or walk away.

The Connecticut project wasn’t one I could turn my back on. The potential for this to become a cutting-edge resort community in a picturesque setting would be legendary for years to come. The past forty-eight hours had proven to be more difficult than I could have predicted.

When I contacted Abe about his granddaughter he wasn’t pleased with the outcome. I explained my position, and he seemed to understand that I didn’t need a fabricated sexual harassment suit on my plate. He assured me he would make Angelica see that a romance between us was never in the cards.

I trusted him. But it was probably best to distance myself from my mentor while I put the final pieces in place for Connecticut. Angelica had done more damage than good when she set the tax collector in motion on Ivy’s property. I had my sources monitoring the situation, but it wouldn’t take long for savvy investors to figure out the last property crucial in my endeavor would be up on the chopping block soon.

And then there were the Girardi brothers. I had been tipped off that they were asking questions and had taken more than a casual interest in the project. My instincts screamed that they wanted more than to bid on upcoming jobs for the community. They wanted a bigger piece of the pie and there was one sure way to get that.

“Hey.” Ivy answered the door dressed in a fleece half-sweatshirt that revealed her stomach and matching sweatpants. “You’re back.”

“Did you miss me?” I handed her the bouquet of Christmas roses with deep green Ivy strewn throughout the arrangement.

“A little.” She dipped her nose into the flowers and breathed in the scent that had filled my car on the ride to Connecticut. “These are beautiful.”

“They reminded me of my favorite girl.” I stepped inside the entryway. “I came right here from the city because I needed to do this.”

Backing her into the house, I wrapped my arm around her waist, and then cupped the side of her face in my hand. I dropped my gaze to her lips, slowly brushing my mouth along hers.

She moaned when our lips connected, gasping into my mouth when I massaged my tongue along hers.

“I missed you.” I gripped her backside, diving in for another kiss. “It was a long two days.”

“Maybe you should consider working from Connecticut from now on.”

“I just might have to.” I held her against me. “It’s a little cold in here.”

“It’s an old, drafty house.” She rested her head on my chest. “I have my fuzzy socks on. I’m fine.”

“You’re adorable.” I kissed the top of her head. “Let’s put your flowers in some water.”

“I have the perfect Christmas vase in the kitchen.” She hurried down the hall. “It has snowmen on it.”