That caught him off guard. I didnt realize she went with you.
Lucy nodded. Her son, Jackson, is eight months old. Its amazing watching him grow.
The worry in her eyes launched an internal battle as his need to shield himself battled against his need to comfort her. Strong name. As hed hoped, the words brought out her smile. Shed often lamented her name was a hurdle in the corporate world.
God, he couldnt take his eyes off her, stunned and delighted to have her in his office. Terrified hed drop his heart into her hands and shed reject the gift again. His palms itched to touch her, to hold her fine-boned hand in his again. How many nights had he tossed and turned, wishing for one more touch of her lips, gentle as rose petals, against his skin? Her chest lifted on a deep inhale and sent his mind on a sensual, inappropriate detour.
I know youre busy, she began, so Ill be brief. I could use a job, Rush. If you can find a place for me.
He knew the perfect place for her, though it had nothing to do with the professional answer she was seeking. Sitting forward, he propped his elbows on his knees. She knew him too well to bother hiding his excitement about bringing her on board. A job here, with me?
With Gray Box. Her lips pursed. France has been a great experience. Beyond beautiful, but
We have plenty of wine country here, he interrupted. A voice in his head roared at him to shut up. He was an idiot to think she reminisced over their weekend adventures the way he did. Hed heard how quickly shed replaced him with a new man in Chicago.
Her lips curled into another distant smile and she smoothed her hands over her dress. California is home, she finished.
Im glad to hear youve come to your senses, he teased.
Her serious brown gaze didnt share his humor. Do you have any openings?
He glanced past her, had to assume Trishas desk remained empty on the other side of the privacy-frosted glass. I could use a personal assistant, he said, making the decision as he spoke.
Youre well aware I have an MBA. Maybe I can be of more use in
Your current post is what, precisely? Her gaze turned sharp with a hint of temper and he knew he had her just where he wanted her. Well, professionally anyway.
Yes, my current title is personal assistant, she allowed. She crossed her legs at the ankle, distracting him again with far more intimate memories. When I took the post with Dieter Kathrein everyone involved knew I was overqualified.
I can assure you as my personal assistant youll have more challenges.
Im sure youre right. Lucy tilted her head toward the desk on the other side of his office. What about your current assistant?
Shes not the dedicated PA I need, he countered. Trisha manages my calendar and answers the phone right now, but its a stopgap measure. She doesnt have your business acumen and I dont have time for her to develop it. The ease of his admission didnt surprise him. Hed always been able to talk with Lucy about anything.
Her dark eyebrows arched and her lips parted for a moment, then she clamped her mouth shut. I see. Tell me more.
Weve been searching for a better fit for her within the company, he added. What were your duties with Kathrein?
She shook her head, her gaze dropping to her hands. Beyond telling you I managed his calendar, the rest of my responsibilities are confidential.
Right. Of course. He waved that off as unimportant and quickly outlined his professional expectations. A savvy, analytical mind like Lucys could help him keep Gray Box at the top and develop new ideas and market applications. She would be the perfect liaison between him and clients who waffled around wasting his time, too. What do you think?
Salary and benefits?
Name it, whatever you need. Ill make sure its all written into the contract. He twisted, pointed out a building across the street. You can even have the corporate suite at the hotel until you find a place to live.
Thats very generous. Thank you. Her smile didnt quite reach her eyes as she accepted the ridiculous offer.
Youre worried about me, arent you? He sat back, stretched his arms across the back of the couch. About our history?
No, she said, her denial a little weak. I came to you as a colleague and friend. We both have new interests, now. You can reassure Trisha or whomever youre seeing that I wont interfere with your personal life.
He didnt appreciate that promise or the vague reprimand. Lucy had been his only interest for over a year. She still was, if he was brutally honest about it. The women whod followed her had floated through his life without any real substance or impact. Contrary to rumors, he didnt date in the traditional sense of connecting to someone. Trisha was the latest in a line of women willing to spend time as his public companion in exchange for his opening a few professional doors for her.
I wont lie, Lucy. Ive missed you. If you want to reconnect personally, Im all for it.
Her eyes went wide. Rush.
He flared his hands, let them fall. Call it full disclosure. When it comes to you and me, the ball is in your court. If youre here for purely professional reasons, I respect that.
I am. She swallowed. Thank you for the job. You wont regret it.
He already did. Lucy Gaines had been everything hed wanted from a woman in both his personal and professional worlds. Smart and kind, lovely and compassionate, theyd shared interests from wine country to stock market trends to pitching in with local charities.
Lets get out of here. If they stayed in this office, hed be tempted to unload every stray business idea hed wanted to discuss with her over the past year. Not only would that border on employee abuse, it would leave him wide open and vulnerable. He wanted her, he intended to have her, but only when he knew shed stick around. Standing, he urged her to her feet as well. Ill show you whats changed since you left. Reflexively he checked his watch.
Only everything, she said with a short laugh. Dont wreck your entire day for me. Im sure Melva can fill me in and give me instructions about the hotel suite.
He picked up on the edge creeping into her voice. How could he convince her he wanted to give her every minute today? Melva is absolutely capable, he agreed. We can skip the full tour if youre tired from the trip. He wasnt sure why he was pressing her, only that he wasnt ready to let her out of his sight. She was everything he remembered and more, but he got the feeling she was hiding something about her time with Kathrein. He didnt stand a chance of figuring it out if he left her alone.
I feel fine, Rush, she said, her smile tight. Weve agreed to terms. You dont have to entertain me.
Ouch. He laid a hand over his heart, feigning pain. Im going to play tour guide anyway. Theres no one better than me to bring you back up to speed, on Gray Box specifically and the Bay Area in general.
She shook her head, but not before he noticed the little lift at the corner of her mouth. His arrogance had often amused her. He switched off the privacy glass and caught sight of Trisha at Melvas reception desk. An even better reason to leave the office behind for the afternoon, he decided. While hed been honest about searching for a better post for Trisha, he hadnt focused on the issue. Now he had an excellent reason to move forward on that adjustment immediately.