by Anne Oliver
As if she was making sure he’d left before she made her reappearance.
A file she was holding slipped and she grabbed at it, giving him a peek of cleavage. Smooth, dusky, inviting cleavage. He ran a tongue over his teeth. She wore a conservative dress the colour of watermelon. Square neckline, straight skirt, wide emerald-green belt.
His body hardened as he remembered last night. The taste of her skin, her sexy little moan as he’d tucked her against him. The way her eyes had clashed with his when she’d felt his erection. She’d been all-the-way with him. Willing, wanting, desperate. Until Pam had rung.
She was still interested. If he’d found another temp he could have been seeing Sophie socially this evening. He’d not been thinking straight when he’d talked her into staying on as his PA. He’d just wanted to see her again and the sooner, the better.
Okay, she was a current employee, but not for long. A few days, then nothing was stopping them acting on that attraction for however long it lasted. She was off overseas indefinitely in a matter of weeks, which suited him fine—he was nowhere near ready for anything long term. And obviously she didn’t want serious either at this point.
Perfect. Well, almost.
So they were going to clear this up. Now. As he descended she glanced up and caught sight of him. He watched the dismay cross her gaze. Watched her stop and try to compose herself.
‘Sophie.’
‘Jared.’ She jiggled the folders she held tighter against her bosom. ‘Do you want to go over these figures from George before I file them?’
‘No. That’s what I pay you for.’ He stopped two steps above her, then sat down on the concrete so that they were eye to eye. ‘Last night you said you were a professional.’
Her eyes widened. ‘And I am.’
‘You’re avoiding me.’
‘No. I’m busy.’ Then her gaze turned worried. ‘Oh. Since you were on your way out I figured I’d—’
‘I don’t have time for this, Sophie, and nor do you. We need to do something about it.’ He wanted to touch her so badly he had to fist his hands at his sides. ‘Whatever you’re doing tonight, cancel it.’
‘I can’t. Not tonight.’
He narrowed his eyes while trying to read hers. ‘Can’t or won’t?’
‘I’m spending the night with Pam.’ Her lips firmed and her eyes flashed a defiant topaz. ‘She’s family to me and she’s ill and on her own. So call me unprofessional or sack me on the spot but an understanding boss knows which comes first.’
Yes, he knew. He had to admire her for standing up for herself. ‘Okay.’ Rising and stepping down to her level, he breathed out his frustration. Slowly. ‘Tomorrow night, then.’
She took her time responding, as if trying to come up with another excuse. He decided to let her off the hook for now and said, ‘Listen, why don’t you finish here early today since you worked back last night? Buy some flowers from the staff at the florist around the corner on your way. You’d know what Pam likes. Put it on my business account.’
Her tensed shoulders softened. ‘Okay. Thanks. Pam’ll love that.’ A smile lit up her whole face and reflected in her gold-flecked eyes. It brought a glow to the moment. It made him think of the sun dancing on a sapphire sea. It made him forget he was her boss and this was his place of work.
‘Summer,’ he murmured. Heat. Bared, bronzed bodies. Playtime and passion. He wanted it all with Sophie Buchanan.
The images his mind seemed determined to conjure up both startled and aroused. He breathed in sharply and his nostrils filled with her familiar fresh scent. Her smile faded as they continued to stare at each other. His heart pounded like a fist on a drum. Her shoulders tensed up again and she gripped the metal banister with her free hand, the other clutching at the files.
‘Hey…’ Seriously aiming for detached, he grinned, then…somehow…his thumb was sliding along her lower lip. ‘Relax, I’m not going to ravish you on the stairwell no matter how hard you beg.’
She didn’t smile or move a muscle, didn’t react in any way. A block of wood. His inappropriate touch and humour drained away, leaving him feeling confused, unsteady and…damn exposed… What the hell was wrong with him? With his body already rock hard, he shifted closer, desperate for one taste of that generous mouth, just one…
She didn’t move away. She didn’t resist as he leaned in and the instant their lips met her whole being seemed to sigh with satisfaction. He knew because he felt the same way. Her mouth, so warm, so soft, so rich. So right. His body tightened further.
The sound of the upstairs door opening echoed in the stairwell. He reacted instantly. What in hell was he doing? This wasn’t so right, this was all wrong. His hands instinctively rose to Sophie’s shoulders—to steady her, that was all—but she shot backwards, still grasping the files, wide eyes flashing with accusation.
‘Jared?’ an impatient voice called. ‘Are you down there? Some of us haven’t got all day…’
‘Be there in a jiff, Liss.’ His voice reverberated off the walls.
He heard a strangled sound coming from Sophie, who was shooting upwards like a rocket and already a few stairs above him. She turned, looked down on him and whispered fiercely, ‘That’s what happens when you don’t stick to the rules.’
He was uncomfortably aware of the tent in his trousers. Sophie would be too. And Melissa, if she noticed. And Melissa would be bound to notice. He ground his teeth. Sisters. He threw out a hand, snapped his fingers. ‘Give me the files, Sophie.’
She passed them down to him with…was that a hint of smoky humour mingled with the agitation in her eyes? ‘I’ll let Melissa know you’ll be right along,’ she said, and resumed her ascent.
‘Tell her I’ll meet her in the car park. And check the agenda for next Wednesday and familiarise yourself with the details,’ he informed her retreating back, trying to get some sort of business rapport going between them again.
‘Next Wednesday?’
‘I’ve left you an email.’
‘I’ll get right on it.’
The door above swung shut. He drew in a ragged breath and tried to bring his wayward body under some sort of control. He couldn’t believe what he’d just done. During office hours. With his PA, for pity’s sake. What an ass.
His professional self had never done anything remotely like it. Never been tempted. Sophie Buchanan was the first. The one-off.
When he’d kissed her last night he’d not anticipated she’d still be his PA today. He reassured himself that in less than a month everything would be back to normal.
Who was he kidding? He shook his head as he made his way upstairs. Somehow he doubted anything would be the same, ever again.
Noosa? They were going to Noosa. Sophie stared at the email Jared had forwarded moments ago while she’d been downstairs. Her and him, together for the three-hour journey past Brisbane and on to the northern Sunshine Coast. And staying at some fancy address on the Noosa River. Alone.
No way.
She reached for the office phone, but before she could make a connection it buzzed. To curb her impatience she fixed a smile in place. ‘Sanderson Property Investments, Sophie Buchanan speaking, how may I help you?’
‘Miz Buchanan.’ Jared’s voice. With not a hint of the husky heat it had exuded moments ago. Just deep and calm like a high mountain lake.
Unlike her. Her pulse, which had barely settled, raced again. He’d kissed her senseless and just like that, now he was being all business? She heard a car’s horn in the background. Right, of course he was all business because he was in the car with Melissa, who was no doubt listening in on every word. Now who’s playing games?
‘Mr Sanderson.’ She leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingernails on the desk and studying the photo of Noosa’s riverside luxury home on her computer screen. ‘What can I do for you?’
Should have rephrased that. A shiver shimmied down her spine and she swore that amazing sexual tension they seemed to have between them spun thr
ough the air, as if he were standing right behind her. Leaning down, his breath hot against her ear—
‘You’ve read the email, I presume?’
She jolted upright. ‘Yes.’ Brief hiatus where neither spoke. Did he expect her to back out now? Moreover, did she want to back out now? The refusal on the tip of her tongue melted away. ‘I’ll be ready,’ she said.
‘Excellent.’
No way could she interpret the nuance of that single word.
‘We’ve a busy schedule ahead of us,’ he continued, ‘and I want to familiarise you with a few details before we leave on Wednesday. I’ll be in Brisbane on Monday and Tuesday, so we’ll discuss it over dinner tomorrow evening.’
She opened her mouth to argue, closed it. So it was a business dinner now. How cunning. And when he put it that way how could she refuse? ‘Very well. Restaurants…’ She flipped through Pam’s list on the desk. ‘Do you have a preference?’
‘I’ll make the reservations this time. We’ll make it seven, I’ll pick you up on the way.’
Nuh-uh, that sounded too much like a date and the panicky feeling fluttered back. ‘I—’
‘Until tomorrow, then. Bye for now.’
The line went dead.
‘Fill me in on the latest lunchroom gossip,’ Pam said while they ate the home-made chicken soup and hot crusty bread Sophie had brought upstairs.
Pam was a brunette with short bouncy hair, abundant curves and dark expressive eyes. Right now those eyes begged for news from the outside.
‘I’m just the temp, remember. I’m not privy to gossip.’
‘But you must have heard something—any sordid little tidbit that’ll brighten up my miserable, itchy and scratch-filled day will do.’
‘Oh, you poor thing.’ Sophie looked at her blister-covered friend across the table and almost felt itchy herself. ‘Are you sure there’s not anything I can get you?’
‘Thanks, but I’m fully medicated for the moment. Especially with the gorgeous flowers you brought. Jared really is a darling.’ She smiled at the bunch of yellow roses on the coffee table. ‘Come on, Sophie.’
She wanted to get this thing with Jared out in the open with someone and Pam was the only person she was close enough and trusted enough to confide in. ‘Are you sure you’re up to hearing it? You don’t need to go and relieve that itching some more in a cool cornflower bath?’
Pam’s eyes brightened considerably. ‘You have heard something. Out with it. Now.’
‘Okay, but don’t blame me if your itch turns feral. It may take a while and you have to promise not to tell.’
Leaning her elbows on the table, Pam settled in. ‘Promise.’
‘It started two nights ago when I emailed your report to Jared, only it wasn’t your report that I emailed…’
When Sophie had finished, Pam sat back and stared at her. ‘Oh, cringe… You’re genuine. If I hadn’t heard it from you I’d never have believed it.’
‘I can hardly believe it myself. And yeah, the cringe factor for this particular blunder surpasses all previous records.’
‘Agreed.’ Pam’s slow smile had a hint of wicked humour about it. ‘You and Jared together. It’s kind of…I’m not sure yet, let me think on it.’
‘Not too deeply, please.’ Sophie felt her cheeks heat and dared herself to hold Pam’s gaze. ‘And let me point out we’re not together together.’
But after that moment on the stairs this afternoon… When he’d touched her lips with that very tanned, very sexy and no doubt very experienced thumb, it had been all she could do not to open her mouth and take it inside. To wrap her tongue around it and taste him.
Then he’d swooped in and kissed her. He’d tasted rich, dark, hot. But it hadn’t been long enough. Not nearly long enough. She pressed her lips together. Hard.
And now…now there was next Wednesday… Business trip, she reminded herself.
‘There’s never been a whiff of scandal around Jared.’ Pam interrupted Sophie’s thoughts. ‘But if they see you the way you are now…all pink and flustered-looking…I wonder who’ll be the first to start the rumour mill?’
Sophie glared at her. ‘Not you. You promised.’
Pam made a zipping movement with her thumb and forefinger. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘Tell me what I should know about this upcoming trip to Noosa. I only found out about it this afternoon. By email.’ The funny feeling she’d got in her stomach back at the office unfurled again and started to flap.
‘We were going to Noosa to consult with a few clients and look at property,’ Pam said. ‘And staying overnight,’ Sophie continued.
‘Two nights actually.’ Pam smiled as if they were co-conspirators in a secret, and that funny sensation flapped some more.
‘What if I don’t want to go?’
‘Are you seriously thinking of refusing?’
‘I—’
‘Because if you are, you’d better organise someone else pronto.’ Pam sounded surprisingly aggrieved. ‘This trip’s important to Jared.’ She stared hard at Sophie. ‘I know I go on about him but, honestly, he’s one of the good guys. Think of England. Spending money, Soph.’
Rome, Florence. The Colosseum. Michelangelo’s David. ‘Thinking, thinking. Still doesn’t make it a good idea.’
Sophie realised she wasn’t focusing on the professional aspect. She was temping for Pam and Pam had wangled this job for her instead of going through the agency as she was supposed to. She couldn’t let her down. ‘Just my thoughts spinning, Pam. Of course I’m going.’
Pam’s expression relaxed. ‘Don’t worry, the accommodation’s a luxury waterfront home on Noosa River. Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, spa, pool.’
‘I’ve been looking at the info.’
‘So you’ll know there’s plenty of room to stay out of each other’s way if that’s what you want… Is that what you want, Sophie?’
Sophie evaded the question with one of her own. ‘Why not a couple of rooms in a hotel?’
‘Because Jared wants to refurbish a place here in Surfers that he’s purchased for himself. He saw this one available for short-term rent on the net and liked some of the ideas. And it makes a change from hotels. Lighten up, work might actually be fun for a change. For both of you.’
Oh, Sophie had no doubts about that. None at all. But when they came back she could see the word Complication looming on the horizon, even if Pam was back at work by then. ‘Okay, tell me more. What’s he like out of office hours?’
Pam studied her through very perceptive eyes. Too perceptive. ‘He’s turned up at staff functions with gorgeous sophisticates—always blonde—but never the same one twice. Does that answer your question?’
Sophie shrugged as if it didn’t matter. ‘I reckon so.’ It didn’t matter, she told herself. She frowned, annoyed. It was no concern of hers how many women he had. Then she remembered Jared’s words. A good thing is only a good thing for as long as you enjoy it. ‘So he’s commitment phobic.’
Pam pursed her lips. ‘I’d say it’s more like work-focused.’
Sophie hmphed. She’d reserve judgment on that for now.
‘Career and family are his life,’ Pam went on. ‘He fought for and won guardianship of Crystal and Melissa when he was only eighteen. That was twelve years ago and he’s done a brilliant job all while expanding a now very lucrative and successful business.’
Oh. Sophie tried not to be impressed with his dedication and commitment. It didn’t extend to his relationships with the opposite sex. Again she tried not to compare him with her ex-husband but she couldn’t help it. Glen had loved women. Lots of women.
All behind Sophie’s back.
And it seemed both men preferred blondes.
Superficial beings, men. A timely reminder and one she intended keeping uppermost in her mind for the next few days. Weeks. And even when she boarded that big shiny jet and headed for the other side of the world she would remember.
Superficial suited her purposes too.
Superficial was safe.
She thought about that later, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling while the tropical breeze did nothing to cool her over-heated body. Overheated because she couldn’t stop thinking about Jared. In that superficial way.
He made her hot. From his tanned skin and toned body to the way he looked at her with those intense eyes the colour of smouldering olive leaves.
Then there were his lips. Firm and full and fabulous. The way he’d used them to kiss her. Talk about weapons of mass seduction. Her temperature rose another degree just thinking about it. She wanted those lips against hers again. She wanted them on other parts of her body—the way they’d worshipped her in her dream.
Rolling over, she squeezed her pillow and bunched it beneath her head. Why was this happening now when she was leaving Australia indefinitely?
She’d never been kissed by a man like Jared, certainly never involved with one. It was an all-new experience. A cocktail of power and authority with a twist of devilish wit and charm, to be served hot in a dark grey suit. Enticing, irresistible. Possibly lethal.
But even though Pam the PA certified him all work and no play, Sophie knew Pam her friend considered him the quintessential good bloke.
Not so superficial.
Not so safe after all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE workload Jared gave Sophie on Friday was so heavy she barely had time to go to the Ladies, let alone think of him in any other way than her slave-driver boss.
She didn’t have time to think of him at all actually. She worked her butt off all morning without a coffee break, and by lunch she’d cleared most of the paperwork. She stretched in her chair, wiggled her fingers, satisfied with her efforts, then reached beneath her desk and pulled out her lunch box.
‘These need filing, please.’
Jared dumped another pile of manila folders on her desk. She realised he’d hardly have noticed if Pam had come back early and was sitting in this chair instead of Sophie.
‘Right away.’ She watched him not looking at her as he walked past.
