At the Boss's Command

by Darcy Maguire

  She shook her head. What would he think of her? Raquel was right—she’d proved to him, one hundred and fifty per cent, that she was a fool.

  Did he always test the staff this way? Sweep them off their feet and into warm arms that weren’t safe at all, that weren’t to be trusted, that weren’t meant for her and for her alone.

  Tahlia’s eyes burned. She had been an idiot to think she was ready for a relationship…ever!

  She blinked hard and lifted her gaze. The coldness in his eyes burned through her.

  How could she have let herself love him?

  ‘Of course, I knew that all along,’ she blurted, her voice rough, hoping he’d believe the lie. ‘You being so obviously out of your field of expertise, put in a position of power and yet… wanting to spend all your time trawling through personnel files. Not something a new executive would put first on his list, not what I’d do, and I figured you’d like games.’

  ‘I should have guessed.’ Case clenched his hands by his sides. ‘It was a chance to ingratiate yourself and secure the position you coveted, I’m guessing.’

  Tahlia nodded tightly. ‘I knew exactly who you were from the start,’ she forced out, every word gouging holes in her heart. She had to save some semblance of pride in all this. ‘The rumour mill, you know.’

  Case looked away. ‘Right. Of course. So you knew that I could give you exactly what you wanted, if you played me right?’

  She forced a smile to her mouth. ‘Of course. I figured if I put together a file on you…I’d prove that I was executive material…and really was passionate about the job and…’ the words were like bile ‘…then I figured why not guarantee my promotion—’

  ‘Right, of course. You knew,’ he said, his voice devoid of all emotion. ‘I’d hoped I had a few weeks before the news of my purchase was heard here.’

  His purchase? He was the owner? Tahlia stared blankly at him, the word ricocheting through her. He was the man behind the company that had bought WWW Designs? And he was here, pretending to be just anyone?

  ‘A couple of weeks to get the job done,’ Case said casually, ‘…and I…I usually…entertain myself on the job. Life can be so boring…and since you seemed more than keen to—’

  Tahlia’s chest ached, right down to her toes. He was a class A playboy snob looking to entertain himself until something better came along and she’d been used. ‘Glad to be of service, sir,’ she bit out. ‘Just doing my bit. For you…the office… Me.’

  She backed away from the man who was a stranger to her. And she’d given him everything on a platter— the staff, her friends, her father, and her heart.

  How could she have trusted him?

  He turned to face her. ‘Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed the game. Thanks. I especially enjoyed the sincerity with which you shared all the pertinent information you wanted to get across about the staff. I’ll take into account the tainted nature—and your possible ulterior motives—in that discourse when I make my decisions.’

  Tahlia moved behind the chair and gripped the back, holding herself up on legs that wanted to fold underneath her. How stupid had she been to share all that with him? The enemy.

  She stared at his handsome face, just made to woo women into madness, fighting the ache in her throat.

  If only she could take back the last week and keep her distance, her cool, her fears and dreams to herself. ‘I should imagine you would take everything I said with a grain of salt.’

  She glanced at the door. ‘So—’ That was it then. There was nothing for it than to skulk back to her office and pack her desk, knowing that the first man she’d let in had not only stuck a knife deep in her career, but had also twisted it deep in her chest. And she only had herself to blame.

  ‘So—’ Case strode to his desk. ‘You get the promotion that you wanted, Marketing Executive. I think you’re just the sort of ruthless career-minded person we want to have leading the charge.’

  Tahlia shook her head, her vision blurring. She couldn’t have heard right. He was giving her the job thinking that she was some manipulating ladder-climber?

  ‘You have the promotion, Miss Moran,’ he said in a monotone voice, not looking at her. ‘You can start as Marketing Executive on Monday.’

  She lifted her chin. He was giving her the promotion she’d wanted, the dream she’d coveted, and it felt so very very wrong.

  She didn’t want to be a part of a business that employed the sort of person he thought she was.

  She took a step backwards. She’d been an idiot to open her heart, leave herself vulnerable, show her weaknesses to him…to trust him.

  ‘Great, thanks,’ she shot out coldly. ‘I’m so glad we don’t have to continue this farce—a bit much of an effort, yeah?’ She held herself tight. ‘I appreciate it.’

  He nodded tightly, a muscle in his jaw flicking.

  ‘And I’m guessing I’ll get the generous rise that goes with the job,’ she bit out. ‘Seeing as I did such a good job entertaining you and all, not that I didn’t enjoy you a bit.’ Too much. Way too much. ‘You were a great change from the hulking suits that usually are in a position to give me a boost in my career.’ She inched backwards, her heart thundering protests. ‘That I couldn’t possibly get on my own merits,’ she forced out, every word scouring her throat.

  Case stood like a statue behind his large desk, staring at her, his face grim. ‘I have to say you were the smoothest operator, the best I’ve…the—’

  She shrugged, heading for the door, dragging in a deep breath, blinking the moisture from her eyes. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t guess that a cutthroat career woman like myself would be dying for that chair, would do anything.’

  A shadow passed over his face. ‘Yes, I should have,’ he said, his voice deep and husky.

  Tahlia paused at the door, her throat aching with screams. ‘What prompted you to come in yourself, by the way, rather than send someone else?’

  ‘I was bored.’ Case shrugged and sat down in the leather chair. ‘Thanks for breaking the monotony. And, since I’ve given you the promotion, I’d appreciate you continuing to keep the fact that I’m the new owner to yourself.’

  ‘Glad to do my bit,’ she said strongly. ‘But how do you know that I haven’t told everyone already?’

  ‘Believe me, I’d know. I can recognise flattery and posing a mile off.’ He gave her a cold, hard look, as though looking at her for the first time.

  ‘Right, okay, then. I’ll go then and leave you to decide the fate of the rest of the office without me distracting you with my games,’ she said in a rush.

  ‘Appreciated,’ Case said, shuffling the papers on his desk. ‘Goodbye, Miss Moran.’

  ‘Goodbye,’ she whispered, her voice failing her. She strode through the door and down the hall. She should have stuck to her rules, her list, to business and not personal.

  She had been right to avoid a personal life. She didn’t need it or to have her heart ripped out and crushed.

  She touched her lips and her vision blurred. She’d never kiss his lying mouth, hold his playboy body close, hear his traitorous heart again…

  How could she have been so stupid? She should have known he’d let her down, betray her trust, believe what he wanted to believe and do what he wanted. He was just like her father.

  Tahlia stopped at the desk and pulled out her handbag and shoved her favourite pens, a stapler and a few rubber bands in. At least she had her promotion.

  The thought made her feel ill; as if she’d take anything she hadn’t earned. This was all so wrong. It wasn’t meant to be like this.

  He was meant to be wonderful. He was meant to be the one. He was meant to be her perfect partner who was there to support her, not break her heart into little pieces.

  Tahlia fought against the chill in her veins.

  She hooked her bag on her shoulder and strode down the hall. She’d email a resignation. She couldn’t ever see the lying jerk again.

  Although there was on
e more thing to give him before she left.

  TO: allstaff@WWWDesigns.com

  FROM: TahliaM@WWWDesigns.com

  RE: WWW Designs’ newest employee

  Please be advised that Case Trustless Darrington is in fact the new owner of WWW Designs and is in the process of making staff evaluations.

  All those interested in keeping their jobs, please note Mr Darrington is currently using the Marketing Executive office, where all reports, visitors and any gifts, donations and flattery will be gratefully received. (NB: he has a sweet tooth)

  Thanks to you all for making my work days satisfying and special. My thoughts and good wishes are with you all.

  Tahlia Moran

  Ex-Director of Sales

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sagittarians—Think before you make big decisions.

  CASE still heard the door shutting after Tahlia left yesterday, haunting him with its finality. He hadn’t watched her leave, couldn’t bear to see her or let her see the pain in his eyes, the crushing weight on his chest.

  His worst nightmare had come true and the sequel hurt far more than the original ever had—how could that be?

  Dammit. How had he let her under his radar? When he had known she was trouble from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her.

  Hadn’t he learnt anything with Celia?

  How could he have believed that he’d get it right by being naïve and stupid like last time? He should have investigated her and known more about her than she knew herself. Then he wouldn’t have to feel this way.

  Tahlia’s confession had said it all. She was a player. She hadn’t even denied it. Had revelled in it. Had yanked out his heart and crushed it under her sharp truths, shattering what he’d held so dear, so close, so incredibly beautiful to him that morning, with the dream of spending for ever with her. Of her having his children, of sharing his heart, his dreams, his life.

  He pulled at his tie. He had been a fool. Again.

  When was he going to learn not to give in to the optimistic organ in his chest and rely on his head?

  He couldn’t even fire her. He should have, but if that job was what she really wanted then he had to give it to her…if that was all he could ever give her.

  Case raked his hands through his hair, glancing at his watch. Time to play the executive again. Hell. Could he pull it off now, with Tahlia’s game playing over and over in his head, trying to put together the skewed logic she’d had in playing him.

  Why had she bothered when she’d known who he was from the start? All she had had to do was be competent and efficient and she’d have had her precious promotion…

  He rubbed his face; he couldn’t make her out. He’d spent all night tossing, trying to fit the woman he knew she was to the one she had said she was.

  Nothing made sense.

  A knock on the door tore him from his thoughts. Was it her? Had she changed her mind and decided she wanted to share a bit more with him before he left, that he wasn’t so abhorrent and she could stand his company even when it didn’t serve a means to an end?

  ‘Come,’ he barked, his voice hoarse.

  Chrystal poked her head around the corner. ‘Is it safe to come in?’

  ‘Yes,’ he said with a sigh. ‘But leave the door open.’

  ‘I’m here to help,’ she said smoothly, striding into the room, her hips swaying in her knee-length tweed skirt.

  ‘Help?’ He put a pile of papers between him and the woman in front of him, feeling some comfort in her demure outfit but not in the look in her eyes.

  ‘Yes. I’m here as a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen to your angst, or to answer whatever questions you have about the office.’

  ‘Cry? Angst?’ He straightened in his chair. Was he that obvious? He hoped not. There was no way he wanted Tahlia to know how much she’d meant to him. ‘Would you please explain yourself?’

  She plucked out a plate of cookies from behind her back. ‘These are for you. And just in case you don’t remember, I’m Chrystal from Reception, the one who’d love to have a chance to mend your broken heart.’

  ‘Right.’ He waved a hand. ‘Thank you so much but I have to be honest and tell you there’s no chance for you and I at all. I’d be doing you a disservice if I led you to believe otherwise. I’m not attracted to you at all.’

  Chrystal leant heavily on the desk, leaning over towards him. ‘Okay, if you’re sure. And, just so you know, it’s so nice to work with someone as clever, handsome and incredibly intelligent as you.’

  Case tugged at his tie. ‘Thank you.’

  A tap at the door jerked him from the gleam in the woman’s eyes. A pretty woman with dark hair stood at the door, her hand resting on the bulge of her pregnancy. ‘Is this a good time?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Case said quickly, standing up. ‘Thank you, Chrystal.’ He watched Chrystal leave, every step she took a relief to the tension in his shoulders and neck. ‘What can I do for you, Miss…Rhodes, Mrs Brant or—?’

  ‘Keely is fine.’ The young woman moved into the office. ‘Just thought I’d drop in some doughnuts,’ she said, sweeping out a box of iced doughnuts from behind her back and putting it down on his desk. ‘And to find out if you could tell me what’s going on with Tahlia.’

  Case swallowed hard. ‘Miss Moran. Yes. She’s a very strong-willed young woman who obviously knows what she wants and has no hesitation in going after it.’

  Keely nodded, her eyes narrowed. She tilted her head, opened her mouth, then closed it. ‘That she is,’ she said. ‘We’ll all miss her.’

  Miss her? As Director of Sales, he guessed. Despite her ruthlessness, she did seem to have a warm rapport with the staff.

  ‘Just a minute, Miss…Mrs…Keely. One question.’

  She glared at him. ‘Yes, Mr Darrington?’

  ‘Is Tahlia…Miss Moran…afraid of heights?’

  ‘Is grass green? Absolutely. She’s terrified. Has been since…’ She trailed off.

  He clenched his hands. That at least had been real. ‘Her father died,’ he murmured.

  Keely’s brow furrowed. ‘She told you that?’

  Case’s gut tightened.

  ‘She doesn’t tell anybody that.’ Keely swung around and waddled back to the doorway, weaving her way through a crowd of employees milling in the hallway, all brandishing plates, bags, bows and flowers.

  What in hell was going on?

  He punched the computer he’d ignored all morning in favour of staring morosely at Tahlia’s file.

  Case stabbed his computer keys, logging on.

  TO: CaseD@WWWDesigns.com

  FROM: TahliaM@WWWDesigns.com

  SUBJECT: Resignation.

  Please be advised that I, Tahlia Moran, hereby give my notice to my smart-arsed sexy-as-hell boss who I wouldn’t want to work for because he didn’t fire me for unethical behaviour.

  I’d like it noted that I will not be returning to WWW Designs, due to the accrued sick leave and the holidays that I didn’t take due to my commitment above-and-beyond to the company.

  Please note that I am a professional, Mr Darrington, and hope that both my dalliance with you and my impromptu absence has not put you to any convenience.

  Tahlia Moran

  Case jerked to his feet, a hot warmth spreading through him. She didn’t want the job!

  Oh, hell. Could this mean what every inch of him wanted it to? Or was this another chapter in her game?

  Was she for real?

  Could he slap his heart back in his chest one last time and take a chance?

  He pushed back his chair, replaying that moment in his office, knowing the job didn’t matter…

  Oh, hell, he’d made the biggest mistake of his life.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dear Diary, Some idiot said it was better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all—load of crap. If I didn’t know love, I would never know this pain or care about an arrogant jerk that didn’t deserve anything, least of all my love.

/>   TO: Tahlia007@hotmail.com.au

  CC: KeelyR@WWWDesigns.com

  FROM: EmmaR@WWWDesigns.com

  RE: Case Darrington

  I can’t believe you’re resigning. Not possible. Whatever happened? And Case is the owner? How did you find out? What happened with you two? You looked so happy.

  I saw Case today. He doesn’t look happy, although all the gifts that are flooding in should at least satisfy that sweet tooth.

  Hope you’re going to be there for the baby shower.

  Do you need soup? Company? Chocolate?

  Just found out. Chrystal is after Case. Saw her gushing all over him. And for the office playboy you thought he was, he wasn’t looking all that thrilled about the attention.

  Why aren’t you answering my calls?

  Em

  Tahlia chewed on the end of her pen, staring at her home desktop, stabbing the computer keyboard. Served him right to have Chrystal after him.

  TO: Tahlia007@hotmail.com

  CC: EmmaR@WWWDesigns.com

  FROM: KeelyR@WWWDesigns.com

  RE: Case Darrington

  Just heard Liam asked Chrystal out! And she said yes, as long as he understood she wasn’t going to have sex with him. So, virgin still she may be, reluctant to be blunt, no way.

  Liam is head over heels. Hope Chrystal realises how nice he is and doesn’t break his heart.

  How’s your heart, Tahlia?

  K

  Tahlia pushed away from the desk she had in the corner of her room, hauling herself out of the chair and weaving her way through the books that couldn’t take her mind off him, clothes that didn’t feel right on her skin and take-away boxes on the floor.

  She’d binged all yesterday, had tried to smother the ache in her belly with pizza, Chinese, doughnuts, ice cream and chocolate, to no avail.

  She’d spent the morning in bed with the phone off the hook. She couldn’t face talking to anyone, let alone her mother.

  How could her mother tempt fate and trust a man again? The thought made her stomach toss… It was just a matter of time before she was hurt again.

  How could she be such a fool?