Expecting the Boss’s Baby Read Free Page A

You just need to know there are issues and you would do well not to turn out to be too much like him.”
    With gratifying caution, Dax inquired, “Are you really planning to stab me with that thing?”
    â€œOh, I guess not.” She dropped it back in the pencil tray and shoved the drawer shut again. “I have to face facts. If I kill you, who will sign my paychecks?”
    He was still staring at her hair. “Okay. Now that I’m over the shock, I admit it suits you,” he grumbled.
    She gave him her sweetest smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment. And we can move on.”
    â€œCoffee first,” he commanded low.
    She peered at him more closely. Killer handsome, of course. But tired, too. There were dark circles under those wonderful bedroom eyes. “Long night?”
    â€œAren’t they all?” He named a place around the corner where the lattes were excellent. “Petty cash in the bottom drawer.”
    She pulled out the drawer in question. There was a little safe mounted inside, with a combination lock. He rattled off the combination. She grabbed a pencil and jotted the numbers on a sticky note.
    He said, “Get me the strongest coffee they’ve got, black, extra-large. When you bring it in to me, come armed with a notebook or your laptop and we’ll getdown to what I want from you today. After that, you get with Lin Dietrich.” He turned and gazed over the large open workspace of desks, tables, machines and semi-cubicles. “Lin!”
    A slim, beautiful Asian woman with a streak of cobalt blue in her thick, straight black bangs popped up from behind a glass partition. “What now?”
    Dax signaled her over. When she reached his side, he announced proudly, “Lin’s the best editorial assistant I ever had, which means I had to promote her. My loss. Your gain. Lin is features editor now. But today, she’ll be with you, showing you everything you need to know.”
    Lin gave Dax a narrow look, and then sent a wry smile in Zoe’s direction. “Because there’s nothing I need more than a little extra work to do.”
    â€œI learn fast,” Zoe promised.
    â€œBest news I’ve heard so far today.” Lin’s expression said she’d believe it when she saw it.
    â€œCoffee,” Dax said one more time, in a pained voice. He turned and went into his office without waiting for a reply, swinging the door firmly shut behind him.
    Lin laughed. “He’s always at his most charming on Monday mornings. Better get that coffee. I’m here when you’re ready for me.”
    Â 
    Dax finished telling Zoe what he wanted from her at a little after ten. She found Lin, who took a few minutes to introduce her around the office. More than one of her new colleagues teased her about falling for the boss. Wearily, Zoe reassured each one that it wasn’t going to be a problem.
    Once the introductions were made, Lin then beganguiding her through the mile-long list of high-priority duties Dax had given her.
    At noon, she and Lin went to a coffee shop down the street for a quick lunch.
    â€œI feel it’s only right that I say something,” Lin warned. “I can’t stress it strongly enough. If you fall for him, he will have to let you go.”
    Zoe made the sign of the cross. “Lin. Please. Not you, too.”
    â€œDid Dax warn you about the problem?”
    â€œRepeatedly. And you heard the others back at the office. The subject is getting seriously old.”
    â€œI’m sorry, but it’s an issue. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just wait. You’ll see. He loves women. Women love him. They can’t seem to help it. He can’t seem to say no.”
    Zoe sipped her iced tea. “What about you? You were his assistant once. Did you fall in love with him?”
    â€œUh-uh. I had my secret weapon.” Lin held up her left hand. She wore a thick platinum wedding