From Boss to Bridegroom Read Free Page B

five.”
    â€œI’ll give you one late night to get things undercontrol. But after that I leave at five. No matter what.”
    â€œAre you rushing off to a husband or a boyfriend who can’t fix his own dinner?”
    â€œIs exposure of my private life a factor in doing your filing?”
    He sized her up again but his expression was still more amused than not.
    â€œSo I can take your services or leave them, but anything outside of the office is off-limits. Is that it?”
    â€œI’m only temporary help,” she reminded him. “I don’t see why too many details need to be explored for me to come in on that basis.”
    He went on piercing her with those deep cobalt-blue eyes that seemed more remarkable the longer Lucy looked into them. But in the end he conceded.
    â€œI’m trusting Sadie not to steer me wrong about your skills, so I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with days that end at five. But you’d better be as good as your aunt says you are.”
    â€œSo I’m hired?”
    â€œYou’re hired. Can you start tomorrow?”
    â€œOn a Friday?”
    He nodded. “And stay tomorrow night the way you said you would.”
    Rand Colton, playboy, wanted to work on a Friday night?
    â€œAll right,” Lucy agreed because it wasn’t as ifshe had anything planned. “Then I’ll be here at eight tomorrow morning.”
    â€œSadie didn’t tell you about that?”
    About what? Her aunt hadn’t told her much about him at all over the years, just as Sadie had apparently not told him about her.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re referring to. I know you’re a prominent attorney who was originally from California, and that’s about all Sadie has told me.”
    â€œShe also told you I’m brusque and demanding,” he reminded, that quirky smile making a reappearance to let her know he found that amusing.
    â€œAnd that you’re brusque and demanding,” she confirmed. “But nothing about what’s wrong with my being here at eight tomorrow morning.”
    â€œI live in Georgetown, too. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. I like to start work on the way in. It saves us going over what needs to be accomplished for the day when we both get here. So, seven-thirty,” he repeated. “Sharp. Don’t keep me waiting.”
    Since that sounded like a dismissal, Lucy stood.
    â€œSeven-thirty. I’ll be ready.”
    â€œAnd I have you until late tomorrow night.”
    Why did that sound like something that involved more than work?
    She was probably just imagining it.
    Or was he trying to charm her?
    It didn’t make any difference because she was absolutely going to ignore those flutters that were dancing around in her insides again in response.
    â€œI’ll even bring after-hours shoes,” she said as if to convince him.
    â€œOkay. Then we’re squared away.”
    â€œBut you will be looking for someone permanent to take my place? I really want to get into my freelance work at home before too long,” she said to make sure they were clear.
    â€œI have an employment agency on it as we speak.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œSay hello to Sadie for me,” Rand Colton said then.
    â€œI will.”
    â€œIf you’re half the secretary she is, I’ll be satisfied.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll be satisfied,” Lucy said, mortified the moment the word was out of her mouth that she’d unconsciously put a lascivious spin on it. “With my work,” she added in a hurry, compounding her error.
    Rand Colton grinned at her this time. A full, delighted grin of glistening, perfect white teeth that let her know right then and there why he had so many women willing to spend time with him.
    But he let her off the hook by crossing to the office door to hold it open for her and saying a simple, “Seven-thirty.”
    Lucy fought the blush that was heating her