In Good Hands Read Free Page A

was a busy hour,” the receptionist returned.
    Amber had to choke back her laugh as she stretched up to reach a planter hanging from the ceiling. Boy, did she remember those days! There was a time she couldn’t take a lunch break without returning to messages, mail and a group of anxious people pacing in the waiting room. She would have guessed that Mr. Martell thrived on the stress until he set down his pile of mail and took a deep calming breath. Abig inhale that expanded his chest and filled out his expensive suit, before a slow exhale. And then, damn, a killer smile as he focused on the receptionist.
    â€œSo, Claire, how’s it going with the new boyfriend? Did he like that wine I recommended?”
    The receptionist blinked as if she were stunned by the question, but she recovered fast enough. Then she flashed her own dimples. “Wine, no. Restaurant, yes. He’s taking me there tomorrow night.”
    â€œMake sure he pays. You’re too beautiful to tolerate anything less than royal treatment.” Then he paused, abruptly frowning. “Wait a minute. I promised you a dinner there, didn’t I? For coming in on Saturday last month to help me with that grant application.”
    The receptionist bit her lip. “I didn’t mind, you know.”
    â€œYeah, but Tommy did, didn’t he?”
    The girl shrugged. “Tommy has to learn to make sacrifices for my career.”
    Roger flashed her another quick but devastatingly handsome smile. “That he does. You’re an up-and-comer, to be sure. But since I promised you a dinner, I mean to pay up.” He pulled out his BlackBerry and hit a quick number. Twenty seconds later, he was speaking to the maitre d’. A minute after that, he snapped the phone shut with a grin. “You’re all set. Best table in the house, complimentary champagne and dinner is on me. They already have my credit card, and they’ll just add on the tip.”
    Amber was stunned enough to peer around the fern, her estimation of the man upping by a thousand percent. Corporate promises like “I’ll buy you dinner sometime” happened all the time. But no one ever paid up. Except for this guy. Not surprisingly, the receptionist was equally surprised.
    â€œReally, Roger, that’s not necessary.”
    He shrugged, the motion tightening as he caught sight ofan engineer barreling down the hallway at him. “Of course it is, Claire. I promised, and you earned it. Just make sure to toast me at least once.”
    â€œYou’re the best, Roger,” the woman breathed. And then they were out of time as the engineer made it to the front desk.
    â€œRoger!” the man barked as he waved a stack of printouts in the air. “Have you seen these specs? Do you know what this is going to cost?”
    â€œCalm down,” Roger returned and they began to move together down the hallway. Amber watched him go, appreciating the way his tailored suit accented his lean body.
    â€œGod, I love a man in a good suit,” she breathed, her voice low enough that only the receptionist could hear.
    â€œYeah, me, too,” responded Claire in an equally quiet tone. “Too bad he’s gay.”
    Amber snapped her head around. “What?” No way was that guy gay. He exuded too much testosterone.
    â€œYup, queer as folk.”
    â€œI don’t believe it.”
    â€œIt’s true.”
    â€œWhy? Just because he dresses nice?”
    â€œIt’s more than that!” Claire returned. She glanced down the hallway where Roger and the engineer were talking, still in view, but thankfully out of earshot. “Every woman in this company has made a run at him, me included. We’ve got all types here—brainy, busty, blonde and brunette. We’ve even got classy and the not-so-classy.”
    â€œHe never took a bite?”
    â€œNot even a nibble.”
    Amber shook her head. “That just means he knows better