McKnight in Shining Armor Read Free Page B

will realize Darwin isn’t a monkey. And you’ll have to agree, ‘Don’t chimpanzee around’ doesn’t have quite the right ring to it.”
    Millard sat back, breathing heavily. “I guess you’re right, Kelsie.” He pushed his glasses up on his nose and leveled a serious look at Alec. “I’m sorry for my outburst, Mr. McKnight. I hope you understand I’m only looking out for Darwin’s interests. I have to make sure he isn’t exploited in any way.”
    “Of course.” Alec nodded gravely, rubbing his temples. This guy belongs in a home for the chronically weird, he decided.
    Kelsie reached for her briefcase as Darwin scrambled back to his owner’s lap. “I have a file here with photos of Darwin’s previous ad experience. While he hasn’t worked on television, he’s appeared in newspaper and regional magazineads for children’s clothes—which were done by your firm—Metro Animal Hospital, Tanner’s Bookstores, and—” She popped open the lid on the case and her stomach did a cartwheel. Instead of files and papers and photographs, she found bras and garter belts. The words escaped her lips on a thready breath. “Naughty Nighties.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Alec leaned forward. He could have sworn she’d said “Naughty Nighties.” How could a monkey advertise nighties? Now, Miss Connors herself…
    Before she could slam the lid on the case, Darwin reached in and scooped out most of the contents. With a wild screech, he fired a frilly black bra at Alec slingshot style, catching him full across the face, then bounded across the room, flinging lingerie helter-skelter. Shrieking with delight, he pulled a pair of pink satin panties on over his head and leapt from the back of a cordovan leather sofa to hang from the drapery rod, slamming his feet against the window.
    Millard was across the room in a flash, trying to coax the chimp down. “Darwin, what a badboy you are! Come down and apologize to Mr. McKnight this instant!”
    Steve fell back in his chair, groaning in defeat.
    Alec peeled the bra off his face and stared at Kelsie. She had turned fuchsia. It was a good color on her, he thought. She cleared her throat, refusing to meet his gaze, and said, “I seem to have brought the wrong briefcase.”
    “Indeed.” He was dying to know the story behind
this
briefcase, but he was sure he didn’t want anyone else around when she told it. A pretty blonde with sexy eyebrows who carried a briefcase full of erotic undies. Intriguing lady.
    Millard returned to his seat with Darwin in his arms, the panties still on the chimp’s head. “I’m sorry, Mr. McKnight. Ordinarily Darwin is very professional. I don’t know what came over him. He just lost his head, I think.”
    Alec surveyed his usually immaculate office with a pained smile. The drapery rod was bent so the drapes hung at drunken angles. There were monkey prints all over his view of the city. Garter belts hung from the potted palm like tinsel on aChristmas tree. He felt the last fiber of his temper fuse split but held himself in rigid check.
    “Well,” he said, handing the bra back to Kelsie, “the sight of lacy underwear can do that to anyone.”
    “Darwin,” Millard said to the chimp, who was holding up a see-through ivory lace teddy. “Apologize to Mr. McKnight. Say, ‘I’m very sorry, Mr. McKnight!’” he said in his childish voice. “Say, ‘I’ve been a very bad boy.’ Go tell him. Go apologize and give him an ‘I’m sorry’ kiss.”
    Alec leaned back in his chair, on guard. “That’s really not necessary, Mr. Krispin.”
    Millard ignored him, motioning Darwin to do as he was told. The chimpanzee grinned at him, draping the teddy over his owner’s head, then scrambled onto Alec’s desk, snatched up Alec’s coffee mug, and, before Alec could bolt, tossed cold coffee in his face.
    Steve wailed and squeezed his eyes shut, visions of the unemployment office dancing in his head.
    “Oh, Darwin!” Millard scolded, grabbing the