Seducing Chase Read Free Page A

thoughtful. “That’s a good point.” He turned toward Val. “Do you have the notes from yesterday’s meeting?”
    Val picked up her legal pad. “They’re right here, but I haven’t had a chance to transcribe them into the computer.”
    “No problem. Can you just read them over for Nate’s benefit? Then we’ll go through the media requests.” Val read her notes aloud and they got down to business, making plans and prioritizing the contacts from the press. Nate offered to craft a series of press releases while Val got to work on the list.
    “Do you have office space that Nate can use while he’s here?” Doug asked. “I’d put him somewhere up here but you guys are going to be working so closely I thought your department might better.”
    My department? Near me? Her heart rate sped up and her face grew hot. One corner of Nate’s mouth kicked up and she forced herself to ignore him. Finally she was able to recover enough to mumble, “Um, sure, there’s an empty office a few down from mine.”
    Great. I sound like a complete idiot. The thought of having him right down the hall filled Val with a mixture of dread and excitement. It was a toss-up which was winning.
    “Great. Oh, and Nate? Don’t forget to give Karen all your tax information.”
    Tax information? What exactly was Doug’s plan for the man? Had Nate been trying to lull Val into a false of security when he said he wasn’t after her job? But why would he do that?
    Maybe instead of loving it, he’s getting sick of the rat race and wants to find a nice, steady job, preferably with his “old friend”.
    Val and Nate left Doug’s office and made their way back to the building that housed the public relations department on the huge, sprawling campus. “I had no idea the hospital was this big.”
    “Sixteen buildings, over a million square feet,” she responded from rote.
    “Wow, that’s incredible.”
    Val made no comment. Nate was probably trying to be friendly, but she wasn’t in the mood to accept his attempts. If Doug was hiring Nate she could kiss her position goodbye. Of course, why would some guy who no doubt earned a boatload from the celebrities he got out of scrapes want to come to Buffalo to work for a non-profit cancer hospital? It didn’t make sense. Even if he was tired of the hamster wheel, surely the man could find another job in New York City. Why would he uproot himself to move nine hours away from his current life? Thoughts whirled in her mind and Val was unable to focus on any one thing besides the possibility this was the end of her dream job.
    They arrived on the floor where both public relations and marketing were located. “Well, here we are. It’s not much, as you no doubt noticed before.” Val indicated the empty office. “I’m sure it’s not nearly as grand as what you’re used to…”
    “It’s fine. I won’t be around long enough for it to matter.”
    Val appraised him. Nate had just given her the perfect opening. Leaning against the door in what she hoped was a casual way, she asked, “How long do you plan to stay?”
    Nate glanced up from behind the desk, where he was stowing his laptop bag. “Just a few days, hopefully. Definitely no more than a couple of weeks at the very most. My regular clients expect me to be available to them.” Val couldn’t help the quirk of a smile that crept up on her face. “What?”
    “Nothing.” He pinned her with a look, and she had to consciously stop herself from squirming under his scrutiny. It was obvious he wasn’t used to being the butt of jokes. Biting her lip, she cleared her throat. “It’s just…the way you said that made it sound like you were running an escort service.”
    Nate threw his head back and laughed.
    My God, he’s gorgeous. I hate him. I want him. I hate that I want him. He is so not my type. This won’t end well if I let it begin. Which I won’t. Waste of time. Bigger priorities.
    Val’s heart raced and heat pooled in her belly. Nate