Surprise Seduction Read Free Page B

  “Well, only because of your current sexual status.   Speaking of which, did you enjoy the view?”
    Adrienne arched her brow in question.
    “Under my desk.   I can’t believe you didn’t use your position to take advantage of me.”
    Adrienne’s mouth fell open.   She picked up a paperclip off Sheila’s desk and playfully tossed it at her friend.   “I can’t believe you said that.”
    Sheila waggled her brows.   “You just better hope Chase doesn’t want you to produce proof of your claim.”
    “He won’t do that because regardless of his issues, ultimately, he is a professional and isn’t going to risk sexual harassment or discrimination allegations.”   Adrienne walked to the window.   “I know pretending to be gay was a long stretch, but I couldn’t let physical reactions cloud the issues.   Chase infamously goes for blondes and who better than a woman who could give him control of the company?”   She reached up and touched her dyed brown hair.   “This way, he won’t even see me as a woman--much less as a prospective date.   I’ll be like a useful piece of office equipment.”
    “I think I’d trade you in for an updated model.”   Sheila’s gaze ran over her.   “Even in that get-up, you’re kinda cute.”
    Adrienne sent Sheila a horrified look.
    “Not Adrianna Morrigan chic, but something kind of cuddly and a fixer-upper.”   Sheila’s face broke into a grin.   “ Miss Man-hating Mouse.”
     
    The following Monday morning, Adrienne stared into the employee bathroom mirror.   Dull, that’s the only word she could use to describe herself.
    She’d spent her entire life making sure she was dressed to the ‘T’ and presented the perfect image.   If only her father could see her now.   Would he be proud of the initiative she was taking to grab the reins of Morrigan’s?   Or would he find her plan a joke?
    Regardless, it was the best she could come up with that gave her what she needed in the allotted time frame.
    “You still hiding in here?”   Sheila entered the bathroom, walked to the mirror, and freshened her lipstick.
    “I’m procrastinating.”
    “Oh?”
    Adrienne glanced at the cheap watch she’d bought prior to her interview to replace the one her father had given her.   She couldn’t afford any stupid mistakes.   Like showing up in a watch that cost more than ‘Adrienne Morris’ made in six months.   “I’d better get going.   Can’t be late on my first day.”
    “Have fun,” Sheila called as Adrienne left the bathroom.   “Just not too much.”
    Adrienne walked to her desk, sat, straightened items that didn’t need straightening, and wondered what she should do until Chase arrived.   She stared at his closed office door and jumped when it burst open.
    “You’re here.”   Chase’s gaze settled on her face.   “And on time.   Good.”
    “Yes, Sir.”   She resisted the urge to leap to her feet and stand at attention.
    “Call me Chase.”
    She didn’t say anything.
    “Let’s get started.   I’ll go over my schedule for the next few weeks, what I expect from you, and we’ll address any questions you have before my meeting at ten.”
    “Yes, Sir.”   She followed him into his office, silently saluting behind his back and hoping her new found skills would see her through and that the extra help hired through Sheila could take care of the rest.   All without Chase ever having a clue, of course.
     
    Chase sat down at his desk and let his gaze travel over the woman across from him.   All weekend, he’d found himself thinking about her and how he’d been so aware of her presence.   He’d finally convinced himself he imagined the whole thing.
    He hadn’t.   His body was doing the same weird jittery thing this morning.
    Today, his new assistant wore a dark charcoal suit.   The skirt fell down to her ankles and the jacket hung loose giving little clue as to what she hid beneath.   Her thick-framed glasses had gone out