The Reluctant Cinderella Read Free Page B

neighborhood.
    Greg straightened his tie and shook his head. What a damn waste of time—both his and the poor Schumacher girl’s. Banning’s already had the services of a top-notch graphic design firm at their disposal. It was a firm Banning’s had been using for over twenty years, a firm that invariably delivered a quality product on time and within budget.
    So there was zero chance he would hire Megan Schumacher. And that meant all he could do right now was smile and make nice and let the poor thing down gently.
    â€œThanks. Send her up.” He punched the line to the receptionist’s desk. “Jennifer, Megan Schumacher is coming up to see me. Show her the way to my office.”
    â€œOf course, Mr. Banning.”
    Greg hung up and went back to the flow chart he’d been studying. A few minutes later, Jennifer spoke from beyond his wide-open door.
    â€œMr. Banning, Ms. Schumacher is here….”
    Greg clicked the program shut and glanced up. The sexiest woman he’d ever seen was standing inthe doorway. Greg blinked. “Uh. Thanks, Jennifer. That’s all.” The receptionist left them.
    And the incredible woman in the doorway greeted him with a glowing, dimpled smile. “Greg. How’ve you been?”
    Simple question. But somehow, he’d temporarily forgotten how to speak.
    Superlatives scrolled through his stunned brain: amazing. Outstanding. Exceptional…
    Not pretty, really. Better than pretty.
    She was full-figured in a hot-pink jacket and skirt, an outfit that hugged her generous curves. She wore one of those camisole things under the jacket; he spotted a tempting hint of black lace that matched her sleek black high-heeled shoes. Her blond hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders.
    Could this possibly be Angela Schumacher’s nondescript little sister?
    Evidently.
    He couldn’t believe it. He remembered Megan Schumacher—or rather, he didn’t remember her. To be brutally honest about it, all he could recall of her was a general, fuzzy impression of someone shy and plain and slightly overweight.
    But this woman…
    She literally sparkled with energy and life and…well, there was that word again: sex.
    He really needed to stop thinking about sex.
    Greg was a conservative man. He kept his flirtations away from the office, never mixed businesswith pleasure, had never gotten near another woman while he was married to Carly.
    But right then, in the first five seconds after this new, astonishing Megan Schumacher entered his office, all of his fine principles flew right out the window. He wanted her. Damned if he didn’t. He wanted her bad.
    And he’d been sitting there gaping at her like a teenage kid with his first big-time crush. He jumped to his feet. “Megan. It’s great to see you.”
    She dimpled at him again. “Admit it. You barely remembered me. And I can see it in your eyes. You promised Carly you’d give me this meeting—and then you instantly forgot all about it.”
    Ouch. She’d nailed him.
    No point in denying it. “Okay, you got me,” he confessed as he stepped out from behind his big glass desk and crossed to meet her. She carried a large, soft briefcase and a hefty portfolio. He took the portfolio from her with his left hand and extended his right. “But now you’re here and so am I. And I can’t wait to hear all about what Design Solutions can do for Banning’s.”
    She sent him a conspiratorial glance, one that hinted she thought he was laying it on a little thick. But all she said was, “Good. Because Design Solutions has a lot to offer you.” Her perfume tempted him—flowers, plus something slightly tart. And more than the flowers and the tartness, she smelled of…
    Peaches. Damned if she didn’t smell like a sweet,ripe peach. Her hand was soft and smooth and cool. He liked the feel of it cradled in his. Liked it a lot.
    He had to remind