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Love, Your Secret Admirer
SUSAN MEIER
FROM THE DESK OF EMILY WINTERSBachelor #1: Matthew Burke Title: Senior VP of Accounting This Month's Scheme: Open Matt's eyes to his adoring assistant Let's see There's got to be a way to get all-business Matt Burke to notice his lovestruck secretary, Sarah Morris. I think she needs a secret admirer to shower her with gifts and a sexy makeover from small-town farm girl to big-city bombshell. That should be enough to drive even the most pragmatic man wild with jealousyand desire. I'll leave the falling in love part to Sarah.
Wintersofts CEO is on a husband hunt
for his daughter. Trouble is, Emily
has uncovered his scheme. But can she marry off
the eligible executives before Dad sets his
crazy plan in motion?
Go home, Sarah.
No. I think its time we had this out.
I dont, Matt said. He couldnt. Good bosses didnt romance their subordinates.
Completely catching him off guard, Sarah marched around his desk and trapped him in his seat by anchoring her hands on both arms of his chair. I do.
In their entire work association, Matt didnt think they had ever been this close. He could smell the light floral scent of her perfume and see the flecks of gold in her green eyes.
You should be thanking me, Sarah, for being a gentleman.
What the heck is that supposed to mean?
It means that if we were in any other kind of circumstance, I would be doing this right now. Before she had a chance to react, Matt pulled her into his lap. Then he lowered his head for a kiss.
Dear Reader,
If youre like me, you cant get enough heartwarming love stories and real-life fairy tales that end happily ever after. Youll find what you need and so much more with Silhouette Romance each month.
This month youre in for an extra treat. Bestselling author Susan Meier kicks off MARRYING THE BOSSS DAUGHTERthe brand-new six-book series written exclusively for Silhouette Romance. In this launch title, Love, Your Secret Admirer (#1684), our favorite matchmaking heiress helps a naive secretary snare her bosss attention with an eye-catching makeover.
A sexy rancher discovers love and the son he never knew, when he matches wits with a beautiful teacher, in What a Woman Should Know (#1685) by Cara Colter. And a not-so plain Jane captures a royal heart, in To Kiss a Sheik (#1686) by Teresa Southwick, the second of three titles in her sultry DESERT BRIDES miniseries.
Debrah Morris brings you a love story of two lifetimes, in When Lightning Strikes Twice (#1687), the newest paranormal love story in the SOULMATES series. And sparks sizzle between an innocent curatorwith a big secretand the towns new lawman, in Ransom (#1688) by Diane Pershing. Will a seamstresss new beau still love her when he learns she is an undercover heiress? Find out in The Bridal Chronicles (#1689) by Lissa Manley.
Be my guest and feed your need for tender and lighthearted romance with all six of this months great new love stories from Silhouette Romance.
Enjoy!
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance
Love, Your Secret Admirer
Susan Meier
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Books by Susan Meier
Silhouette Romance
Stand-in Mom #1022
Temporarily Hers #1109
Wife in Training #1184
Merry Christmas, Daddy #1192
* (#litres_trial_promo)In Care of the Sheriff #1283
* (#litres_trial_promo)Guess What? Were Married! #1338
Husband from 9 to 5 #1354
* (#litres_trial_promo)The Rancher and the Heiress #1374
(#litres_trial_promo)The Baby Bequest #1420
(#litres_trial_promo)Bringing up Babies #1427
(#litres_trial_promo)Oh, Babies! #1433
His Expectant Neighbor #1468
Hunters Vow #1487
Cinderella and the CEO #1498
Marrying Money #1519
The Bosss Urgent Proposal #1566
Married Right Away #1579
Married in the Morning #1601
** (#litres_trial_promo)Baby on Board #1639
** (#litres_trial_promo)The Tycoons Double Trouble #1650
** (#litres_trial_promo)The Nanny Solution #1662
Love, Your Secret Admirer #1684
Silhouette Desire
Take the Risk #567
SUSAN MEIER
is one of eleven children, and though she has yet to write a book about a big family, many of her books explore the dynamics of unusual family situations, such as large work families, bosses who behave like overprotective fathers, or sister bonds created between friends. Because she has more than twenty nieces and nephews, children also are always popping up in her stories. Many of the funny scenes in her books are based on experiences raising her own children or interacting with her nieces and nephews.
She was born and raised in western Pennsylvania and continues to live in Pennsylvania.
FROM THE DESK OF EMILY WINTERS
Six Bachelor Executives To Go
Bachelor #1: Love, Your Secret Admirer
Matthew BurkeHmmhis sweet assistant clearly has googly eyes for her workaholic boss. Maybe I can make some office magic happen.
Bachelor #2: Her Pregnant Agenda
Grant LawsonThe guys a dead ringer for Pierce Brosnan who wouldnt want to fall into his strong, protective arms!
Bachelor #3: Fill-In Fiance
Brett HamiltonThe playboy from England has some aristocratic ways about him. Maybe hes royalty and I can find him a princess!
Bachelor #4: Santa Brought a Son
Reed ConnorsThe ambitious VP seems to have a heavy heart. Who broke it, and where is she now?
Bachelor #5: Rules of Engagement
Nate LeemanDefinitely a lone wolf kind of guy. A bit hard around the edges, but Ill bet theres a tender heart inside.
Bachelor #6: One Bachelor To Go
Jack DevonThe man is so frustratingly elusive. Arrogant and implacable, too, darn it! Ill put him last on my matchmaking list until I can figure out what kind of woman he likes.
Contents
Prologue (#udd57e0d9-3358-5450-936d-152bdaf4c870)
Chapter One (#u5fc03dd3-03d6-59f8-82d5-8b497804c0af)
Chapter Two (#u971c44cb-d28e-5168-a98a-b13e10ee5193)
Chapter Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Weve got a problem.
Carmella Lopez watched as Emily Winters looked up from the report she was reading. Emilys desk was in front of a wall of windows, and the lights of the Boston skyline twinkled behind her, highlighting her brown hair and sapphire-blue eyes. The nighttime view also illustrated that it was long past the hour when most of the employees of Wintersoft, Inc., had gone home. Emily was as intelligent and dedicated as she was beautiful, and that was why Carmella was so annoyed by the conversation shed overheard Emilys dad having with his sister that afternoon. Emily didnt need to have a man help her run her fathers company when he retired, any more than she needed help finding a husband.
Emily said, Spill it.
Carmella stepped into Emilys office and closed the door behind her. She had been Lloyd Winters executive assistant for twenty-five years, first when he was an investment banker and now at his financial software company. But she also came from a family that had survived being chased out of Mexico several generations ago by Pancho Villa, and she knew that sometimes discretion wasnt the better part of valor. Action was. Though she would never do anything disloyal to Lloyd, she felt a sense of responsibility to his daughter. In a way, acting on her loyalty to Emily protected Lloyd.
Your dad is about to play matchmaker.
Emilys face lost its color. Again?
I think hes forgotten that he already tried this and failed. This morning, he took one look at our organizational chart and saw that most of our senior vice presidents are eligible bachelors and wheels started turning in his head. I overheard him telling your Aunt Anne in Florida that each of the guys on the chart makes a respectable salary. All of them have proven themselves. And all of them are acceptable son-in-law material.
Emily looked as though shed faint. Dear God. Fixing me up with one Wintersoft employee was bad enough, she said, speaking of the disastrous marriage that had resulted when Emily had tried to please her dad by marrying one of Wintersofts former executives, Todd Baxter. Marrying me off to everybody whos available will make me a laughingstock.
Carmella softened her tone because, in spite of his sometimes overbearing, old-fashioned tactics, Lloyds heart was always in the right place. He doesnt mean it that way.
He didnt mean it that way the last time, either. But thats exactly what happened. The tension was so thick when my marriage to Todd collapsed that Todd had to leave the company, and I lost credibility with most of the staff. Its taken me five years of working nearly nonstop to prove myself again.
But you did it. And earned a senior vice presidency in the process. Plus, the five years it took you to be promoted proved you didnt just get your job because youre Lloyd Winters daughter. No one can say that you dont deserve your position.
No, but they can lose respect for me. Whos going to take seriously a woman whose dad is trying to auction her off to the highest-ranking corporate officer? Emily raked her fingers through her thick, shoulder-length hair. Im going to have to quit.
Carmella shook her head. You cant quit. That would mean explaining to your dad why you were leaving and it would kill him to think he pushed you away. Hes not trying to push you away; hes trying to help you. It might be old-fashioned, but Im guessing your dad believes marrying you off to one of the senior vice presidentssomeone who could take over the company when he retires instead of youis a way to give you options. If you dont have to replace him, you would be free to be a wife and a motherif that was what you wanted.
I dont know what I want. Maybe I do want to be a wife and mother one day, but thats my decision. I just need time. Emily drew a frustrated breath. Things would be so much easier if my dad and I could talk about this. But since the mess with Todd, its like we dont even speak the same language anymore.
Talking wont help. Once your dad gets an idea in his head, its impossible to get it out. He has hundreds of reasons to want to see you married and a mother. You would have to have a hundred arguments to change his mind.
Emily groaned. Im doomed!
Not really. Not if we think of something to distract him before he starts hooking you up with his senior VPs, or if we come up with a way that makes it impossible for him to play matchmaker.
We could just marry off everybody whos single before my dad gets to them, Emily said flippantly.
Carmella laughed. Now, that would be something, she said, but she paused. Actually, that would be something.
Oh, no! Emily said. Dont you start! This isnt like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!
Youre right. I dont think we have that many matches to make. Carmella rushed around Emilys desk and reached into the top desk drawer for a copy of the organizational chart. The first block listed Emilys dad, Lloyd Winters, as CEO and President of Wintersoft, Inc. Nine lines led from that box to the next row of blocks holding the names of the senior vice presidents. Listed below each of them were the names of their staff members.
For the present, Carmella concentrated on the senior vice presidents themselves. Alan Richards and Chad Evers are already married.
Carmella watched Emilys eyes widen as she apparently considered being paired up with either of the fortyish, balding dads, and she laughed. Dodged a bullet on those two, didnt you?
Very funny.
Okay, Carmella continued, once again pointing to the chart. Melinda McIntosh, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, is female. So she, Chad and Alan are out. That leaves these five. Matt Burke, Grant Lawson, Brett Hamilton, Nate Leeman, and Jack Devon. She pointed to one more block. Reed Connors is only a vice president, but Im pretty sure hes about to be promoted to senior vice president, and hes single. So I dont think we should leave him out.
Emily stared at the chart. I can see why my dads striking now. The iron is definitely hot. Except for Jack Devon whos so elusive even I wouldnt know where to start with him, any one of these other guys is ripe for the picking.
Which means we have our work cut out for us.
Emily peered at Carmella. I cant see how our marrying off six unsuspecting men is any different than my dad marrying me off.
Its very different, Carmella assured her. Because we would be smart and careful. We wouldnt just pair these men up with women willy-nilly. We would approach it like a business problem.
Thinking that through, Emily sat back in her seat. Okay. If we handled this the same way we would any business undertaking, we would have to work in earnest to find the right mates for these guys.
Carmella smiled. Yes, we would.
We would have to be fair, and look out for the best interests of all parties involved.
Theres no other way to do this.
Emily tapped her pencil on her desk blotter. The only problem is, a plan like this would take lots of time and we might not have lots of time.
We can buy a few weeks by having you pretend to be dating someone.
If I could just pick a boyfriend off a boyfriend tree, I wouldnt be in this predicament right now.
You could ask Steven Hansen to help us out.
Steven? But hes
From New York City, Carmella said, stopping Emily before she said what she was about to say because in this case it was irrelevant. Getting them back to the real matter at hand, she added, I can find most of the background on our guys on the Internet, so we wouldnt even have to leave the building to do what we need to do.
Carmella paused and frowned thoughtfully before adding, But convincing your dad youre dating Steven probably wont last beyond the charity ball at the end of the month, so I suggest we go for the obvious one first. She pointed at a name on the organizational chart.
Emily smiled broadly. Oh, my gosh! Thats perfect.
Chapter One
Timing is everything.
Sarah Morris, the executive assistant to the Senior Vice President of Accounting for Wintersoft, looked up from her work when Penny Rutledge, Wintersofts petite blond receptionist, set a huge crystal vase containing one dozen long-stemmed white roses on her desk.
Oh, my! Theyre beautiful!
Open the card, Penny said shifting from foot to foot, dancing with excitement.
Sarah pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, then fingered the practical braid shed woven her waist-length red hair into as she peered down at her ordinary gray suit. Theyre for me?
Of course theyre for you, silly! Open the card.
The scent of roses filled the air as Sarah fumbled with the envelope. The seal finally gave and she pulled out the brightly colored rectangle and read out loud, Your Secret Admirer.
Penny all but swooned. Ohh!
I have a secret admirer? Sarah said, her voice confused and uncertain. She had moved from North Dakota to Boston a year ago, but didnt get out much. The only man she knew more than casually was
An amazing thought occurred to her and she glanced over her shoulder to the office behind her. Her boss, Matt Burke, sat at his desk, making his to-do list for the next workday because thats what he did every day at five minutes till five. Fridays were no exception.
He diligently scribbled in his calendar, oblivious to her scrutiny, but Sarah drank in every detail of his short, spiky brown hair and handsome face. Because he was writing, she couldnt see his eyes but knew they were a soft blue, trimmed with unusually long black lashes. More than once she had dreamily gazed into them when he was focused on something else.
It couldnt be
Matt wouldnt
So who do you think it is? Penny asked as she happily rearranged the flowers to make the bouquet perfect.
I dont know, Sarah said, trying not to look behind her again. Working one-on-one the way she and Matt did, they knew enough intimate details of each others lives to throw them into the category of friends. But Matt had never shown one ounce of interest in her as a woman.
No idea at all? Penny said, smiling as she leaned a hip against Sarahs desk and got comfortable. No guy you met at a bar or museum or church on Sunday morning?
I dont go to bars. People dont usually strike up conversations with me at museums and they are even quieter in church. Which made it highly unlikely that she would have a secret admirer. And that took her back to Matt. He was the only man who could have sent her these flowers. The question waswhy?
I heard you got roses! Carmella Lopez said as she walked down the open corridor to Sarahs workstation. Lloyd Winters executive assistant was a beautiful Hispanic woman with short, graying black hair and warm brown eyes. A fifty-something widow with no children, Carmella was also a sweet and sincere office mother hen who read romance novels. It didnt surprise Sarah that she would be one of the first people in the office to congratulate a woman who got flowers. Who are they from?
Sarah glanced at Carmella. A secret admirer.
Matt stepped out of his office, and, as always, Sarahs attention was immediately consumed by him. Tall and broad-shouldered, ruggedly attractive even in his dress shirt and tie, he looked more like one of the employees on Sarahs dads ranch than a quiet, focused senior vice president for a software company. Sarah suspected that was why she had such a crush on him. In her mind, he combined the best of both worlds. He had the masculinity of a cowboy and the brains and conceptualizing ability of a Forbes, Ford or Gates.
His gaze flitted to the roses then swung to hers. Well, look at this, he said, his voice filled with that odd tone men used when they tried to be happy about something girlie, but didnt quite know how to pull it off. Or, when they were in some way faking their response. Somebody sent you flowers.
It was him! Sarah thought, tamping down the unrealistic hope that hed sent her flowers because he was interested in her. The tone of his voice was too patronizing and too brotherly. If hed sent them, it was to cheer her up. Orshe squeezed her eyes shut then quickly opened them again before anyone noticedbecause he felt sorry for her. He knew she didnt go out on weekends. He knew she hadnt had a date since shed arrived in Boston.
Yes, and arent they beautiful? Carmella fingered a pristine petal. White is for what?
Purity, Sarah replied, her eyes narrowing. Purity? Purity!
So some man thinks youre very sweet, Matt said, smiling his warm, wonderful, Im-a-friendly-guy smile and Sarah wanted to deck him. The man she was crazy about thought she was pure. While she daydreamed about his kisses, he saw her as someone inexperienced and naive.
For fifty cents shed take him to her dads ranch where she played poker with the hands and held her own during cattle drives when the cursing was thick and biting. She would show him firsthand that she wasnt naive, she wasnt inexperienced and she sure as hell wasnt pure.
Well, you cant leave them here, Carmella was saying as Sarah forced herself out of her reverie. Theyll die over the weekend. She smiled at Sarah. Besides dont you want to enjoy them?
No, Sarah said, surprising herself as much as everybody else around her. I dont want to enjoy them, because I dont want them at all. Penny, you can have them.
No!
No!
No!
Matt, Penny and Carmella said the word simultaneously. Penny said it like a woman who didnt want the flowers of another woman, no matter how lovely.
Carmella sounded shocked that Sarah would give away such beauty. Matt said it as if she had suggested prematurely withdrawing money from her IRA.
The red numbers on Sarahs digital clock blinked and 4:59 became 5:00. Sarah opened her bottom desk drawer, withdrew her backpack and rose from her seat. Then leave them for the cleaning people, she said as she left her office.
Tears stung her eyes. Her gray skirt shifted across her calves. Her fat braid bounced along her back. Damn it! She was pure. Well, not exactly pure, more like conservative. Well, not even conservative, more like comfortable. She had thick unruly hair that fell to the bottom of her back, so it wasnt just convenient to wear it in a braid. It was comfortable. Her glasses were less effort than her contacts. And long skirts were all-covering, easy to match and the most logical thing to wear when she was constantly bending and stretching to reach files.
She was dowdy, and conservative by virtue of the fact that she dressed for comfort, and there was no way she would have a secret admirer. She hadnt even had a date since shed set foot in this city! Combining her lack of dates with her dowdy clothes, Matt probably saw her as some kind of charity case. Did he know she was still a virgin, too?
Purity flowers took on a whole new meaning, sending anger careening through Sarahs veins. The probability that Matt had sent those flowers because he felt sorry for her became more and more obvious by the second. By the time she reached the elevator, she just wanted to die.
Matt Burke stood with Carmella and Penny, watching Sarah as she marched, head high, to the elevator. His thoughts were in such turmoil and the situation was so unusualnot to mention uncomfortablethat he wasnt sure what to do.
Go after her.
Matt faced Carmella. What?
Go after her. She cant leave these beautiful flowers.
Matt almost said, Yes, she can, but he changed his mind. He wasnt sure why seeing Sarah get flowers caused a tightening in his chest, he only knew it did. Now that hed gotten over the shock that Sarah would waste perfectly good roses, he wasnt upset to see her leave them behind. In fact, he had an ungodly urge to toss them out his office window.
Ill take them to her, Penny said, grabbing the flowers and pivoting toward the door.
No! Carmella yelped as she caught Pennys hand, but she lowered her voice and said, Matt will take them to her. She paused to lift the vase from Pennys grasp, and her smile reappeared as she offered the roses to Matt. You drive by her apartment complex on your way home. You can take them right to her door.
Oh, no! Matt said, backing away from the flowers as if they were poisonous. She doesnt want these.
Carmella chuckled. So what? If she refuses to take them from you, the worst that could happen is that youd get stuck with a dozen long-stemmed roses and a beautiful vase.
Penny said, Maybe hes afraid someone will mistake him for a delivery man.
Matt sighed heavily. Im not afraid of anything! I just know she doesnt want them. Ill feel like an idiot going to her door with flowers that she doesnt want.
Carmella sauntered around Sarahs desk and picked up the card. I dont think she ran because she didnt want the flowers.
Matt said, Huh?
I think she ran because she did want the flowers.
Ohhhh! Penny said. I get it. When I set the roses on her desk she was excited. When she saw the card, she got mad. Its like she wants flowers from somebody, but she doesnt know who sent these.
Carmella nodded. So she doesnt know if her secret admirer is the man she wants it to be. And if it is the man she wants it to be, shes probably angry that he wasnt mature enough to sign his name.
You guys are nuts, Matt said, though their rationale did make an odd kind of sense. Sarah might be too calm and pragmatic to behave like a swooning female. But if there was somebody she liked, somebody she really, really liked and she wanted to get flowers from him, Matt could see Sarah getting angry that the guy was too chicken to sign his name.
In Matts opinion, Sarah was much too good for this coward.
Penny reverently whispered, She must really like him.
Carmella only smiled.
Matt felt as though somebody had punched him in the stomach. He couldnt believe that Sarah had fallen for somebody and that he hadnt noticed. He couldnt believe the man shed fallen for was a spineless idiot who didnt know how to make a decent move. A move that involved admitting who he was. He couldnt believe Sarah falling for someone bothered him more than the fact that the guy was a spineless idiot. But he did know it probably wasnt wise for him to be the person going to her apartment right now.
A woman should do this.
I have a salon appointment, Carmella said. Penny lives across town. Besides, she has kids to go home to.
I cant take these to her!
Why not?
Because Im not that sensitive. I dont know what to say. I dont know how to get her to accept these flowers. And he wasnt even sure he wanted to. That was the tricky part.
Carmella sighed. Matt, what day is it?
August 29.
Whats Monday?
September 1.
What happens on September 1?
Its Labor Day, but on Tuesday my staff goes to work on the quarterly report.
Carmella handed him the vase of roses. A wise man who had a quarterly report due would want his executive assistant at her desk on Tuesday morning. Sarah looked pretty mad when she left. You dont want her to spend her long weekend brooding and be too tired or too upset to come in.
Matt groaned.
Take these flowers to her, make her understand that it doesnt matter who sent them. What matters is that somebody cares about her.
Matt shook his head, as affronted as Sarah. Then why couldnt he sign his name?
Carmella shrugged. Havent you ever been so tongue-tied with someone that you watched from a distance because you couldnt go up to her and talk?
Matt swallowed. He did know what it was like to be so tongue-tied with someone that he watched her from a distance rather than make real contact. It wasnt a lover or potential lover. It was his mother. And he had been ten at the time.
Think of this guy like that. Somebody who is inexperienced or somebody who likes Sarah so much that hes afraid to make a mistake.
Matt stared at the flowers. His situation wasnt anything like the situation Carmella was describing, but she had struck the right nerve. The feeling was the same. Hed never approached his mother back then because the fear of rejection was stronger than the hope that shed welcome him with open arms. He knew this flower-senders emotions like the back of his hand.
When you give the flowers to Sarah explain that somebody who doesnt know how to admit it likes her and she should be flattered.
And you think that will cheer her up?
Carmella and Penny simultaneously said, Yes.
Fine, Matt said, turning to go into his office for his briefcase. Get me her address.
Forty minutes later Sarah opened her apartment door and there stood her boss, holding the purity flowers he had sent her because he felt sorry for her. Heat scalded her cheeks as her blood pressure and anger rose.
Hi.
She drew a long breath, not sure what to say that wouldnt contain a curse word. Pure. Ha! If he pushed her she would show him pure.
Carmella was right. You cant just leave these at the office over the weekend.
Sure I can.
Well, its physically possible, Matt agreed, but its not right.
Sure it is.
No, its not. Let me in so I can explain these flowers to you.
For three seconds Sarah only stared at him, blown away by his very casual admission that he had sent the roses. How else would he be able to explain them?
Too curious to hear what he had to say to reject him out of hand, she said, All right. Come in.
Sarah saw him glance around as if trying to waste some time before delving into the explanation he probably suspected would get him punched. As he looked at the solid khaki sofa and chair, accented by fat floral pillows and thick wood end tables with brass lamps, she didnt say a word.
He set the roses on her coffee table. I figured out why youre mad about these.
She tossed her head and crossed her arms beneath her breasts, shifting her braid over her shoulder and bunching the bulky material of her skirt at her waist. She felt like Mother Hubbard. Did you?
Yes. Youre upset that someone can like you but be too cowardly to sign his name to a card when he sends you flowers.
Though that wasnt it at all, Sarah considered his explanation. At the core of it was an admission that he liked her. Of course, he could be saying that he liked her as a friend, but if that was all it was, he could have signed his name.
What else?
Matt shook his head. What do you mean? What else?
Youre the expert here. Im just the person who got the flowers.
Im not sure Im an expert, but I do understand this guys feelings. He caught her gaze. Havent you ever liked somebody enough that you stood across the street and stared at their house, too afraid to approach them?
I grew up on a ranch.
Okay, have you ever called somebody and then hung up when they answered?
Not since caller I.D.
Youre not helping, Sarah!
I dont want to help you. I want to understand.
Matt sighed. Im not sure I understand it myself.
Well, if you dont understand, Sarah shouted, angry again. How the hell am I supposed to understand?
Matts face lit with enthusiasm. Now, see, theres one thing right there. Saying hell isnt such a big deal, but it reminds me that you grew up with a bunch of men, and when you get angry you can curse better than most of my friends.
And thats a reason to send me purity flowers?
Maybe the person who sent the flowers sees theres another side to you?
Because Matt was still talking about the flower sender as if he were a third party, Sarah realized that there had to be an explanation for why he couldnt talk about this directly. She fell to her sofa in exhaustion, and decided that for now, going along would be the easiest thing to do.
Im confused. He doesnt like my cursing so he sent me flowers to let me know he thinks Im pure?
No, he sent you flowers because hes telling you that he sees something about you that nobody else sees.
Why not just tell me with words?
Maybe hes shy.
Sarah narrowed her eyes at Matt. Shy?
All right, you dont like shy, Matt said, clearly exasperated, further confirming that he hated talking about this directly. How about this? To have your name and business address, this guy has to be somebody you know. Probably somebody you work with. He caught her gaze. That means theres a relationship of some sort already in place that he doesnt want to lose. So, hes not going to make a move until he sees how you and everybody at Wintersoft react to these flowers.
Dumbfounded, Sarah only stared at Matt, realizing she should have thought of this herself. Cautious Matt would never get involved with a woman he feared might reject him. Especially not someone he worked with. There was no way hed jeopardize their good boss/assistant relationship, particularly since he would also be risking the embarrassment of being snubbed in front of the entire staff of Wintersoft.
So, what am I supposed to do?
You cant control the reactions of everybody at Wintersoft, but you could at least send this guy the message that youre interested in him too.
I cant just tell him?
You dont know who he is, remember? Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, focusing herself on the project as he wanted it because he was calling the shots. Right. So what do I do?
Well, he sent you flowers to let you know hes interested. You have to send him a signal that youre interested.
Send him a signal?
Yeah, you know, Matt said, motioning with his hand. Dress up or something.
Sarah frowned. Dress up? Are you saying I dont dress right?
Matt shook his head. No. You dress fine for the office. But what you wear to the office isnt going to tell a guy youre interested.
So I need to dress prettier?
More like feminine. Youre an attractive girl, Sarah. But you hide that. In the office, thats not a big deal because youre supposed to be focused on work not the way you look. But if you want to show a guy youre interested, the short route would be to bring out your feminine side.
My feminine side, Sarah repeated, staring into Matts beautiful blue eyes. She was flooded with something soft and warm, yet also exciting. He wanted her to bring out her feminine sidewhich meant he saw she had a feminine side and might even have daydreamed about that part of her the way shed daydreamed about his kisses.
Suddenly feeling female and desirable, she removed her glasses and smiled demurely at Matt.
And Matts heart flip-flopped. He had always seen the pretty face behind the glasses, and, just like her secret admirer, Matt knew there was another side to her, a more feminine side. But unlike her secret admirer, he couldnt do a darned thing about it.
He rose from her sofa. So, you understand about the flowers then?
She nodded. Yeah. I get it.
Good, Matt said, walking to her door. He tried to tell himself that he wasnt upset that she was about to get involved with someone, but he was. Unfortunately, he also knew that as her immediate supervisor, he wasnt allowed to be attracted to her, so he would have to get over it. And he would. With a quarterly statement that had to be done before October fifteenth, he couldnt let disappointment over a woman divert his attention.
He grabbed the doorknob, but didnt open the door. Instead, he faced her. And Ill see you Tuesday?
Yes, she said, smiling again.
Looking at her beautiful smile and her pretty green eyes, Matts heart jerked to double time. He had an almost irresistible urge to kiss her, or at the very least ask her out. After an entire year of being good friends, suddenly he felt entitled to be the guy who got to know the other woman he knew she was hiding in there.
But he couldnt. She was his assistant. And if that wasnt enough to keep him in line, he also had a life plan. It didnt exactly prevent him from dating, but it did preclude him from doing anything that messed up his source of income and his career. He needed his salary and bonuses to fund the investments he had chosen to reach his goal of being a multimillionaire before he was forty. Forty was young enough that he would still have plenty of time to get married and have children. Plus, that gave him nine more years to fund his investments, whichbecause he was a savvy speculatorwere earning interest and dividends and growing on their own. Everything was going according to plan, so now was not the time to turn into a risk taker. Dating his executive assistant was definitely a risk.
Besides, after she sent the message to her secret admirer that she was interested, she would be dating somebody else.
Matt left Sarahs apartment and she all but danced for joy. She couldnt believe it! He liked her! Hed sent her flowers, explained why when she misinterpreted them and then told her how to respond.
She paused in her dancing.
Dear God. All Matt had really told her was that he wanted her to be more feminine.
Though Sarah knew she cleaned up well and also knew she could easily never swear again, she had to admit she wasnt in touch with that other side of herself Matt claimed to see. And that was the part he liked. If she wanted to prove to him that their office romance could work, she not only had to uncover the part of her that he liked, she really had to become that woman.
Realizing this was beyond her, she fell to her sofa trying to think of someone who could help her. Two of her Wintersoft coworkers, Ariana Fitzpatrick and Sunny Robbins, immediately came to mind, but she discounted both because Ariana was pregnant and Sunny was busy with law school. Sarah didnt want to impose on either of them. Especially not on a Friday night when both were probably up to their ears in well-deserved bubble baths!
Besides, what she needed was the help of someone who truly understood men and woman and romance.
Men, women and romance?
A thought struck her and she reached for her portable phone and the little book of telephone numbers on her end table.
No one knew more about romance than Carmella Lopez.
Chapter Two
After a long Labor Day weekend of visiting salons, shopping and long discussions over choices at the makeup counter, Sarah sat on the fat khaki chair in her living room across from Carmella Lopez and Emily Winters, daughter of Lloyd Winters, owner of Wintersoft.
When Sarah had called Carmella Friday night, Carmella had suggested they enlist Emilys help with Sarahs makeover because Emily bridged the gap between Carmellas and Sarahs generations. And she had been correct. Using bits and pieces of the experience of three females of varying ages, they had turned Sarah into a stunning woman. With a closet full of new clothes, a new hairdo and just the right makeup, she now had as much confidence about her looks as she had about roping cattle.
So, are you nervous about tomorrow? Carmella asked, setting her teacup on the wooden coffee table, right beside the vase of white roses that had started all this.
Sarah looked lovingly at the white blooms. Surprisingly, no. I know I asked for your help as part of a plan to show Matt I could be feminine, but something else happened. I feel like Ive finally found the real me.
Finding the real you is actually the point of a makeover, Carmella said with a short laugh.
And simple and sensual is definitely you, Emily agreed. A satisfied smile curved her lips, and her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with approval. You look great.
I feel great. I feel confident enough to conquer the world.
Carmella frowned. I hope this doesnt mean youve changed your mind about Matt!
No! Sarah said. I really like Matt. If hes interested in me, I want a chance with him, too.
Well, if he doesnt get that message from your new look, then hes blind, Carmella said, rising from the sofa.
Right, Emily agreed as she also rose. Well see you tomorrow. Remember, come to work a half hour early. The weather report says rain, so you may want some time to pull yourself together before you make the walk down the hall to your office.
Already at the door, Carmella asked, Are you sure youre not uncomfortable making an entrance?
Sarah laughed. I think its what I need to do. Go for the shock value, get my new self out in the open right off the bat and see how he reacts.
I think so, too, Carmella said and squeezed Sarahs hands. Well see you tomorrow.
Sarah let her new friends out of her apartment, then closed the door behind them, wondering if she would get any sleep. She wasnt nervous about seeing Matt. But she did know he might not react the way Emily and Carmella believed he would because she hadnt exactly done as he had asked her to do.
For the first time since shed received the flowers, she was glad for the secret admirer cover. Just as Matt had used it to get his point across to her, Sarah planned to use it to get her point across to him. Looking for her femininity had brought out a sexy side of her personality that even Sarah hadnt known she had. But when she considered her natural boldness, she knew being confident about her sexuality was her true personality, a part of who she was, and she couldnt change that. If Matt didnt want her as she really was, it would break her heart, but at least they would have the cover of anonymity so no one besides Carmella and Emily would know the exchange had occurred.
Matt looked up from his desk Monday morning and the sight that greeted him caused his breath to catch and his mouth to fall open in awe. Sarah walked up the aisle to her workstation, her head high, a smile on her lips.
Her long red hair had been cut and her braid had been replaced by a hairdo that could only be described as sensual. Fat locks of looping curls cascaded to her shoulders and bounced with every step she took.
Her cinnamon-colored suit looked like suede. The skirt was short and Matt could see enough of her legs to realize she hadnt been hiding just a feminine woman beneath the bland skirts and jackets she usually wore. She had been hiding a goddess.
He rose from his seat and cautiously made his way to the workspace she shared with Sunny Robbins.
Sarah?
Oh, good morning, Matt.
She greeted him as if there was nothing different about her appearance today, and for ten seconds Matt couldnt decide if he should say something or let it alone. He knew he had been the one to tell her to change the way she dressed, but he hadnt expected she would turn into a completely different person, and he wasnt sure his real reaction to her new look would be appropriate. What he wanted to do was whistle.
She bent to toss her little brown purse into her desk drawer and Matts gaze traveled the curve created by her shapely derriere, down the long length of leg to brown high heels of stiletto proportions and he felt as if his heart stopped. His common sense, boss instincts and attraction all got jumbled and before he knew what was happening, he gasped, What did you do to yourself?
Sarah straightened quickly, a stricken look on her face. You dont like it?
Like it? Dear God. Youre going to give half the men on staff coronaries.
Her face brightened. Her well-painted lips curved into a smile. So, I did okay?
Okay? Sarah, you look like a totally different person.
Her stricken expression returned. I hope you mean that in a good way. She paused and bit her bottom lip. Because this is the real me. She caught his gaze. And I want my secret admirer to see the real me.
The quivering that had set up residence in Matts abdomen turned to a rock of misery. He might have been the one to instruct Sarah to change a bit for her secret admirer, but, at the time, the guy had seemed more theory than a real person. With that comment, Sarah turned Matts theory into a living, breathing male. No longer a concept, but competition. You did this for your secret admirer?
You said I needed to be more feminine.
I said feminine, Matt argued, not because he didnt like her look, but because he did. He really did. But he couldnt have her. Some other guy would be the recipient of all this femininity. I didnt say
Sexy? Sarah said, interrupting him. Her enthusiasm returned and she smiled broadly. That was my idea.
Why?
Sarah walked around her desk and stood directly in front of him. Because after talking to Carmella and Emily on Friday night, I realized that feminine for me would be sexy.
Matts brow furrowed. Carmella Lopez and Emily Winters?
Yes. After our discussion about the roses I decided I needed some help with my makeover, I called Carmella and she brought Emily. But we didnt run to a store the minute they arrived at my apartment. We talked first, and they told me that feminine could mean a lot of things.
Not at all willing to hand over this Sarah to another man, Matt said, Yeah, like flowered dresses, little white purses and lace-trimmed gloves.
Im sure there are proper ladies in the South who would agree with you. She took a step closer and smiled the smile that made Matts knees weak. But Im not like one of those ladies and I believe my secret admirer needs to see the real me.
And this is the real you?
Holding his gaze, she nodded.
Matt stifled the urge to tug at his shirt collar because with her standing about a foot in front of him, smiling her confident, positive, sexy smile, the room was suddenly very warm. Youre sure?
She nodded again. Carmella says its all about confidence and this is the most confident Ive felt in years. If I were in a dainty dress with little white gloves I would feel like a fake.
She shifted away from Matt so she could hit the switch to turn on her computer monitor and Matt took the opportunity to loosen his collar so he could catch his breath.
But the plain suits werent me, either, she continued. So we experimented with a few looks until we got to this one and, voil?, she said, facing him again. Suddenly I felt like me.
Holy cow! Sunny Robbins, paralegal to Grant Lawson, Wintersofts in-house counsel entered the office. Her chin-length sun-kissed brown hair had been tossed about by the September breeze and her black pantsuit was rain-splattered.
Matt quickly glanced back at Sarah. She hadnt worn a coat or a rain hat. Yet her suit was dry and her hair was perfect.
Sunny stopped beside Sarah and ran her gaze from the top of her head to the tips of her perfectly dry, brown, high-heeled sandals.
Holy cow!
Sarah laughed. Thanks. I think.
Oh, my holy cow definitely deserved a thanks, Sunny said as she rounded Sarahs desk and tossed her purse onto her chair. You look great.
I feel great! I feel terrific!
Sunny laughed. I would feel terrific, too, if I looked like that! What brought this on?
Matt glanced at dry, perfectly coifed Sarah again. Something was wrong here. There was no way she got from the bus to this building without getting wet. She must have stopped somewhere and fixed herself up before stepping into the office. If he didnt know better, Matt might think she had actually made an entrance.
His voice slow and cautious, Matt said, Sarah has a secret admirer.
Both of Sunnys eyebrows rose. Really?
Yeah, he sent me flowers late Friday afternoon, Sarah said. Hearing the odd tone in Matts voice, she glanced at him, saw the confused expression on his face and decided that look was the final nail in the coffin. From the second shed arrived, hed been sputtering and arguing with her choices. Now his quiet voice and unhappy expression confirmed what shed guessed all along. He didnt like her new look.
The thought made her stomach churn and her knees shake like two leaves in the wind. Worse, her breath wanted to come out in quick panting gasps, but just as Carmella had taught her over the weekend, Sarah controlled all that. Because, deep down inside, she genuinely believed what she had told Matt. This was the real Sarah Morris. If Matt didnt like the real her then she had to move on, find a guy who would like her, exactly as she was. No matter how much it hurt that it wasnt Matt.
I left the flowers here, Matt brought them to my apartment and we got to talking about why someone would send me flowers anonymously, Sarah said, watching as Matt disappeared into his office. Matt guessed that the guy wanted some kind of signal from me that I was interested in dating, and this is what Carmella, Emily and I came up with.
Sunny shot her a skeptical look. Matt told you that changing your look would signal the secret admirer to ask you out?
Yeah.
Sunny laughed. Just goes to show what he knows! The truth is, Sarah, secret admirers are usually friends trying to cheer you up.
Sarah frowned. She had thought exactly that. Right from the beginning shed decided that if Matt had sent her those flowers it was to boost her morale.
But in your case, I think Matt took advantage of the flowers to go one step further.
What do you mean?
Well, she said, pointing at Sarah. Look at you. You look wonderful. One of your friends might have sent you the flowers, but Matt used them to get you to come out of your shell. Lots of guys are going to ask you out. He did you a huge favor.
With every sentence Sunny spoke, tears pricked Sarahs eyes. She finally understood. She still believed Matt had sent her the flowers, but she now knew he hadnt done it so she would bring out her feminine side for him. It was of no consequence whether or not he liked her new look. Hed encouraged her makeover so shed find another man.
Shed thought she and Matt were using the secret flower sender facade to protect Matt, but the truth was he might have created the secure forum of a secret admirer for her. That anonymity was the only thing keeping her from dying of embarrassment right now.
But it wasnt doing a darned thing to protect her bruised heart. Hed never wanted her. He probably hadnt even considered wanting her.
Matt drove to his fathers house that evening feeling as if someone had punched him. Hed spent the day watching out his office door as every woman and probably fifty percent of the men employed by Wintersoft had trickled into Sarahs office to see her new look. All the women had gasped with envy. All the guys had gasped in awe. The single men had asked her out. And Matts teeth were now ground down to about half their size.
He pulled his SUV into his dads driveway and climbed out, not sure it was a good idea to keep his long-standing every-other-night dinner date with his dad. He knew he wasnt going to be good company. Worse, he knew his dad would demand to know why.
He didnt even get the whole way up the walk before his dad, Wayne Burke, also a CPA and probably the picture of what Matt would look like at age fifty-five, with his short brown hair, broad shoulders and blue eyes, opened the door.
Somebody stole your fire truck, he said, referring to the fact that when Matt was seven a neighbor kid had run off with his toy and wouldnt return it until Matts dad had interfered.
No, Matt said, as he stepped inside the neat-as-apin foyer of the Cape Cod house, not in the mood to play this silly game with his dad.
Just give me the name and Ill go talk to his father, get it back for you.
This isnt funny tonight, Dad.
I think it is. I think its hysterical, Wayne said and laughed heartily to prove it. I love it when youre in a bad mood. Gives me a reason to poke into your personal life since youre usually not too free with information. Here, give me your raincoat.
Though he tried to smile and look like his usual happy-go-lucky self, the raincoat reminded Matt of seeing bone-dry Sarah walk into the office and sent his blood pressure soaring again. He could only figure that Sarah had made an entrance this morning. Given that he and Grant Lawson, Wintersofts legal counsel, were the only two men in that section of the office, that had to mean Sarah believed Grant had sent her those flowers, and she wanted to look picture-perfect the first time he saw her new look.
But the more Matt thought about it, the more he decided that Sarah would have to know that men like tall, handsome, suave Grant didnt need to send women flowers anonymously. They were bold enough to come right out and say whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. They didnt need to be secret admirers.
Grant himself backed up Matts theory. If Grant had been the person to send Sarah flowers Friday afternoon, he would have been eager to see her reactionwhich in this case was an eye-popping makeoverand he would have commented. Instead, he didnt seem to notice Sarahs makeover when he arrived, and he had stayed sequestered in his office most of the day.
But Matts whole hypothesis had fallen through when Wintersofts general counsel had stepped into Sarah and Sunnys workstation two minutes after Sunny had left and started making small talk with Sarah.
Small talk! Lawyers never made small talk. Every word they spoke had a purpose. And, in this case, the only purpose could be that Grant was putting the moves on Sarah.
Matt wanted to punch him.
Wayne closed the closet door and headed for his bright yellow kitchen. I made your favorite. Roast beef and mashed potatoes.
Matt followed his dad down the hall. Im not hungry, he said, then wished he could bite his tongue.
His dad stopped, faced Matt and shook his head. You know Im going to get this out of you before the end of the night.
Matt sighed. Theres nothing to get out.
Great, then Im sure youll want seconds on potatoes.
All right, Matt said, realizing he wasnt in the mood for two hours of twenty questions while being forced to eat mass quantities of food that would taste like sawdust, so he might as well tell the truth and get it over with. If you have to know, Im preoccupied because Sarah has a secret admirer.
Your assistant Sarah? Wayne asked, pushing open the swinging door that led to his kitchen. The round oak table had been set for dinner.
Matt walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers. Yes.
Wayne laughed. And youre jealous.
No. Im concerned because I think its Wintersofts legal counsel, Grant Lawson.
Matts dad thought for a second before he said, I must not know him.
Hes a nice enough guy, Matt said, taking his usual seat and setting his napkin on his lap. But hes divorced and I get the impression hes soured on marriage enough that hell never take the plunge again.
Oh, so youre worried about Sarah?
Yes, Matt said, sighing with relief that his dad understood. He wasnt jealous. Really. He was concerned.
And youre not even a little jealous?
No. Just very concerned, Matt said, but a picture of Sarah in her cinnamon-colored suede suit popped into his head and his chest tightened.
Thats why your face just turned beet-red. Because youre not jealous.
Matt tossed his napkin to the table. I dont know why I come here to have dinner with you.
You come here because Im your dad and I dont let you get away with lying. Especially not to yourself. Wayne served himself a thick slice of pot roast. Which means you want me to be honest, so I have to come right out and say this. Youve got the look of a jealous man on your face.
Matt sighed. Okay, you want me to come clean. Ill come clean. Sarah got flowers Friday night and, yeah, I got a twinge of jealousy. But I squelched it because bosses are not supposed to date the women they supervise.
Wayne took a big bite of mashed potato, chewed, then said, So get her transferred.
Matt gaped at his dad. That would be idiotic.
Why?
Why? Because shes a good worker. I need her.
You know what, Matt? Youre thirty-one. At this point in your life I would much rather hear you say you need a woman sexually than as a good secretary.
Matt squeezed his eyes shut. Here we go again!
Im not getting any younger. Neither are you. I would like to have grandkids while I still have energy enough to bounce them on my knee.
You might want grandkids now, but I cant afford kids for another few years. Besides, youre the one who always told me not to get involved with a woman until Im ready. So butt out.
Waynes face reddened, and he looked down at his green beans.
Matt was instantly repentant.
Dad, Im sorry, I
No, its all right. Youre right. A man needs to be ready to get married and even more ready to have kids. If you think youre not there financially, then I support you.
Matt said, Thanks. But he felt awful, really and truly awful. Not because he had insulted his dad, though he had. But more because he wasnt ready. And because he wasnt ready he couldnt give his dad the family he wanted.
Worse, he felt awful because he couldnt protect Sarah.
The next morning, Matt sat behind his desk feeling like the starship Enterprise on red alert. Grant had to pass through Sarah and Sunnys workstation to get to his office and if he said one word that Matt didnt like, Matt was pouncing. He couldnt save Sarah by dating her because he was her boss, but that didnt mean he would let her get involved with a man who had no intention of settling down. So far neither Grant nor Sarah had arrived, but Matt was ready.
Even as he finished that thought, Sarah turned the corner from the main entryway. As she had the day before, she walked down the hall to her office as if in slow motion. The thick curls of her beautiful red hair bounced around her. Her long legs ate up the space to her office as if it were nothing. Her navy-blue suit fit her as if it had been made for her. Her flawless makeup made her look like a model rather than an accounting assistant.
Good morning, Matt!
He cleared his throat. Without getting up from his seat he called, Good morning.
Grant Lawson picked that precise second to walk down the corridor. Reading a newspaper and carrying a briefcase, he nearly walked into Sarah.
Oh, Im sorry! he said, dropping his briefcase and grabbing her shoulders to right her when she swayed on her tall navy-blue shoes.
Sarah smiled at him. Its okay. No harm done. I should know better than to stop in the hall.
Gazing into Sarahs eyes, Grant grinned and Matts pulse began to hammer. He rose from his seat and rounded his desk. He was halfway to Sarahs workstation before he realized he had no clue what he would say, and no right to say anything anyway.
Grant stepped back. I still should have been looking, he said, then picked up his briefcase. Would you tell Sunny to buzz me the second she gets in? Im closing my door today. I dont want to be disturbed.
Sarah turned and walked to her desk. Sure. Ill be glad to.
Grant stuck his nose in his newspaper again. Great. Thanks.
Matt stared at the scene, deciding he must have imagined anything flirtatious hed thought hed seen in the beginning of that mess. Not only did Sarah not look interested in Grant, but Grant didnt look interested in Sarah. A swell of relief filled Matts chest, until he realized he really was jealous. And not just the I-wish-I-was-like-him kind of jealous. He was full-blown, man-woman jealous. And there wasnt a darned thing he could do about it.
Do you need something, Matt? Sarah asked curiously and Matt recognized that he had been standing in his doorway, staring at her, for at least thirty seconds.
He looked at her beautiful red hair cascading around her and at her pretty green eyes. In that second, he knew that if the situation were right, he would be dating her. And it didnt seem fair that he couldnt.
But, fair or not, it was life. Not dating a subordinate was a rule made not to protect bosses, but to protect the people who worked for them. Because he would never, ever, do anything to hurt Sarah, Matt turned and walked into his office without a word. He would get beyond this. He had to.
But as the morning wore on and the parade of men continued, Matt began to get tense. He also noticed something else. Not one other executive in this company seemed concerned about dating a subordinate. True, none of them was Sarahs immediate supervisor as Matt was. But they were still supervisors. And supervisors didnt date subordinates! They all should be staying the hell away from her.
The flirting and silliness went on throughout the afternoon, and Matts irritation grew. The whole world seemed intent on thumbing its nose at rules Matt held sacred. He became more and more angry at the injustice of it, until he snapped at Carmella that night when she stopped in his office to deliver a copy of a confidential memo from the head of the company, Lloyd Winters.
Sorry, he said, then ran his fingers through his short hair, spiking it.
Carmella smiled at him. Thats okay. Its nearly eight oclock, she said, obviously referring to the fact that he was working late. Not only was the quarterly report due in six weeks, but also he did his staff review for Lloyd the first two weeks in September. Its been a long day for you.
Yeah. A long day made longer by the parade of men stopping by to flirt with my assistant.
Carmella grimaced. Ill talk to her.
Its not Sarah thats the problem. Its the guys coming to ogle her.
Carmella studied Matt for a second and he felt his face redden as she smiled knowingly. Youre not angry. Youre jealous.
I didnt say that.
You didnt have to. She took a seat on one of the captains chairs in front of Matts desk and grinned at him as if this were some sort of game. So, what are you going to do?
Nothing, he said, tossing his pencil to his desk, confused that he seemed to be the only reasonable person in this company since Sarah got her makeover. In the first place, shes my assistant. Asking her out is a sexual harassment suit wait to happen.
I dont think Sarah would
It doesnt matter, Matt said, interrupting her, deciding that the entire office had gone around the bend and there was no sense trying to persuade Carmella with an argument she wouldnt understand. Particularly since he had a better argument up his sleeve. One she couldnt dispute. There are more considerations here than just the boss/assistant thing. For one, Im not in a position yet where I could ask somebody to marry me.
Carmella only stared at him. Are you kidding?
He stared back. About what?
Oh, come on, Matt. I know youre one of those people who likes to be prepared, but dont you think its a bit overboard not dating a woman because you cant ask her to marry you?
.
.
, (https://www.litres.ru/susan-meier/love-your-secret-admirer/) .
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SUSAN MEIER
FROM THE DESK OF EMILY WINTERSBachelor #1: Matthew Burke Title: Senior VP of Accounting This Month's Scheme: Open Matt's eyes to his adoring assistant Let's see There's got to be a way to get all-business Matt Burke to notice his lovestruck secretary, Sarah Morris. I think she needs a secret admirer to shower her with gifts and a sexy makeover from small-town farm girl to big-city bombshell. That should be enough to drive even the most pragmatic man wild with jealousyand desire. I'll leave the falling in love part to Sarah.
Wintersofts CEO is on a husband hunt
for his daughter. Trouble is, Emily
has uncovered his scheme. But can she marry off
the eligible executives before Dad sets his
crazy plan in motion?
Go home, Sarah.
No. I think its time we had this out.
I dont, Matt said. He couldnt. Good bosses didnt romance their subordinates.
Completely catching him off guard, Sarah marched around his desk and trapped him in his seat by anchoring her hands on both arms of his chair. I do.
In their entire work association, Matt didnt think they had ever been this close. He could smell the light floral scent of her perfume and see the flecks of gold in her green eyes.
You should be thanking me, Sarah, for being a gentleman.
What the heck is that supposed to mean?
It means that if we were in any other kind of circumstance, I would be doing this right now. Before she had a chance to react, Matt pulled her into his lap. Then he lowered his head for a kiss.
Dear Reader,
If youre like me, you cant get enough heartwarming love stories and real-life fairy tales that end happily ever after. Youll find what you need and so much more with Silhouette Romance each month.
This month youre in for an extra treat. Bestselling author Susan Meier kicks off MARRYING THE BOSSS DAUGHTERthe brand-new six-book series written exclusively for Silhouette Romance. In this launch title, Love, Your Secret Admirer (#1684), our favorite matchmaking heiress helps a naive secretary snare her bosss attention with an eye-catching makeover.
A sexy rancher discovers love and the son he never knew, when he matches wits with a beautiful teacher, in What a Woman Should Know (#1685) by Cara Colter. And a not-so plain Jane captures a royal heart, in To Kiss a Sheik (#1686) by Teresa Southwick, the second of three titles in her sultry DESERT BRIDES miniseries.
Debrah Morris brings you a love story of two lifetimes, in When Lightning Strikes Twice (#1687), the newest paranormal love story in the SOULMATES series. And sparks sizzle between an innocent curatorwith a big secretand the towns new lawman, in Ransom (#1688) by Diane Pershing. Will a seamstresss new beau still love her when he learns she is an undercover heiress? Find out in The Bridal Chronicles (#1689) by Lissa Manley.
Be my guest and feed your need for tender and lighthearted romance with all six of this months great new love stories from Silhouette Romance.
Enjoy!
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance
Love, Your Secret Admirer
Susan Meier
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Books by Susan Meier
Silhouette Romance
Stand-in Mom #1022
Temporarily Hers #1109
Wife in Training #1184
Merry Christmas, Daddy #1192
* (#litres_trial_promo)In Care of the Sheriff #1283
* (#litres_trial_promo)Guess What? Were Married! #1338
Husband from 9 to 5 #1354
* (#litres_trial_promo)The Rancher and the Heiress #1374
(#litres_trial_promo)The Baby Bequest #1420
(#litres_trial_promo)Bringing up Babies #1427
(#litres_trial_promo)Oh, Babies! #1433
His Expectant Neighbor #1468
Hunters Vow #1487
Cinderella and the CEO #1498
Marrying Money #1519
The Bosss Urgent Proposal #1566
Married Right Away #1579
Married in the Morning #1601
** (#litres_trial_promo)Baby on Board #1639
** (#litres_trial_promo)The Tycoons Double Trouble #1650
** (#litres_trial_promo)The Nanny Solution #1662
Love, Your Secret Admirer #1684
Silhouette Desire
Take the Risk #567
SUSAN MEIER
is one of eleven children, and though she has yet to write a book about a big family, many of her books explore the dynamics of unusual family situations, such as large work families, bosses who behave like overprotective fathers, or sister bonds created between friends. Because she has more than twenty nieces and nephews, children also are always popping up in her stories. Many of the funny scenes in her books are based on experiences raising her own children or interacting with her nieces and nephews.
She was born and raised in western Pennsylvania and continues to live in Pennsylvania.
FROM THE DESK OF EMILY WINTERS
Six Bachelor Executives To Go
Bachelor #1: Love, Your Secret Admirer
Matthew BurkeHmmhis sweet assistant clearly has googly eyes for her workaholic boss. Maybe I can make some office magic happen.
Bachelor #2: Her Pregnant Agenda
Grant LawsonThe guys a dead ringer for Pierce Brosnan who wouldnt want to fall into his strong, protective arms!
Bachelor #3: Fill-In Fiance
Brett HamiltonThe playboy from England has some aristocratic ways about him. Maybe hes royalty and I can find him a princess!
Bachelor #4: Santa Brought a Son
Reed ConnorsThe ambitious VP seems to have a heavy heart. Who broke it, and where is she now?
Bachelor #5: Rules of Engagement
Nate LeemanDefinitely a lone wolf kind of guy. A bit hard around the edges, but Ill bet theres a tender heart inside.
Bachelor #6: One Bachelor To Go
Jack DevonThe man is so frustratingly elusive. Arrogant and implacable, too, darn it! Ill put him last on my matchmaking list until I can figure out what kind of woman he likes.
Contents
Prologue (#udd57e0d9-3358-5450-936d-152bdaf4c870)
Chapter One (#u5fc03dd3-03d6-59f8-82d5-8b497804c0af)
Chapter Two (#u971c44cb-d28e-5168-a98a-b13e10ee5193)
Chapter Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Weve got a problem.
Carmella Lopez watched as Emily Winters looked up from the report she was reading. Emilys desk was in front of a wall of windows, and the lights of the Boston skyline twinkled behind her, highlighting her brown hair and sapphire-blue eyes. The nighttime view also illustrated that it was long past the hour when most of the employees of Wintersoft, Inc., had gone home. Emily was as intelligent and dedicated as she was beautiful, and that was why Carmella was so annoyed by the conversation shed overheard Emilys dad having with his sister that afternoon. Emily didnt need to have a man help her run her fathers company when he retired, any more than she needed help finding a husband.
Emily said, Spill it.
Carmella stepped into Emilys office and closed the door behind her. She had been Lloyd Winters executive assistant for twenty-five years, first when he was an investment banker and now at his financial software company. But she also came from a family that had survived being chased out of Mexico several generations ago by Pancho Villa, and she knew that sometimes discretion wasnt the better part of valor. Action was. Though she would never do anything disloyal to Lloyd, she felt a sense of responsibility to his daughter. In a way, acting on her loyalty to Emily protected Lloyd.
Your dad is about to play matchmaker.
Emilys face lost its color. Again?
I think hes forgotten that he already tried this and failed. This morning, he took one look at our organizational chart and saw that most of our senior vice presidents are eligible bachelors and wheels started turning in his head. I overheard him telling your Aunt Anne in Florida that each of the guys on the chart makes a respectable salary. All of them have proven themselves. And all of them are acceptable son-in-law material.
Emily looked as though shed faint. Dear God. Fixing me up with one Wintersoft employee was bad enough, she said, speaking of the disastrous marriage that had resulted when Emily had tried to please her dad by marrying one of Wintersofts former executives, Todd Baxter. Marrying me off to everybody whos available will make me a laughingstock.
Carmella softened her tone because, in spite of his sometimes overbearing, old-fashioned tactics, Lloyds heart was always in the right place. He doesnt mean it that way.
He didnt mean it that way the last time, either. But thats exactly what happened. The tension was so thick when my marriage to Todd collapsed that Todd had to leave the company, and I lost credibility with most of the staff. Its taken me five years of working nearly nonstop to prove myself again.
But you did it. And earned a senior vice presidency in the process. Plus, the five years it took you to be promoted proved you didnt just get your job because youre Lloyd Winters daughter. No one can say that you dont deserve your position.
No, but they can lose respect for me. Whos going to take seriously a woman whose dad is trying to auction her off to the highest-ranking corporate officer? Emily raked her fingers through her thick, shoulder-length hair. Im going to have to quit.
Carmella shook her head. You cant quit. That would mean explaining to your dad why you were leaving and it would kill him to think he pushed you away. Hes not trying to push you away; hes trying to help you. It might be old-fashioned, but Im guessing your dad believes marrying you off to one of the senior vice presidentssomeone who could take over the company when he retires instead of youis a way to give you options. If you dont have to replace him, you would be free to be a wife and a motherif that was what you wanted.
I dont know what I want. Maybe I do want to be a wife and mother one day, but thats my decision. I just need time. Emily drew a frustrated breath. Things would be so much easier if my dad and I could talk about this. But since the mess with Todd, its like we dont even speak the same language anymore.
Talking wont help. Once your dad gets an idea in his head, its impossible to get it out. He has hundreds of reasons to want to see you married and a mother. You would have to have a hundred arguments to change his mind.
Emily groaned. Im doomed!
Not really. Not if we think of something to distract him before he starts hooking you up with his senior VPs, or if we come up with a way that makes it impossible for him to play matchmaker.
We could just marry off everybody whos single before my dad gets to them, Emily said flippantly.
Carmella laughed. Now, that would be something, she said, but she paused. Actually, that would be something.
Oh, no! Emily said. Dont you start! This isnt like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!
Youre right. I dont think we have that many matches to make. Carmella rushed around Emilys desk and reached into the top desk drawer for a copy of the organizational chart. The first block listed Emilys dad, Lloyd Winters, as CEO and President of Wintersoft, Inc. Nine lines led from that box to the next row of blocks holding the names of the senior vice presidents. Listed below each of them were the names of their staff members.
For the present, Carmella concentrated on the senior vice presidents themselves. Alan Richards and Chad Evers are already married.
Carmella watched Emilys eyes widen as she apparently considered being paired up with either of the fortyish, balding dads, and she laughed. Dodged a bullet on those two, didnt you?
Very funny.
Okay, Carmella continued, once again pointing to the chart. Melinda McIntosh, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, is female. So she, Chad and Alan are out. That leaves these five. Matt Burke, Grant Lawson, Brett Hamilton, Nate Leeman, and Jack Devon. She pointed to one more block. Reed Connors is only a vice president, but Im pretty sure hes about to be promoted to senior vice president, and hes single. So I dont think we should leave him out.
Emily stared at the chart. I can see why my dads striking now. The iron is definitely hot. Except for Jack Devon whos so elusive even I wouldnt know where to start with him, any one of these other guys is ripe for the picking.
Which means we have our work cut out for us.
Emily peered at Carmella. I cant see how our marrying off six unsuspecting men is any different than my dad marrying me off.
Its very different, Carmella assured her. Because we would be smart and careful. We wouldnt just pair these men up with women willy-nilly. We would approach it like a business problem.
Thinking that through, Emily sat back in her seat. Okay. If we handled this the same way we would any business undertaking, we would have to work in earnest to find the right mates for these guys.
Carmella smiled. Yes, we would.
We would have to be fair, and look out for the best interests of all parties involved.
Theres no other way to do this.
Emily tapped her pencil on her desk blotter. The only problem is, a plan like this would take lots of time and we might not have lots of time.
We can buy a few weeks by having you pretend to be dating someone.
If I could just pick a boyfriend off a boyfriend tree, I wouldnt be in this predicament right now.
You could ask Steven Hansen to help us out.
Steven? But hes
From New York City, Carmella said, stopping Emily before she said what she was about to say because in this case it was irrelevant. Getting them back to the real matter at hand, she added, I can find most of the background on our guys on the Internet, so we wouldnt even have to leave the building to do what we need to do.
Carmella paused and frowned thoughtfully before adding, But convincing your dad youre dating Steven probably wont last beyond the charity ball at the end of the month, so I suggest we go for the obvious one first. She pointed at a name on the organizational chart.
Emily smiled broadly. Oh, my gosh! Thats perfect.
Chapter One
Timing is everything.
Sarah Morris, the executive assistant to the Senior Vice President of Accounting for Wintersoft, looked up from her work when Penny Rutledge, Wintersofts petite blond receptionist, set a huge crystal vase containing one dozen long-stemmed white roses on her desk.
Oh, my! Theyre beautiful!
Open the card, Penny said shifting from foot to foot, dancing with excitement.
Sarah pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, then fingered the practical braid shed woven her waist-length red hair into as she peered down at her ordinary gray suit. Theyre for me?
Of course theyre for you, silly! Open the card.
The scent of roses filled the air as Sarah fumbled with the envelope. The seal finally gave and she pulled out the brightly colored rectangle and read out loud, Your Secret Admirer.
Penny all but swooned. Ohh!
I have a secret admirer? Sarah said, her voice confused and uncertain. She had moved from North Dakota to Boston a year ago, but didnt get out much. The only man she knew more than casually was
An amazing thought occurred to her and she glanced over her shoulder to the office behind her. Her boss, Matt Burke, sat at his desk, making his to-do list for the next workday because thats what he did every day at five minutes till five. Fridays were no exception.
He diligently scribbled in his calendar, oblivious to her scrutiny, but Sarah drank in every detail of his short, spiky brown hair and handsome face. Because he was writing, she couldnt see his eyes but knew they were a soft blue, trimmed with unusually long black lashes. More than once she had dreamily gazed into them when he was focused on something else.
It couldnt be
Matt wouldnt
So who do you think it is? Penny asked as she happily rearranged the flowers to make the bouquet perfect.
I dont know, Sarah said, trying not to look behind her again. Working one-on-one the way she and Matt did, they knew enough intimate details of each others lives to throw them into the category of friends. But Matt had never shown one ounce of interest in her as a woman.
No idea at all? Penny said, smiling as she leaned a hip against Sarahs desk and got comfortable. No guy you met at a bar or museum or church on Sunday morning?
I dont go to bars. People dont usually strike up conversations with me at museums and they are even quieter in church. Which made it highly unlikely that she would have a secret admirer. And that took her back to Matt. He was the only man who could have sent her these flowers. The question waswhy?
I heard you got roses! Carmella Lopez said as she walked down the open corridor to Sarahs workstation. Lloyd Winters executive assistant was a beautiful Hispanic woman with short, graying black hair and warm brown eyes. A fifty-something widow with no children, Carmella was also a sweet and sincere office mother hen who read romance novels. It didnt surprise Sarah that she would be one of the first people in the office to congratulate a woman who got flowers. Who are they from?
Sarah glanced at Carmella. A secret admirer.
Matt stepped out of his office, and, as always, Sarahs attention was immediately consumed by him. Tall and broad-shouldered, ruggedly attractive even in his dress shirt and tie, he looked more like one of the employees on Sarahs dads ranch than a quiet, focused senior vice president for a software company. Sarah suspected that was why she had such a crush on him. In her mind, he combined the best of both worlds. He had the masculinity of a cowboy and the brains and conceptualizing ability of a Forbes, Ford or Gates.
His gaze flitted to the roses then swung to hers. Well, look at this, he said, his voice filled with that odd tone men used when they tried to be happy about something girlie, but didnt quite know how to pull it off. Or, when they were in some way faking their response. Somebody sent you flowers.
It was him! Sarah thought, tamping down the unrealistic hope that hed sent her flowers because he was interested in her. The tone of his voice was too patronizing and too brotherly. If hed sent them, it was to cheer her up. Orshe squeezed her eyes shut then quickly opened them again before anyone noticedbecause he felt sorry for her. He knew she didnt go out on weekends. He knew she hadnt had a date since shed arrived in Boston.
Yes, and arent they beautiful? Carmella fingered a pristine petal. White is for what?
Purity, Sarah replied, her eyes narrowing. Purity? Purity!
So some man thinks youre very sweet, Matt said, smiling his warm, wonderful, Im-a-friendly-guy smile and Sarah wanted to deck him. The man she was crazy about thought she was pure. While she daydreamed about his kisses, he saw her as someone inexperienced and naive.
For fifty cents shed take him to her dads ranch where she played poker with the hands and held her own during cattle drives when the cursing was thick and biting. She would show him firsthand that she wasnt naive, she wasnt inexperienced and she sure as hell wasnt pure.
Well, you cant leave them here, Carmella was saying as Sarah forced herself out of her reverie. Theyll die over the weekend. She smiled at Sarah. Besides dont you want to enjoy them?
No, Sarah said, surprising herself as much as everybody else around her. I dont want to enjoy them, because I dont want them at all. Penny, you can have them.
No!
No!
No!
Matt, Penny and Carmella said the word simultaneously. Penny said it like a woman who didnt want the flowers of another woman, no matter how lovely.
Carmella sounded shocked that Sarah would give away such beauty. Matt said it as if she had suggested prematurely withdrawing money from her IRA.
The red numbers on Sarahs digital clock blinked and 4:59 became 5:00. Sarah opened her bottom desk drawer, withdrew her backpack and rose from her seat. Then leave them for the cleaning people, she said as she left her office.
Tears stung her eyes. Her gray skirt shifted across her calves. Her fat braid bounced along her back. Damn it! She was pure. Well, not exactly pure, more like conservative. Well, not even conservative, more like comfortable. She had thick unruly hair that fell to the bottom of her back, so it wasnt just convenient to wear it in a braid. It was comfortable. Her glasses were less effort than her contacts. And long skirts were all-covering, easy to match and the most logical thing to wear when she was constantly bending and stretching to reach files.
She was dowdy, and conservative by virtue of the fact that she dressed for comfort, and there was no way she would have a secret admirer. She hadnt even had a date since shed set foot in this city! Combining her lack of dates with her dowdy clothes, Matt probably saw her as some kind of charity case. Did he know she was still a virgin, too?
Purity flowers took on a whole new meaning, sending anger careening through Sarahs veins. The probability that Matt had sent those flowers because he felt sorry for her became more and more obvious by the second. By the time she reached the elevator, she just wanted to die.
Matt Burke stood with Carmella and Penny, watching Sarah as she marched, head high, to the elevator. His thoughts were in such turmoil and the situation was so unusualnot to mention uncomfortablethat he wasnt sure what to do.
Go after her.
Matt faced Carmella. What?
Go after her. She cant leave these beautiful flowers.
Matt almost said, Yes, she can, but he changed his mind. He wasnt sure why seeing Sarah get flowers caused a tightening in his chest, he only knew it did. Now that hed gotten over the shock that Sarah would waste perfectly good roses, he wasnt upset to see her leave them behind. In fact, he had an ungodly urge to toss them out his office window.
Ill take them to her, Penny said, grabbing the flowers and pivoting toward the door.
No! Carmella yelped as she caught Pennys hand, but she lowered her voice and said, Matt will take them to her. She paused to lift the vase from Pennys grasp, and her smile reappeared as she offered the roses to Matt. You drive by her apartment complex on your way home. You can take them right to her door.
Oh, no! Matt said, backing away from the flowers as if they were poisonous. She doesnt want these.
Carmella chuckled. So what? If she refuses to take them from you, the worst that could happen is that youd get stuck with a dozen long-stemmed roses and a beautiful vase.
Penny said, Maybe hes afraid someone will mistake him for a delivery man.
Matt sighed heavily. Im not afraid of anything! I just know she doesnt want them. Ill feel like an idiot going to her door with flowers that she doesnt want.
Carmella sauntered around Sarahs desk and picked up the card. I dont think she ran because she didnt want the flowers.
Matt said, Huh?
I think she ran because she did want the flowers.
Ohhhh! Penny said. I get it. When I set the roses on her desk she was excited. When she saw the card, she got mad. Its like she wants flowers from somebody, but she doesnt know who sent these.
Carmella nodded. So she doesnt know if her secret admirer is the man she wants it to be. And if it is the man she wants it to be, shes probably angry that he wasnt mature enough to sign his name.
You guys are nuts, Matt said, though their rationale did make an odd kind of sense. Sarah might be too calm and pragmatic to behave like a swooning female. But if there was somebody she liked, somebody she really, really liked and she wanted to get flowers from him, Matt could see Sarah getting angry that the guy was too chicken to sign his name.
In Matts opinion, Sarah was much too good for this coward.
Penny reverently whispered, She must really like him.
Carmella only smiled.
Matt felt as though somebody had punched him in the stomach. He couldnt believe that Sarah had fallen for somebody and that he hadnt noticed. He couldnt believe the man shed fallen for was a spineless idiot who didnt know how to make a decent move. A move that involved admitting who he was. He couldnt believe Sarah falling for someone bothered him more than the fact that the guy was a spineless idiot. But he did know it probably wasnt wise for him to be the person going to her apartment right now.
A woman should do this.
I have a salon appointment, Carmella said. Penny lives across town. Besides, she has kids to go home to.
I cant take these to her!
Why not?
Because Im not that sensitive. I dont know what to say. I dont know how to get her to accept these flowers. And he wasnt even sure he wanted to. That was the tricky part.
Carmella sighed. Matt, what day is it?
August 29.
Whats Monday?
September 1.
What happens on September 1?
Its Labor Day, but on Tuesday my staff goes to work on the quarterly report.
Carmella handed him the vase of roses. A wise man who had a quarterly report due would want his executive assistant at her desk on Tuesday morning. Sarah looked pretty mad when she left. You dont want her to spend her long weekend brooding and be too tired or too upset to come in.
Matt groaned.
Take these flowers to her, make her understand that it doesnt matter who sent them. What matters is that somebody cares about her.
Matt shook his head, as affronted as Sarah. Then why couldnt he sign his name?
Carmella shrugged. Havent you ever been so tongue-tied with someone that you watched from a distance because you couldnt go up to her and talk?
Matt swallowed. He did know what it was like to be so tongue-tied with someone that he watched her from a distance rather than make real contact. It wasnt a lover or potential lover. It was his mother. And he had been ten at the time.
Think of this guy like that. Somebody who is inexperienced or somebody who likes Sarah so much that hes afraid to make a mistake.
Matt stared at the flowers. His situation wasnt anything like the situation Carmella was describing, but she had struck the right nerve. The feeling was the same. Hed never approached his mother back then because the fear of rejection was stronger than the hope that shed welcome him with open arms. He knew this flower-senders emotions like the back of his hand.
When you give the flowers to Sarah explain that somebody who doesnt know how to admit it likes her and she should be flattered.
And you think that will cheer her up?
Carmella and Penny simultaneously said, Yes.
Fine, Matt said, turning to go into his office for his briefcase. Get me her address.
Forty minutes later Sarah opened her apartment door and there stood her boss, holding the purity flowers he had sent her because he felt sorry for her. Heat scalded her cheeks as her blood pressure and anger rose.
Hi.
She drew a long breath, not sure what to say that wouldnt contain a curse word. Pure. Ha! If he pushed her she would show him pure.
Carmella was right. You cant just leave these at the office over the weekend.
Sure I can.
Well, its physically possible, Matt agreed, but its not right.
Sure it is.
No, its not. Let me in so I can explain these flowers to you.
For three seconds Sarah only stared at him, blown away by his very casual admission that he had sent the roses. How else would he be able to explain them?
Too curious to hear what he had to say to reject him out of hand, she said, All right. Come in.
Sarah saw him glance around as if trying to waste some time before delving into the explanation he probably suspected would get him punched. As he looked at the solid khaki sofa and chair, accented by fat floral pillows and thick wood end tables with brass lamps, she didnt say a word.
He set the roses on her coffee table. I figured out why youre mad about these.
She tossed her head and crossed her arms beneath her breasts, shifting her braid over her shoulder and bunching the bulky material of her skirt at her waist. She felt like Mother Hubbard. Did you?
Yes. Youre upset that someone can like you but be too cowardly to sign his name to a card when he sends you flowers.
Though that wasnt it at all, Sarah considered his explanation. At the core of it was an admission that he liked her. Of course, he could be saying that he liked her as a friend, but if that was all it was, he could have signed his name.
What else?
Matt shook his head. What do you mean? What else?
Youre the expert here. Im just the person who got the flowers.
Im not sure Im an expert, but I do understand this guys feelings. He caught her gaze. Havent you ever liked somebody enough that you stood across the street and stared at their house, too afraid to approach them?
I grew up on a ranch.
Okay, have you ever called somebody and then hung up when they answered?
Not since caller I.D.
Youre not helping, Sarah!
I dont want to help you. I want to understand.
Matt sighed. Im not sure I understand it myself.
Well, if you dont understand, Sarah shouted, angry again. How the hell am I supposed to understand?
Matts face lit with enthusiasm. Now, see, theres one thing right there. Saying hell isnt such a big deal, but it reminds me that you grew up with a bunch of men, and when you get angry you can curse better than most of my friends.
And thats a reason to send me purity flowers?
Maybe the person who sent the flowers sees theres another side to you?
Because Matt was still talking about the flower sender as if he were a third party, Sarah realized that there had to be an explanation for why he couldnt talk about this directly. She fell to her sofa in exhaustion, and decided that for now, going along would be the easiest thing to do.
Im confused. He doesnt like my cursing so he sent me flowers to let me know he thinks Im pure?
No, he sent you flowers because hes telling you that he sees something about you that nobody else sees.
Why not just tell me with words?
Maybe hes shy.
Sarah narrowed her eyes at Matt. Shy?
All right, you dont like shy, Matt said, clearly exasperated, further confirming that he hated talking about this directly. How about this? To have your name and business address, this guy has to be somebody you know. Probably somebody you work with. He caught her gaze. That means theres a relationship of some sort already in place that he doesnt want to lose. So, hes not going to make a move until he sees how you and everybody at Wintersoft react to these flowers.
Dumbfounded, Sarah only stared at Matt, realizing she should have thought of this herself. Cautious Matt would never get involved with a woman he feared might reject him. Especially not someone he worked with. There was no way hed jeopardize their good boss/assistant relationship, particularly since he would also be risking the embarrassment of being snubbed in front of the entire staff of Wintersoft.
So, what am I supposed to do?
You cant control the reactions of everybody at Wintersoft, but you could at least send this guy the message that youre interested in him too.
I cant just tell him?
You dont know who he is, remember? Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, focusing herself on the project as he wanted it because he was calling the shots. Right. So what do I do?
Well, he sent you flowers to let you know hes interested. You have to send him a signal that youre interested.
Send him a signal?
Yeah, you know, Matt said, motioning with his hand. Dress up or something.
Sarah frowned. Dress up? Are you saying I dont dress right?
Matt shook his head. No. You dress fine for the office. But what you wear to the office isnt going to tell a guy youre interested.
So I need to dress prettier?
More like feminine. Youre an attractive girl, Sarah. But you hide that. In the office, thats not a big deal because youre supposed to be focused on work not the way you look. But if you want to show a guy youre interested, the short route would be to bring out your feminine side.
My feminine side, Sarah repeated, staring into Matts beautiful blue eyes. She was flooded with something soft and warm, yet also exciting. He wanted her to bring out her feminine sidewhich meant he saw she had a feminine side and might even have daydreamed about that part of her the way shed daydreamed about his kisses.
Suddenly feeling female and desirable, she removed her glasses and smiled demurely at Matt.
And Matts heart flip-flopped. He had always seen the pretty face behind the glasses, and, just like her secret admirer, Matt knew there was another side to her, a more feminine side. But unlike her secret admirer, he couldnt do a darned thing about it.
He rose from her sofa. So, you understand about the flowers then?
She nodded. Yeah. I get it.
Good, Matt said, walking to her door. He tried to tell himself that he wasnt upset that she was about to get involved with someone, but he was. Unfortunately, he also knew that as her immediate supervisor, he wasnt allowed to be attracted to her, so he would have to get over it. And he would. With a quarterly statement that had to be done before October fifteenth, he couldnt let disappointment over a woman divert his attention.
He grabbed the doorknob, but didnt open the door. Instead, he faced her. And Ill see you Tuesday?
Yes, she said, smiling again.
Looking at her beautiful smile and her pretty green eyes, Matts heart jerked to double time. He had an almost irresistible urge to kiss her, or at the very least ask her out. After an entire year of being good friends, suddenly he felt entitled to be the guy who got to know the other woman he knew she was hiding in there.
But he couldnt. She was his assistant. And if that wasnt enough to keep him in line, he also had a life plan. It didnt exactly prevent him from dating, but it did preclude him from doing anything that messed up his source of income and his career. He needed his salary and bonuses to fund the investments he had chosen to reach his goal of being a multimillionaire before he was forty. Forty was young enough that he would still have plenty of time to get married and have children. Plus, that gave him nine more years to fund his investments, whichbecause he was a savvy speculatorwere earning interest and dividends and growing on their own. Everything was going according to plan, so now was not the time to turn into a risk taker. Dating his executive assistant was definitely a risk.
Besides, after she sent the message to her secret admirer that she was interested, she would be dating somebody else.
Matt left Sarahs apartment and she all but danced for joy. She couldnt believe it! He liked her! Hed sent her flowers, explained why when she misinterpreted them and then told her how to respond.
She paused in her dancing.
Dear God. All Matt had really told her was that he wanted her to be more feminine.
Though Sarah knew she cleaned up well and also knew she could easily never swear again, she had to admit she wasnt in touch with that other side of herself Matt claimed to see. And that was the part he liked. If she wanted to prove to him that their office romance could work, she not only had to uncover the part of her that he liked, she really had to become that woman.
Realizing this was beyond her, she fell to her sofa trying to think of someone who could help her. Two of her Wintersoft coworkers, Ariana Fitzpatrick and Sunny Robbins, immediately came to mind, but she discounted both because Ariana was pregnant and Sunny was busy with law school. Sarah didnt want to impose on either of them. Especially not on a Friday night when both were probably up to their ears in well-deserved bubble baths!
Besides, what she needed was the help of someone who truly understood men and woman and romance.
Men, women and romance?
A thought struck her and she reached for her portable phone and the little book of telephone numbers on her end table.
No one knew more about romance than Carmella Lopez.
Chapter Two
After a long Labor Day weekend of visiting salons, shopping and long discussions over choices at the makeup counter, Sarah sat on the fat khaki chair in her living room across from Carmella Lopez and Emily Winters, daughter of Lloyd Winters, owner of Wintersoft.
When Sarah had called Carmella Friday night, Carmella had suggested they enlist Emilys help with Sarahs makeover because Emily bridged the gap between Carmellas and Sarahs generations. And she had been correct. Using bits and pieces of the experience of three females of varying ages, they had turned Sarah into a stunning woman. With a closet full of new clothes, a new hairdo and just the right makeup, she now had as much confidence about her looks as she had about roping cattle.
So, are you nervous about tomorrow? Carmella asked, setting her teacup on the wooden coffee table, right beside the vase of white roses that had started all this.
Sarah looked lovingly at the white blooms. Surprisingly, no. I know I asked for your help as part of a plan to show Matt I could be feminine, but something else happened. I feel like Ive finally found the real me.
Finding the real you is actually the point of a makeover, Carmella said with a short laugh.
And simple and sensual is definitely you, Emily agreed. A satisfied smile curved her lips, and her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with approval. You look great.
I feel great. I feel confident enough to conquer the world.
Carmella frowned. I hope this doesnt mean youve changed your mind about Matt!
No! Sarah said. I really like Matt. If hes interested in me, I want a chance with him, too.
Well, if he doesnt get that message from your new look, then hes blind, Carmella said, rising from the sofa.
Right, Emily agreed as she also rose. Well see you tomorrow. Remember, come to work a half hour early. The weather report says rain, so you may want some time to pull yourself together before you make the walk down the hall to your office.
Already at the door, Carmella asked, Are you sure youre not uncomfortable making an entrance?
Sarah laughed. I think its what I need to do. Go for the shock value, get my new self out in the open right off the bat and see how he reacts.
I think so, too, Carmella said and squeezed Sarahs hands. Well see you tomorrow.
Sarah let her new friends out of her apartment, then closed the door behind them, wondering if she would get any sleep. She wasnt nervous about seeing Matt. But she did know he might not react the way Emily and Carmella believed he would because she hadnt exactly done as he had asked her to do.
For the first time since shed received the flowers, she was glad for the secret admirer cover. Just as Matt had used it to get his point across to her, Sarah planned to use it to get her point across to him. Looking for her femininity had brought out a sexy side of her personality that even Sarah hadnt known she had. But when she considered her natural boldness, she knew being confident about her sexuality was her true personality, a part of who she was, and she couldnt change that. If Matt didnt want her as she really was, it would break her heart, but at least they would have the cover of anonymity so no one besides Carmella and Emily would know the exchange had occurred.
Matt looked up from his desk Monday morning and the sight that greeted him caused his breath to catch and his mouth to fall open in awe. Sarah walked up the aisle to her workstation, her head high, a smile on her lips.
Her long red hair had been cut and her braid had been replaced by a hairdo that could only be described as sensual. Fat locks of looping curls cascaded to her shoulders and bounced with every step she took.
Her cinnamon-colored suit looked like suede. The skirt was short and Matt could see enough of her legs to realize she hadnt been hiding just a feminine woman beneath the bland skirts and jackets she usually wore. She had been hiding a goddess.
He rose from his seat and cautiously made his way to the workspace she shared with Sunny Robbins.
Sarah?
Oh, good morning, Matt.
She greeted him as if there was nothing different about her appearance today, and for ten seconds Matt couldnt decide if he should say something or let it alone. He knew he had been the one to tell her to change the way she dressed, but he hadnt expected she would turn into a completely different person, and he wasnt sure his real reaction to her new look would be appropriate. What he wanted to do was whistle.
She bent to toss her little brown purse into her desk drawer and Matts gaze traveled the curve created by her shapely derriere, down the long length of leg to brown high heels of stiletto proportions and he felt as if his heart stopped. His common sense, boss instincts and attraction all got jumbled and before he knew what was happening, he gasped, What did you do to yourself?
Sarah straightened quickly, a stricken look on her face. You dont like it?
Like it? Dear God. Youre going to give half the men on staff coronaries.
Her face brightened. Her well-painted lips curved into a smile. So, I did okay?
Okay? Sarah, you look like a totally different person.
Her stricken expression returned. I hope you mean that in a good way. She paused and bit her bottom lip. Because this is the real me. She caught his gaze. And I want my secret admirer to see the real me.
The quivering that had set up residence in Matts abdomen turned to a rock of misery. He might have been the one to instruct Sarah to change a bit for her secret admirer, but, at the time, the guy had seemed more theory than a real person. With that comment, Sarah turned Matts theory into a living, breathing male. No longer a concept, but competition. You did this for your secret admirer?
You said I needed to be more feminine.
I said feminine, Matt argued, not because he didnt like her look, but because he did. He really did. But he couldnt have her. Some other guy would be the recipient of all this femininity. I didnt say
Sexy? Sarah said, interrupting him. Her enthusiasm returned and she smiled broadly. That was my idea.
Why?
Sarah walked around her desk and stood directly in front of him. Because after talking to Carmella and Emily on Friday night, I realized that feminine for me would be sexy.
Matts brow furrowed. Carmella Lopez and Emily Winters?
Yes. After our discussion about the roses I decided I needed some help with my makeover, I called Carmella and she brought Emily. But we didnt run to a store the minute they arrived at my apartment. We talked first, and they told me that feminine could mean a lot of things.
Not at all willing to hand over this Sarah to another man, Matt said, Yeah, like flowered dresses, little white purses and lace-trimmed gloves.
Im sure there are proper ladies in the South who would agree with you. She took a step closer and smiled the smile that made Matts knees weak. But Im not like one of those ladies and I believe my secret admirer needs to see the real me.
And this is the real you?
Holding his gaze, she nodded.
Matt stifled the urge to tug at his shirt collar because with her standing about a foot in front of him, smiling her confident, positive, sexy smile, the room was suddenly very warm. Youre sure?
She nodded again. Carmella says its all about confidence and this is the most confident Ive felt in years. If I were in a dainty dress with little white gloves I would feel like a fake.
She shifted away from Matt so she could hit the switch to turn on her computer monitor and Matt took the opportunity to loosen his collar so he could catch his breath.
But the plain suits werent me, either, she continued. So we experimented with a few looks until we got to this one and, voil?, she said, facing him again. Suddenly I felt like me.
Holy cow! Sunny Robbins, paralegal to Grant Lawson, Wintersofts in-house counsel entered the office. Her chin-length sun-kissed brown hair had been tossed about by the September breeze and her black pantsuit was rain-splattered.
Matt quickly glanced back at Sarah. She hadnt worn a coat or a rain hat. Yet her suit was dry and her hair was perfect.
Sunny stopped beside Sarah and ran her gaze from the top of her head to the tips of her perfectly dry, brown, high-heeled sandals.
Holy cow!
Sarah laughed. Thanks. I think.
Oh, my holy cow definitely deserved a thanks, Sunny said as she rounded Sarahs desk and tossed her purse onto her chair. You look great.
I feel great! I feel terrific!
Sunny laughed. I would feel terrific, too, if I looked like that! What brought this on?
Matt glanced at dry, perfectly coifed Sarah again. Something was wrong here. There was no way she got from the bus to this building without getting wet. She must have stopped somewhere and fixed herself up before stepping into the office. If he didnt know better, Matt might think she had actually made an entrance.
His voice slow and cautious, Matt said, Sarah has a secret admirer.
Both of Sunnys eyebrows rose. Really?
Yeah, he sent me flowers late Friday afternoon, Sarah said. Hearing the odd tone in Matts voice, she glanced at him, saw the confused expression on his face and decided that look was the final nail in the coffin. From the second shed arrived, hed been sputtering and arguing with her choices. Now his quiet voice and unhappy expression confirmed what shed guessed all along. He didnt like her new look.
The thought made her stomach churn and her knees shake like two leaves in the wind. Worse, her breath wanted to come out in quick panting gasps, but just as Carmella had taught her over the weekend, Sarah controlled all that. Because, deep down inside, she genuinely believed what she had told Matt. This was the real Sarah Morris. If Matt didnt like the real her then she had to move on, find a guy who would like her, exactly as she was. No matter how much it hurt that it wasnt Matt.
I left the flowers here, Matt brought them to my apartment and we got to talking about why someone would send me flowers anonymously, Sarah said, watching as Matt disappeared into his office. Matt guessed that the guy wanted some kind of signal from me that I was interested in dating, and this is what Carmella, Emily and I came up with.
Sunny shot her a skeptical look. Matt told you that changing your look would signal the secret admirer to ask you out?
Yeah.
Sunny laughed. Just goes to show what he knows! The truth is, Sarah, secret admirers are usually friends trying to cheer you up.
Sarah frowned. She had thought exactly that. Right from the beginning shed decided that if Matt had sent her those flowers it was to boost her morale.
But in your case, I think Matt took advantage of the flowers to go one step further.
What do you mean?
Well, she said, pointing at Sarah. Look at you. You look wonderful. One of your friends might have sent you the flowers, but Matt used them to get you to come out of your shell. Lots of guys are going to ask you out. He did you a huge favor.
With every sentence Sunny spoke, tears pricked Sarahs eyes. She finally understood. She still believed Matt had sent her the flowers, but she now knew he hadnt done it so she would bring out her feminine side for him. It was of no consequence whether or not he liked her new look. Hed encouraged her makeover so shed find another man.
Shed thought she and Matt were using the secret flower sender facade to protect Matt, but the truth was he might have created the secure forum of a secret admirer for her. That anonymity was the only thing keeping her from dying of embarrassment right now.
But it wasnt doing a darned thing to protect her bruised heart. Hed never wanted her. He probably hadnt even considered wanting her.
Matt drove to his fathers house that evening feeling as if someone had punched him. Hed spent the day watching out his office door as every woman and probably fifty percent of the men employed by Wintersoft had trickled into Sarahs office to see her new look. All the women had gasped with envy. All the guys had gasped in awe. The single men had asked her out. And Matts teeth were now ground down to about half their size.
He pulled his SUV into his dads driveway and climbed out, not sure it was a good idea to keep his long-standing every-other-night dinner date with his dad. He knew he wasnt going to be good company. Worse, he knew his dad would demand to know why.
He didnt even get the whole way up the walk before his dad, Wayne Burke, also a CPA and probably the picture of what Matt would look like at age fifty-five, with his short brown hair, broad shoulders and blue eyes, opened the door.
Somebody stole your fire truck, he said, referring to the fact that when Matt was seven a neighbor kid had run off with his toy and wouldnt return it until Matts dad had interfered.
No, Matt said, as he stepped inside the neat-as-apin foyer of the Cape Cod house, not in the mood to play this silly game with his dad.
Just give me the name and Ill go talk to his father, get it back for you.
This isnt funny tonight, Dad.
I think it is. I think its hysterical, Wayne said and laughed heartily to prove it. I love it when youre in a bad mood. Gives me a reason to poke into your personal life since youre usually not too free with information. Here, give me your raincoat.
Though he tried to smile and look like his usual happy-go-lucky self, the raincoat reminded Matt of seeing bone-dry Sarah walk into the office and sent his blood pressure soaring again. He could only figure that Sarah had made an entrance this morning. Given that he and Grant Lawson, Wintersofts legal counsel, were the only two men in that section of the office, that had to mean Sarah believed Grant had sent her those flowers, and she wanted to look picture-perfect the first time he saw her new look.
But the more Matt thought about it, the more he decided that Sarah would have to know that men like tall, handsome, suave Grant didnt need to send women flowers anonymously. They were bold enough to come right out and say whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. They didnt need to be secret admirers.
Grant himself backed up Matts theory. If Grant had been the person to send Sarah flowers Friday afternoon, he would have been eager to see her reactionwhich in this case was an eye-popping makeoverand he would have commented. Instead, he didnt seem to notice Sarahs makeover when he arrived, and he had stayed sequestered in his office most of the day.
But Matts whole hypothesis had fallen through when Wintersofts general counsel had stepped into Sarah and Sunnys workstation two minutes after Sunny had left and started making small talk with Sarah.
Small talk! Lawyers never made small talk. Every word they spoke had a purpose. And, in this case, the only purpose could be that Grant was putting the moves on Sarah.
Matt wanted to punch him.
Wayne closed the closet door and headed for his bright yellow kitchen. I made your favorite. Roast beef and mashed potatoes.
Matt followed his dad down the hall. Im not hungry, he said, then wished he could bite his tongue.
His dad stopped, faced Matt and shook his head. You know Im going to get this out of you before the end of the night.
Matt sighed. Theres nothing to get out.
Great, then Im sure youll want seconds on potatoes.
All right, Matt said, realizing he wasnt in the mood for two hours of twenty questions while being forced to eat mass quantities of food that would taste like sawdust, so he might as well tell the truth and get it over with. If you have to know, Im preoccupied because Sarah has a secret admirer.
Your assistant Sarah? Wayne asked, pushing open the swinging door that led to his kitchen. The round oak table had been set for dinner.
Matt walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers. Yes.
Wayne laughed. And youre jealous.
No. Im concerned because I think its Wintersofts legal counsel, Grant Lawson.
Matts dad thought for a second before he said, I must not know him.
Hes a nice enough guy, Matt said, taking his usual seat and setting his napkin on his lap. But hes divorced and I get the impression hes soured on marriage enough that hell never take the plunge again.
Oh, so youre worried about Sarah?
Yes, Matt said, sighing with relief that his dad understood. He wasnt jealous. Really. He was concerned.
And youre not even a little jealous?
No. Just very concerned, Matt said, but a picture of Sarah in her cinnamon-colored suede suit popped into his head and his chest tightened.
Thats why your face just turned beet-red. Because youre not jealous.
Matt tossed his napkin to the table. I dont know why I come here to have dinner with you.
You come here because Im your dad and I dont let you get away with lying. Especially not to yourself. Wayne served himself a thick slice of pot roast. Which means you want me to be honest, so I have to come right out and say this. Youve got the look of a jealous man on your face.
Matt sighed. Okay, you want me to come clean. Ill come clean. Sarah got flowers Friday night and, yeah, I got a twinge of jealousy. But I squelched it because bosses are not supposed to date the women they supervise.
Wayne took a big bite of mashed potato, chewed, then said, So get her transferred.
Matt gaped at his dad. That would be idiotic.
Why?
Why? Because shes a good worker. I need her.
You know what, Matt? Youre thirty-one. At this point in your life I would much rather hear you say you need a woman sexually than as a good secretary.
Matt squeezed his eyes shut. Here we go again!
Im not getting any younger. Neither are you. I would like to have grandkids while I still have energy enough to bounce them on my knee.
You might want grandkids now, but I cant afford kids for another few years. Besides, youre the one who always told me not to get involved with a woman until Im ready. So butt out.
Waynes face reddened, and he looked down at his green beans.
Matt was instantly repentant.
Dad, Im sorry, I
No, its all right. Youre right. A man needs to be ready to get married and even more ready to have kids. If you think youre not there financially, then I support you.
Matt said, Thanks. But he felt awful, really and truly awful. Not because he had insulted his dad, though he had. But more because he wasnt ready. And because he wasnt ready he couldnt give his dad the family he wanted.
Worse, he felt awful because he couldnt protect Sarah.
The next morning, Matt sat behind his desk feeling like the starship Enterprise on red alert. Grant had to pass through Sarah and Sunnys workstation to get to his office and if he said one word that Matt didnt like, Matt was pouncing. He couldnt save Sarah by dating her because he was her boss, but that didnt mean he would let her get involved with a man who had no intention of settling down. So far neither Grant nor Sarah had arrived, but Matt was ready.
Even as he finished that thought, Sarah turned the corner from the main entryway. As she had the day before, she walked down the hall to her office as if in slow motion. The thick curls of her beautiful red hair bounced around her. Her long legs ate up the space to her office as if it were nothing. Her navy-blue suit fit her as if it had been made for her. Her flawless makeup made her look like a model rather than an accounting assistant.
Good morning, Matt!
He cleared his throat. Without getting up from his seat he called, Good morning.
Grant Lawson picked that precise second to walk down the corridor. Reading a newspaper and carrying a briefcase, he nearly walked into Sarah.
Oh, Im sorry! he said, dropping his briefcase and grabbing her shoulders to right her when she swayed on her tall navy-blue shoes.
Sarah smiled at him. Its okay. No harm done. I should know better than to stop in the hall.
Gazing into Sarahs eyes, Grant grinned and Matts pulse began to hammer. He rose from his seat and rounded his desk. He was halfway to Sarahs workstation before he realized he had no clue what he would say, and no right to say anything anyway.
Grant stepped back. I still should have been looking, he said, then picked up his briefcase. Would you tell Sunny to buzz me the second she gets in? Im closing my door today. I dont want to be disturbed.
Sarah turned and walked to her desk. Sure. Ill be glad to.
Grant stuck his nose in his newspaper again. Great. Thanks.
Matt stared at the scene, deciding he must have imagined anything flirtatious hed thought hed seen in the beginning of that mess. Not only did Sarah not look interested in Grant, but Grant didnt look interested in Sarah. A swell of relief filled Matts chest, until he realized he really was jealous. And not just the I-wish-I-was-like-him kind of jealous. He was full-blown, man-woman jealous. And there wasnt a darned thing he could do about it.
Do you need something, Matt? Sarah asked curiously and Matt recognized that he had been standing in his doorway, staring at her, for at least thirty seconds.
He looked at her beautiful red hair cascading around her and at her pretty green eyes. In that second, he knew that if the situation were right, he would be dating her. And it didnt seem fair that he couldnt.
But, fair or not, it was life. Not dating a subordinate was a rule made not to protect bosses, but to protect the people who worked for them. Because he would never, ever, do anything to hurt Sarah, Matt turned and walked into his office without a word. He would get beyond this. He had to.
But as the morning wore on and the parade of men continued, Matt began to get tense. He also noticed something else. Not one other executive in this company seemed concerned about dating a subordinate. True, none of them was Sarahs immediate supervisor as Matt was. But they were still supervisors. And supervisors didnt date subordinates! They all should be staying the hell away from her.
The flirting and silliness went on throughout the afternoon, and Matts irritation grew. The whole world seemed intent on thumbing its nose at rules Matt held sacred. He became more and more angry at the injustice of it, until he snapped at Carmella that night when she stopped in his office to deliver a copy of a confidential memo from the head of the company, Lloyd Winters.
Sorry, he said, then ran his fingers through his short hair, spiking it.
Carmella smiled at him. Thats okay. Its nearly eight oclock, she said, obviously referring to the fact that he was working late. Not only was the quarterly report due in six weeks, but also he did his staff review for Lloyd the first two weeks in September. Its been a long day for you.
Yeah. A long day made longer by the parade of men stopping by to flirt with my assistant.
Carmella grimaced. Ill talk to her.
Its not Sarah thats the problem. Its the guys coming to ogle her.
Carmella studied Matt for a second and he felt his face redden as she smiled knowingly. Youre not angry. Youre jealous.
I didnt say that.
You didnt have to. She took a seat on one of the captains chairs in front of Matts desk and grinned at him as if this were some sort of game. So, what are you going to do?
Nothing, he said, tossing his pencil to his desk, confused that he seemed to be the only reasonable person in this company since Sarah got her makeover. In the first place, shes my assistant. Asking her out is a sexual harassment suit wait to happen.
I dont think Sarah would
It doesnt matter, Matt said, interrupting her, deciding that the entire office had gone around the bend and there was no sense trying to persuade Carmella with an argument she wouldnt understand. Particularly since he had a better argument up his sleeve. One she couldnt dispute. There are more considerations here than just the boss/assistant thing. For one, Im not in a position yet where I could ask somebody to marry me.
Carmella only stared at him. Are you kidding?
He stared back. About what?
Oh, come on, Matt. I know youre one of those people who likes to be prepared, but dont you think its a bit overboard not dating a woman because you cant ask her to marry you?
.
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