LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

and I’m in trouble. Or rather, whoever wants to eat is.’

      Their meals arrived, and the conversation became general until Clair suddenly announced, ‘I’m thinking of asking Lauren to give me a lesson or two on my computer.’

      Lauren saw a delighted smile replace the initial surprise on Matt’s face. Duncan’s exaggerated groan and loving expression towards his wife filled her with a longing she couldn’t explain.

      ‘I’m sure she’s dealt with more incompetent people than me, Duncan Ford.’ Clair’s put-on piqued expression caused laughter round the table. Three pairs of eyes turned to Lauren for a reply.

      ‘I’m sure I have. The trickiest ones are usually when they’ve tried to rectify the error but can’t remember what they did. Or when they deny knowing.’

      She shared a story of an ongoing promotion feud where two women had been sabotaging the other’s computer, costing both of them their jobs. With encouragement she continued.

      ‘A friend was asked to retrieve permanently deleted emails from the client’s wife’s laptop. He’d found romantic messages between her and another man, lost his temper and deleted them. Became angrier when he realised he now had nothing to confront her with.’

      ‘Teach him to be destructive even with provocation. Did he get them back?’ Clair asked.

      ‘My friend refused to get involved so I have no idea.’

      ‘Duncan, remember when...’

      Clair’s voice faded and Duncan’s took over but Lauren barely heard his words. As she’d told the story, she’d become aware of Matt tensing beside her, hadn’t dared look that way. She forced herself to focus on their host.

      They were all laughing at the anecdote of his son-in-law wrongly directing an email about a surprise party when she glanced sideways. Matt was looking at her, a speculative expression on his face.

      The world around them blurred until she could see only him. Her heart blipped then began to race. Warmth spread up her throat and cheeks. He arched his neck and his eyes darkened to almost black. She didn’t dare guess at the thoughts behind them as he reached for his glass.

      In fact Matt was wondering what the heck had happened. The quiet woman, who was so guarded with him, was captivating their hosts. There was only a hint of the hesitancy he’d perceived in the office. She listened to Clair with a genuine smile on her lips, and gave the same consideration to Duncan as he spoke.

      So why the barrier with him? Instinct told him Lauren had a history with someone, painful enough to make her wary of men, or a particular breed of men. He was torn between letting it alone or finding out more and proving to her he couldn’t be categorised.

      It would be treading dangerous ground trying to discover the woman behind the technical façade. But, oh, it would feel good to see her smile focused on him, feel those sweet lips yield under his, trail a path of kisses down her slender neck as he held her in his arms.

      ‘Have you finished, sir?’

      He flinched as the waiter’s arm appeared at his side.

      Finished? Unless he lost his mind, he had no intention of starting.

      ‘Oh. Um... Yes, thank you. The steak was perfect.’

      He met Clair’s knowing look across the table, and knew by the heat his cheeks were flushed. She was as astute as her husband; he’d bet she wasn’t easily fooled. He had to try.

      ‘Great restaurant. I’ll keep it in mind for entertaining.’

      Thankfully the wine waiter distracted her as he topped up her glass. Matt noted Lauren declined.

      As they left the restaurant Clair caught his arm.

      ‘I like her, Matt. She’s very natural, down to earth. Pity she’ll be returning to Sydney.’

      ‘It’s her home.’

      ‘Adelaide used to be.’

      He didn’t answer. He hadn’t known.

      Duncan hailed a cab, telling Matt they’d drop him and Lauren at the office on their way. As they said goodbye Clair tapped Matt’s arm through the window.

      ‘We’ll see you Saturday night. I do so love dressing up for corporate dos.’

      ‘I’ll be wearing my best tuxedo.’

      He took Lauren’s arm to guide her into the building, and sensed her guard was back up. Which made his burgeoning idea even more incongruous.

      * * *

      Lauren strove to keep her emotions under control in the lift, fought to keep her fingers from fisting. She didn’t have proof yet, only assumptions. Saying anything would detract from the positives of the day.

      Matt unlocked his office door, moved aside to let her enter then suddenly stiffened and caught her arm.

      ‘You’re trembling. Why?’

      She looked into concerned blue eyes, and was swamped by the desire to caress the shadows away from underneath, to ease his burden. To say it was all okay.

      ‘It’s been an eventful day. I’d better get back to work.’

      ‘Hmm, and I have to check in with Joanne and the others.’ He let go, shrugged off his jacket, and hung it on his chair. Halfway back to the door, he swivelled round and gave her an ironic smile.

      ‘I know I haven’t been the easiest of people to work with or approach since taking charge. You’re a courageous lady, Lauren Taylor, and I will find a way to repay you for stepping in for me.’

      His unexpected compliment threw her. Her first opinion of him eroded a little more as new aspects of his enforced position emerged.

      Opening up to her on Thursday wouldn’t have been easy. He’d been forced by circumstances to take her into a confidence he’d rather have kept private. Something he only shared with those close to the family.

      She went to her desk, determined to crack this puzzler and alleviate the pressure he was under. Her life in Sydney was on hold, her friends were there. When she returned everything would revert to normal. Except her vague fantasy was now a handsome, magnificently built real live male whose aroma, and every look, every touch weakened her knees and sent her pulse skyrocketing.

      Her professionalism partially blocked him out at the office, and she managed to focus when dealing with hotel staff and other people. During those hours he was like an undercurrent in her head, surging to full force as soon as she was alone. With his muscled torso—clearly defined under his shirt—his trim waist and flat stomach, his image flicked through her mind like pages of a fireman calendar.

      She’d succeed and then she’d have to leave him behind.

      * * *

      Matt returned to his office an hour later. Talking plans and strategies hadn’t kept his thoughts from straying to Lauren. The way her chin lifted when she became defensive. The way her hair swung across her shoulders when she turned her head. Her soft hazel eyes betraying every emotion.

      They’d crossed a threshold today, and he wasn’t sure where it might lead. Surely they could become friends and stay platonic? Yeah, tell that to whatever part of his body was revving up his pulse and stimulating his libido. Initiating a closer relationship while she worked for him was fraught with danger.

      She leant forward over her desk as if being closer would make something happen, her eyes riveted to the screen. Delightfully intense. She hadn’t noticed his arrival, and started when she did, falling back with her hand covering her heart.

      ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.’

      She’d gone a delicate pink again, a shade fast becoming a favourite of his. Leaning on the door jamb, he wondered how far it spread, immediately banishing the enticing image.

      ‘I’ve

Скачать книгу