LITMIR.BIZ

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Sebastian’s executive assistant, Missy had often found herself trapped in the middle of a power play between her boss and the head of the company. Since Brandon had stepped down as CEO, her job had grown less complicated politically, but he still owned a large share of the company and of late had begun to insinuate himself back into the business with frequent visits to the office and happily offered opinions.

      He’d escalated his interference by taking Lucas Smythe golfing yesterday. Not that Missy believed he’d come right out and tell Smythe not to sell his company to Case Consolidated Holdings. But involving himself by talking with Max about the communications director position was a pretty overt act. Was Sebastian right? Did his father want to be in charge once more?

      Brandon dismissed her concerns with a wave. “Don’t sell yourself short. I’ve watched you these past four years. Your talents are wasted on my son.”

      “I’m not sure Sebastian would agree.” But the truth was she had no idea if her boss appreciated her or just took her for granted.

      “You let Max and me worry about Sebastian.” Brandon held the door so she could exit the ballroom. “You’d make an outstanding director of communications.”

      Missy was flattered that someone had recognized her skills. She’d graduated two years ago with a degree in business and a minor in journalism. Her background made the position a dream job.

      Too bad Sebastian liked her right where she was.

      “I appreciate your faith in me,” she said as they strolled down the hallway that led to the hotel’s atrium and casino.

      “You should have been promoted years ago. I know you’ll do a great job.”

      And she would. Much better than the guy who’d held the position for the past three years. But staying at Case Consolidated Holdings meant seeing Sebastian all the time. How was she supposed to get over her feelings for him and move on in her personal life with daily reminders of how amazing they’d been together?

      Missy lifted her hand to hide a yawn. Sleep had eluded her for a long time last night. Sebastian’s visit had left her keyed up and wide awake. Damn the man for being so aggravating and attractive. Her seesawing emotions were a source of utter frustration.

      “Are you playing golf again this morning?”

      “No. I thought I’d stick around and listen to Sebastian give the opening speech.”

      Wincing in sympathy for her boss, Missy forced a bright smile. “It’s a good one. You’ll be impressed.”

      “I’m sure it’s wonderful. Did you help him write it?”

      “I offered a couple suggestions.” In fact, she’d created the first draft and Sebastian had revised it to suit his style.

      “I’m sure you did.” Brandon put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Have fun with the ladies today.”

      In addition to making sure the conference arrangements were hitch-free, she had the job of playing social director for the executives’ wives. Today’s schedule called for a sightseeing trip to the Hoover Dam. Then lunch followed by the Haunted Vegas tour.

      Brandon winked. “Don’t let them get you into too much trouble.”

      With that cryptic remark ringing in her ears, Missy watched Sebastian’s father head toward the casino. She had almost an hour before she was to meet the wives for breakfast. Yesterday she’d won another two thousand dollars. The windfall was burning a hole in her purse. A little gambling would go a long way toward distracting her from what had just happened with Sebastian.

      Lucky at cards, unlucky at love.

      Missy had become a walking, talking example of that idiom. Fetching a twenty from her wallet, she cruised the slot machines, looking for a likely candidate. The first machine swallowed her money like a party girl guzzling imported champagne. Thirty minutes later, she was down five hundred. Sighing over her change of luck, Missy checked her watch. She had fifteen minutes before she was supposed to meet the wives. Time enough to feed one last crisp twenty into a slot machine.

      At the center of the casino, a couple dozen machines surrounded a bright-blue, convertible Ford Mustang. Picking one at random, Missy fed in her twenty. Four spins later, she had resigned herself to walking away when five gold coins lined up in a row and her machine began whooping like a pack of crazed football fans with their team poised to score the game-winning touchdown.

      “You won a car.” Gloria Smythe stood next to her, wearing a big smile.

      Missy had met her last night at the cocktail party and liked her immediately. The vivacious blonde was twenty years younger than her imposing husband and smiled as much as he frowned.

      “I did?”

      “Sure looks that way to me.”

      And the way the bells were sounding and the lights pulsed with frantic enthusiasm, Missy was starting to agree. She’d just won a car. Why wasn’t she jumping up and down in delirious excitement?

      Because nothing compared to the thrill she’d felt in Sebastian’s arms.

      Missy shook herself out of her mooning. Pining over a man she couldn’t have was idiotic. “What do I do now?”

      “I think that nice young man coming this way will have you fill out some paperwork.”

      “I don’t have time.” Missy spotted a skinny guy with a shaved head in his twenties heading her way. “I’m supposed to meet everyone in ten minutes.”

      “Don’t worry about that.” Gloria smiled.

      “But the tour is scheduled to leave no later than nine, and I’m supposed to be on the bus to make sure all of you have a great time.”

      “Don’t you worry about that. Fill out the paperwork and come find us in the restaurant over there. We’re sitting on the patio.”

      Missy stared at Gloria’s back as she sauntered away. That wasn’t where they were supposed to meet. What was going on?

      Thirty minutes later, with her paperwork done, Missy wound between the tables of the most expensive of the three restaurants open for breakfast. Bordered on two sides by French doors that offered access to the outside dining, the rattan furnishings, potted palms and soothing green and white color scheme gave the space a comfortable, relaxed feel.

      Missy spotted two tables of women on the patio just as Gloria had said. The day promised to be in the upper seventies, but at eight in the morning, the cooler temperature required sweaters and light jackets. Missy shivered in her sleeveless dress.

      All conversation ceased as a couple of the women spotted her. Heads turned in her direction.

      “We heard you won a car!” Susan Case said. “Congratulations.”

      “Thanks. Are you ready to go on the Hoover Dam tour?” Missy gazed at each of the women. A few wouldn’t meet her eyes. Most grinned at her. Three frowned.

      “We’ve decided to pass,” said a woman with teased black hair and enormous sunglasses.

      “In fact, we’re not going to do any of the tours,” Alicia Darby added. “But don’t let us stop you from going.”

      Missy shook her head. “I don’t understand. A lot of planning went into your itinerary.”

      “And we appreciate it,” Gloria said. “But for most of us, our lives are busy and hectic.”

      Alicia nodded. “The last thing we want to do is go on vacation and have to do a bunch of sightseeing.”

      Missy imagined Sebastian’s annoyance with this turn of events. He’d given her the task of making sure the wives were happy. “What do you want to do instead?”

      “Go shopping.”

      “Spend a day at the spa.”

      “Lie

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