All Night with the Boss (2 of 2 free samples)

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COPYRIGHT
All Night with the Boss by Natalie Anderson. Copyright 2007 by Natalie Anderson.
All Rights Reserved. Sharing not permitted.

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CHAPTER ONE (CONT'D)

She glanced at him, thinking he was pretty relaxed about being rejected from the outset. She could see a broad smile, an inviting smile. The kind of smile that made you want to smile right back and move closer to its warmth. She looked back to the windows and watched with cynical amusement as two consultants vied for Gina's attention. Lissa flicked a quick look sideways at Karl again, wishing Gina had warned her he was the most physically attractive man on the planet and not just a super flirt.

'Now that we have that settled,' he said easily, 'why not tell me something about yourself?'

'What do you want to know?' Lissa asked. She'd just shot the guy down before he'd had a chance to start his engine, she didn't need to be totally rude.

'I don't know.' He stretched out a leg. It crossed in front of hers, a barrier between her and the door. 'How about where in Australia you come from?'

'The South Island of New Zealand,' she replied coolly, trying not to admire the long leg before her.

'Sorry,' he chuckled. Again the sound reverberated within her, tingling her insides. 'Will you ever forgive me?'

She shrugged off the mistake and the sensations. 'It's OK. I'm not one of those Kiwis who has a fit at being mistaken for an Aussie.' She took a sip of her drink. Despite the chilly air she was no closer to cooling down. She sat for a minute and then leaned towards him with a conspiratorial smile. 'To tell you the truth, I still can't tell the difference between Irish and Scottish accents.'

'How shocking.' He leaned in towards her and for a moment she wondered what he was going to do. What she was going to do. His proximity knocked her breathing. 'Which am I?'

'Um . . .' She was taken aback. He didn't sound much like either. He sounded pretty BBC to her. 'Scottish?'

He inclined his head and sat back. 'Indeed.'

She was feeling a little unnerved by the effect he was having on her. Unnerved by the fact she was sorry he'd just sat back. It was a dark, cool night and she felt warm and wobbly.

Gina popped into view again and Lissa watched as her face lit up as an unfamiliar man walked towards her.

'Oh, that must be the infamous Rory.'

Karl turned his head sharply and looked back through the window. 'Where?'

'With Gina.' Rory stood absorbed by Gina as she talked, her arms gesticulating wildly with her effervescent enthusiasm.

'Well,' said Lissa practically, 'I don't think she's going to have too much trouble, do you?'

'Trouble with what?' Karl looked back at Lissa.

'Rory,' she replied impatiently. 'She must have told you about him. He's just landed after a stint at the New York office. Come back as the youngest consultant ever to be promoted to partner. He's due to start tomorrow but there was a chance he might look in tonight. She's wearing the blue top specially.' She watched the couple for a while longer.

'I can't believe she thought she didn't stand a chance. I thought she hardly knew him. But he's obviously interested, don't you think? And so he should--she's amazing.'

'If you like that sort,' came the noncommittal response.

Lissa turned to him startled. 'She's a petite, natural blonde with amazing blue eyes and is totally vivacious.' She paused before adding with perverse pleasure, 'The only sort that doesn't like that doesn't like girls.'

'Ha!' he laughed softly. 'You think? I think many men might prefer tall, willowy types with big brown eyes and hair like golden honey.' Before she could stop him he reached out and touched a strand of her hair.

She stared, unable to move. Felt him gather a lock and tug gently. Crazily she wanted him to run his hand the length of it. What he'd said finally registered and she bit back a smile. She tried to ignore the tantalising quality in his voice. He'd just, very flatteringly, described her.

'Willowy?' she asked, amused.

'Uh-huh. Very graceful.' His fingers twirled the strands of hair.

She took a deep breath. She was feeling no more comfortable. The whole purpose of her stroll onto the balcony was being sabotaged. He sure knew how to trot out a line. She pulled her hair free and decided to reiterate the position. 'I told you. You needn't bother.'

'It's no bother.'

He was watching her intently. She crossed her legs away from him and wiggled her foot. 'You know, he doesn't look anything like I imagined.'

'Who--Rory?'

'Hmm, I thought he'd be taller and more noticeable.' Her attention was wandering back to the presence beside her. He was definitely noticeable. She became acutely aware of his knee pressing against her leg. He must have moved nearer. It was warm and hard. She fidgeted and recrossed her legs.

'Why? How did she describe him to you?'

'Apparently, he's like God's gift.' Grateful for the diversion, she laughed and ticked the items off on her fingers. 'Tall, dark, handsome, great body, a tough boss, but one that they all admire.' She made a face. 'Sounds too good to be true doesn't he? This is the Gina version, of course. But the clincher is, and I'm quoting here, "when he looks at you, it's like you're the only person in the world. Amazing eyes."'

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