And when she kissed him, shed kissed him as if she meant it. The unquestioning response shed given him had almost driven him beyond the boundaries of his control. The feel of her soft hips pressing into him was enough to make him forget everything but the warm female body in his arms. Far from diminishing on closer acquaintance, the physical interest hed felt in her for years was intensifying every time he saw her. Hed seen her long white-gold hair in a shimmering halo around her shoulders, and now he wanted to see it spread across a pillow as she lay waiting for him, her slim, graceful body bare, her mouth swollen and pouty from his kisses. A possessive surge made him grind his teeth, and he thought of the cold shower hed have to take before hed be able to sleep. If hed stayed with her, hed be relaxed and sleepy by now, all of his tensions drained out of him.
But she wasnt just any woman. He couldnt use her and then toss her aside. Apart from the fact that they had to work together, he wanted more from her than that. A one-night stand wouldnt do it with her; he wanted to unlock all her secrets, thrill time and time again to the sweet, hot way she melted against him. He thought of having an affair with her, and was surprised to suddenly find himself wondering if an affair would be enough to satisfy him. He wanted to know everything about her; he wanted to completely shatter her cool control and learn all the things that he could do to give her pleasure. He was adrift, and he needed Sarah right then more than he could comprehend, in all ways.
It was more than just physical, he realized abruptly. He could talk with her; she was intelligent, amusing, but there was the added bonus that he didnt have to talk to her, because she had a quality of serenity that made silence possible. Whenever he looked into the shadows of her exotic green eyes, he had the feeling she understood everything, without words.
But she was a dedicated career woman; shed made it pretty clear over the years that she did just fine on her own, thank you, without a man making demands on her time. Shed probably reject out of hand any hint of seriousness from him, so he had to keep it light, casual, let her become accustomed to being in his company. He had doubts, though, about his ability to keep it light whenever she turned into his arms and answered his kisses so ardently. He wanted to throw her across a bed and kiss her from her head to her feet, feast his senses on the sleek womanliness of her body. But what would she say?
Maybe she wouldnt reject an offer of an affair. She was, after all, a modern, adult woman; if her response to him was anything to go by, she was willing to have sex with him, but he knew from working with her that she kept her personal life strictly separated from her business life. That would be one strike against him, but he thought he could eventually convince her. Hed take it slowly with her, not rushing her, letting her lower all those defenses of hers. He couldnt say why, but he sensed that she was wary with him, deep inside where he couldnt see. Perhaps she was wary with all men. Diane had wondered aloud sometimes if Sarah hadnt had a married lover and been burned pretty badly by him.
There was a well-camouflaged vulnerability about her, and he wondered what fool had been stupid enough to have all that pale glory in his bed and let her slip away from him.
Sarah hadnt expected to hear from Rome again that weekend, so when she answered the phone the next afternoon and heard his voice, a thrill of pleasure sang through her. Before she could do more than say hello, however, he cut across her greeting.
Sarah, Henrys had a heart attack, a bad one.
Shocked, Sarah almost dropped the phone, and she tightened her grip on it. Her boss hadnt seemed the sort to be struck by heart trouble. He was a small man, wiry to the point of thinness, and very active. He was an avid golfer, jogged every day, and in Sarahs memory had never indulged in any of the excesses people were warned against. He wasnt the dy-namic man that Rome was, but Sarah was fond of him. Will he live? she finally asked quietly, going straight to the most important question.
Its touch and go. His wife called me; Im at the hospital now. Someone in the background said something to him, and Rome said, Hang on a minute. He covered the receiver with his hand, reducing his words to a muffled jumble of sounds. Then he came back to her, his voice brisk. He took some reports home with him this weekend that well need Monday morning. Can you go over to his house and pick them up? The housekeeper will let you in.
Yes, of course, she agreed automatically. Which reports do you need?
The Sterne financial statement, and the projected growth pattern. Look, go through his briefcase and pull out whatever you think well need. Ill see you in the morning.
But what hospital is he in? Sarah began, only to be cut off by a click. Well, there wasnt anything she could do now anyway. Shed find out more the next morning, and perhaps then there would be a more definite prognosis than touch and go. Distressed by her bosss sudden illness, she quickly combed her hair, then drove over to his house. As instructed, the housekeeper let her in, and the tiny little woman told Sarah the details. Mr. Graham had seemed fine that morning, and had played nine holes of golf. After lunch, hed complained of pains in his left arm, then abruptly collapsed.
It can come at any time, the housekeeper said solemnly, shaking her head. You just never know.
No, you never do, Sarah agreed.
It was the next morning, when she was called to an unusual meeting in Mr. Edwardss office, before Sarah realized that Mr. Grahams heart attack could drastically affect her own job. Rome was present too, his dark eyes concerned as he watched her.
Sarah darted a quick glance at him, quivering as she thought of the way hed kissed her, then just as quickly looked away. She couldnt meet the intensity of his gaze and keep her mind on her job, and that was distressing. No matter how much pressure shed been under, shed always been able to perform her duties; it was upsetting to realize that Rome could throw her off balance with just one look.
Sarah, sit down, please, Mr. Edwards invited, his shrewd eyes kind as he watched her. Sarah had always gotten along with Mr. Edwards, but hed never before asked her to attend a meeting. She sat down and calmly folded her hands in her lap.
Henry wont be back, Mr. Edwards said gently. Ive talked to his doctor personally. If he takes it easy, avoids stress, and doesnt have another attack, he may live a number of years, but he wont be able to work. Hes going to take an early retirement. Rome is being promoted to senior vice president.
Again Sarah risked a quick glance at Rome, to find him still watching her with that unnerving intensity. He leaned forward in his chair and offered, I cant hire you as my secretary. Kali has been my secretary for years, and of course shell move up with me.
That wasnt a surprise. Sarah gave him a gentle smile that ripped through his insides, causing his fist to clench suddenly. She hadnt expected to be his secretary; it would never have worked anyway. She simply couldnt have worked so closely with him, every day. It had been bad enough just seeing him occasionally. Yes, of course. Am I being fired?
Good lord, no! Mr. Edwards said, startled. No, dont think that at all. But we wanted to give you a choice. Im bringing a man in from Montreal to replace Rome, and his secretary doesnt want to relocate. If you want the job, its yours, and hes agreeable. If youd rather transfer to some other department, just say so. Youve done an outstanding job for Spencer-Nyle over the years; the choice of jobs is yours.
Sarah thought of transferring, but she really liked the intense atmosphere of the executive offices, where decisions were made that affected thousands of people. The challenge kept her interested, and though she was in proximity to Rome, the fast pace of her work tended to keep her mind off him during the day.
Id like to be his secretary, she finally answered gravely. Whats his name?
Maxwell Conroy. Hes been directing our Montreal office very competently. I believe hes English.
Yes, Rome confirmed. Probably Rome had already pulled Maxwell Conroys personnel file from the computer and memorized every word of it.
Good, Mr. Edwards said heartily, rising to his feet and signaling that they were dismissed. Rome followed Sarah out the door, but didnt return to his own office. He was close behind her as she went into her office, and he closed the door behind them. Feeling absurdly nervous, Sarah moved away from him and sought refuge behind her desk.
I want you to know, he murmured, leaning over the desk and bringing his face close to hers, I want you for my secretary badly but my common sense tells me that Id never get any work done. Id be the stereotypical boss who chases his secretary around the desk, so for the sake of the company, I suppose Ill have to keep Kali.
Sarah stared at him, losing herself in the dark wells of his eyes. I understand, she whispered.
Do you? He straightened, his smile quizzical as he looked down at her. Im not so certain that I do. Maybe you can explain it. Will you go out to dinner with me tonight?
She normally didnt make dates during the week, as she never knew when she would have to work late, but when Rome asked her, her usual caution flew out the window. Yes, please. She couldnt hide the pleasure in her eyes, and he stared at her for a moment before he leaned down once again and kissed her once, hard.
Ill pick you up at eight. How does Chinese sound?
Wonderful. I love Chinese.
Her hands shook after hed gone when she tried to get through her routine paperwork. This was beginning to look like a serious relationship, and there was no way she could back off from it, no way she even wanted to. She thought of Diane, and her eyes closed briefly. She would have died in Dianes place, if she could have, but no one had been given a choice. Rome was free now, physically and legally if not emotionally, and whatever chance she had with him, Sarah meant to take it.
* * *
If he didnt have a business dinner scheduled, Rome took her out every night that week. Sarah didnt question her good fortune; she simply enjoyed every moment she had with him. Reminding herself that hed asked only to be friends, she tried not to say anything or make any gestures that he could interpret as being flirtatious, though sometimes that hardly seemed to matter. When he kissed her good night, his light kiss would linger, as if he were inexorably drawn to the soft warmth of her mouth, and soon shed be locked in his arms as they kissed with all the pent-up fervor of teenagers. But there was no more than that; he always drew away before any deeper intimacy developed between them, and Sarah took that to mean that he didnt intend any serious relationship to grow between them. He seemed content with things as they were; he had companionship and lively conversation from her, as well as the comfort of shared interests. She wanted more; she wanted everything he had to give, but perhaps he was giving her all he had. She knew that Diane was never far from his mind, and whenever they talked about her, as they inevitably did, his expression would grow bleak.
A week after Mr. Grahams heart attack, Maxwell Conroy flew in from Montreal. He was a tall, lean Englishman with a precise British upper-class accent, a cap of golden hair, and the liveliest, most wickedly dancing blue-green eyes Sarah had ever seen. He was more than handsome; he had an ageless, aristocratic beauty to him that held women bemused, staring at him helplessly. If Sarah had been able to see anyone but Rome, she would probably have fallen in love with Maxwell Conroy on sight, but as it was, he received only her usual polite, slightly remote smile.
He wasted no time. The first time Sarah was alone with him he asked her out to dinner.
She looked up at him with startled, wide eyes. There was no way of mistaking his intentions, not with those luminous eyes so plainly telegraphing his thoughts. She bit her lip; how could she refuse him without making things difficult between them at work? She didnt want to commit herself, though, because Rome could ask her out at any time. I dont think that would be a good idea, she finally refused, keeping her voice gentle. We have to work together, and you know that although there arent any actual company rules against employees dating, its generally discouraged within the same department.
I also know that as long as people are discreet its generally ignored.
She drew a deep breath. Im seeing someone else.
Would he mind? Maxwell asked promptly, and Sarah gave a low chuckle.
Probably not, she admitted, her laugh fading into an echo of pain that was revealed in the way the soft green of her eyes grew misty with shadows.
Then hes a fool, Maxwell said under his breath, his eyes on her sleek, pale knot of hair. If you should decide to give someone else a chance, do let me know.
Yes. For a moment, she met his warm, piercing gaze. I will.
In all truth, she was more attracted to Maxwell than shed been to any other man in her life, except for Rome. Shed liked Maxwell on sight, and in a curious way she felt relaxed with him, for she sensed that he recognized the boundaries shed set and would respect them until she gave him permission to go beyond them.
That afternoon Rome and Maxwell lingered in the hallway, finishing a discussion before leaving for the day. Sarah locked up the office and murmured a good night to them as she walked past, carefully not letting her glance linger on Rome.
Maxwell turned so he could watch her walk down the hallway, his brilliant eyes narrowed with interest. Romes dark gaze sharpened, and he too turned to watch Sarah, noting the grace with which she walked, the way her skirt moved fluidly about her lovely legs. He didnt like the way Maxwell was looking at her, like a cat lovingly surveying the canary it was about to have for lunch, and a slow curl of anger began in his stomach.