‘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 got a call to make then we’ll talk.’
Why? Lauren blinked, stretched, and changed her mind about going for a cold drink. She did a few leg raises, wriggled her fingers, and resumed work.
She tried to ignore the steady drone of his husky voice, interspersed with laughter and long pauses. The gentle tone she’d never heard him use before implied it had to be a woman he cared for. Her stomach knotted and her fingers curled. If she’d dared, she’d have closed the communicating door so she wouldn’t have to hear.
His call ended, and she sighed with relief, entered a date for checking, and scrolled down peering at the screen. Neck tingles alerted her as he walked in and sat on the edge of her desk.
Letting her hands fall into her lap, she looked up. Her throat dried, and she wished she’d gone for that drink. Her chest tightened under the intensity of his gaze. It was as if he were searching for her innermost secrets.
‘Do you have plans for Saturday night?’
‘What?’ She jolted upright, gripping the armrests for support. Stared, mouth open, too shocked to think.
His sudden wide smile confused her more, sending her body temperature soaring. Heart-stoppingly handsome before, even with the ravages of fatigue, he was elevated to drop-dead gorgeous.
‘It’s a simple question. Are you free on Saturday night?’
‘I may not be here by then.’ Breathless and throaty, not sounding like herself at all.
‘No.’ Sharp. Irascible. ‘No.’ Gentler, more controlled. ‘Even if you find the cause of the anomalies, there’ll be tidying up to do.’
‘Why are you asking?’
What could he possibly want from her?
His light chuckle skimmed across her skin.
‘I’d like you to be my partner at a corporate dinner.’
‘Dinner? Why me?’ Her common sense brain patterns seemed to have deserted her.
He leaned forward, and what little breath she managed to inhale was pure ocean breeze.
‘A thank you for having my back today. Duncan and Clair like you, and we’ll be at their table.’
‘Surely there’s someone else you could take.’
‘After seven years away and working up to eighty hours a week? Anyone I knew is long spoken for. My sister only consented to accompany me out of pity.’
His sister. She flopped. She’d been jealous of his sister.
No! Not jealous.
‘Well?’ His eyes were like laser beams searching for the answer he wanted.
‘Won’t she be disappointed?’
‘Ah, that’s where my negotiating skills came in. I’ve offered to babysit my two nephews, and shout her and her husband dinner at the restaurant of her choice. She’ll have a romantic evening for two instead of set menu, speeches and dancing with her brother.’
Dancing. In his arms.
Too close. Too dangerous. You’re already in too deep. Say no, thank you.
The phone on his desk rang. He muttered a low hoarse sound, and appeared reluctant to move.
‘Will you come with me, Lauren?’
‘Yes.’
Wrong. Idiot. Wrong.
He stroked a feather-touch path down her cheek, immobilising her senses, then smiled again, sending them all haywire.
‘Thank you. I promise you won’t regret accepting. Do you want to take an early leave? You’ve had an eventful day.’
‘I’m fine. I’ll keep going, and you need to reply to that call.’
Fine didn’t come near to describing how she felt. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, her lungs were having trouble pumping air and her heart was pounding. And she couldn’t tell if it was joy or fear driving them.
Matt had avidly watched the ever-changing emotions in her eyes. Confusion, surprise, shock when he mentioned his sister, and then pleasure as she blurted out her answer. It was as if she were afraid her brain would rebel and refuse his request if she dithered any longer.
He’d gripped the desk to prevent his arms reaching for her, the urge to hold her stronger than he’d ever felt. And then what? He had no idea; with her he was in uncharted waters.
He was, however, determined that before he let her go he’d persuade her to reveal her inner torments, and help her overcome them. He knew with an innate certainty the inner woman was as beautiful as her outward appearance.
* * *
Lauren arrived early the next morning even though she’d taken extra time on her hair and make-up. She’d fallen asleep thinking of ball gowns—she’d have to buy one, plus matching accessories—romantic music and dancing with a stunning male in tailor-made formal wear.
It had been dark when she’d woken, her mind buzzing with an idea generated by her discussion over the phone with Pete in Sydney. Eagerness to try it had warred with the desire to look extra good for Matt, so she’d skipped breakfast and bought a sandwich on the way.
The disappointment at his absence was countered with optimism that she’d be able to give him the answers he’d requested. Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard. If she was correct, today might be her last day in this room, so close to him. Even when he was elsewhere
in the building, she felt his presence, and his unique aroma lingered in the air.
She’d spend the rest of her working life breathing in expectantly and being disenchanted. Not even the same brand would suit because it wouldn’t have his essence.
She booted up. She’d promised to do her best for him, and would, even if it meant she lost out.
* * *
Matt arrived mid-morning, eager to see her. He was perplexed by her reticence on the phone when he’d called to say he’d been delayed. If she was having second thoughts about Saturday, he’d have to talk her round.
In his hurry to see her he left his jacket in the car. Not caring, he barrelled through his office to her door where her grave expression pulled him up short. Even as the truth hit home his subliminal mind noted she wore extra make-up. Subtle and captivating.
‘You’ve solved it.’ It was what he wanted, had hired her for. So why the heaviness in his chest, and the sudden nausea attack?
She nodded and he swung away to fetch his chair, wheeling it over to her desk. His gut told him it wasn’t good and he braced for the worst. Her delicate fragrance taunted him with every intake of air.
Her blue screen was blank except for a familiar symbol.
‘And this is...?’ He already knew—wanted confirmation yet dreaded receiving it.
Lauren hesitated, hating that what she was about to reveal would hurt him, She had no choice, pressed enter, and a box with a request for a password appeared.
‘It’s deliberate and there are limited people who had access. Joanne said—’
‘You’ve discussed this with her?’ His body surged forward. Anger flashed in his eyes, giving them more animation than she’d seen since they met.
‘No! We shared a coffee break yesterday, and she said they’d lost good employees. You referred to the staff turnover last Thursday.’
‘I did. I apologise.’ It was terser than he’d been lately, with no relenting of his indignant stance.
‘It wasn’t gossip. Joanne admires your father very much. I got the impression his health had worried her for ages. She said how well he and the staff got on, what a great boss he was, and that he’d installed a number of the programs himself.’
‘I didn’t know. I wasn’t here.’ He ground one fist into the other palm.
‘It has to be my father.’
CHAPTER SIX
HIS WORLD HAD imploded at the sight of the icon. This was confirmation of the suspicion that had grown as he’d checked the records, hoping his father’s worsening dementia had been responsible for the unaccountable swings. Saying the words out loud enforced the actuality.
He moved closer and typed in the heading on the plaque in his father’s home study, his fingers surprisingly steady in contrast to the agitation in his gut. Two screen changes and he had the answers he needed. And a whole new bunch of complications.
Elbow on the desk, hand clenching his jaw and mouth, he gaped at the folder titles, anger building at the subterfuge of the man he’d admired. What the hell had he been planning?
‘Would you like me to leave while you examine the files?’
He didn’t turn, couldn’t face her. Needing air and time to come to terms with the harsh reality in front of him, he pushed away from the desk, shot to his feet and swung away from her.
‘No. Close it down.’
He strode out of both offices, his mind churning with distasteful words: fraud, embezzlement, jail. Ignoring the lift, he went to the stairwell and headed down. There was no more doubt, no more hope of technical glitches, or outside scamming.
If he reported what they’d found his father would be investigated. If he didn’t...not an option. He’d fight like hell to save the company and his new enterprise with Duncan but the appropriate authorities had to be informed. Whatever the cost to his own personal reputation, everything had to be open and above board.
He wasn’t sure how many floors he pounded down and up again. As his head and his options became clearer, he realised he’d left Lauren in the lurch. She’d succeeded in the task he’d given her, and he’d growled and walked out. Had she left? Would she equate him with his father?
His angst eased a little when he found her sitting by the window in her office writing in a small notebook. She raised her head and he gazed into sweet hazel eyes, full of compassion and offered with complete sincerity. A haven from the tempest.
* * *
Lauren sat stunned after he’d barked out the order to shut down and stormed out. He hadn’t even glanced at her, just bolted.
After closing down and writing out instructions to access the files, she went for a drink of water, pondering her future, which might be closer than she’d expected. She’d done the job, found what the anomalies hid. Not knowing what the folders contained, she assumed they’d need to be audited, and that wasn’t her expertise.
Did this change his invitation for Saturday night? Would she be starting her exploration of rural South Australia earlier than anticipated? She was no longer required so why didn’t she feel the usual elation of success? The bubble of enthusiasm for the next assignment?
She took a notebook from her bag and tried to makes notes and failed. Her mind was on the distraught man who was trying to come to terms with his father’s deceit. This was a major blow for him. He deserved privacy to come to terms with tangible proof of his father’s duplicity and the fallout effects to his family.
His entrance was as abrupt as his departure. He paused for a second in the doorway then walked slowly towards her, midnight-blue eyes dark and unsure of his reception. Her skin tingled, and her heart somersaulted. She trembled as she met his gaze, stood and dropped the book and pen onto the chair.
He took her hands and squeezed them, his Adam’s apple convulsing, and his mouth opening and shutting without sound. Slowly, gently he caressed up her arms to hold her shoulders, and inched closer. He stroked her cheek, caught a strand of her hair and twined it round his finger. When she placed a hand on his chest, he shuddered.
If Lauren’s heart swelled an atom larger, it would burst from her body. Heat spiralled from deep in her belly, drying her throat, searing her from within. He evoked feelings she’d never have believed herself capable of, made her aware of a physical wanting she’d only read of in books. He coloured her dreams in brilliant shades and sunshine.
His eyes were searching for her soul and she couldn’t look away. Mesmerised by their power, she leant forward in a mirror image to his movement. Stilled when he straightened up, a guttural sound coming from deep in his throat. His hands dropped to his sides, leaving her cold where his fingers had been.
‘I... This... Hell.’ Forceful. Passionate. ‘I’d planned for a special lunch with you so we could talk.’
He rubbed the back of his neck and his face contorted as he stared at the computer.
‘I have to deal with this now and find out what he’s done.’
She understood the battle he was fighting—his family’s good name was in jeopardy—but it hurt. She felt as if she’d been dismissed. Gathering up her pen and book, she moved to the desk for her bag and took a sheet of paper from the top drawer.
‘These are the access instructions.’ She put it on the desk top, Had to get out before she broke down and cried.
‘Lauren?’ The anguish in his voice tore at her heart. She turned and saw a different battle in his eyes, one that clogged her throat and tripped her heartbeat.
‘Thank you. I may not seem grateful at the moment but I do appreciate all you’ve done.’ He gestured at the computer. ‘If possible we’ll have lunch tomorrow or Friday.’
‘I’d like that.’ Much, much more than like.
‘There can’t be much you don’t know or haven’t guessed so you must know the ramifications could send us under.’
The poten
cy had gone from his voice, giving him an endearing vulnerability, making her care for him even more. With his strong will, it would only be a temporary effect of the devastating blow.
‘If there’s anything I can do.’ She moved forward until she inhaled his cologne. She was so going to miss the fragrance. The walks she always enjoyed along windswept beaches, especially prior to an impending storm, were going to be a mixture of pleasure and pain for ever.
His rueful smile made her long to wrap her arms around him for comfort.
‘I’m sure there will be at some stage. There’s nothing now so take a few hours off.’
When she left he was talking on his mobile, an open file on her screen in front of him.
* * *
The size of the hidden program astounded Matt. There were accumulated folders and files dating back six years, money transferred in, none out. He studied names and figures, made calls to his accountant, lawyer and Alan. No amount of trying could curb the resentment at his father’s deception beginning long before the onset of his dementia.
Cheating was unjustified, in any form. Marcus, acquaintances, even friends deemed nothing wrong with bending rules or breaking promises. A few months ago he’d let himself be fooled by a scheming woman, and had been on the verge of pledging his life and honour to her. She’d claimed to love him, a blatant lie.
Now he was more cynical, and had no faith in romantic declarations. He’d make that clear before entering into any relationship. No emotions, no lies, and nobody got hurt.
Which meant no involvement with Lauren. She was a for-ever kind of girl who’d weave romantic dreams around kisses and...hell, again he’d come so close to kissing her today.
It might be for the best that she’d be leaving soon. It wouldn’t be until he was sure there was nothing else hidden, and not until he’d treated her to a night she’d always remember.
He clicked the mouse, and rechecked the folder list. He’d need hard-drive copies of everything plus paper copies of the folder list, maybe others. Lauren’s help would be invaluable as he dealt with any authorities who’d have an interest in any aspect of the clandestine accounts.
A Bride for the Brooding Boss Page 6