“Really? Hmm.” His tone was skeptical. “No one named Leonard?”
“What’s the last name?” Tony asked.
“I can give you the middle name, too.” He met her gaze and there was laughter in his eyes. “Leonard Sebastian Honeycut.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell,” Carrie said, giving Olivia a what-are-you-thinking look before blanking her expression. “You guys?”
“Nope,” Tony said. “Never heard of him.”
“Me, either,” George echoed.
“So she never talked about meeting someone outside the office?” Brady persisted.
“Not to me.” Carrie looked at her colleagues, who shook their heads. “We did go out for drinks and dinner a couple of times. Thank you for that, by the way.”
“You’re welcome. Happy employees are productive employees.”
“We like working for you, for this company.” Carrie met Olivia’s gaze and it was clear the young woman had made up her mind which side her bread was buttered on. “As far as I know, there’s no one named Leonard on the payroll.”
“Brady, stop interrogating them,” Olivia scolded.
It wasn’t like him to do that. She got the feeling he was up to something.
“I’m just making small talk,” he defended, then looked at his three young employees. “But she’s right. You go in and have fun.”
“Thanks, Mr. O’Keefe.”
“It’s Brady.” He smiled his charming smile, the one that won over men and women, friends and enemies alike. “Enjoy yourselves. You’ve earned it. I appreciate your loyalty and hard work.”
“Yes, sir.”
The employees walked away and Olivia was alone with him. This was as good a time as any to give him a piece of her mind.
“That was completely unprofessional.”
“What?”
“Asking about Leonard.” She glared at him. “This is business. You’re the president of this company, not the gossip columnist for a Hollywood rag sheet. You set the tone.”
“I am the president and as such I should get to ask anything I want.”
“Not about my personal life.”
“Speaking of that,” he said, completely unrepentant, “it seems that no one knows anything about Leonard. It’s as if he’s a ghost.”
Kind of, but she wasn’t prepared to confirm it. “And that remark is exactly what I mean. You put those poor kids on the spot just now.”
“Not really. I was asking about events in a remote office of my company. That’s what this weekend is all about. Connecting with my employees.”
“Not when you’re connecting about my social life,” she argued.
“This is a social occasion,”
“But still under the heading of business. It’s a professional setting and Leonard is personal.” Brady had no idea how personal, and she planned to keep it that way. She stood up but he still towered over her. “It’s not the right place to quiz them about the personal stuff. Which I keep separate—whether I’m here or somewhere else traveling for the company.”
Brady took a step closer and their bodies were inches apart. Suddenly heat sparked in his eyes. “What’s wrong with mixing business and pleasure?”
A thrill shimmied down her spine, darn it. She was almost home free and needed to be strong. “It’s never a good idea. And I’m sure you’re aware of that. Probably in the first chapter of the textbook for college business class one-oh-one it lists all the negative aspects of doing that.”
It was awfully tempting to call his bluff, though. He’d been baiting her for a couple of weeks now and if she believed taking him up on the challenge would change anything, she’d do it in a heartbeat. But she wanted a family. She needed someone to love her, someone she could fall in love with. He’d shut that part of himself down for so long, it was just possible that no one could turn it back on.
“Here’s the thing, Liv. Kisses don’t lie.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he touched a fingertip to her lips, trapping the words in her throat. “We can debate the hows of it happening until hell won’t have it, but that’s not important.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What’s important is that you kissed me back. You know it and I know it. The reality is that if you were happy with Leonard, you’d have shut it down before I had a chance to know you were kissing me back.”
Defending her make-believe boyfriend was the only comeback she could muster. Confirming she had kissed him back was a dangerous place to go. “That’s not fair to Leonard.”
“Let’s get something straight, Olivia. I care about you, not Leonard. And if I can take you to bed, he’s clearly not the man for you. That’s information you need to have before giving up everything for him.” There was a fierce possessive determination in his eyes before he turned and walked away.
Olivia was pretty sure that Brady O’Keefe had just given her fair warning that he planned to seduce her.
Chapter Thirteen
And if I can take you to bed...
Olivia was pretty sure there was no if about it.
The thought had been rolling around in her head for twenty-four hours. It was Saturday night and she was sitting beside Brady at the employee dinner. She hadn’t seen him all day, since they’d both been busy sitting in on different workshops and networking with employees from the various regions. Mostly she’d been working hard at avoiding him.
There was no way to duck him now. She’d made the seating arrangements for this dinner in advance and they were side by side at the head table with Ian Bradshaw and Jake Barnes, vice president in charge of company research and development.
“The restaurant looks great.” Brady leaned closer and his breath stirred her hair.
Normally tables filled the center of the room, but tonight they were arranged so that a space was empty for dancing after dinner.
She looked at him. “The manager was fantastic about working with me. But I guess when you can afford to reserve the place for a private party, it buys you a whole lot of cooperation.”
“You had them move all the tables.”
“Yes.” Theirs was right in front of the fireplace, where flames snapped and crackled cheerfully.
Salads had been eaten and removed. Now the waitstaff was serving dinner to the employees first. While they waited, Brady poured her another glass of red wine. She was feeling the first one a little and realized between being super busy and really keyed up, she hadn’t eaten much that day.
She looked at Brady, trying to read his mind. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“What if I am?”
“Bad idea. I have to drive home.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t have a room here at the lodge?”
“No. I live local.”
“Me, too, but I have a room. Suite, actually. This is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Blow off steam. Relieve a little stress.”
To not have a room under the same roof with him would be less stressful. “I decided I’d rather sleep in my own bed.”
“We’ll see about that.”
When the corners of his mouth curved into a smile, her heart started to pound. She wasn’t sure if the words made her hopeful or scandalized. She’d been prepared for his usual tactics to change her mind about resigning. She’d braced for offers of a generous raise. Promotion. Delays in hiring her replacement. She’d even made up a fake boyfriend to create a safe zone. But now she was in uncharted territory, because she’d never stood her ground and actually made it this far in the resignation process.
After what he’d said last night, she knew Leonard’s usefulness was pretty much over, because Brady was right. If he could make her kiss him back, and he had, then she had no business being with another man. He was giving her his undivided a
ttention. How could she protect herself against what she’d wanted for almost as long as she remembered?
She didn’t know what to say and decided it would be a good idea to change the subject. Fortunately the waiter put plates of food in front of them.
“So,” she said, “everyone seems to be having a good time.”
Brady glanced around the room where all the tables were filled with men and women laughing and talking, eating and drinking. On the boss’s dime, and a very good investment of money.
His gaze swung back to her, then lowered to her cleavage. A hungry look that had nothing to do with the expensive steak on his plate slid into his eyes. “I like your dress.”
“Thanks.”
She didn’t tell him it was new or that she’d bought it wondering if he’d notice that the black-and-silver skirt swirled in a flirty, floaty way at her knees. Or that the sleeveless straps gave way to a dangerously low neckline. It made her feel feminine and just a little wicked. Also it was a little about how do you like me now that I’m leaving?
“Have I seen it before?”
The words rubbed against already raw nerves and she wanted to babble, but forced herself not to. She only said, “No.”
Then she picked up her fork and knife. Keeping her mouth full seemed like a good plan. She’d been taught not to talk with her mouth full.
After that the men at the table carried the conversation during dinner. Since she had a knot in her stomach the size of Montana, Olivia mostly moved the food around her plate. Before anyone noticed, the waitress removed everything and commenced dessert service. With the boss’s permission to do whatever she wanted, Olivia had picked the menu, particularly the scrumptious seven-layer chocolate cake that was her favorite. How sad was it that she couldn’t eat a bite of it?
Fortunately this was the part of the program where Brady would say a few words to his employees. The jury was still out on whether or not his standing up to do that would help her nerves, but she’d take what she could get.
At his signal, one of the waitstaff handed him a portable microphone. Brady tapped it to make sure the thing was on, then said, “Good evening. I hope you all enjoyed the day and this wonderful dinner.”
Cheers, whistles and applause filled the room and he smiled. “Excellent. Now that you’re all in a good mood, I have an announcement to make.”
Everyone got eerily quiet and Olivia could see worry creep into their expressions. The three L.A. people, Tony, George and Carrie, looked at her for reassurance and she smiled. It would be all right. Brady would make it all right. But for several years the economic climate had been dismal and once you survived something like that, job insecurity was always on your mind.
“This is good news. I promise.” Brady saw the uncertainty, too. “In the spring, O’Keefe Technology is breaking ground on a corporate headquarters right here in Blackwater Lake.”
Olivia had known this was coming, but not what Brady would say about it publicly. The words didn’t seem to reassure anyone. No doubt they were all still wondering how this change was going to affect them personally.
“First of all, you need to know that your jobs are safe. Every last one of you is part of making this company successful and I couldn’t have done it without your hard work. But the time has come for aggressive expansion, and that means I need a grown-up office that’s not in my house.” Laughter and applause greeted his words, showing everyone was starting to relax.
“Obviously some departments will be moving here to Montana. For anyone who relocates, there will be financial help from the company. So I hope you had an opportunity to get out today and see what the beautiful town of Blackwater Lake has to offer. Scenery to take your breath away. Clean air. Summer and winter activities.” He looked down at her. “Olivia and I grew up here. We can tell you from firsthand experience that it’s a great place to raise a family.”
She knew this was a positive thing for his company and was happy about that. But the announcement made her heart heavy. Brady was a generous and caring boss who would take care of the people who worked for him. She’d probably never have a better employer. But it also made her sad that he could think about their families even when he wouldn’t take that step for himself.
“In the coming weeks, information on all of this will be forthcoming. If there are any questions, you can check with your supervisor or manager or shoot me an email. We’ll try to get answers for you. With your help, we’ll make this a smooth transition. Thanks again for all you do.” There was more enthusiastic clapping and he waited for it to die out. “The rest of the night is for you to have fun. The DJ is set up. He’ll take your musical requests and the floor is open for dancing. Have a wonderful evening. And thanks for coming to Blackwater Lake.”
After his remarks, Brady handed the microphone back to someone from the restaurant staff, then he sat back down beside Olivia. The DJ started the music with a slow song.
Brady held out his hand. “We can’t leave until all our guests are gone, so you might as well dance with me.”
“There are the words to make a woman go warm and gooey.” Apparently the knot in her stomach made her go from spineless to defiant, because she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Brady. There are details that need attention.”
Before he could challenge her, she stood and moved away. After dodging him for a while, she danced with Ian Bradshaw and Jake Barnes. Both of them were single and good-looking, but neither gave her the zing that warmed her blood or made her heart beat faster.
Several hours later Olivia was tired. The DJ had announced last call, then packed up a little after midnight. She was so ready to go home, but stragglers stood around talking for another half hour.
Brady said good-night to a group he’d been chatting up, then returned to where she was sitting by the fire. “Do you think it would be rude to ask them to leave?”
“Yeah,” she said, “I’m pretty sure it would.” Maybe even a little ruder than turning him down for a dance.
“Then I guess we have no choice but to wait it out.”
“You can leave.” Olivia wished he would. “I’ll stay and supervise.”
“Nope. If you’re staying I am, too.”
So they did. For another fifteen minutes they made small talk about the dinner while trying not to look eager for everyone to call it an evening. Finally the last four waved a good-night and shouted a “thank you for everything” while heading out the door.
Jenel Parks, the pretty blonde restaurant manager, came over. “That’s a bunch of party animals who work for you, Brady.”
“I prefer to think of them as enthusiastic.”
“Whatever.” She stifled a yawn. “I’ll lock up now.”
“Okay.” Olivia picked up her purse and black coat. “Thanks for everything, Jenel.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to next year.”
Olivia felt the stab of those words, because she wouldn’t be part of it. That event would be coordinated by someone else. She and Brady left the restaurant and walked down the carpeted hall toward the Lodge’s lobby. Just before turning the corner, he took her hand to stop her.
“I’ve been waiting all night to do this.”
Sexual intensity sizzled in his eyes as he cupped her face in his hands. Softly, sweetly, he touched his mouth to hers. He kissed her over and over, gently nibbling her lips and shattering her defenses at the same time.
It was awhile before he lifted his head and looked at her, passion humming through him. She tried to step away, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Time is running out, Liv. You agreed to stay through this event and now it’s over. You’ll be gone soon.” He dragged in a deep breath. “I have enough regrets in my life and many of them I couldn’t do anything about. But I don’t have to live with the regret of not having yo
u in my arms for one night.”
Olivia could feel her weak protest disintegrate as soon as the echo of his words died away. She’d been right earlier. There was no way to prepare herself to walk away from this, and she couldn’t do it.
She met his gaze. “So I guess you were right about me not sleeping in my own bed.”
His only response was sexy smile that simmered straight through to her soul.
* * *
The elevator ride to Brady’s suite was the longest and shortest of Olivia’s life. She was both nervous and could hardly wait. It was a tie as to whether the upward movement or a severe case of anxiety was causing her stomach to roll. Then he linked his fingers with hers and relief trickled through her that keeping the physical connection was important to him, too. He met her gaze as he brought their joined fingers to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand.
The gesture was sweet yet erotic and made her shiver with anticipation. Her tingles had tingles; her goose bumps had goose bumps. And then they stopped at the top floor, his floor.
He let her precede him out of the elevator and guided her, settling his hand at the small of her back just where her dress stopped and bare skin began. At the end of the hall, they paused in front of a door and he took out his wallet to retrieve the key card.
“Do you have condoms in there?” She blinked up at him as the horror of her words sank in. “I have no idea why I said that.”
“Don’t you?” Instead of being offended, Brady seemed amused. His grin widened before he said, “It’s because you’re organized and leave nothing to chance.”
“Is that a polite way of saying I’m a control freak?”
“Not at all.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “But Liv?”
“What?”
“Trust me. I think ahead, too. Just relax.”
Yeah, that would happen. “Okay, then.”
It’s just that she wanted this to be perfect. Life rarely lived up to imagination, and hers had been traveling at warp speed since he’d first kissed her.
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