AspenTrilogy (Boxed Set)

by Cindy Stark

  A cute, young doctor with plenty of ambition was what her parents expected her to bring home. Not this kind of hot temptation.

  "Winward wants to see you."

  She glanced up to find her immediate boss's assistant, Teisha, standing at the door to her office. "Me?" She'd never been summoned by the head of the medical center before. "Why? Where's Janet?"

  "I don't know," the older black woman said. "I'm a little worried. It's not like her to miss the Monday morning construction meetings. You can fill me in after your meeting with Winward."

  Katy stood and smoothed her skirt, glad that she'd dressed up, despite the weather. She grabbed a pen and a pad of paper, not sure what one took to a meeting like this, and headed to the large corner office at the other end of the second floor.

  James Winward had his head bent, appearing to study the paper in front of him as Katy approached his office. She tapped on the open door. "Excuse me. Teisha said you wanted to see me."

  Mr. Winward lifted his gaze, peering at her over the wire-rimmed glasses that rested halfway down his nose. "Come in, Miss Rivers."

  Katy swallowed and entered the lush chambers decorated with rich, mahogany furniture and gold accents. She perched on the edge of a chair opposite his desk and waited for him to speak.

  "We have a little problem."

  Her heart sank. "I'm sorry, Mr. Winward. I know my expense reports were due last Friday, but—"

  "Janet has eloped."

  His statement stalled her tongue as she tried to process the information.

  "She got married? To who?" Katy hadn't known she'd been dating anyone seriously.

  "Doesn't matter. What matters is that she's gone on an extended honeymoon and won't be back for three weeks. She's left me high and dry, right in the middle of several serious projects including finalizing budgets for the next year while trying to keep the construction costs within budget."

  "Oh, no." That was kind of a selfish, irresponsible thing to do. "I'm sorry to hear that." Still, she wasn't quite sure what the whole situation had to do with her.

  "Yes, I'm a little upset." He tapped a pen repeatedly on his desk. "When I asked her how she expected me to handle everything while she's off worshipping the sun with her blissfully wedded husband, she suggested I use your talents." Irritation left jagged edges on each word he spoke. She wasn't sure if he was more distressed that Janet had left or that she'd suggested Katy as a suitable replacement.

  "Of course. I'd be happy to help." She'd worked with her boss on many projects including the budgets, but she'd never been the lead accountant on anything. It would be difficult, but there was no way she would turn down the opportunity.

  "Good. I realize it's not much notice, but she gave you a glowing recommendation, so I'm expecting you to step up to the plate and perform. I'm sure her assistant will be of help to you."

  "Yes, I'm sure she will." Katy only hoped Teisha had more of a clue about what was going on with these projects than she did.

  "Fine. You can begin by bringing the latest construction costs to the meeting at two. We rescheduled it from this morning after Janet didn't show. Have Teisha pull the report from last week's meeting so you'll know what kind of figures I'm after." He tossed his pen down on the desk between them. "I'm counting on you, Miss Rivers. Don't disappoint me."

  "I won't, Mr. Winward." Katy clasped her hands as she stood to keep them from shaking. "I'll get started right now."

  He nodded, dismissing her.

  She exited his office with hurried steps, nerves clashing with her excitement. This day was getting crazier by the minute.

  * * *

  Katy's stomach snarled, and Teisha looked up from the opposite side of Janet's desk.

  "Sorry." Katy covered her stomach. "I'd intended to run down to the café for lunch, but never found the time."

  "If you're going to do a good job, you can't be skipping meals." Janet's assistant tossed her a disapproving look. "You're already two sizes too skinny. A man likes some meat on his woman's bones, if you know what I mean. Ain't nothing sexy about a toothpick."

  Katy had learned a long time ago there was no arguing with Teisha. And why would she want to? The woman might be on the heavy side, but she'd been happily married to her husband for forty years. She was a woman who knew how to keep her man happy.

  "You think I'm too skinny?" Katy glanced down at her clingy red angora sweater and black skirt.

  Teisha narrowed her eyes, giving Katy a once over. "Nah, I'm teasing. You're fine, girl. I'm just saying, you don't want to be losing anything you got. And boobs are always the first to go, you know."

  Katy folded her arms across her chest as though that would protect her from losing her breasts until she had a chance to grab something to eat. "Thanks, Teisha. I'll remember that." She glanced at the clock and then down at the papers spread across Janet's desk. Five minutes until the meeting. "This looks good, doesn't it?"

  "You're the accountant, Katy." Teisha gave the pile an uncertain look. "All I can say is these are the reports Janet takes to her weekly meetings. It's up to you to say if the numbers are correct."

  Katy released a sigh heavy with nerves. "I think they're good." She prayed they were. She gathered the papers, placing them in order and stood. "Wish me luck."

  Teisha laughed. "You'll be needing it." At Katy's frown, she continued. "Don't worry. They're not gods or anything, even if their egos tell them they are."

  Katy tried to accept the shot of confidence. "You're right. They're just people like you and me. I'm presenting them with information, not offerings." Although, at the moment, it felt like she was offering gifts in exchange for her life…or at least her job. "I'll see you in an hour or so." If she survived that long.

  Out in the hall, it seemed as though everyone stared at her. Several whispered. Another accountant, a dark-haired woman named Lucy stood up from her cubicle as Katy passed. "You get a promotion or what?" she said a little too loudly.

  "No." Katy shook her head. "Just filling in for Janet for a bit."

  "Why?" another guy asked.

  Katy had no idea how to answer. She certainly didn't want to light a fire under the rumor mill. "You'll have to ask Mr. Winward," she said as she hurried past.

  "Like he'd tell us anything," Lucy called after her, followed by several other murmurs.

  Katy cringed as she hurried to the other side of the floor, grateful when she'd passed the entrance to the administrative office where the atmosphere changed from noisy to quiet, and no one looked at her differently.

  She turned a corner and nearly collided into the person coming in the other direction. Her surprised gaze landed on a slick, leather jacket and quickly traveled upward to find Scott grinning down at her.

  "We meet again."

  If there was a way to record his sexy voice and lock it tight in her brain so she could replay it over and over, she would have. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

  "That's certainly not a problem for me." Flirtation twinkled in his eyes.

  She tried to breathe. It was one thing to be close to him, even kiss him, with someone else around. She'd been goaded by Nina and fueled by derision when she'd kissed him. But they were alone now, all alone, in the hallway and that felt far more intimate…and dangerous.

  She took a step back.

  He advanced forward. "I was hoping I'd run into you again today."

  She smiled, uncertain how to react. Every womanly thing inside her urged her to flirt with him, but her conscience warned her to be careful. Hot things could burn. "Me, too," she forced out. "I wanted to say thanks for the save in the elevator. Nina can be such a…"

  "Go ahead. Say it." His look dared her.

  Katy took a breath. "Bitch. She's a bitch, and I hate her." A spurt of soft laughter escaped her lips. "Wow, that sounded really grown up, didn't it?"

  "Who cares? She is a bitch. Anyone can see that."

  A genuine smile hit her lips. "Thanks for that, too, then. I'm sure it
was your intention to make me feel better, and you've accomplished that. So thanks." She extended a hand of friendship toward him.

  He took her gift, but instead of shaking her hand, he wrapped his around hers and tugged her forward. Surprise left an excited lump in her throat. She inhaled, the delicious scent of cinnamon combining with his musky cologne.

  His warm brown eyes drilled through hers until he reached an unexplored place inside her. "Don't ever think I did that as a way for you to save face. I'm not that nice. I took advantage of a situation that was offered to me, and I kissed you because I wanted to."

  She stared into his eyes, unable to move, unable to blink.

  A smile split his lips, and the spell he'd cast evaporated. "But if you're wanting to thank me, let me take you to dinner."

  "Dinner?" She couldn't picture herself sitting at a table for two with him.

  "Yes, dinner. You do know what that is?"

  "Of course." She gave herself a mental kick. It was beyond her to tell him no. "I'd love to."

  "Great." He seemed genuinely pleased. "How about Friday night?"

  Voices sounded at the end of the hall, and she took another step back as she looked to see who approached.

  Mr. Winward and his assistant.

  "Sure. Friday sounds good." She glanced down the hall again.

  "Can I get your number?" He seemed completely unaffected by people interrupting their intimate party.

  "Uh…" Her boss was almost within hearing distance though she didn't think he'd noticed her yet. "I'm late for a meeting. If you stop at the reception desk on your way out, she'll give you my work number. Work is probably the best place to reach me anyway." She stepped around him. "I've got to go."

  She hurried down the remainder of the hall toward the meeting room, walking inside just after Mr. Winward and his assistant. There were only two remaining seats at the conference table, and she chose the one next to Kevin, the soft-spoken IT guy.

  She placed her folder of papers in front of her on the table and glanced at the others who comprised the construction committee. In addition to Mr. Winward, his assistant, and Kevin, there were three doctors, a records clerk and a guy dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt that she suspected worked for the construction company. Katy released a quiet sigh and tried to reassure herself that she was well-prepared and things would be fine.

  Mr. Winward glanced around the room. "It looks like almost everyone is here." Just as he finished his sentence, the door to the conference room opened. Katy widened her eyes in disbelief as Scott walked in, carrying a cup of coffee. She glanced at all the faces around the table, expecting to see surprise or questioning in their eyes, but they all remained passive or smiled at Scott.

  "Good." Mr. Winward picked up his own coffee and took a sip. "Let's get started."

  CHAPTER THREE

  Scott sent Katy a private grin as he took the seat on the opposite side of the table next to the other outsider.

  "Thank you all for adjusting your schedules so we could meet this afternoon," Mr. Winward said. "Again, I apologize for the glitch with our accounting department. Janet will be out of the office for several weeks, so I've asked Katy Rivers to replace her on this committee. Ms. Rivers has excellent credentials, and I'm certain she'll keep us all in line."

  She dared a glance at Scott who smiled and nodded at her as though he had all the confidence in the world for her.

  "Katy, you know everyone here except for Scott Beckstead, the head of BCI, our construction company. Next to him is Kirk Lawler, our architect."

  Katy smiled a greeting at both men who reciprocated the gesture.

  "Okay," Mr. Winward continued. "I'd like to start by thanking everyone for staying on track with our projected schedule. The holidays are only a few weeks away, and I realize people will be taking days off, but I'd like to maintain our current pace if possible. Scott, your men have done an excellent job with the renovations in other areas of the building, and to the rest of you, please thank your staff for being so cooperative and patient."

  Several people nodded and murmured their agreement.

  "Next on the agenda is our financial report. Ms. Rivers, if you please."

  Katy opened her file and cleared her throat. How was she supposed to concentrate with the sexiest man alive sitting directly across from her, his dark, devilish gaze making her feel as though every inch of her was exposed to him.

  She stared at the top report, trying to get her bearings. "First, I'd like to give a basic overview of the project's budget. I'm sure most, if not all, of you have already received this information, but I'd like to make sure we're on the same page." She passed around copies of the report Teisha and she had created which listed each line item.

  Mr. Winward sent her an impatient look.

  Katy heeded his silent warning. "Actually, in the interest of time and since this isn't new information, we'll skip the review in this meeting, and you all can look at it later at your discretion and let me know if there are inconsistencies."

  Mr. Winward gave a slight nod of his head.

  "This next report will show where the budget is as of the end of last Friday. It reflects last month's installment to BCI, but not the invoice for wiring that we received this morning. According to information received from your office, Mr. Winward, the project is twenty percent complete. The second column from the right edge of your document shows the amount we expected to have spent this far into the project, and the last column shows actual expenditures. Information received from the construction company shows the project stands at three percent under budget."

  "Yes, we were able to negotiate a better price on flooring," Scott interrupted. "That accounts for the savings."

  Mr. Winward nodded. "I'm sure the shareholders will be pleasantly surprised by that news."

  Scott nodded to several people at the table, but when his gaze landed on Katy, she swore the IT people had somehow connected an electrical wire between her and Scott that left her smoldering. She could only hope the rest of the committee was oblivious to the current racing between them. "They will also be happy to hear, despite the snowy conditions outside, we've been able to move ahead with digging the hole for the new wing."

  "I'm impressed, Scott. There were some on the board of directors who were hesitant to go with a contractor who'd been in business such a short time, but you've proven time and again you're doing a damn fine job."

  "I appreciate your confidence, James."

  James? Katy raised an eyebrow at Scott. There wasn't one person in the room besides Scott and perhaps the architect who addressed Mr. Winward by his first name.

  "Okay, let's move on. Our pharmacist has suggested a couple of changes to the pharmacy that he feels will work better. Are we still okay to make changes to the interior designs?"

  The architect grimaced. "Superficial changes, yes. Anything else will set back the project and be very costly."

  Katy caught Scott's gaze again, and the other's voices faded into the background. His dark eyes flashed with amusement and seduction.

  What was she thinking? She had no business flirting with a business associate. Rule number one: never date a guy you work with. If things went south, she'd either have to pretend they'd never known each other or find another job. The first was unacceptable, and the second was unthinkable. She'd never be able to replace her job without moving to another city, and she loved her quiet little country town.

  She also had to consider the fact that he was far more experienced in life than she was. He would eat her alive. She crossed her legs, seductive thoughts sneaking in under her radar. Plus, how would she ever take a guy like him home to meet her mother?

  That was too scary to even think about.

  Sweet Mary, she had to squash this thing now.

  "Katy?"

  She jumped at the sound of her boss calling her name and caught a quick grin flash across Scott's lips as he looked down at the papers in front of him. "I'm sorry," she said. "What did you say, Mr
. Winward?"

  A frown creased his brow. "I asked what kind of numbers you have budgeted for new equipment in maternity."

  Katy flipped through her notes and mentally blew a sigh of relief when she located the correct report. "I have it right here."

  She gave her boss the information he requested.

  "What about the amount we've received from our building grant?"

  That she didn't have. Teisha hadn't mentioned it, and she hadn't seen a similar report in the stack of papers Mr. Winward's assistant had given her. "Uh, that one slipped through the cracks, Mr. Winward. I'll get that information to you right after the meeting if that's okay."

  Her boss didn't seem too happy, but he waved it away. "Have your assistant email the info to me as soon as possible."

  "Of course."

  She refused to look at Scott again for the rest of the meeting for fear of being drawn into his intriguing world and the sensual thoughts that followed. At the conclusion of their conference, she was the first to head for the door. She needed air. She needed space. She needed to be away from the sizzling hunk of temptation who made her heart dance with excitement.

  She made it as far as the end of the hall before Scott caught her elbow. "Hey. Hang on a second."

  She turned, glancing past him to see if anyone else had entered the hall. So far, they were alone. "I'm sorry. I really need to go."

  A puzzled look crossed his face. "I just wanted to apologize for distracting you in the meeting."

  "It's okay, but I can't talk right now. I have a lot of things I need to complete before I head home this afternoon including that report for everyone." Her stomach gave another rumbling growl.

  Scott raised his brows.

  Katy put a hand over her noisy mid-section. "Didn't have time for lunch."

  He nodded. "Why don't you give me your number, and I'll let you get back to work? Congratulations on the promotion, by the way."

  "It's not really a promotion. I'm just stepping in while Janet is away." She glanced at the file she had clutched to her chest before facing him again. "About that date, I've had second thoughts."