by Martha Woods
They were in Miami for the longest because everything seemed to have settled down. There Skylar had finished high school and went to college like her mother had wanted. Skylar hadn’t found out that her mother was sick until her last year in school, when the effects of her illness started to physically show. Sharon had made her promise not to drop out of school, as her intention had been to drop out of school and get a job to help pay her mother’s mounting medical bills. She died a few months before Skylar graduated.
“Okay, maybe you should come and stay with me, Sky.”
She let out a laugh. “Are you insane, Dad? That is the worse idea I have ever heard. Sure, just go straight to the guy who has a bull’s eye on his forehead.”
“You can’t protect yourself from those men.”
“Like hell I can’t. I’ve managed to stay one step ahead of them and I’m going somewhere far, far away.”
“Where are you going?” Andrew asked. There was genuine concern in his voice, which Skylar ignored. It was best if he didn’t know.
“I’ll keep that to myself for now. Just be careful, Dad. I’ll call you. Okay?”
“Sky-” She quickly hung up before he convinced her to tell him where she was heading. She had always had a soft spot for her father. She was the type to always see the good in people. And she was convinced that deep down, her father was a good man. She let out a long breath as she turned her focus back to the road.
Surely if she laid low long enough, this entire thing would blow over. She smiled, feeling a sliver of hope. As soon as she had realized that she wasn’t safe, she had taken steps to get herself out of Miami. She had been scouring the internet for a job, and like a quick answer to her prayer, the job posting had appeared. Some rich business man was looking for a personal assistant in Boulder Junction. She didn’t even know where in North America Boulder Junction was until she looked it up. It was in Wisconsin, far enough from Miami.
Applying for a job as a personal assistant was a waste of her business degree, but there was something about the ad that seemed to call to her. She couldn’t explain why she had been so drawn to it. Plus, it was perfect for the time being; a job in a town far from the danger in Miami and she could start paying off her mother’s medical bills. Later, she could do what she really wanted to do: go into accounting. She had always been good with numbers and figured that was a good way to use her skill.
“This will be temporary,” she assured herself out loud.
Skylar bit her lower lip. Guilt nagged at her as she thought about the job. She didn’t think she would actually get the job without any experience but she had. The ad had specifically asked for male applicants but for some reason she had gone ahead and applied. Her name was unisex so the employer naturally assumed that she was a male.
“Oh God, I’m turning into a liar and cheat like my father.”
Well, it was too late now. She was already on her way to Wisconsin, two days earlier than planned, but she had to get going when the men showed up at the motel she had been hiding out in. This time there had been three of them. They had pulled up in front of her room in a heavily tinted van.
Not conspicuous at all, she thought, rolling her eyes. Her bags were packed and already in her car. All she had to do was slip out the back window, make it down the fire escape, and run.
* * *
Skylar smoothed her skirt as she stepped out of her car. Looking down at herself, she frowned, wishing she had something better to wear. She had always been a jeans and t-shirt girl, and the drab brown skirt suit she had on was the only business attire she owned.
She gazed up at the house in awe. It looked like a cabin but a very big one. A mansion. A mansion cabin? A cabin mansion? Whatever it was it was beautiful.
“And in the middle of the woods,” she mused, looking around.
Well, it would suit her just fine. It was secluded and far from the town. Her father’s enemies would have a hard time finding her there. She teetered on her high heels toward the door, praying that she didn’t break an ankle. Heels were something she didn’t wear often. Maybe because, subconsciously, she knew she always needed to be ready to run.
She smoothed her hair, which was caught in a simple ponytail. She figured it would make her look more business-like. When she made it up the last step and stood in front of the door, she took a steadying breath. Whoever answered probably wouldn’t be amused to find out that she wasn’t what they had asked for. She grasped the gold heart-shaped pendant around her neck that her mother had left her.
“Well, here goes nothing.”
She lifted a hand toward the brass knocker but the door opened before she could use it. With wide eyes, she stood face to face with a woman. The woman looked middle-aged with graying, black hair. She had dark skin and wore a friendly smile. Her dark brown eyes shone with intelligence and seemed to look straight through Skylar. At least, that was the impression she got from the woman’s penetrating stare. She wore an apron around her waist and Skylar wondered if she was the housekeeper, or perhaps the wife of the man she had applied to work for.
Skylar put on her brightest smile. “Hello, I’m Skylar Moore. I’m-”
“Mr. Conway’s new personal assistant,” the woman finished for her. She had an unusual accent that sounded French.
“Uh, well. I certainly hope so.” She let out a nervous giggle and clamped her mouth shut. She waited for her gender to be addressed.
“My, my. You are by far the prettiest man I have ever seen.”
Shocked, Skylar stared at the woman. She saw the humor shining in her eyes and couldn’t help smiling. Color seeped into her cheeks and she looked down at the tip of her shoes. “Er, about that. I’m so sorry but I -”
“Really need the job,” the woman finished.
Skylar glanced up. “Yes.” The woman with the assessing eyes seemed to be a mind reader.
She chuckled. “I know.”
“Uh, you do?”
“Yes, I sent for you.” She stepped aside. “Come in.”
Skylar eyed her with confusion as she stepped in. “You sent for me? Oh, you mean you posted the ad online?”
The woman’s brown eyes twinkled. “I did. Mr. Conway asked me to.” She gave Skylar a once over. “I knew you would come. You are perfect.”
Skylar tried to keep her expression neutral but the way the woman phrased her sentences were a bit off. “Perfect for the job?”
She received a smile. “Among other things. Come child. Let me introduce you to Mr. Conway.” The woman laughed. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face. I’m Farah, by the way.”
Skylar followed her. “That’s a lovely name.” Before she could ask where it originated from, she got the answer.
“Thank you, it’s Haitian.”
Skylar nodded and focused on keeping herself upright in the ridiculous shoes. She was led into what looked like a library. There were tall shelves, stacked with books - volumes rather.
“Have a seat, dear. I’ll let Mr. Conway know you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
Skylar perched on one of the cozy looking chairs. She was on edge, worrying about what would happen when Mr. Conway arrived. Farah seemed alright with her lying on her application, but would Mr. Conway be? “God, I need this job.” If she was kicked out on her ass, she had no idea where she would go or how she would get there without money.
She jumped up with a ready smile when she heard footsteps. She heard Farah say, “Mr. Conway, I must warn you -” His eyes had landed on her before Farah finished. She cleared her throat. “This is Skylar Moore, sir.”
Liam stared at the woman standing in front of him. She was all blonde hair, blue eyes and bright smile - way too perky looking. His brows knitted. “What is she doing here?”
Skylar was too busy being stunned by his appearance to answer. She thought the house was impressive, but the owner was breathtaking. The sight of him literally robbed her of breath. He was younger than she thought, much younger. Emerald e
yes gazed at her with confusion. He blinked and a lock of raven hair that was a bit too long fell over one eye. Her eyes moved down to take in his full lips and a chiseled jaw. He turned to Farah and the movement pulled his shirt tighter, drawing her attention to broad shoulders and very muscular arms. He was tall and imposing. He was perfect‒ male model perfect.
“Well?” he growled.
The deep, annoyed tone pulled Skylar from her trance.
“She is the applicant you chose to be your personal assistant, sir,” Farah said with a smirk.
Skylar eyed the older woman suspiciously. She didn’t seem at all intimidated by her very large boss. In fact, she seemed as if she was enjoying herself.
“No, I hired a twenty-four year old man with a business degree who said he could help with finances.”
Skylar held up a finger. “Th-that would be me, with the exception of being a man.” She gulped when he turned cold green eyes her way. “I can balance a check book like no other.”
Liam sighed. “Thank you for your time Ms. Moore, but I do not need a female personal assistant, especially one who lies.”
Skylar’s heart dropped. Damn it. “Now, Mr. Conway, if you’re referring to me not mentioning that I am a woman on my application, I wouldn’t call it a lie per say, more an act of omission.”
“Show her out, Farah.” He turned on his heels.
“Mr. Conway, you are being completely sexist if you think that I can’t do the job that you offered simply because I’m a woman.”
He stopped and turned back to her. His eyes traveled over her slowly, making her squirm just a bit. “Trust me, Ms. Moore, the issue is not me thinking you incompetent because of your gender.” He turned to leave again.
“Then what is it? A-are you gay?”
Farah suddenly broke out into a coughing fit. Liam froze in his tracks and Skylar clamped her mouth shut. Oh, no… foot in mouth disease, she thought. She’d always had a problem with speaking before thinking. Liam’s eyes landed on her once again and she flushed a bright pink. “I-I mean if you are, that’s totally fine. I would understand why you would prefer male company.” She really should just stop talking.
To her surprise, amusement flashed across his face. “I am not gay, Ms. Moore. I’m merely hesitant to hire a female because the last one I had took every opportunity to plot her way into my bed rather than do her job properly. She lasted a week.”
Skylar scoffed. “Well, if that’s what you’re worried about, put your mind at ease. I don’t find you the least bit attractive.” And the award for biggest liar goes to…
Liam cocked a brow but remained silent. Shoot, I offended him. She took a deep breath. She had to get this job, she had to. Come on, I’m Andrew Moore’s daughter. I can talk my way in and out of just about anything.
“Please, Mr. Conway, I really need this job. I spent all of my money to get here. I’m coming all the way from Florida. I don’t know how I’ll get back there.” He still didn’t say anything. Okay, maybe he didn’t have a sympathetic side. “Uh, one week. Give me one week to prove myself, and if I don’t have your life and business running like a well-oiled machine, then you can send me through the door. I’ll serve you breakfast in bed and give you foot rubs if I have to.” She stopped, breathless from her rapid begging. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she waited for his response.
Chapter 3
Liam stared at the woman, amused. His attention was drawn to her mouth the second she began nibbling her bottom lip with small white teeth. He couldn’t help noticing how sensually curved her plump, pink lips were and wondered how they tasted. Catching up on his wayward thoughts, he scowled. He could already tell the woman would be a distraction. He had only considered being a distraction for a female employee‒ not once did he think that he could be the one who got distracted. There was no room in his life for romance. He only ever engaged in brief affairs where the other party knew nothing about him and he didn’t care to know anything about her.
Skylar Moore, with her big, blue eyes and bright smile, made him feel funny inside and he didn’t like it. Hiring her after she lied to him wasn’t going to happen. Admittedly, it wasn’t only because she lied on her application. It was mostly because of the instant attraction he felt.
“Goodbye, Ms. Moore. I’m sorry you traveled such a long way for nothing.” It was all her doing so he shouldn’t feel guilty. Yet slivers of guilt and remorse went through him when her face crumbled.
Liam quickly turned away before he did something stupid like tell her she could stay. “Show her out, Farah.”
His housekeeper gave him a disapproving glare which made his brows shoot up. So he was the bad guy for turning down a con artist? He scoffed and kept walking. This was the last time he would leave putting up an ad online to his housekeeper.
Before sitting down at his desk, he walked to the window to look out. He froze. There was Skylar Moore, marching to her car with drooped shoulders. Her posture screamed dejection and he felt terrible, which made no sense because he didn’t know the woman. She turned to lean against her car, giving him full view of her face. It was a lovely face, heart shaped and utterly miserable.
He watched her nibble her fingernails before she let out a breath and then wiped a hand over her face tiredly. He frowned, recalling the dark circles beneath her eyes, marring her slightly tanned, creamy skin. A journey from Florida was quite long. Had she slept? Where would she stay before making her journey back home? Why did he care?
Maybe he should give her that one week trial. “No, no, no,” he hissed. He would not be sucked in by a pretty face. Yet he found his feet moving toward the door. He let out a groan as he made his way down the stairs.
Liam passed Farah who wore a satisfied smirk. “I see you’ve changed your mind, sir. I knew you would.”
Liam scowled. “How do you - never mind.” He pulled the front door open. “Ms. Moore.”
Her head snapped up and her eyes met his. Even from a distance, the blue orbs mesmerized him. Muttering a curse because of what he was about to do, he stepped outside. “I’ll grant you that one week. If you’re no good, you’re gone.”
Her eyes widened and a smile stretched across her lips. Skylar rushed forward and stumbled on her heels. Liam moved suddenly to lend a hand but she steadied herself and glanced up at him with a blush.
“These insanely high heels might get me killed,” she muttered. She extended a hand, which he accepted. “We have a deal. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.”
Skylar abruptly pulled her hand out of his and frowned. He stared at her with interest. Had she experienced the same jolt of electricity he had? Or the feeling of sheer magnetism and attraction that seemed to course through his entire being? Liam blinked and took on his usual scowl. Nonsense. Certainly there was no electricity or magnetism. It was his imagination.
“I hope so.” He said. “I’ll help you with your bags.”
“Oh, no. I can manage. I only have a few bags.”
Liam ignored her and marched to her small tan Toyota. He was already angry with himself for being weak and giving in because of a cute, sad face. He was getting soft and he didn’t like it.
“Now what kind of man would I be to let the lady carry her own bags?” He turned to her expectantly and she jumped to open the back door. Immediately he grasped the small suitcase and overnight bag on the back seat. His brows shot up. “Wow, light traveler?”
Her cheeks turned crimson as she shrugged. “Didn’t really have much to carry.”
Hearing the underlying sadness echo in her tone, he turned to study her briefly before nodding and heading back up the stone steps.
They passed Farah who was smiling from ear to ear. “Your room is ready, Ms. Moore.”
“Please, call me Skylar or Sky if you wish.”
“Sky,” Farah said softly.
Liam eyed his housekeeper suspiciously. Farah was a lovely woman who he got on well with. He knew she was a peculiar one but he couldn’t ignore the satisfac
tion radiating off of her. It was like she was ecstatic to have Skylar here. Maybe he was reading too much into her reaction. It could be that she was lonely in the middle of nowhere and wanted female company. Perhaps his new employee would begin to tire of being so far away from civilization as well. If she lasted the week anyway.
He turned to her. “I hope you don’t mind being surrounded by nothing but trees, Ms. Moore.”
“Are you kidding? I love it. This place is perfect. Who needs civilization anyway?”
He couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on his lips, which he quickly made disappear. He led her into a back room on the first floor. “This is your room for the time being, Ms. Moore. I hope everything is to your liking. Whatever you need, let Farah know.”
Skylar looked around. “Thank you, Mr. Conway. I really appreciate you giving me this chance. I can start right away. Whatever you need me to do.”
“There’s no need for that, Ms. Moore. Take the rest of today to get settled. You can start bright and early tomorrow.”
“Sure thing. Thank you so much.”
“You can stop thanking me now, Ms. Moore.”
“Right.”
Her face turned crimson again and he was annoyed by the fact that he liked it. Liam quickly made his exit and went in search of Farah. She was in the kitchen, rummaging in the refrigerator.
“Farah.”
Her head popped up. “Yes? Is Skylar settled in? She’s a lovely girl, isn’t she?”
He frowned. “I wouldn’t know. I just met the woman and so far I’m not impressed with her dishonesty.”
“Oh, come now, sir. She was desperate for a job. I for one admire her bravado.”
Liam grunted. “Sure. Let’s forget about my personal assistant for now, there are more important matters to discuss.” He lowered his voice. “Do you have anything to tell me about that arrow I showed you last night?”
“Ah, yes, the arrow. Where did you say you found it again?”
“In the woods, while I was… taking a stroll.”