At The Boss's Command. Darcy Maguire

around and shove its success in all the biggest rags and in a few faces who had failed to see how much more he was than just a suit and a bank balance.

      ‘What about the ethics of it?’

      Case smiled. ‘What ethics would they be? As the new owner I could have sacked them all but I’d rather find out how they’re doing things and where the problems lie. I’d hate to get rid of valuable staff.’

      ‘Right, sure, that’s what it is. And the fact that you were getting bored doesn’t come into it?’

      Case stared at the modern painting on the wall. Simon was too smart. ‘Okay, I admit it. I wanted to do something new. There’s no crime in that. I’m sure you’re holding the fort.’

      He was so sick of presiding over a clockwork company, being obliged to attend one function after another and kissing arse to every prestigious alliance in the business.

      ‘Sure, I can take care of the company, if I can call you to make the decisions without using some damned code.’ Simon cleared his throat. ‘But come on, be serious, what are you expecting to find there?’

      ‘I’m looking…’ Case rubbed Edi’s chin with his foot ‘…for something…’ To wipe out the empty feeling that had been eating him up inside. Ignoring it hadn’t helped. Dating hadn’t helped. Work hadn’t even helped, until now.

      ‘Well, I can tell you you’re not going to find it at WWW Designs. But are you sure about what you’re getting yourself into?’

      ‘Not a problem; nothing there that I can’t handle.’ Case rang off, Tahlia Moran’s sweet face coming to his mind.

      Tahlia Moran didn’t know what he had, the companies he owned, the properties that were his, the people that he rubbed shoulders with or the five cars parked downstairs in the garage.

      She hadn’t questioned him on choosing companies to buy out today at lunch—had probably accepted that he was playing the stock market, not playing Monopoly.

      Was this his chance?

      She was all he could think about since lunch, and he’d acted impulsively. He’d made that reckless phone call before leaving work. The one that had tortured him all the way home.

      It was way too early for gestures like that.

      Hell, was he being silly entertaining the thought that he could have a relationship with the woman? Could he be incensed by lust into making another mistake that could not only cost him dearly, but break what was left of his heart?

      The trouble was that she was incredible. A man didn’t meet incredible often in his life… How could he ignore incredible?

      Edi sat by his feet, his tail pounding the floor.

      Case glanced down at the big dark eyes of his best friend and companion. ‘I’m being an idiot, aren’t I? Getting carried away, just because I feel something more than what I normally feel. It’s nothing, right?’

      Edi’s tongue lolled out of his mouth.

      ‘Time for a walk, hey?’

      He knew exactly what he had to do. Stay away from the incredible woman, at least while he had a job to do that involved being near her.

      He could plead ignorance if she mentioned his brash action… What had he been thinking? He knew more than anyone that nothing could be built on lies.

      Case hauled himself up out of his chair. Maybe she wouldn’t even guess it was from him. She probably had a heap of men in her life anyway. A woman that beautiful…

      Case raked both hands through his hair and back over his face, slapping himself on the cheeks. This thing between them was probably nothing anyway.

      Staying away would prove that his attraction was nothing more than convenience, just because Tahlia and her hot body and fiery eyes were there, and nothing more.

      How hard could it be to avoid her?

      She wasn’t about to take up his incredibly rash invitation to be his assistant…and he’d be flat out assessing employee performance, sifting through personnel files and meeting them all, one by one. And it was a big office.

      Case swung around, striding to the hallstand and taking out the leash. Edi followed, his tongue wagging, panting his eagerness.

      There was no reason to see her at all.

      Chapter Eight

       What I want in a man on a good day:

       1) Tall, dark and reasonably good-looking

       2) White collar professional

       3) Sense of humour

       4) Reasonably sane in-laws

      What I want in a man on a bad day: space

      ‘YES, Mum. I am looking after myself.’ Tahlia threw herself on to the couch, a nuked bowl of low-fat noodle dish in one hand and the phone in the other.

      ‘And the promotion?’

      She stared at the ceiling. ‘No news yet.’ There was no way she was going there with her mother, least of all admitting how the new guy had not only taken her job but had turned her world inside out and wanted her to be his assistant—glorified or not. Her mother would go nuts.

      Her mother figured Tahlia had her life together, under control and on plan like hers was. Usually, she’d be right. Today she was so far from it, it made Tahlia’s belly fight the noodles.

      She couldn’t tell her.

      Her mother would demand the entire story and every detail so she could bestow her wisdom and advice to remedy the problem.

      Tahlia was used to it. As a child she’d listened with her mother to motivational tapes, had filled out goal sheets and dream journals and said affirmations just like her mum.

      She knew the drill and knew exactly what her mother would say and she couldn’t bring herself to share the sorry news and hear the disappointment in her mother’s voice.

      She’d tortured herself enough for one day with Case’s request to be his assistant.

      Maybe it was just another way to torture her into submission. Damn the man. Wasn’t it enough that she was tortured by his smile, his eyes, his very fine-looking body? And thoughts of him being all too human with his shaggy little dog and all.

      ‘I’ll let you know—’ she said carefully, watching her tone.

      Her mother tsked. ‘Still nothing? And you’re home this early? Couldn’t you have found something to do at the office to show them that you’re keen?’

      Tahlia sighed, pushing the red velvet cushions around beside her. ‘I have been, Mum. But I do have to have a life too.’

      She took a mouthful of noodles, staring at the newscaster on the muted TV in the corner, the pile of business management books on her coffee table and the fashion magazine laid open to the latest in-office wear for kick-arse professional women.

      ‘Are you sure you’ve done everything you can to make your boss see your assets?’

      ‘Yes, Mum.’ Tahlia couldn’t help but smile. Her new boss seemed very aware of her assets…and the thought of his blue gaze coursing over her body made her nerves tingle anew.

      There was a long pause. ‘Are you dating?’ her mother asked in a whole different are-you-running-your-life-right? tone.

      Tahlia swallowed the lump of food that threatened to choke her, putting the bowl on the coffee table beside the wineglasses and empty bowls set out for the girls. ‘Dating the boss?’ She coughed. ‘No. Of course not.’

      ‘I meant dating in general, honey. Of course you’re not dating your boss.’