At The Boss's Command. Darcy Maguire

and many a talented person who deserved a far better boss, she’d make the sacrifice.

      She owed it that.

      TO: [email protected]

      CC: [email protected]

      FROM: [email protected]

      RE: Men

      I think you protest too much, honey.

      And Chrystal wanting a relationship? Why not?

      She’s human, isn’t she? I think eventually we all need something more in our lives. And I’m so glad I’ve found it.

      K

      Well, bully for her.

      Tahlia pushed away from the desk and rapped on Case Test-time Darrington’s door and swung it wide. ‘Good morning, Mr Darrington.’

      ‘Tahlia,’ he offered, smoothly rising. ‘I got your message. I…I was surprised, to say the least…’

      Case wasn’t wearing his suit jacket, just a baby-blue shirt sitting as enticingly around those wide shoulders as his tailored jacket had been. His trousers were dark and his deep aqua silk tie brought out flecks of dazzling light in his eyes.

      Gawd, he looked good. Too good. She shifted on her black heels. ‘Me, too. Surprised, that is.’ At the roses, at herself, at her email accepting this assistant job and at her tenacity.

      He shot her a sheepish grin. ‘I figured you’d think it was below you…’

      ‘Not at all,’ she said smoothly, flicking her fringe back. ‘You’re my boss and I’m quite happy to do whatever you feel best serves the company.’

      ‘Yes, well…’

      She stepped forward, her fingers flexing, a crazy desire to run her hand over his smooth clean jaw rushing through her. ‘And thank you for the flowers.’

      ‘Flowers? Me?’ He cast a look to the windows. ‘Sorry, I don’t know anything about flowers.’

      Tahlia paused. ‘You didn’t send the flowers?’

      ‘Look, about you being my assistant—’

      Didn’t he still want her as his assistant? Didn’t he want to admit he had the finest taste in roses? Or that he’d been thinking of her…?

      ‘Is there something wrong?’ she asked slowly, trying to make him out—just standing there looking incredibly gorgeous. His blue gaze pinned her to the spot, making her heart clatter in her chest. ‘I can procure you a secretary from somewhere else in the office if you think I’m unsuitable in any way,’ she said in a rush, running through the possibilities of stealing someone from somewhere for him if that was what he wanted.

      Case stood immobile, his brow furrowed as though he was having some war of his own.

      Tahlia flicked back her fringe, standing taller. What was she thinking? She had to do this. It didn’t matter how cute or hot or serious he looked. ‘But I do think that your idea of me helping you out and acclimatising you to the office is a great one. Save you a lot of time and it’s not like it has to be for ever, just a few days or so. I can help you out and do my job, just from the desk here.’ She jabbed her thumb behind her.

      That should be enough. It wasn’t as if he would pose much of a challenge, not when he was looking at her like that, running his gaze down her black trouser suit that was tailored perfectly around the soft curves of her hips, the jacket contoured perfectly to shape her waist, the lapels small but angled low, highlighting the lace chemise-like top she wore like a shirt and the view of the valley of her breasts it afforded.

      It was a great choice for suggesting a softer, gentler side, a side that was all ears to whatever he wanted to share.

      ‘Great. I’m glad you agree…’ He ran a hand through his hair, pulling his gaze to her face and her Peach Passion lips ‘…with my idea. That’s great… I’m sure this will be great. Thanks.’

      She sauntered to the chair by the wall, gripping the back tightly, avoiding the windows. How long would she have to endure this extreme torture at the mercy of those incredible blue eyes and deep voice and steamy looks?

      Tahlia slid on to the chair, crossing her legs carefully. ‘So where do we start?’ she said softly.

      Case sat down, holding his hands tightly in front of him. ‘How about we start with you? How about you tell me a little about your history, your aspirations and what the company needs to do to help you fulfil those goals?’

      ‘My goals?’ She couldn’t help but stare at the guy in the big black leather chair that was going to be hers, the office that ought to have her name on it, the walls she was going to hang her photos and qualifications on and the bank of windows that she’d been ready to hang vertical blinds on. What could she say?

      He leant forward, his eyebrows rising slightly. ‘You do have goals?’

      ‘Of course I have goals,’ she bit out. How dared he? ‘I’ve had goals since I was twelve, when I decided I was going to run a kick-arse company like this one, and not for one minute have I ever questioned that I was going to make it. My aspirations? To sit at the head of this company and run it properly and squash all the rumours.’

      ‘Rumours?’

      Tahlia bit her lip, breathing slowly, willing her blood to cool and her heart to slow. ‘There have been a lot of rumours about the company lately,’ she said more carefully. Had she messed up? ‘You know, about how much financial trouble they’re in.’

      ‘Oh?’

      She shrugged. ‘I’m surprised that a man as smart and as finger-on-the-pulse as you would want to get on board with a company obviously in trouble. There’s even a lawsuit going because Raquel messed up.’

      ‘That’s been settled.’

      Tahlia frowned. ‘How do you know?’

      ‘I…’ Darrington rubbed his jaw ‘…heard it on the grapevine.’

      ‘Okay,’ she said slowly. ‘And why did you come here?’

      He leant back in his chair. ‘I like a challenge.’

      ‘You’re not worried?’

      He shook his head and stood up. ‘No. Are you?’ He moved around the desk and leant on the edge, looking down at her, his arms crossed. ‘Why would you stay on if the company is in trouble?’

      Tahlia looked up at her boss, appreciating his move to that of dominance, and his wide shoulders. He was looking down at her with his dreamy blue eyes, his profile all power and his lips so enticing… It was a good move, to show who was boss.

      ‘I’ve got friends here,’ she said evenly. ‘They need their jobs and I figure I’m helping by staying, you know.’ She shrugged and stood up. Had she been too honest? ‘I’ve put a lot of work into this place; it would be hard to walk away.’ Incredibly hard, but if she had to go she was determined on doing her bit first.

      She was close, just having the height advantage due to the fact he was leaning his cute butt on the edge of his desk and she was wearing heels.

      She took a step closer, her brain stumbling for what she could do to soften the guy up. ‘So I’m here and eager to do whatever I can to get the company back on track, on plan, on the path to success and happiness for all.’

      Case stood up. ‘Well, we’ll do our bit as best we can then, yes?’

      Tahlia looked up into his face, fixing her gaze on his sapphire-blue eyes that were looking down at her, slightly narrowed as though trying to make her out. ‘Sure, but there’s one thing I have to know first,’ she said.

      ‘Yes, what’s that?’ he asked, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

      Her mind went blank.