At The Boss's Command. Darcy Maguire

something I can do for you?’ he asked, cringing. He had a fair idea what the woman wanted and there was no way he was going there.

      ‘Actually, yes,’ she purred, leaning into him as though she still had her revealing top on. ‘I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me some time, you know, like on a date.’

      Case swallowed hard. ‘I’m flattered by your offer, but I—’

      She touched his arm, pouting. ‘You want to get to know all your staff, don’t you? Well, some of your staff are worth getting to know better.’

      Tahlia’s smiling eyes leapt to his mind.

      Chrystal stroked his arm. ‘And there’s only so much you can find out about a person by working with them.’

      ‘Ye-es,’ he said slowly, the idea tumbling through his mind.

      She sighed deeply. ‘I understand that it’s just so much easier for some people to open up to others after hours, away from the workplace.’

      He nodded slowly. ‘Look, it’s been lovely talking to you but I have to get back to work.’

      ‘Don’t you think I’m pretty?’

      Case froze. He was on dangerous ground. He knew more than anyone what a woman scorned was capable of. ‘Yes, but—’

      She reached up and stroked her fingers down his cheek. ‘So don’t you think you should give “us” a chance?’

      Us? Case stepped back. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t.’ His mind spun. ‘I’m just not…up to it.’

      The woman’s forehead creased. ‘Okay, but whatever the problem is, I think I could help.’

      He sucked in a deep breath. ‘It’s something that only time can heal, I’m afraid.’

      ‘Oh?’ She touched her palm against his chest.

      ‘Yes,’ he rushed on, extricating himself from her hand. ‘I’m not ready. I can’t. I’ve just been divorced, only a few months ago…and I can’t. It was tough. Nasty. You know, bad.’

      Chrystal’s eyes widened. ‘Oh.’

      ‘So thank you for your kind offer, but—’

      ‘I understand,’ she said softly, patting his shoulder. ‘Sure. I get it. Just know I’m here for you…for anything, even talking, if you need to.’

      He sighed. ‘Thanks.’ He sidled past her, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe he’d said that to her. It was the truth. He’d been divorced…nearly twelve months ago. And although he’d dated on and off, he wasn’t dating anyone manipulative and self-serving like Celia. No chance in hell.

      Case detoured via Sales. She had been right about one thing, though.

      He glanced into the Sales Director’s office, at Tahlia, bending over her desk, gathering files, juggling coffee and balancing a pen between her lips. Was he asking too much of her?

      Doing her job and helping him was a big ask. But by the gleam in her eyes she seemed to be enjoying the challenge.

      He was glad she thrived on it. He liked being near her. Had enjoyed the day with her, having her leaning close to him, her perfume sweeping around him, her warm body close, her sweet voice explaining patiently the ins and outs of the place.

      He knew enough about WWW and what a Marketing Executive did; now all he wanted was to know about her.

      Any time he managed to get her mind off the business at hand she started asking questions he couldn’t possibly answer about himself, yet.

      She was driving him crazy.

      She swung around.

      ‘What are you doing for dinner tonight?’ he blurted.

      She lifted an eyebrow.

      Case moved forward and plucked the pen from her lips, searching her eyes for the answer. ‘I’d like to take you to dinner.’

      She hesitated.

      ‘Somewhere nice.’

      ‘O-kay. Sure. Why not? We can get to know each other a bit better. You know, you could tell me all about yourself,’ she rushed on.

      ‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘Ditto.’

      ‘Ditto it is.’ She shot him a smile, sweeping out of the door, her eyes glittering.

      TO: [email protected]

      CC: [email protected]

      FROM: [email protected]

      RE: Baby shower

      Gals,

      Re my baby shower on Saturday. No strippers—my mother is coming. (This is not a hen night, that’s for Em. Save stud for then. My mum is not coming!) Have you met our born-again virgin, Chrystal? Yes, she’s taken a vow of…da-da da-dum…celibacy. Is the world still the right way up? Chrystal is a virgin wearing a skirt that covers not only her thighs but her knees! And has a blouse covering her breasts. Who said the impossible isn’t possible?

      K

      ‘How do you get a good guy?’

      Tahlia stared at Chrystal’s reflection in the mirror. ‘I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I get one.’ Her mind tripped to Case and she shook her head. She wasn’t sure he was a good guy and he wasn’t hers. ‘You should probably ask one of the others.’

      ‘True.’ Chrystal nodded slowly, brushing her wild hair back and tying it at her nape, doing a good imitation of a school marm. ‘You’re as messed up as me, only more socially acceptable.’

      Tahlia shot her a look. ‘Gee, thanks. Why do you say that?’ Did she have a ‘Romantically Challenged’ label stuck on her forehead?

      ‘You’re not caught up in the must-haves.’

      She swiped her lips with her Peach Passion lipstick. ‘I have a career, an apartment, a car and investments. What else could I possibly need?’

      ‘You’re joking, right?’ Chrystal’s eyes widened. ‘Even I’ve worked out that it’s not about material things. It’s about the people in your life. And sure, I know, I’ve had a lot of people in my life, men mostly, but it’s about keeping them there, you know, people that care for you.’

      Tahlia stared blankly at the woman she’d known had hidden depths, but had never realised just how deep.

      Chrystal sighed heavily. ‘And you need a good man to give you a good—’

      ‘I don’t think so. I’ve done very well without a man in my life, and I don’t intend to get one until I get my career all sorted out,’ she rushed on. Which, if all went to plan, shouldn’t be long, right after she sorted out Darrington.

      Chrystal shrugged. ‘Could be too late. All the good ones will be gone.’

      Tahlia felt the words echo down her spine, and down, settling heavy in her toes.

      ‘All I’m saying is, don’t leave it too late,’ Chrystal said softly, collecting her handbag.

      ‘Is that what this makeover is about? Finding someone to share the rest of your life with before it’s too late?’

      ‘Yes,’ Chrystal snapped, flicking a stray strand of her hair back. ‘And there’s nothing wrong with it.’

      ‘Of course not. If that’s what you want.’

      ‘And you don’t?’

      Tahlia moved towards the door. She did not. How could she? Most people went into relationships blindly, not realising the cons. She’d seen the cons close-up and it was not pretty. She didn’t want that.

      A fling here or there she could do, but that