Master of Fortune / Marrying the Lone Star Maverick. Katherine Garbera

Daniel. I don’t have a lot of time. What did you want to see me about?”

      “What do you think you are doing working for Everest Records?”

      “They hired me. I needed a job since I’m not independently wealthy,” Astrid said.

      “Don’t be glib.”

      “I’m not trying to be. What are you really attempting to say?”

      “That if you poach any of my clients … I will ruin you.”

      She shook her head. How could not know her at all? “I’d never do that. I’m not trying to get ahead by using someone else.”

      “Just be warned. If you come anywhere near my clients, I will call Henry Devonshire and tell him everything that the tabloids didn’t uncover about our affair.”

      With that, he turned on his heel and walked away from her. She just watched him leave, wondering how in the world she was going to protect herself from Daniel.

      Hurrying back to the Everest Group skyscraper, she took the elevator up to her floor, not talking to anyone along the way.

      She stopped in the doorway leading to Henry’s office. “May I come in?”

      He was on the phone, so gestured for her to enter. She came in and placed the files he’d asked for on the corner of his desk.

      “That sounds good. I’ll be there tonight at nine,” Henry said. “Two. There will be two of us.”

      He hung up the phone and looked up at her. “Have a seat, Astrid.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “Thank you for the material you prepared. Before we dive into work, tell me a little about yourself.”

      “What do you want to know?” she asked. Somehow, blurting out her entire past history didn’t seem prudent. And she’d learned that if she didn’t ask for specifics on questions like that one she ended up revealing things she could have kept hidden.

      She was hoping that working at Everest Records would be the buffer she needed between her past and her future. A job that would keep her so busy she’d stop worrying about would-haves and could-haves and learn to live again.

      “For starters, why are you working at the Everest Group?” he asked, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. The tight black sweater he wore pulled against the bulging muscles in his biceps. Clearly the man worked out, she thought.

      “They hired me,” she said. After her talk with Daniel, she was afraid to say too much.

      He laughed. “So it’s just a wage to you?”

      She shrugged. “It’s a bit more. I really like music and being part of your team sounded like a lot of fun. A chance to see if we can find the next big thing …” She shrugged. “I’ve always thought of myself as a trendsetter, so now I have a chance to see if I am.”

      At one time she’d thought she might become a record producer. She understood the job and the hard work that went into it, but she’d figured out that she didn’t have the attitude needed to make it there. She couldn’t be passionate about the artists she promoted and then walk away from them when their sales started to tank. She liked to think she had integrity.

      “That makes working for me easier, I think. I’m going to need you to be more my personal assistant than my secretary. You will be available 24/7. We won’t be keeping regular office hours, because I mean to make this division of Everest Group into the most profitable. Do you have any objections?”

      “None, sir. I was told that this job would be demanding,” she said. She looked forward to it. She needed a demanding job to sink her teeth into. She needed the work to keep her so busy she never had time to think about her failed personal life.

      He nodded and gave her that little half smile of his. “Normally we won’t be in this office. I’d like to work out of my home in Bromley or my apartment here in London. We will mainly be listening to music acts at night.”

      “That’s fine, sir.” To be honest, she didn’t need a lot of sleep.

      “Good, now down to business. I need you to set up a file to keep information from several talent scouts. I am also sending you an e-mail with the people who work for me,” he said.

      She nodded and made notes as he continued to set out the terms of the job. Despite the fact that the papers made him out as a playboy, it seemed Henry had cultivated a network he could use for business.

      “Is there anything else?”

      “Yes. I’ve been pretty good at picking acts when I hear them at clubs, but I like a second opinion.”

      She nodded. “Why do you think that is?”

      “Probably since I’m the typical person that most of these labels are targeting. I am young, social and know the scene.” He nodded. “I think that has given me a good ear for trends. What about you, Astrid?”

      “I love music.” When she’d first moved to London she had been in the thick of the nightlife. Her sister Bethann and she had shared a flat and worked menial jobs and went clubbing with friends most nights. But then Bethann had become a legal assistant and gotten engaged and her social life had changed. “Part of the reason I was hired was because I’d been a personal assistant to Daniel Martin.”

      “What are you into?” he asked. “What kind of music do you like?”

      “Something with soul,” she said.

      “Sounds …”

      “Retro?”

      “No, interesting.”

      She left his office and tried to concentrate on the job ahead but she had enjoyed Henry—way too much for a boss. And he was her boss, something that she had to remember because she wasn’t interested in starting over again with a broken heart and an empty bank account.

      Henry watched Astrid leave. His new PA was cute and funny and a bit cheeky. Having her in his office and on his team was going to make this job much more enjoyable.

      Despite the fact that many people believed him to be nothing more than a celebrity sportscaster and philanthropist, Henry did have a serious side. He certainly played hard, but few people knew he worked even harder.

      It was a lesson he’d learned from his stepfather, Gordon Ferguson. He’d first met Gordon when he was eight years old. Two years before his mum and Gordon married. Gordon was the head coach for the London Irish now but back then he had been one of the assistants. He’d helped Henry hone his rugby skills and made him into one of the best team captains of his generation.

      Henry’s office was on the top floor of the Everest Group building. It was situated in a corner with a nice view of the London Eye across the Thames. He glanced around the nicely appointed office, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He knew he couldn’t work in a place as boxed in and sterile as this one.

      He needed to get out of here. But first he wanted to know a little more about his assistant and about the task he’d taken on.

      At first, when he’d heard Malcolm’s offer, he didn’t care if he won the challenge or not, but now that he was here, his competitive instincts were rising to the fore. He liked to win. There was a reason he’d been named as RFU Player of the Year. He liked being the best. He hungered for it.

      He skimmed the reports that Astrid had prepared, making notes and trying not to remember how long Astrid’s legs had appeared under that short skirt she’d had on. And her smile … her mouth was full and tempting, and more than once when she’d been sitting there he’d wondered what her lips would taste like under his. Her mouth was wide, her lips plump, everything about her was irresistible.

      Office romances weren’t a good idea, but he knew himself and he was attracted to his assistant. He decided he wouldn’t act on that attraction unless