Stolen Kisses With Her Boss. Susan Carlisle

some people haphazardly went through life. He planned, considered each step.

      Sean knew the value of hard work and used his money wisely. Unlike this party. No matter how entertaining it might be, he couldn’t see why Cynthia would spend so much on a party when he was sure she could have used the money elsewhere. Like repairing her brother’s car. He could already tell she wasn’t the person for him but still he liked her. What would it hurt to enjoy her company while it lasted?

      “Sean, I’d like you to meet my youngest brother, Rick. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Rick, this is Dr. Donavon.” She put a hand on her brother’s arm.

      The affection between them was obvious. Something that Sean and his siblings didn’t share. He hadn’t seen his older brother and sister in a couple of years. He’d been much younger and so different from them that their relationships hadn’t been close. Sean had been an outsider in his own family. The idea that his brother or sister would throw him a party was laughable.

      “Nice to meet you, Rick. Happy birthday.” Sean offered his hand. The boy had a firm handshake. “Please call me Sean.”

      Cynthia gave him a warm smile. She seemed to appreciate him allowing her brother the familiarity. There were too many confusing emotions surrounding him liking that idea that he chose not to contemplate it further.

      Cynthia handed her headgear and gun to Rick. “Will you see about these? I’ve got to get a report out of the car for Sean.”

      “Uh, sure.” Rick took the equipment. Rick turned to him. “I can take yours too.”

      Flipping the mask off, Sean handed it and the gun to Rick. “It belongs to some guy with red hair who was standing up by the shed.”

      “That’d be Johnny. I’ll see that he gets it.” Rick headed in the direction he’d come.

      “Let’s go. My car is over here,” Cynthia said as she walked toward what he assumed was the car park.

      Sean followed. Even in the coveralls, Cynthia had a nice swing to her hips. She had a generous behind that proclaimed she was all woman.

      This interest in her had to stop.

       CHAPTER THREE

      CYNTHIA GLANCED AROUND at Sean. A look of guilt flickered in his eyes. Had she just caught him checking her out?

      Her spine tingled. There had been a moment just like it when he’d been on top of her. He was affecting her in ways she wasn’t completely comfortable with. What was going on? This couldn’t continue. He was in truth her boss and even if he wasn’t they lived in two different worlds.

      She made her strides longer. He should be sent on his way as soon as possible. There wasn’t time in her life to think about Sean Donavon. Her brothers and keeping their financial heads above water were all she needed to focus on. Her life didn’t need muddling by dreamy thoughts of Sean.

      Thankfully they soon reached her car. But then she realized she had to remove her coveralls to get her keys out of her jeans. Distressed, she tried to make it clean and simple, instead of the striptease she was afraid it might look like. Cynthia didn’t miss the slight uplift to Sean’s lips when she wiggled back and forth as she struggled to remove the material from her shoulders. He was appreciating the spectacle she was making.

      “A gentleman would offer to help,” she snapped as she continued to twist.

      He grinned. “I was sort of enjoying the show.”

      Heat rose to her cheeks.

      Sean stepped closer, which didn’t help matters in the least. He gave her collar a tug.

      “Thanks.”

      “My pleasure.” He sounded sincere.

      The panic that had simmered while she worked to undress had started to flame. Cynthia let the coveralls drop to her feet and dug into her pocket for her keys. Finding them, she laid them on the top of the car then pulled the coveralls up and tied the sleeves around her waist.

      “So did you get the car you were having trouble with fixed?” Sean asked.

      “It’s running but my pocketbook is empty.” She clicked the car door opener.

      “I bet having this party at the same time didn’t help.” His tone was matter-of-fact.

      Was he being critical? Did he think she was wasting money? “You’re not kidding. But Rick only turns eighteen once. He deserved a nice party. Some fun.”

      “Maybe.”

      Sean didn’t sound as if he agreed. “Anyway, it’s good for you. It just means that you’ll have me for as long as you need me.” Grabbing the file off the seat, she almost shoved it at him.

      Something about the slight twist of his lips confused her. It was as if she was talking about one thing while he was thinking of another. A tremor washed through her body at the thought of him touching her. She hoped her reaction didn’t show. The man had her tied up in knots in more ways than one.

      “Thanks.” He took the file in his hand.

      “Cyn, come quick!” Rick, still dressed in playing gear, ran toward them waving his arm. “Ann Marie is hurt.”

      “What’s wrong?” Cynthia called.

      The boy yelled, “She’s hurt her leg.”

      “Tell her not to move. I’ll be right there.” Cynthia dug under the car seat, pulling out a first-aid kit. When she stood she didn’t see Sean anywhere. Seconds later she was trotting toward Rick. At the sound of footsteps, she glanced to her right to find Sean beside her.

      At what must have been her questioning look he said, “I thought I might help.”

      “Thanks.” She was grateful. If Ann Marie was badly injured she could really use his medical assistance.

      They rounded a stack of drums on the playing field to find Rick on bended knee beside a girl. She was still wearing coveralls but her mask lay beside her. Her blond hair fell loosely down her back as she rubbed the ankle of her left leg. A couple of other kids stood looking down as her with interest.

      Cynthia joined them and went down on her knees. “Ann Marie, I’m Cynthia. Rick’s sister. What hurts?”

      “My ankle. I can’t walk.” The girl’s pain was obvious.

      Focusing on nothing else but Ann Marie, Cynthia put a hand on her shoulder, hoping to reassure her. “Let me look. Where exactly does it hurt?”

      “Right here,” the girl cried out as she touched the spot.

      Moving down to where she could easily reach Ann Marie’s foot, Cynthia began to push the pants leg of the coveralls up. “You let me know if I’m hurting you.” She slowly gathered the material until she could see the ankle area. “I’m going to need to roll your sock down.”

      The girl shifted.

      “Stay still. You wouldn’t want to make the injury worse.” Cynthia carefully touched Ann Marie’s skin, checking around the ankle bone for raised areas or tenderness. When her fingers reached the skin on the inside of Ann Marie’s ankle she winced.

      Cynthia shifted, getting a better view. Even in the dimming afternoon light she could make out a purple discoloration of the skin. Her fingers moved to the strings of Ann Marie’s shoe.

      “Don’t do that,” Sean’s stern voice told her. He joined her on the ground.

      Cynthia had forgotten all about him. She was surprised he hadn’t said something sooner or taken over the situation. She gave him a questioning look.

      “It could be broken. The shoe will act as a splint,” he explained. “It should remain on and be removed at the emergency department.”