Secret Admirer: Secret Kisses / Hidden Hearts / Dream Marriage. Christine Rimmer

      “I’m afraid you won’t be able to resist me if I start kissing you, darlin’. A lot of women can’t, you know.”

      Her eyebrows flew together.

      “You’re one love-starved woman, darlin’.” He chuckled.

      She pulled away. “Are you laughing at me? Comparing me to—”

      “Looks like I’ve gotta get up, get my own breakfast,” he replied, still in that infuriatingly calm tone. “And since I’m stark naked, you’d better go, unless you want to see more of me than you bargained on.”

      Her eyes grew huge. Gone was the sweet vulnerable Matt of moments before. Once again he was the old mocking Matt she remembered from grade school.

      “You can stay, of course. If you intend to deliver. You know me—I love an audience when I show off, and my favorite audience is an admiring woman.”

      “I don’t admire you.” Somehow she managed to stand up even though her legs were trembling. “I don’t admire one thing about you.”

      “Then you’d better leave, before I change your mind. I could, you know—easily.”

      When he stood, too, and his sheet began to tumble toward the floor, she whirled away from him and fled out the door. But she turned at the last moment and got an eyeful of Matt Harper.

      The devil was built like some dark pagan god of love.

      “Oh my God…You did it.”

      “Told you you’d admire me. Wanna stay?”

      He laughed when she kept staring at him openmouthed.

      “Well, make up your mind before it’s too late for us to call in sick.”

      “I’m thrilled with the money you two raised,” Andrea said to Jane and Matt from behind her desk. Her lowkey voice, smooth and professional as she thumbed through the pages of Jane’s report on the fund-raiser. “I knew you two would work well together.”

      “Jane can be difficult,” Matt said. “She’s a little uptight. Quite the perfectionist.”

      “I was perfectly happy working alone,” Jane muttered through her teeth. She’d been a bundle of nerves ever since he’d lowered his sheet and she’d fled his trailer this morning. His teasing remark was too much. It was all she could do to contain herself.

      “Not me, Mr. King of Schmooze. I can get along with anybody.”

      Jane clenched her fists. With an effort she relaxed her hands and forced a weak smile. If she made a scene, that would only make him look better, which he would use against her.

      Matt was beautifully dressed in a navy suit and pristine-white shirt this morning. Even his tie was dark and subdued.

      “Your bid was exceedingly generous,” Andrea said, smiling at him.

      “It’s a good cause. Dear to my heart, the company’s and Jane’s.”

      He’s good, Jane thought bitterly. Playing it to the hilt.

      “Hey, and Jane’s an…er…inspired cook. Breakfast this morning was…er…” He winked at Jane. “A unique experience.”

      Since Andrea couldn’t possibly see their legs, Jane gave him a swift, sharp kick in the shin.

      “Ouc-ch…er…and…unforgettable,” he said, suppressing a yelp as he leaned down to rub his shin.

      “Well, I just wanted to take a moment to thank both of you. And thanks as well for getting your report to me so fast, Jane. I can’t wait to show it to the board. I’m sure we raised more money than any other company in the building this year—again. Thanks to both of you!”

      Jane smiled at Andrea and stood up to go.

      “I’d love to work with you on another project,” Matt said to Jane.

      “Good day, Harper,” Jane said, frowning when he got up and limped out the door.

      “Something wrong with your leg, Matt?” Andrea asked so sweetly Jane did a slow burn.

      Not that she stayed to hear his answer. On her way out of the building to drive home late that afternoon, she noticed a huge bouquet of flowers on Stephanie’s desk, from the same florist Matt had used.