The Heiress's Secret Romance
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He nodded. “Thank you, Van,” Kathleen said.
“No problem, ma’am.”
“May I help you with your bag?” Paz offered.
“No, thank you. I’m fine. We passed your training center coming in. Will I not be working there?”
“Eventually.” They walked over to the elevator and took the short ride up to the fifth floor. He led her past a small waiting area and down a long hall with offices on each side. They came to the end of the hall and stood in front of a door with a sign that read Operations Administration. Paz opened the door and stood aside as Kathleen entered. It wasn’t at all what she’d expected. The waiting area had two low-back leather sofas sitting against the left and right walls with framed blueprints of the plant hanging above them. An expensive Persian rug covered the slate floors, and a long fish tank filled the back wall.
“Very nice.”
Paz laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Follow me.” He led her toward a door in the corner.
Kathleen’s forehead creased. “No receptionist?”
“It’s not necessary. You can’t get up here without an escort unless you’re an employee or a Kingsley.” He led her through the door.
Time to get to work. “I was wondering, are they here often...the Kingsleys?” She gave him a half smile.
“Sure.”
“How involved are they with the staff? I mean, do they spend much time with the employees? What do they do while they’re here?” Kathleen tried not to sound like she was going down a checklist but she knew she was failing in that effort. She prayed her face didn’t show how unsettled she was. It was not as if this was the first time she had to come into a facility incognito to find out what was going on, but something felt different about this one. Her boss was right—the Kingsleys were a big deal—and she couldn’t mess this up. Kathleen knew the outcome of her investigation could have far-reaching ramifications.
Paz looked at Kathleen as if she was speaking a foreign language and he didn’t understand a word she was saying. “They work just like the rest of us,” he replied, frowning.
They walked down another corridor, passing several more offices until they made it to the large double doors at the end of the hall. “You can wait in here, and Mr. Jones will be right with you.” Paz opened the door, and Kathleen walked in, stopping before she could get more than a foot into the room.
“Back again, Adrian?” a baritone voice said, sending an unfamiliar chill down Kathleen’s spine. The sound came from a olive-skinned man with a short haircut and a fine beard. His long jean-clad legs were propped up on the desk, and he was reading through what appeared to be a report. When he raised his head, and Kathleen caught his gaze, his hazel eyes rendered her mute. Kathleen’s throat was suddenly dry, and she blinked rapidly. The short-sleeved white shirt he wore with the company’s logo on the pocket accentuated his wide chest and big arms.
“Oh my,” she whispered to herself. Kathleen had seen handsome men before, but this man was unlike any of those. The ruggedly handsome gentleman sitting before her looked like someone from one of the old black-and-white Westerns she and her mother used to enjoy watching together. Her mother would tell Kathleen, “That’s what a man’s man is, darling,” when one appeared on the screen. Today was the first time she’d seen one in person, and the thought made Kathleen smile.
* * *
Morgan slowly lowered his papers to the desk, brought his feet to the floor and stood. He felt like his whole body was moving in slow motion. Morgan had seen beautiful women before, but the exquisite creature standing in front of him was different. Her heart-shaped face and flawless skin was mostly makeup free. She appeared to be a foot or so shorter than Morgan; her smile was faint but stunning, and while she tried to cover her perfectly shaped body in conservative clothes, Morgan could see that she had curves in all the right places that called out to him, and his body was responding. It was something that never happened by the sight of a woman.
Damn!
Paz stepped forward. “This is Kathleen Winston. Kathleen, this is—”
He raised his left hand and waved him off. Morgan hadn’t heard anything beyond her name. What he didn’t recognize were the emotions she had provoked in him. He felt warm, he couldn’t seem to focus and he had a sudden desire to touch her. He’d heard about this happening before, only he was usually watching from the sideline of his brothers’ lives.
Morgan quickly righted himself. “You must be the trainer from OSHA,” Morgan forced out, extending his hand. “I’m—”
“Yes,” Kathleen interrupted, offering her hand.
Morgan felt a spark as he gave her small, delicate hand a shake. Get it together. “Excuse the calluses.”
Kathleen smiled, sending another spark through his body, the sweet scent she was wearing attacking his senses. “No problem.” She freed her hand.
“May I?” She gestured toward one of the two large leather wingback chairs that sat in front of the mahogany wood desk.
“Please.”
Morgan returned to his seat and watched as Kathleen quickly removed four medium-sized binders from her bag and placed them on the desk. He told himself he would listen to what she had to say, but he would send her away as soon as she read her last page. There was no way in hell this beautiful woman could teach anything to his men. They wouldn’t be able to concentrate. He sure as hell couldn’t right then.
Kathleen removed her electronic tablet from her bag and turned it on. She handed Morgan a binder and said, “I’ve taken the liberty of highlighting a few deficiencies in your training program.”
“Deficiencies?” Morgan sat forward and opened the binder, feeling annoyed by her assumption in spite of being so turned on by her presence.
“The first tab has my résumé and all my credentials and certifications. If you look behind the second tab, you’ll find my recommendations for improvement,” Kathleen explained.
“That was mighty presumptuous of you, considering the state uses our material as part of its training program.” He hardened his expression as he glanced down at the pages.
“Not really. It’s my job to ensure all safety protocols are adhered to regardless of whose name is on the building.
“I—”
“Look, I’m sure you’re loyal to the Kingsley family.” She shook her head as if that was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.
“You have no idea,” Morgan replied.
“However there are some things where loyalty isn’t a part of the equation.”
That was when Morgan realized she had no idea who she was talking to. He remembered that she’d launched into her presentation before he had a chance to introduce himself. She’s arrogant and another know-it-all when it comes to my family. “In my mind and my family’s, loyalty is everything.”
“This isn’t about you or your family. Making improvements to your systems is about protecting you and your coworkers. Shall I continue?” Kathleen’s eyebrows stood at attention.
The girl’s got spunk. The way her eyes bored into him was wreaking havoc on his system. Morgan folded his arms across his chest. “Please.”
Chapter 4
Morgan sat back and watched Kathleen make her presentation as he flipped through the pages of her binder ahead of her. He tried to focus on her words, but her green-gold eyes and luscious lips scrambled his brain. Only a few phases broke through the fog of annoyance and attraction, one of which he had to address.
“Wait, did you say we need to switch from our computer-based training program to a more group-based, interactive one?” That’s not going to happen. “The industry, the world for that matter, is moving more toward digital and you want us to pull back.”
“Yes, statistics show people respond better in a working group setting like the one I’m recommending. They learn from their peers, and it strengthens relationships between coworkers.”
Morgan dropped his hands. “My team already works well together. They don’t need a feel-good session to make them better at their job.” He closed the binder. “Stick to the regulatory updates, and I’ll make sure our systems are brought current based on those changes.”
Kathleen raised her chin and held his gaze. “While I appreciate your opinion, it doesn’t count, Mr. Jones.”
“What do we have here?” Victoria asked as she entered the office with Adrian on her heels. She placed her hat back on the desk.
Morgan and Kathleen got to their feet. “Victoria Kingsley, meet Kathleen Winston, the trainer OSHA sent.”
Victoria extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you, and welcome to Kingsley Oil and Gas. I take it things are going well.”
“Not exactly,” Morgan stated.
* * *
Unfortunately, thanks to Mr. Tall, Handsome and Too-Damn-Sexy-for-His-Own-Good.
“Miss Winston seems to think we should abandon our tried-and-true computer-based training in favor of her more interactive-type program,” Morgan explained. His jaw tightened.
Kathleen glared at Morgan before turning her attention to Victoria. “It’s not my program, and I didn’t suggest you abandon your computer-based training altogether—just adjust it a bit.”
“A bit.” Morgan pointed to the binders that sat on his desk. “According to the data in your unnecessarily long, although well-put-together, presentation, you recommend we cut our program by fifty percent.”
“And replace it with a more productive method of training,” she countered.
“Says you.” Morgan crossed his arms.
“Says several experts. How did you even see that? We haven’t even gotten to that section yet.” Kathleen made her annoyance clear. She thought he was acting like a petulant child.
I bet you stomp your feet and hold your breath, too, if a woman doesn’t drop to her knees on command. Oh, my goodness. Where the hell did that come from, Kathleen?
“I’m good at multitasking, and I pay attention to details.”
Another warm sensation ran through her body. “I bet you do,” she murmured.
Victoria laughed as she reached for her buzzing phone. “Well, I see you have everything under control, son.” She started reading her incoming text.
“‘Son’?” Kathleen’s forehead creased; she was clearly shocked by the revelation. “I thought you were the plant manager.”
“No, that would be me,” another man replied, raising his right hand.
Victoria placed her hands on her hips. “Morgan Kingsley, did you not properly introduce yourself to this young woman?”
“I tried, but she launched right into her presentation. I think she was a bit awestruck.” Morgan smirked.
Kathleen’s left eyebrow rose. “As were you,” she snapped back before she could stop herself.
“Touché,” Morgan acknowledged.
“Enough.” Victoria picked up her bag and hard hat. “I have to get back to Houston.”
Morgan dropped his hands. “I’ll see you out, Mother.”
“No, Adrian will. You and Miss Winston are going to get to work.” Victoria turned and faced Kathleen. “While I appreciate your input and we will take your recommendations under advisement, we will continue to do what we feel is best for our company. If you can’t accept that, I have to rescind my offer to allow your presence at my plant.”
That can’t happen. “Yes, of course. I understand,” she replied nervously.
“Good, now pass me one of those binders, and I’ll read through it on the ride home.”
Nice going, Kathleen—you almost get yourself kicked out of here before you can even get started. Kathleen handed Victoria a binder and watched as she kissed her son goodbye and left. She had heard and read a great deal about Victoria Kingsley but nothing compared to meeting her in person. While she was very firm and definitive in regard to her business, watching her maternal interactions with her son was something clearly not many got to witness. She felt honored.
“Well, I guess that’s that.” Kathleen started packing up her bag. “I’ll focus on the regulatory changes as you requested, Mr. Kingsley.”
Kathleen watched the handsome Kingsley drop his shoulders and lean against his desk. The closer he got to Kathleen, the more out of control she felt. Kathleen knew she had to bring her wayward mind and body under control. He was part of her investigation, after all.
“It’s Morgan, and if you prefer you can conduct your sessions using your interactive method. If the team is receptive to the idea, I’ll consider incorporating your way into some of our program.”
Kathleen offered up a small smile. “Was that too hard?”
“Not at all. I can be a reasonable man when I want to be, Miss Winston.”
“I guess we’ll find out just how reasonable you are when you attend my class, and please call me Kathleen.”
“All right, Kathleen, but I have no intention of attending your class,” he said matter-of-factly.
Kathleen felt a slow smile spread across her face. “Why? Are you afraid you just might learn something and realize my method is better than the program you so covet?”
“Not at all.” His face went blank, and he held her gaze.
Kathleen dropped her eyes and reached for her rolling bag. “Shall I get started?”
“Absolutely.”
Morgan came from around the desk and reached for Kathleen’s bag. “I got it,” she said.
“I insist,” he replied as he placed his large hand over hers.
Kathleen felt a spark that wasn’t electrical and quickly pulled her hand back. You have got to get it together. “Fine.”
“And if I may suggest...you are open to suggestions, right?”
Annoyed by the sarcasm, Kathleen rolled her eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“You should lose whatever that perfume is you’re wearing. The men might find it distracting if you want them to focus on your class. Don’t worry—they’d never be inappropriate.”
“I’m not, and I know the drill. Besides, I’m not wearing perfume,” Kathleen explained, walking toward the door.
Morgan stepped in her path, preventing Kathleen from moving forward. He stared into her eyes and said, “If you’re not wearing perfume, then it’s you. All you,” he concluded, his voice low and husky.
Kathleen felt light-headed. She thought for a moment that somehow all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. Focus, Kathleen.
“I want my men to concentrate on the training and not the trainer,” he continued.
Kathleen pushed her shoulders back and raised her chin defiantly. “Maybe it’s you with the concentration problem. Every consider leading by example?” She stepped around him and walked out the door.
* * *
Kathleen’s first day wasn’t as difficult as she’d imagined. It was just the opposite. Everyone was extremely nice but not in a sucking-up type of way, either. The assistance offered to Kathleen no matter where she went or what she requested was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to help. Even her initial class, in which she’d expected to receive pushback, especially from the more seasoned staff, went well. Everyone appeared open to the training, and some were even excited about the opportunity to explore her new methods. Other than that initial hiccup in the office that morning, she had a good day. Kathleen still couldn’t get over the effect Morgan Kingsley had on her mind and body. Her attraction to him was an unexpected hurdle she had to get over. The jury was still out on Morgan and his company.
While Kathleen had limited access to the Kingsley systems, she was given the ability to review all the training material including their archived programs. A big part of Mr. Silva’s charge had been that the new COO had implemented policy changes that put the staff in danger. Kathleen was in the perfect position to prove or disprove that allegation. The first thing she did was check the company’s policy change log against what they had filed with the state. She found no irregularities. In fact, she was impressed with just how well organized they were. However, Kathleen knew just because the paperwork was in order didn’t mean everything was aboveboard. Yet for some reason she felt relieved that the paperwork confirmed what she’d seen so far. It was like she was rooting for them, which was something that she never did this early in the investigation.
Employers often put one thing in writing but expected their employees to cut corners to get the job done faster and cheaper, regardless of the potential risk to themselves and their families. Most employees went along with such antics because they felt they had no choice. Kathleen was determined to make sure the Kingsley employees knew they had a choice. Over the next couple of weeks, Kathleen conducted what she called “featherlight interviews” with her trainees. She would weave investigative questions into her training sessions and found nothing out of the ordinary. While Kathleen appreciated his hands-off approach to her work, she found herself looking forward to their check-in moments, as Morgan called them, at the end of each day.
But Kathleen combed through old and new training records and found a smoking gun. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what she’d expected. The most damaging evidence she found was against a senior-level welder by the name of Mundos Silva. While Kathleen couldn’t review the Kingsley employees’ personal records, she did have access to their training files. It seems Mr. Mundos Silva had experienced a great deal of difficulty passing most of his required training. It had taken him longer than others and multiple times to pass. There were notes in his files indicating that his supervisors had offered him assistance and additional training in areas where he was having difficulty. Unfortunately, Mr. Silva refused the help. Kathleen found that the outside training specialist recommended that Mr. Silva be demoted to a position more appropriate for his current level of ability. The recommendation and change took effect long before there was a change in leadership.
“Damn,” Kathleen replied, after reading the last note in his file. She called her boss.
“Kathleen, what’s up?” Simpson answered.
“I found something.”
“What?” She could hear the anxiousness in his voice.
“It’s not against the Kingsleys, but Mr. Silva.”
“Tell me.”
After going over everything she’d found out so far, she read the final note in the file. “‘Mr. Silva is a valued employee who we should do everything we can to try to help according to the Kingsley Family Stay Whole policy.’”
“What the hell is the Kingsley Family Stay Whole policy?” he asked.
“Apparently anyone who’s been here for more than five years is eligible to receive any form of help they may need in the event of a crisis, to stay whole.”
“What?”
“I just heard about it. The Kingsleys believe in taking care of their employees. There’s even something for those who’ve been here for fewer than five years,” she added.
“Maybe we can get a job there after we’re both fired. It’s time to come home, Kathleen.”
“Not yet. You need to bring Mr. Silva in for a follow-up conversation.”
Kathleen was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Confusion and anger that she might have let herself get played and pleasure that it appeared the Kingsleys were actually what she was finding them to be: good people with a great company.
“I’m already ahead of you, but there’s nothing to find,” Simpson insisted.
“You may be right, but I have to be sure. Besides, I have to finish the training and system updates. That way I can leave, and no one will ever know the real reason for my visit.”
“Fine, but make it fast,” he said before hanging up on her.
Kathleen had a feeling that Simpson was right, but for reasons she didn’t want to explore she just knew she had to stay a little longer...for Morgan.
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