It all started with one passionate night…

Don’t preach to Alexis Montgomery about settling down. She’s got her act together—a fabulous new job, great friends and plenty of dating prospects. She’s happily taking New York City by storm, so why would she ruin things by committing to just one man?

If anyone could influence Alexis, it might be Graham Stone. He’s gorgeous and brilliant, enough to make any red-blooded woman question her single status. Unfortunately, he’s also her boss. When these two seductive forces collide, neither thinks past the sparks they are generating. But their rendezvous has an unexpected consequence during the holiday season—one that could make them never want to walk away…from each other.

“You know what I think?”

Alexis angled her head to look up at him. The deep, dark centers of his eyes picked up the light and reflected it back at her. “No…” she said on a breath. “What do you think?”

Graham stopped walking. He clasped her arm and turned her to face him. She glanced up at him, expectant and knowing.

“I think…” He stroked the curve of her jaw with the tip of his finger. A shiver rippled through her. “I think that we make a formidable couple.”

Couple? But before she could process the implication, he’d lifted her chin, and the world around her was blocked out as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.

Testing…teasing…tasting…taking.

He cupped the back of her head and eased her into the kiss, deeper and sweeter.

Heat coursed through her even as she shivered against him. He pulled her closer.

DONNA HILL

began writing novels in 1990. Since that time she has had more than forty titles published, which include full length novels and novellas. Two of her novels and one novella were adapted for television. She has won numerous awards for her body of work. She is also the editor of five novels, two of which were nominated for awards. She easily moves from romance to erotica, horror, comedy and women’s fiction. She was the first recipient of the RT Book Reviews Trailblazer Award, won an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award and currently teaches writing at the Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center.

Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family. Visit her website at www.donnahill.com.

Mistletoe,

Baby

Donna Hill

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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Dear Reader,

With the holiday season on the horizon, can love be far behind? Many of you may remember the feisty Alexis Montgomery, the best friend of Naomi Campbell from Private Lessons. Well, Alexis is back with a full-blown story of her own, and all of her rules about crossing the lines of professionalism slowly dissolve when she meets Graham Stone.

I loved bringing Alexis to full life with her own story. Even more exciting was creating the sexy British hero Graham Stone, whose passion for righting the wrongs of the underclass is eclipsed only by his passion for Alexis.

Although this is a holiday-themed book, it has a story line that will resonate with many and showcase the critical issues of undereducating our youth, as well as spark conversation about what we can do as a community to make it better. Alexis and Graham are leading that charge—at least when they can keep their hands off of each other!

I hope you enjoy every page. I love hearing from you. Drop me a line on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/donnahillwriter, and be sure to join my fan page, at www.facebook.com/donnahillfans, for prizes and the inside scoop on upcoming books and projects.

Until next time,

Donna

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Her farewell party was in full swing. The kisses and hugs had been given, the toasts made and the tears shed. Now it was on to the business of drinking and eating—in that order. Her staff managed to commandeer the very dignified Presidential conference suite and transformed it into an “after five” lounge that was complete with bartenders, waiters and a DJ.

Even as she looked around at the people that she’d considered family for the past five years, and knew that she would miss them dearly, there was an undeniable bubble of excitement that wanted the day to be over, her bags packed and the jet taking off from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport en route to New York City. Atlanta was a great place. It was her home. She’d built a stellar career in academia rising up in the ranks at Atlanta College to her current position as Dean of Academic Affairs, but as the old saying goes, “Always leave them wanting more.”

She was at the top of her game. The name Alexis Montgomery was always spoken of in the highest regard. Word had gotten around that she excelled at what she did and she was made an offer that she couldn’t refuse.

During the past six months she’d been flown out to New York to meet with the board of directors at R.E.A.L., toured their Midtown Manhattan office and talked terms. After weeks of negotiation she’d signed off on her five-year contract.

Alexis brought the glass of champagne to her lips and smiled at the throng of faces. She’d left the college in better shape than when she’d stepped in. She had much to be proud of and she had every intention of making her mark in New York the same way she’d done it in Atlanta. A thrill of anticipation coursed through her. In a little more than a week her new life would begin. Look out, New York—this Southern Belle is on her way.

“You realize there’s really no one to fill those high heels of yours,” came a rugged whisper in her ear.

Alexis casually angled her head to the right. A secret smile moved across her mouth and a light of something more than “we’re only colleagues” lit the dark embers of her brown eyes. “I’m sure you only mean that in the most professional sense.” The corner of her mouth flickered in a barely there grin.

“If you say so.” He lifted his chin in the direction of her almost-empty glass. “Refill?”

She shrugged her bare shoulder. “Sure. It’s my party, right?”

“Be right back.”

Alexis watched him walk away and smiled to herself as several of her female colleagues scoped him out, as well. Ian Matthews was without a doubt a very eligible bachelor. He was the whole package; six feet plus, well built, with a walk like Denzel, a mind like Einstein, sweet milk chocolate all over, funny, well-endowed and an expert at using his “equipment”; a tenured professor, chair of his department and actually an all-around decent guy to boot. They’d been discreetly seeing each other off and on for nearly a year. But something kept Alexis from committing, although Ian said that he wanted to. She honestly cared about him. She was close to being addicted to the crazy sex that they had, but something was missing.

That missing something was the thing that had allowed her to sign on the dotted line. With her mother’s passing, her best friend Naomi Clarke all happily married and relocated to Virginia, and that spark she was looking for in a relationship still out of reach, there was nothing more to keep her in Atlanta.

Ian returned with her drink.

“Thank you.”

Ian’s voice rose above the hum of conversation. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a moment?”

By degrees the room quieted and the guests all turned in his direction.

“What are you doing?” Alexis whispered through clenched teeth that doubled as a smile.

He gave her a long, stirring look and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Her face heated.

“I want to make a toast to the most brilliant, beautiful, decent woman that I know. Her departure is going to leave a big gap here at Atlanta College and a bigger one in my heart.” He pressed his hand dramatically on his chest.

There was a collective gasp of wide-eyed surprise for some and a “knew it all along” expression on the faces of a few.

Ian turned to her with a smile that could steal her heart if she let it. For a moment she doubted her decision. He raised his glass and the rest of the guests did the same. “To Alexis. Wishing you much success and happiness, and here’s hoping that you take a big bite out of the Big Apple. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Alexis mouthed her thank-yous and sipped from her glass.

“I meant what I said.”

Alexis gazed up at him. “Ian...”

They were mere inches apart. Their voices were low and intimate.

“No need to take it any further. I wanted you to know that what I feel for you isn’t only in the bedroom.” He grinned. “I’m not going to lie and tell you I’ll wait but I will say that I’m not in a hurry to look.”

She pushed out a breath. “You are determined not to make this easy for me.”

“When has anything between us been easy?”

She lifted her glass. “Touché.”

* * *

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for your send-off.”

Alexis adjusted the phone between her ear and shoulder while she put the last few items in her suitcase. “Naomi, the last place I expected you to be was at my going-away party.”

“I know but still. You came to see me last week.”

“That’s different. You just had a baby last week. And I had to see my brand-new goddaughter before I left and make sure my bestie was all right.”

“I’m exhausted and achy but every time I look at April my heart swells. I still can’t believe that she’s here and she’s mine and Brice’s.”

Alexis listened to the awe and joy in her friend’s voice. She was happy for Naomi and Brice. The two friends still laughed about how Naomi and Brice had met in Antigua—the trip that Alexis was supposed to go on with her and didn’t—with Naomi pretending to be someone else the entire time, only for Brice to wind up in Naomi’s classroom when she returned to her real life as a professor at Atlanta College. Ever since Naomi had married Brice and moved away, and continued to regale her with the wonders of marriage and now motherhood, she found herself wondering if she would ever find that kind of happiness, that all-consuming love that lit up a room. Every now and again she thought it might be Ian, but that spark never quite reached that level of intensity.

On the other hand, there was never a shortage of men in Alexis’s life. If anything there was always a surplus with one in the wings. Things slowed down when Ian moved into the picture. But...

“You call me when you get to New York,” Naomi was saying.

Alexis blinked back to the moment. “Of course. As soon as I touch down. Not sure when I’m going to get back to see you and my goddaughter.”

“Don’t worry about us. You just go to New York and kick ass.”

Alexis chuckled. “I plan to. Listen, give my baby a kiss and one for Brice, too.”

“Gonna miss you, girl.”

“Same here. But that’s why we have planes and Skype and FaceTime.”

They laughed.

“True.”

Alexis could hear the baby crying in the background. “Go take care of April. I’ll call you.”

“Safe travels, sis.”

“Thanks.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Alexis hung up the phone with a soft sigh. She looked around her bedroom. She’d had some pretty happy times in here, she mused wryly. She zipped up her last suitcase just as a car horn honked out front.

She walked to the window facing the street and pulled the curtain aside. Her cab was out front. Thankfully, she’d shipped the majority of her belongings a week ago, leaving her with only one suitcase, her carry-on and her purse. She checked to make sure she had her ID, credit cards, cell phone and laptop. She took one last look around, turned off the lights, grabbed her bags and left her old life behind.

Chapter 2

Alexis had to give props to R.E.A.L. The organization—Realize Excellence Achievement Leadership—had arranged to have her furniture and clothing moved, they’d found her an apartment in New York and they’d gotten her a first-class ticket. She could easily get used to this kind of treatment.

The moment she stepped off the airplane and into the JFK terminal she could feel the energy that always seemed to hum beneath the surface in New York. It was hard to explain to anyone who had not experienced it, but it was similar to turning up the volume on your life or walking into a dark room and someone flipping on the bright lights.

She rode along with the other arriving passengers on the down escalator to baggage claim. As soon as she stepped off of the escalator she was stunned to see a navy blue suited young man holding up a sign with her name on it. She grinned. R.E.A.L. was pulling out all of the stops. She was totally impressed.

She walked up to the driver.

“Hi, I’m Alexis Montgomery.”

“Ms. Montgomery.” He gave a short nod. “Michael. I’m your driver. I’ll help you with your bags and then I’ll go and get the car.”

“Great. Hopefully it won’t take too long.” She headed in the direction of carousel three with Michael at her side.

“How was your flight?”

“Very nice, thanks to a first-class ticket. The organization treats its employees very well.”

They stopped in front of the carousel that had already begun to fill with luggage.

“Yes, it does.”

Shortly her bags came around on the belt. Michael took them and walked to the exit. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting a moment, I’ll bring the car.”

“I can walk with you to the car.”

“No worries. I’ll be right back.”

She inwardly shrugged. Fine with me. She walked over to a nearby bench, sat down and watched arriving travelers run into the arms of waiting loved ones. She experienced a momentary twinge of melancholy, knowing there were no open arms to greet her, just a furnished apartment in an unfamiliar city. She sniffed, opened her purse in search of her cigarettes and then remembered that she’d recently quit and suddenly wished that she hadn’t and took out a stick of gum instead. She glanced around, took in the sights and sounds. Although it was early May, it was a balmy seventy-five degrees. Almost like home, she thought.

Just then a black Lincoln pulled up in front of her and Michael quickly got out. He reached for her carry-on and opened the passenger door. Alexis slid into the roomy interior and gasped in alarm.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Please. Sit.”

Alexis’s pulse raced. She settled herself opposite her surprise guest.

“Graham Stone.” He extended his hand.

Her eyes widened. “Graham Stone, CEO of R.E.A.L.?” Her hand, of its own volition, found its way into his. His long fingers wrapped around her hand and it was as if he’d cut off the oxygen to her brain.

He grinned and even in the dim interior she could see his eyes sparkle. Her stomach fluttered. She pressed her knees together to silence the lady that had jumped up and started to purr.

“Guilty as charged. My flight from London came in just before yours. I told Michael to find you. Much more efficient for him to take the both of us than to have you take a cab in a strange city.”

“I...appreciate that.”

Graham leaned back against the plush leather of the car. His steel-gray suit was in that new slender cut and it clearly outlined the long lean lines of his body. He looked her over in slow motion. “I have to apologize for this impromptu meeting,” he said, and she caught the barely there British accent. “It was unfortunate that I was out of town when you came in to meet with the board last month. And that we couldn’t ‘meet’ on the conference call.”

“I was beginning to think that maybe you were only a voice or a figment of everyone’s imagination.”

Graham chuckled, the kind of deep robust sound that made you all warm inside.

“Not the first time I’ve heard that. Unfortunately, my focus is on building the organization and getting the kids of the inner city into the kind of schools that they deserve. I don’t always have time for the elbow rubbing and schmoozing. I prefer to remain behind the scenes as much as possible, in addition to which the work involves a great deal of travel.” As he spoke he stared directly at her, never averting his gaze. It was mesmerizing as much as it was unsettling.

Alexis cleared her throat. “And that’s why you hired me?”

“Yes. I want you to be the face of R.E.A.L. and I need your expertise.”

Want and need had never sounded so erotic. She shifted in her seat and linked her long fingers together and rested them on her lap. The pure surprise of stepping into a car and meeting her very gorgeous boss for the first time completely threw her for a loop. She was accustomed to being in control of a situation and certainly in control of her thoughts—but not now. And what was that intoxicating scent he was wearing?

“At least you have the weekend to get comfortable—a little.” He grinned.

“I’m looking forward to getting started,” she managed.

He slowly nodded his head without taking his eyes off of her. “Good. I have several new projects waiting for you on your desk. You’ll have to hit the ground running.”

“I’m ready.” The instant the words were out of her mouth she wanted to pull them back. She knew what she’d said was simple and direct, but in her head they held a completely different meaning.

He stroked his clean-shaven chin with his thumb and forefinger and Alexis had the overwhelming need to open the window. It was as if someone had struck a match in her belly.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asked, jumping into her head.

She blinked and smiled. “That would be great. Thank you.”

He reached into the minibar. “Water, juice, soda or something stronger?” He gazed across at her from beneath his lashes.

“Uh, water is fine.”

He produced a bottle of water and plucked a glass from the holder, and handed both to her.

“Thank you.” Somehow she managed to get the bottle open and pour it into her glass without making a mess and a fool out of herself. She was quite amazed actually as her fingers wavered between being board stiff or weak as wet noodles. When she lifted her head from the minor task she was rattled to see Graham looking at her with a bemused expression on his face.

“Are you always so intense?”

She straightened. “Intense?”

“Yes. You were working on that bottle as if it was the most important job you’d ever undertaken.”

Her cheeks flushed. She lifted her chin. “You haven’t seen me intense,” she said, the hint of a taunt on her tongue.

Graham made a humming murmur in his throat. He angled his head to the side. His eyes creased ever so slightly at the corners. “Have they found a replacement for you at the college?”

“Not yet. The position has been posted. I’m sure they’ll find someone reasonably soon.”

“I’m sure they feel your loss already. You made a lot of important changes over there. Several of the departments missed the ax because of you.”

At that moment she wasn’t sure if she was seriously impressed or annoyed. The fact that she’d been able to work with the board and the department chairs to restructure without losing students or teachers was not common knowledge beyond the boardroom of Atlanta College. “How did you know all of that?”

“I make it my business to know everything there is to know about the people that get hired at your level. I also want to make certain that there is real substance behind the fancy words on a résumé and cover letter.”

“I see.” She now knew she was annoyed. What else did he know about her that wasn’t on her résumé and didn’t come out in the phone interview? Clearly it didn’t matter if he was around to ask direct questions or not. He still got answers.

And then as if reading her mind he asked, “How did Ian take your leaving?”

Her eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

“Ian...Matthews. Isn’t it?”

Her heart began to race. “Yes.” Her response was as much a question as an answer.

“He was one of your references,” he said as if in answer to the question that hovered on the tip of her tongue. “He had wonderful things to say about you and gave the impression that...you would be missed.”

Her cheeks were on fire. A tight line formed between her brows. “I don’t recall giving Ian Matthews as a reference.”

“You didn’t. Whenever I’m interested in a potential candidate for the organization at the management level, I look into their surrounding circle of colleagues.”

“So basically, screw what’s on the reference letters.”

The corner of his mouth lifted into a slight grin. “Well, let’s be honest, what person who really wants a job would get reference letters or use references from someone who wouldn’t say that they were wonderful?”

Her right brow arched. She almost laughed but didn’t. He was actually right, but she’d never tell him that. “So who made these calls? You?”

“Yes. I generally do, but I felt it was even more important since I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting you in person during your visit. You’ll come to see in the days and months and hopefully years ahead that I’m a very hands-on person.”

Her gaze dropped to his hands that rested casually on his thighs. She swallowed and nearly choked over the dry knot in her throat. She coughed and took a sip of water.

Graham moved forward, halfway reaching for her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded her head. “Yes,” she managed. “Throat got really dry.” She took another sip of water. She made herself look at him and forced a confident smile. “Fine. Really.”

He leaned back in his seat, eyed her for a moment and then took out a pair of glasses from the inside breast pocket of his jacket, slipped them on and picked up a folder that was next to him on the seat. He flipped it open and began to read.

Glasses. Nice touch, she thought absently. He had that whole GQ look down to an art form. He scanned through the papers in the folder and then handed them across to her, taking her a bit by surprise.

“Some easy weekend reading so that you won’t come in cold on Monday.” He lifted his chin in the direction of the folder. “Those are the plans for the upcoming projects. Some of the details were hammered out while I was in London. No one has seen them as yet. I’d like to get your take on it.”

Alexis cleared her throat. “I’ll let you know.”

He gave a short nod just as the Lincoln cruised to a halt. “We’re here.”

Michael rounded the car and opened the door. He extended a hand to help her to her feet. Alexis stepped out onto Sutton Place. She glanced upward at the four- and five-story town houses that ran between Fifty-Seventh and Fifty-Eighth Streets, oozed style and sophistication and paid homage to the bygone era of the roaring ’20s. The building boasted a long list of who’s who from the financial world like the Vanderbilts and the Morgans of J. P. Morgan fame, and celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, actress Sigourney Weaver, designer Kenneth Cole and architect I. M. Pei.

“I know originally that we were to set you up in Midtown,” Graham was saying as he stepped out of the car to stand beside her. “A good friend of mine owns one of the apartments at 10 Sutton and he’s never here. R.E.A.L. leased it from him. I hope you’ll like it.”

Okay, now she was speechless. She’d heard about Sutton Place, read about it and saw pictures of the stately homes and co-ops. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine living there. She wanted to do the happy dance but was sure it would be inappropriate.

“Very nice. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said, with a slight wave of her hand as if she lived in million-dollar homes on a regular basis.

Michael retrieved her bags from the car and was met at the curb by the red-vested doorman complete with a luggage cart.

“Welcome back, Mr. Stone. How was your trip?”

“Very productive, Glen. Thanks. How’ve you been? Did your wife have the baby yet?”

“Any minute now,” the young man said with a beaming smile. “And I really want to thank you for writing the scholarship letter for my niece.”

Graham clapped Glen on the shoulder. “Not a problem. You just tell Misty to make us all proud.”

“Oh, she will. I know she will.”

Alexis took this all in as Michael and Glen loaded the suitcases onto the cart. Graham Stone lived here or did he just know the doorman? She could hear her voice rising in her head. Michael took Graham’s bags and added them with the others, answering her unspoken question.

“I want you to look out for Ms. Montgomery. She’ll be taking over Vernon’s apartment on three. Alexis Montgomery, Glen Johnson.”

“Nice to meet you.” Alexis shook his hand.

“Ms. Montgomery.” He gave her a short nod and a smile. “Well, that explains the cleaning company and all the moving. I thought Mr. Vernon was finally coming back,” Glen said as he began pushing the cart to the entrance.

“Hopefully they did a good job,” Graham said as he strode forward. He stopped at the front desk and shook hands with the man behind the counter, took a set of keys and waved Alexis over.

“Alexis Montgomery, this is Milton, the building’s concierge. Whatever you need, he’ll help you.” He placed the keys in Alexis’s hand.

“Welcome to 10, Ms. Montgomery.” He produced a brochure from beneath the desk and handed it to her. “It contains a list of amenities as well as information on local services.”

“Thank you.”

Graham had walked off and was in conversation with a woman who’d just gotten off the elevator. He kissed her cheek and held the elevator door for Michael and Glen who stepped aside to let Alexis board.

The door swooshed closed behind them. Alexis was working hard at being cool but it was becoming more difficult by the minute.

Michael pressed the button. Within moments the doors opened onto her floor. The corridor was as exquisite and lush as a staged photograph. The cool spearmint-colored carpet made the hallway virtually soundproof and exuded a sensation of tranquillity. Michael and Glen led the way toward the front door. Alexis’s heartbeat escalated with each step. Graham lingered a few steps behind. He was busy texting on his phone.

Alexis stood in front of apartment 3. She fiddled with the keys until she located the correct one and then inserted it into the lock and turned.

The front door opened onto a spacious living space flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows that rose to meet cathedral ceilings. She slowly walked in, feeling as if she were entering someone else’s life. It was ultramodern with splashes of noir chic. The wood floors sparkled. The open floor plan showcased a chef’s kitchen complete with an oversized stainless-steel refrigerator, dishwasher, double oven and a center island with a sink in the center and seating for four. The overhead cabinets wrapped around the kitchen and were inset with opaque glass. At the far end of the living room was a metal spiral staircase that led downstairs.

“Where would you like your bags, Ms. Montgomery?” Glen asked.

Alexis blinked rapidly, gave her head a slight shake and turned to face the three men who stood behind her.

“Umm.” She looked around quickly.

“The bedrooms are downstairs,” Graham offered, briefly glancing up from his cell phone.

She looked at him with a raised brow of question.

“My apartment is similar,” he said by way of an answer. “I’m on top of you.”

Her insides quivered. On top of me. Her thoughts galloped off at breakneck speed and nearly dragged her along with them. She drew in a breath. “Downstairs, then,” she said. “Thanks.”

Glen and Michael unloaded the cart and began taking the bags to the lower level.

“This apartment is fabulous.”

“They’ve upgraded all of the units in the past five years.” He looked casually around. “Vernon did a nice job with the space.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“Almost eight years.”

Glen and Michael returned. “Your bags are in the master bedroom,” Glen offered.

“Thank you so much.”

He nodded his head and hurried out, shutting the door softly behind him.

“We’ll let you get settled,” Graham said and was walking to the door before all of the words were out of his mouth. Michael reached the door before him and opened it.

“Thank you again,” Alexis called out.

Graham raised a hand in acknowledgment just before the door closed behind them.

Alexis released a breath of pure, giddy delight. She grabbed the handrail and hurried downstairs. She reached the bottom and stopped in her tracks. The bottom of the stairs opened onto a sitting room. The walls had built-in shelves with cabinets underneath. Beyond the sitting room was a full bathroom on the other side of the stairs. Down the narrow hallway was another kitchen—smaller than the one upstairs but just as finely detailed and equipped. Opposite the kitchen was a formal dining room. The next room over was a good-size bedroom and around a short corner was the master bedroom with a cedar walk-in closet complete with en suite.

Now this is off the charts. She opened and closed doors and explored all the nooks and crannies. Wait until she told Naomi. She had definitely hit pay dirt. Dream job, dream apartment in the city that never sleeps and a boss that... Her breath caught in her chest. She wouldn’t think about that. Couldn’t think about it. Instinctively her eyes rose and she imagined Graham walking through his apartment—on top of her.

Chapter 3

Graham loosened his tie and shrugged out of his jacket while he walked from the entrance straight to his bedroom. He’d opted to keep his bedroom on the lower level as well, with the main level reserved for dining and entertaining. He’d purchased the apartment almost eight years earlier but he was still unaccustomed to the luxury of it all. His former life was a far cry from the one he lived now and even though the battle scars weren’t visible they remained.

He hung his jacket on the hook behind his bedroom door, opened his walk-in closet and slid his suitcase inside, only taking out his shaving kit. He’d deal with unpacking later. He tugged his tie all the way off and hung it on the tie rack, stepped out of his shoes and placed them on the shelf with the others then shut the closet door. Two rows of shoes. Sometimes he had to look more than once to believe it.

What he wanted was a cold beer, to stretch out on the couch and catch a Knicks game. He stripped out of his shirt, tossed it in the laundry bag and hung his slacks up with his jacket on the back of the door. He’d have Milton send everything over to the dry cleaner in the morning along with his other suit and the shirts from his trip.

He grabbed a white T-shirt from the middle drawer of his dresser and a pair of navy blue sweatpants that were faded and as soft as a baby’s blanket from years of washing and wearing. The U.S. Navy insignia on the right pocket was barely visible. He headed back upstairs with the hope that there was at least one beer in the fridge. He lucked out.

He plucked the bottle of Coors from the shelf and took a quick look at the contents inside the fridge and then the deep freezer, packed tight with meats, fish and chicken. A ball of tension knotted in his stomach. He walked over to the pantry and pulled the door open and then the cabinets one by one. His heart thundered in his chest. Not enough. There wasn’t enough. For a moment his right hand trembled ever so slightly as he ran it across the rows of canned goods, boxed items, bags of pastas, jars of sauces and columns of spices. What he saw was half full, not abundance. Rationally he understood that, but emotionally he saw empty. He felt pangs of hunger and an unreasonable fear that made his heart race.

He forced himself to close the cabinet door. He twisted off the cap on the beer bottle and took a long, calming swallow. He squeezed his eyes shut and willed his pulse to slow. By degrees he began to relax and the images of his past slowly receded.

Graham crossed the room, picked up the remote from the coffee table and aimed it at the wall-mounted flat-screen television. He surfed until he found the game before setting down the remote. Second quarter. The Knicks were down by ten. He shook his head, chuckled and stretched out on the couch.

When a commercial played across the screen showcasing a quartet of beautiful women celebrating with a night out on the town, he thought of Alexis Montgomery and wondered how she would fit in with his team and the pace of the New York lifestyle.

He’d read her résumé. It was impressive to say the least. She had an MBA in finance and a doctorate in education. She spoke fluent Spanish, French and was competent in Mandarin. She was well traveled, well-read and well respected, and she was definitely easy on the eyes. He was eager to hear her thoughts on the proposal that he’d given her to review. He liked the sound of her voice, the even throatiness of it and the way she looked directly at him. And even the way she tackled opening that bottle of water. He smiled and took another long swallow of beer just as the game resumed.

* * *

In a little under two hours, Alexis had unpacked and began to familiarize herself with her new digs. She’d set up her laptop in the smaller of the two bedrooms that she would use as her office. She’d verified that the cable was on and the internet was working—all courtesy of R.E.A.L. There were the basic staples in the fridge and pantry but she needed to go food shopping, especially to pick up some of the things that she liked. She had no idea where to go but maybe Milton could tell her where the nearest supermarket was.

She shoved her feet into her sneakers, grabbed her purse and dropped her cell phone inside. She palmed the weight of her new keys and grinned as she wrapped her fingers around them and her new life. She took another look around before heading out of the door.

Milton was reading the New York Times when she approached the front desk. “Ms. Montgomery.” He rested the paper on the desk. “How can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find the nearest supermarket.”

His right brow rose momentarily. “Certainly.” He frowned. “Should I get you a car service?”

“How far is it?”

“Several blocks.”

She smiled. “I’ll be fine. I could use a good walk and get a chance to see the neighborhood.”

He didn’t look convinced and gave a slight shrug. He came from behind the desk with the intention of walking with her outside and pointing her in the right direction, just as the elevator bell tinged and Graham stepped off. His dark eyes widened. A half smile teased his mouth as he approached the desk.

“Everything okay with your flat?”

Flat. That made her smile. “Fine. Everything is great. I was asking Milton about the supermarkets in the area. I want to pick up a few things.”

Graham placed the linen laundry bag with the building’s logo on the desk. “Can you send these out for me? The usual. Light starch on the shirts.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Stone.”

“If you don’t mind some company, I’ll walk with you,” Graham offered.

“Great.”

Graham extended his arm toward the front door.

* * *

The early-evening weather was still warm. Couples walked hand in hand and families strolled along the avenues pushing baby strollers, while others jogged to the rhythm of the tunes coming from their headsets and earbuds. The towering trees had begun to bloom, filling the air with the sweet scent of awakening.

“Great neighborhood,” Alexis said as they made the turn onto First Avenue.

“Yes, it is.”

She tilted her head to look at him. “You don’t sound convinced.”

He laughed lightly. “Oh, I’m convinced.” His eyes quickly roamed the street. “Who wouldn’t be?”

Alexis studied his profile for a moment, watching his countenance stiffen then relax as if he’d seen something he wished he hadn’t.

Graham pushed out a breath and turned his megawatt smile on her just as they approached Gristedes. He pulled open the heavy glass-and-chrome door. Alexis walked in ahead of him. Every aisle was lined with shoppers and the incredible assortment of goods was beyond imagination. It was a food lovers paradise.

“Take as much time as you need,” Graham said. “I have a few things to pick up myself and we can share a cab back.”

“Great. Thanks.”

“I’ll meet you up front when you’re done.”

She nodded in agreement, grabbed a shopping cart and started off. She probably should have eaten a full meal before setting foot in this emporium. She was tempted to purchase everything that she laid her eyes on and wished she’d brought a list. She selected a case of imported water, fresh vegetables and baked bread, fish, chicken and seasonings, sorbet, yogurt, fruit and mixings for salads. She could easily spend the day here, but her cart was nearly full. She pushed her cart to the checkout line and watched the numbers add up. New York prices were enough to send her into a sticker shock.

Alexis took out her credit card and reluctantly swiped it. Good thing this job pays well. She watched the groceries being bagged. Graham was standing at the store’s exit talking on his phone when she pushed her loaded cart next to him.

His eyes skipped over her purchases and hers were agape at his. He had two carts filled to the rim and she could only conclude that he hadn’t shopped in months.

Graham ended his call. “Get everything you need?”

“I sure hope so.” She lifted her chin in the direction of his carts. “I see you must have gotten one of everything.”

His eyes crinkled in the corners. “A few things.” He stepped away toward a cab that was lined up at the curb. The driver got out and opened the trunk.

“You think there will be enough room?” Alexis asked with a laugh.

“We’ll make it fit. Won’t we?”

Her eyes leaped to his face, but he was concentrating on getting the bags into the trunk. The muscles of his arms and back flexed as he lifted and deposited each sack. A lick of heat flamed in the center of her stomach. She swallowed.

“All in,” he said, turning toward her with a glimmer in his eyes. “Off we go, eh?” He shut the trunk and opened the cab door for her. Alexis slid in and moved over to make room for Graham.

Gone was the scent of his enticing cologne. It was replaced with a cool water fragrance that was even more alluring in its subtlety. She licked her lips.

“Liking the flat so far?”

She blinked rapidly and focused on him. “It’s fabulous. More than I could have ever imagined. I can’t thank you enough for arranging it.”

“You do a good job for R.E.A.L. and that will be thanks enough.” He smiled ever so slightly.

Alexis linked her fingers together on her lap while her gaze flicked across his face.

Within moments the taxi was pulling up in front of their building. Glen hurried toward the cab with a luggage cart and helped to unload the bags of groceries and wheeled them inside.

“Don’t know whose is whose,” Alexis said.

“We can sort it all out upstairs.”

They followed Glen onto the elevator. “Where to first?”

“Stop by my flat first, then you can help Ms. Montgomery.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Stone.”

They rode the elevator to Graham’s floor while Glen whistled some off-tune melody. Exiting, Alexis followed the two men down the hall to Graham’s apartment. He opened the door. Alexis lingered at the threshold.

“Come on in. You can help sort through.”

Alexis came in and looked around. The set up was similar to hers but the decor was decidedly different. Graham’s furnishings were in a deep chocolate. A leather sectional that could easily seat ten dominated the living space. At least she thought it did until her gaze landed on the mammoth television. She held back a laugh. Boys and their toys. One wall was covered from floor to ceiling with a bookcase that held at least two hundred books. Impressive. She wondered if he’d read them all. The tabletops held framed photos of Graham in a variety of situations. Most were with people who she believed were students, in others he was at banquets, and there were several with senators and one with President Obama.

Graham and Glen sifted through the bags and deposited all that belonged to Graham on the kitchen floor and on the counters.

“All done,” Graham announced by the time Alexis made her way to the unloading zone. “Glen will take yours down to your place.”

“Thanks. When did you get to meet with the president?” she asked while Glen wheeled her groceries to the door.

“I was on his education committee during his first term. That particular photo was taken during a fund-raising dinner for his second term.”

“You travel in pretty high circles. I had no idea you were part of the education committee.”

“It’s not something that I broadcast.”

“Why not during his second term?”

“As much as I wanted to help President Obama further his agenda, it took me away from mine. My focus needed to return to R.E.A.L.”

She nodded her head in understanding. “Good choice.”

He grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

Graham stood in his doorway and waited until the elevator door swished closed. He slowly shut his door and hoped that he hadn’t made an awful mistake in hiring Alexis Montgomery.

* * *

Alexis had finished putting away her groceries, seasoned a piece of salmon and was waiting for it to finish broiling when her doorbell chimed. She frowned, wiped her hands on a towel and went to the door and pulled it open.

“Graham. Mr. Stone.”

“Graham is fine.” He held up one of the Gristedes bags. “This was mixed in with mine.” He extended the bag that was filled with salad greens.

“I thought it might be with your things. Thank you. I could have come up and gotten it.”

“Not a problem. Mmm, something smells good.”

“I have some salmon broiling.” She paused. “You’re welcome to join me if you want. There’s plenty.”

“Thank you but I’d probably fall asleep. Jet lag is beginning to catch up with me.”

She wanted to run her fingers across the expanse of his chest...just to see if it was as hard as she imagined. She smiled instead. “I totally understand. Get some rest.” She took the bag. “Thanks.”

“Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

“You, too.”

Alexis slowly closed her apartment door then rested her head against it and shut her eyes. They were going to wind up in bed together, and there was nothing that either of them could do about it. That she knew for sure. What she didn’t know was if she’d be able to keep her job the morning after.

Chapter 4

“Finer than Ian?” Naomi squeaked in disbelief.

“Yes. They haven’t invented the word to describe the man.” Alexis put her feet up on the couch and snuggled into girl-talk mode. She reached for her glass of wine and took a sip.

“Details, details. Let me live vicariously.”

Alexis giggled and then began to fill Naomi in from the moment they met in the car to his dropping off her misplaced groceries.

“Sounds yummy, and a Brit accent, too. Got a little Idris Elba thing going on. Is he single? No, forget that question. You know that mixing business with pleasure is always a disaster.”

Alexis sighed. “I know. Bad business for all concerned. Great if it works, a nightmare when it doesn’t.” She finished off her wine. “But a girl can dream.”

“Make sure it’s only a dream, Lexi,” Naomi warned. “This is a phenomenal career move for you, don’t sabotage it. Besides, if he is as fine as you say he is, then he probably has a string of women nipping at his heels anyway.”

“You’re probably right. But I still have my dreams,” she said on a playful note. Naomi had always been the more provincial, live by the rules, don’t rock the boat kind of girl. She was her conscience, and Alexis knew in the months to come that she was going to need Naomi’s good sense to whisper in her ear when it came to Graham Stone.

* * *

At eight forty-five on Monday morning, Alexis walked through the doors of R.E.A.L. The offices were located on the fifteenth and sixteenth floors of what was once part of the ABC Television offices on Avenue of the Americas and Fifty-Third Street in Manhattan. Everything looked pretty much the way she remembered from her last visit.

The receptionist looked up from her computer screen and smiled. “Good morning, how can I help you?”

“Good morning. I’m Alexis Montgomery. I start work today.”

The young woman’s eyes widened. “Oh, Ms. Montgomery.” She hopped up from her seat. She extended her hand across the horseshoe shaped desk, which Alexis shook. “Mr. Stone told me to send you straight to his office when you arrived.”

Alexis’s pulse quickened at the mention of his name. “Certainly.”

“Let me advise him that you’re here.” She quickly pressed a button on the multiline phone and spoke into her headset. “Yes. Of course.” She looked across the desk at Alexis. “Straight down the hall, make the first right and his office is on the left.”

“Thank you.”

Alexis followed the directions and passed several employees in the hallway and others who were getting settled into their offices. She made the turn and slowed her step. The door was partially open. She could hear his distinctive voice but couldn’t make out the words. Alexis approached the door and knocked.

“Yes. Come in.”

Alexis pushed the door open and stepped inside. Graham stood up from behind his desk. A stunning woman with large, luminous dark eyes and a short pixie haircut turned from her seat to look at Alexis from over her shoulder. She had on a soft pink skirt suit. Everyone couldn’t get away with wearing pink without looking like Barbie. But this woman could.

Graham came from around the rather large desk. “Alexis. Good morning.” He turned to the seated woman. “Tracy Carter, this is Alexis Montgomery.”

Tracy extended her hand but didn’t get up. “I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

Alexis shook her proffered hand and was drawn to Tracy’s green eyes that reflected like hidden jewels against her sandy-brown complexion. “Nice to meet you.”

Tracy’s softly tinted lips barely lifted into a smile. “Welcome aboard.”

The two women held each other’s gaze. Tracy was the first to turn away.

“Tracy is my executive director and probably knows more about how this business runs than I do. She’ll bring you up to speed and get you set up in your office.” His phone rang. He reached for the phone and gave them a brief look that the meeting was over.

Tracy retrieved her iPad from the desk and stood. “I’ll direct you to your office,” she said, swinging past Alexis. Alexis offered Graham a tight smile that he completely missed before leaving with Tracy.

“So how long have you been with the organization?” Alexis asked while they walked down the hall and back to the elevators.

Tracy tucked her iPad under her left arm and pressed the up button on the panel. “Since we opened,” she said without any further elaboration.

Alexis’s right brow flickered upward. She slid a look at Tracy from the corner of her eye. This was going to be interesting.

They got off on the sixteenth floor and Tracy silently led the way to the corner office at the end of the wide hallway. She took out a key card from the pocket of her jacket and slid it through the slot like a hotel room. The lock clicked open. Tracy opened the door and stood aside to let Alexis go in. Her first gracious overture since they met.

Alexis looked around. A genuine corner office. Wow. She turned to Tracy. “Thank you.”

“IT will be up in about—” she checked her watch “—twenty minutes to get your computer set up, and give you a company cell and iPad. I’ll send in Claire. She’ll be your assistant. Graham... Mr. Stone has you on his schedule for eleven-thirty in his office.”

“Thank you, Tracy.”

“I’ll send Claire right in.” She handed Alexis the key card, walked out and closed the door behind her.

Alexis stared at the door for a moment. Tracy Carter clearly had a bug up her behind. Alexis wasn’t quite sure how she fit into the equation but she wasn’t going to let Tracy’s cold shoulder rub off on her. She walked to the window that overlooked the city. In the distance she could see the treetops of Central Park, and felt the buzz and electricity of the city speeding by below. It was like looking at a magnificent movie with the sound muted.

Her heartbeat escalated. She was here—New York City, with a six-figure job and an apartment on Sutton Place. She had the opportunity to make major changes in education on a global scale. It was everything she could possibly hope for. And then, of course, there was the Graham Stone factor that made the package perfect.

She turned away from the window at the sound of a knock on the door.

“Yes, come in.”

The door eased open and a young woman peeked her head in.

“Claire?”

“Yes.”

Alexis crossed the room as she spoke. “Please come in.”

Claire stepped fully inside. “Good morning, Ms. Montgomery. Claire Davis.”

Alexis extended her hand. “My pleasure. I understand we’ll be working together.”

“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you need.”

“How long have you been working here, Claire?”

“Two years.”

Alexis bobbed her head. “Good.” She blew out a breath. “IT will be up shortly. But until they get here why don’t you give me your perspective of R.E.A.L., the who’s who and where you see yourself in five years.”

Claire blinked back her surprise. “Well...”

Alexis sat down on one of the club chairs and indicated that Claire should sit, as well.

“Before you say anything, I want you to understand that as my assistant I will be entrusting you with keeping me on task, from something as simple as taking a phone message to scheduling appointments, maintaining my calendar, navigating me through the minefield of R.E.A.L. We are a team. That means we work together as a unit. I depend on you and you depend on me to help you do your job. When I’m lagging, I want you to let me know. I can be demanding and get an awful case of tunnel vision when I’m immersed in a project. I give one hundred fifty percent, and I expect no less from anyone that I work with. I make sure that hard work is rewarded.”

Claire sat up straighter in her seat. “As I said, I’ve been here for two years. I worked for Mr. Martin. He had the position before you arrived.” She paused a moment. “Actually, we all thought that this position would go to Tracy.”

That explained the attitude. Alexis nodded and let Claire continue.

“I have a master’s degree in educational leadership. I spent four years with Teach America, teaching fifth grade in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. I’m good at what I do. I’m married and have a two-year-old son. I’m dedicated to my job but I will be honest, my family comes first.”

Alexis smiled. “That was the most impressive thing you said...about your family.” That little ache that echoed in her belly was still there, not as powerful or as painful as when her mom first passed away, but there nonetheless. She knew the importance of family. She was sure that if her mom would have still been here she would have never left Atlanta, no matter how good this deal was. She cleared her throat. “I think we’re going to make a formidable pair.”

Claire smiled and appeared to physically relax.

The knock diverted their attention.

“IT,” a voice announced.

“Come in,” Alexis said, standing. Claire followed suit.

“Morning, I’m Jason. I’m gonna connect all of your equipment and set up your accounts.”

“I’ll get out of your way.”

“It should only take about fifteen minutes.” He sat down at the desk, booted up his laptop and turned on her computer. He got set up and went to work.

“Where can I get a cup of coffee?” Alexis asked.

“Come on, I’ll show you the employee lounge and my office...and,” she added with a grin, “the ladies room.”

* * *

By the time Alexis and Claire returned to her office, Jason was just finishing up. He showed Alexis how to sign into her email account, and had her sign for an iPad and a company cell phone.

“Thanks, Jason.”

“Sure thing. Any problems or questions, we’re at extension 2100.”

Alexis and Claire sat down to finish their coffee.

“While you’re at the meeting with Mr. Stone, I’ll get your files set up on your computer and check your supplies to see what you may need.”

“Perfect.”

Claire got up. “If you need anything before your meeting, I’m on speed dial.”

Alexis grinned. “That’s definitely good to know.”

“And I’ll email you my cell so that you can program it into your phone,” she added on her way out of the door.

Claire quietly shut the door and Alexis released a long breath. The combination of excitement and nerves ran rampant through her veins. She was eager to get started. She’d had the opportunity to review Graham’s plan and she had some ideas on how to make it happen, as well as a suggestion that she hoped he’d agree to. After studying the company’s objectives and their projects already in operation, she found one area that had been overlooked and if implemented could elevate R.E.A.L. on yet another level.

She turned on her computer and took her jump drive from her purse and popped it into the computer’s USB port. Once the notes that she’d made appeared on her computer screen she reviewed them, made a few corrections and additions and then sent them to a secure folder. Just to be on the safe side, she printed two copies of her report.

She jumped at the sudden ring of her desk phone. She picked it up. Claire was calling to inform her that Mr. Stone wanted to move up their meeting to “right now.” She added that it was something she would have to get used to as he often changed meeting times when he was juggling several projects.

“Thanks. I’m on my way.” She collected her notes, laptop and cell and took the elevator down. It occurred to her as she stepped off that it was odd that Graham, as the founder and CEO, should be on the lower floor. But from everything that she’d gleaned about Graham Stone he was anything but status quo.

Alexis took a moment to get her bearings. She caught a glimpse of soft pink at the end of the corridor, moments before the slender figure crossed a threshold and was out of view. She wondered if Tracy would be attending the meeting. Hopefully she would. It would give Alexis an opportunity to see up close and quickly how Tracy operated and the dynamics between Tracy and Graham.

The rhythmic click of her long-legged stride was absorbed in the dove-gray carpet. Graham’s door was open. Several people were in the office. She walked in.

* * *

Graham sensed her before he actually saw her. The short hairs on the back of his neck tingled. He turned from the conversation he was in with one of his staff members and his gaze zeroed in on Alexis. The tingling sensation spread down the center of his spine. His jaw clenched.

“Ms. Montgomery, please come in.” Graham waved her in and the other four people in the room stopped in midsentence and looked at her.

Alexis felt like she was on the runway at Fashion Week and was being appraised by potential buyers. Graham made the introductions.

“All of you are aware that R.E.A.L. has a new VP of Development. I would like to formerly introduce Alexis Montgomery.”

Alexis’s gaze swept the small assembly and graced them with a warm but professional smile. “Good morning.”

Graham continued the introductions that included Anthony Harrelson, Vivian Small, Kwame Knight and Jae Jennings. They were all the heads of each of the departments: Finance, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Social Media. They would all report to Alexis.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. I’m looking forward to us working together and me getting to know you.”

“You can set up your individual meetings with the department heads and they can bring you up to speed,” Graham said with a briskness that indicated this would not be the place for chitchat and small talk. Everyone took their cue and moved to the rectangular conference table and sat down.

Graham undid the single button on his suit jacket before he took his seat at the head of the table. Alexis found herself between Jae and Vivian. Jae was head of Social Media, and Alexis was sure the evolving digital platforms kept her challenged. She reminded Alexis of a lightning bug in a bottle, buzzing and flashing pinpoints of light and biding its time until the lid was opened and it could escape. Vivian was the diametric opposite. There was a calming aura about her. The strands of silver that ran through her intricately twisted upswept locks belied the buttery smoothness of her skin. Alexis placed the head of Corporate Communications in her early to mid-forties, and noted she wore a striking wedding band encrusted with diamonds.

Anthony Harrelson and Kwame Knight, heads of Finance and Marketing respectively, sat on the opposite side of the table. They could have easily stood in for magazine cover models—gorgeous from head to toe. Alexis absently wondered if good looks was part of the hiring criteria.

Then much to Alexis’s surprise Tracy strutted in and joined them, taking the seat nearest Graham.

“Let’s begin,” Graham said, turning to Tracy.

“The first agenda item is from Finance.” She gave a short nod to Anthony and placed her iPad on the table. She took notes as each executive outlined issues of concern in their departments and gave updates on pending projects.

Alexis remained an observer, which allowed her to get a good sense of the staff members’ styles and personalities, as well as the dynamic between Graham and Tracy.

It was clear that he relied on her and she knew it. Alexis had to give Tracy her props, though. She knew her stuff. She was up on every nuance in every department and if she didn’t understand what was being conveyed, she had no problem challenging the information.

Alexis was surprised at how laid-back Graham appeared to be. She perceived him to be one who relished control, but what she slowly realized was that Graham controlled everyone in the room without uttering a word. It was in a look, a subtle shift of his body in his seat, the sound of a low hum in his throat. Each person in that room deferred and hitched their star to Graham Stone.

The meeting lasted for exactly forty-five minutes. Tracy announced that everyone would have the details of the meeting uploaded to the corporate shared drive by the end of the day.

Everyone except for Tracy and Graham gravitated toward Alexis at the conclusion of the meeting, offering warm words of welcome and promises to contact Claire to set up a one-on-one. Even as she shook hands and smiled and nodded, she managed to catch glimpses of Graham and Tracy nearly head-to-head at the conference table, talking in low whispers.

Alexis was at the door when Graham’s voice stopped her. “Would you wait a few minutes, Alexis? I’d like to have a word.”

Alexis would have sworn on a stack of hotel bibles that Tracy’s perfectly made-up face contorted. But it happened so quickly. Maybe she was wrong.

“Of course.” She moved back into the room.

Tracy took a seat.

Graham’s gaze dropped down to her. “No need for you to stay.”

This time Alexis didn’t mistake the shift in Tracy’s expression. It was lightning quick but it happened.

Tracy grabbed up her iPad and phone. “Oh, of course. I have some calls to make. Don’t forget about your three o’clock.” She breezed by Alexis as if she didn’t exist.

Inwardly Alexis rolled her eyes at Tracy’s immature behavior and took a seat at the table.

“How has the morning been so far?”

Alexis smiled. “A whirlwind. But not more than I expected. Claire is wonderful and everyone seems friendly and good at their jobs.”

Graham nodded while she spoke and Alexis had the feeling that Graham wasn’t really listening, not from the way he was looking at her. His unfaltering gaze and the way he would periodically run his tongue across his bottom lip ignited a slow heat inside her belly, akin to a pot of water put on the stove to simmer.

“I’d like to hear your thoughts on the proposal that I gave you to read.”

Alexis swallowed and shifted a bit in her seat. She crossed her legs. Graham’s gaze momentarily tracked the movement then returned to her face.

“The proposal is solid, which I’m sure you already know. I did a bit of research and I couldn’t find any other urban model that resembled it. I know we can sell the idea to charter and independent schools.”

“I want to begin with the public school system.”

Alexis’s brow flicked. “Okay. If we select a school and set up a model...”

Graham slowly rocked his jaw and pressed his body forward. “My goal is to give every inner-city child—particularly children of color—the educational opportunities that the kids Uptown and in suburbia get. The Public-Private Partnership Initiative will bring in successful people from every area of discipline to conduct classes on how they did it. Ten months of school, ten separate sessions. We work it into the curriculum.”

She was mesmerized by his intensity. The way he presented the proposal was so definitive, so clear, so doable. Except she knew the NYC Department of Education was a sea of bureaucratic red tape. It might take her the length of her five-year contract to pull it off.

“I’ll get working on making the contacts at DOE. I take it you have a list of investors.”

“I do. I’ll get you the list. I want you out front on this.” He leaned back a bit the heat that he emanated lessened. His eyes moved lazily across her face. “You’ll need to set up individual meetings with each of the potential investors, pitch them the idea, and get them on board. Once you and I knock out all the details—this will be tight,” he added, tapping his long finger on the table. “And then we’ll have Legal draft a contract for the investors. I need you to complete this phase of the project in three days.”

Alexis nodded. “I’ll get right on it.” Right on it. I wonder how that would feel?

The corner of his mouth curved ever so slightly as if he’d read her wicked little thoughts. Her face heated.

She stood and smoothed her skirt. “If there’s nothing else...”

“I’d like us to meet again on Thursday to discuss your progress. I have to go out of town on Friday.”

“Oh.” A twinge of disappointment pinched her. “Of course. I’ll get as much done as I can.”

“All of the organization’s resources are at your disposal. All of the department heads report to you. Don’t hesitate to use them.”

“Yes, thank you.” She walked to the door.

“Enjoy the rest of your day,” Graham said.

The murmur of his voice slid up her spine and tickled the hairs at the nape of her neck and the tiniest of moans escaped from her lips. She glanced over her shoulder. “You, too.”

* * *

Alexis headed back to her office, acutely aware of the dampness between her legs. Was she going to have to carry around an extra pair of panties in order to be in the same room with Graham? Damn.

The best thing to get her mind and body off of him was work and she had plenty of it. Yet, even as she returned to her corner office she wondered what was going to be more challenging; completing the details of his complex proposal in three days or staying in her right mind around him.

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