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“Somehow, I pictured my first proposal differently.”

She shrugged, maintaining her pretense of nonchalance when what she really wanted was to find a quiet, dark closet to hide in until her insides quit trembling. She could just imagine her reaction had it been a real engagement.

Devin stared into her face, his brows knitting as they did when he was working out a problem in his head.

“What? Having second thoughts?” Her heart stuttered to a stop and she held her breath. Not like the engagement was real or anything. “That’s bad when you’re having second thoughts about an engagement that really isn’t. Does the thought of a Kendall marrying a lowly executive assistant go against the grain?” She tried to laugh, failing miserably.

He shook his head. “No. I was thinking we should seal this deal in some way.” His frown lifted and he leaned closer, his hand rising to cup the back of her neck, drawing her closer. “Perhaps with a kiss.”

About the Author

A Golden Heart winner for Best Paranormal Romance in 2004, ELLE JAMES started writing when her sister issued a Y2K challenge to write a romance novel. She managed a full-time job, raised three wonderful children and she and her husband even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas Hill Country. Ask her, and she’ll tell you what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird! After leaving her successful career in information technology management, Elle is now pursuing her writing full-time. She loves building exciting stories about heroes, heroines, romance and passion. Elle loves to hear from fans. You can contact her at ellejames@earthlink.net or visit her website at www.ellejames.com.

Engaged with
the Boss
Elle James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Chapter One

Devin Kendall left his office at Kendall Communications late as usual, long after rush hour. When he stepped out into the parking garage, he waved as his uncle Craig drove past.

Weary beyond sanity, Devin climbed into his Lexus SUV and relaxed into the leather bucket seats. As tired as he was, he could fall asleep here. All he had to do was recline the seat and close his eyes.

The temptation was great, considering he hadn’t slept much the past few nights. Not with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Or at least the weight of his family’s safety, which in Devin’s mind was his world.

All these years they’d been so certain the killer who’d taken his parents’ lives was off the street, no longer a threat.

That belief had been shattered just a few weeks ago. DNA evidence had proved that Rick Campbell, the man who’d spent the better part of twenty years in jail for the crime, wasn’t the one who’d committed the murders. The police had arrested and the jury had sentenced the wrong man. His parents’ killer still remained at large.

Devin hadn’t slept well since, knowing the killer had been free all this time.

He buckled up, cranked the engine and drove out of the parking garage onto the streets of downtown St. Louis. He noticed his uncle’s car turned left out of the parking garage onto Market Street. As Devin headed east, a car that had been illegally parked on the normally busy street slipped in behind his uncle’s four-door BMW sedan.

This late in the evening, it was not unusual for there to be cars moving up and down Market Street. But something about the way the vehicle had slipped in behind his uncle’s car had the hairs on the back of Devin’s neck standing on end.

The car’s driver hadn’t switched his lights on. The streetlamps gave out enough light that a person could forget to turn on their headlights, but the feeling scratching across his subconscious wouldn’t let Devin rest.

Instead of turning right toward the warehouse district where he lived, Devin made the decision to follow his uncle for a couple blocks. Just in case.

He stayed far enough behind the two cars as not to generate suspicion, until he noticed the vehicle following his uncle didn’t have a license plate. Alarm bells sounded in Devin’s head. He increased his speed, closing the distance between his SUV and the two cars ahead until he was only a hundred yards behind. He wasn’t fast enough.

When his uncle turned north on Jefferson Avenue, the nondescript car behind him sped up. As they rounded the corner, the trailing car rammed into Craig’s sedan, slamming the BMW into the traffic light pole. The unlicensed car sped away, leaving a trail of burned rubber.

Devin skidded his Lexus to a halt behind his uncle’s vehicle, hit the hazard light switch and jumped out.

“Uncle Craig!” He reached the driver’s door as his uncle pounded against it.

Jammed by the impact, the door wouldn’t open until Devin braced his foot against the side of the car and yanked with all his might. The door swung open and his uncle looked out at him, the powder of the deployed air bags dusting his hair and face.

“What happened?” Craig asked, fumbling to unclip his seat belt.

Devin leaned in and released the buckle. “That fool just ran you off the road. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Just a little shaken.” His uncle tried to get out of the car, his face pale, his eyes glazed.

Devin placed a hand on his uncle’s shoulder, insisting he remain seated. “I’m calling an ambulance.”

“Really, I’m fine. I’d rather go on home to bed. It was just a little accident.”

“No way. We need to stay right here while I also call the police. I had a feeling something like this would happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“That was no accident. Whoever hit you knew exactly what he was doing. That was a deliberate attack.”

“WHAT HAPPENED TO UNCLE Craig last night was no accident.” Devin Kendall paced the length of his spacious office. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I haven’t slept in days.”

“What can we do that isn’t already being done?” Craig responded from where he sat on the leather couch, pressing his fingers to his forehead gingerly, lucky he only had a bump on his forehead to show for his collision with the light pole. “The car that hit me hasn’t been found—it was too dark to identify the make and model. Basically, the police have nothing to go on.”

Devin’s family had gathered for this meeting at his request. The twentieth anniversary of his parents’ murders loomed like a ghostly specter with teeth that could come back to bite any one of the Kendalls—and apparently had in the attack on his uncle the previous night.

Devin stopped pacing and faced his family. “The person who killed our parents is still out there. And things are becoming much more dangerous since Rick Campbell’s murder.”

Though he had been exonerated of the crime for which he’d served almost twenty years, Campbell had not been able to revel in his release as he himself was killed just days afterward.

Devin’s sister, Natalie, leaned forward in the wing-backed chair beside the couch. “Whoever did it hasn’t made a move on the rest of us.” With her long straight blond hair and green eyes, Natalie was the spitting image of their dead mother. And, she could more than hold her own in a marketing meeting with the executives of the multimillion-dollar corporation, Kendall Communications.

But Devin wasn’t so sure she could stand up against a cold-blooded murderer. “What if the killer decides the police are getting too close? What if one of us reminds him too much of our parents and he decides to kill again?”

“You’re borrowing trouble, Dev.” His brother Ash shook his head. “The St. Louis Metropolitan Police have reopened the case. We’re working it.”

Devin snorted. “No offense, Ash, but they arrested the wrong man twenty years ago. What makes you think they can figure it out now?”

Ash’s lips thinned into a straight line and his eyes narrowed at Devin. “This time, we don’t have a celebrity-seeking cop investigating. And we’re not kids ready to accept any answer.”

His chest tightened as Devin recalled the morning he’d learned his parents had been murdered. Guilt wadded like a fist in his throat and he had to swallow several times to clear it in order to speak.

He’d been out all night and sneaked back into the house only to find their bodies. Natalie had been standing in mute shock. If only he’d been there, he might have been able to stop the murderer and spared his little sister the horror.

Devin wished his brother Thad was there. As usual, Thad was off on a journalism assignment with no expected return date and limited ability to contact.

Jolie Carson, Devin’s executive assistant, appeared at his side with a cup of coffee. Just her presence helped to ease his discomfort. She’d been his best hire to date. Six years and counting, she’d stood by him, organized his schedule and his life to the point he couldn’t imagine functioning without her. He took the coffee mug from her. “Thanks.”

Devin took a sip of the coffee. Black, with a hint of cinnamon, just the way he liked it. “We aren’t kids anymore.” He set the mug on the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “But that might make us more of a target.”

“What do you suggest we do?” Natalie’s eyebrows rose up her forehead. “Hide in our homes until the real killer is brought to justice?” She stood, her shoulders back, twin flags of color in her cheeks. “I’m not going to run scared just because some lunatic is out there. Twenty years is a long time. If he was going to make a move on any of the rest of us, he’d have done it by now. I have a job, as do the rest of you.”

Jolie stopped on her way out of the office. “She’s right. You can’t run scared or the killer wins.”

Devin scowled at Jolie. She propped a hand on her hip, her lips firm, her chin held high, daring him to contradict her in front of his family.

He’d have a talk with Jolie when everyone cleared out of his office. Her advice was usually sound and he valued her opinion, but she didn’t understand how dangerous the situation could get.

“Natalie and Jolie are right.” Craig stood, as well. “Much as I hate that we haven’t found the killer, we can’t live in fear. We have lives. We have a business to run.”

If Devin could, he’d lock his family up on the Kendall estate until the killer was found. He leaned toward telling them just that, but knew they’d fight him tooth and nail. The Kendall stubborn streak was strong in every one of them. It’s what made them successful. They didn’t give up and they didn’t run scared. Unfortunately, that didn’t make him worry any less.

The tension in his shoulders loosened and he sighed. “Just do me a favor, will you?”

His siblings and uncle waited before committing to the favor.

“Be careful. Watch your backs and don’t take anything for granted. If you see anything or anyone suspicious, let me or Ash know immediately. You can’t be too cautious.” His message was for all of them, but his gaze landed on Natalie.

She frowned. “I’m always careful. Just try to attack me and let’s see who ends up on his butt.” She waved him forward, her stance hampered by her slim-fitting skirt.

Jolie chuckled. “I’m scared.”

“Me, too.” Ash clapped his sister on her back. “Natalie is a black belt.”

“Training and defending are completely different.” Devin’s gaze darkened. Natalie was his little sister. He still felt responsible for her safety even though she was a fully grown twenty-six-year-old.

“I think he’s chicken,” Natalie confided to Ash, her gaze on Devin, a smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. “But I’ll let it slide this time. I’d hate to damage my favorite skirt.” She cocked her head at him. “Anything else, dear brother?”

“Yeah, I need that marketing plan by end of day. I suggest you get to work before the CEO fires you.”

She laughed. “Anyone ever tell the CEO he’s a pain in the butt?”

“That could be construed as insubordination.” Devin shot a wad of paper at her. “Get out of here.”

Natalie spun on her sensible heel and headed for the door, stopping long enough to ask Jolie, “We still on for dinner tonight?”

“You bet. I’ve been dying to try that new Hunan restaurant around the corner.”

“Me, too.” Natalie turned back toward her brothers. “And, don’t worry, I’ll have eyes in the back of my head.”

Craig buttoned his suit jacket. “I’m sorry this has all come up again. Your aunt Angela is beside herself with worry.”

“Like Natalie said, we can take care of ourselves.” Ash draped an arm over his uncle’s shoulder. “You and Aunt Angela have done so much for this family. I’m more worried about you than the rest of us.”

Craig and Angela had taken on the responsibility of raising the Kendall children upon the death of their parents.

“I beefed up the security at the estate,” Craig said. “I’m considering hiring a bodyguard, but Angela is dead set against it.”

Natalie paused in the doorway. “Can’t blame her.” She shuddered. “I’d hate having someone following me around, anticipating my every move. It would drive me nuts.” She glanced at Jolie. “Six o’clock, then. Bye.”

Jolie smiled and closed the door behind Natalie. She had her wavy red hair pulled back in a neat bun, exposing the long length and porcelain skin of her neck.

For a moment, Devin studied the way an errant curl bounced against her earlobe and wondered what she looked like with her hair down. She was somewhat plain in her soft gray suit with a proper slim-line skirt cut to the knee. Everything about Jolie was proper except her wicked sense of humor and her ability to tell him like it was. She didn’t pull her punches.

He liked that about her. Jolie Carson didn’t take any guff from him or anyone else.

“I’m out of here. Duty calls.” Ash, always assuming his role as the cop, headed for the door. “I’m still digging through the case file hoping I find something they missed. I’ll start interviewing witnesses again soon.”

“Can you keep us up-to-date on how it goes?” Devin asked.

“You bet.” Ash crossed the room and just as he reached for the door handle, Natalie crashed back in.

“You aren’t going to believe this.” She walked to the large television screen mounted on the wall, flicked it on and fumbled with the remote until she had a picture of the local district attorney at what appeared to be a press conference in front of the St. Louis courthouse.

A reporter pushed a mike in his face. “We understand the Christmas Eve Murders case has been reopened. What are you and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department doing to solve this case?”

The D.A. stood straight and looked directly into the camera. “As you all have heard, with the latest forensic evidence, the state crime lab was able to rule out Rick Campbell as the murderer. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has reopened and is actively investigating the case again. We’ll get our murderer.”

“Any guesses as to who might have done it?” another reporter asked.

“It’s too early to say at this time. Let the detectives do their work.” The D.A.’s eyebrows lowered, his eyes darkening. “But we’ll look at everyone involved with the Kendall family. As in the majority of murder cases, many times it’s someone close to the family, usually a family member who commits the crime.”

Natalie and Jolie gasped.

Devin, Ash and Craig all swore.

“That SOB. How dare he cast suspicion on the Kendalls.” Natalie’s cheeks flamed and her hands fisted. “I’d like to have a word with that man.”

Jolie shook her head. “Perhaps he’s after the publicity. Bashing the Kendalls is a sure way to get the cameras turned your way.”

“But why?” Natalie stared at the man on the screen. “He’s not up for reelection this year.”

“No, and he wouldn’t get my vote even if he was.” Devin flicked the television off. “Don’t let it worry you. They don’t have anything on any one of us.”

“Yeah, but the media will be following us, just in case they find some dirt somewhere,” Uncle Craig said. “If they don’t find dirt, they might just make something up to sensationalize a slow-news night.”

“Be extra vigilant with your safety and keep your nose clean.” Devin shot a stern look at his siblings. “Don’t get caught in a situation where you’re cornered by the paparazzi.”

Ash snorted. “Easier said than done. Later, brother.” He grabbed Devin’s hand and shook it, then pulled him close. “Get some rest. You look like hell.”

“Thanks, you don’t look so good yourself. Keep an eye on that fiancée of yours. She could be in as much danger as the rest of us. Especially since she found the DNA evidence that freed Rick Campbell.”

“Rachel can hold her own. But I’ll gladly keep a very close eye on her.” Ash waggled his eyebrows.

Devin shook his head. “How she puts up with you, I’ll never know.”

Ash smiled at Jolie. “My big brother hasn’t learned that a good woman makes a man want to be a better person. That woman could be right under his nose and he hasn’t pulled his head out of the sand long enough to notice.” He winked at Devin. “Am I right?”

“Shut up and get out.” Devin shook his head, a hint of a smile pulling at his lips. Ash was a ladies’ man who’d met his match in Rachel. That didn’t mean Devin was headed down the matrimonial path. He had too much on his plate to even think of a relationship.

His gaze landed on Jolie. She was the ideal woman, the one he found himself measuring all others by. If he decided to settle down and think about a wife and two-point-one children, he’d like to find someone as strong and stable as Jolie. But that was a big if, one he didn’t intend to explore anytime in the near future.

And she was his executive assistant. Completely off-limits in the corporate world. He shuddered inwardly at the media nightmare such a relationship would generate.

JOLIE SAT ACROSS THE restaurant table from Natalie, laughing and chatting. Yet her thoughts were of Devin, whom she’d left in his office thirty minutes earlier. She really should have stayed to see if he needed anything.

“He’ll be fine. You know, you aren’t married to him or the job.” Natalie smiled at Jolie’s attempt to eat Chinese the traditional way.

“I understand why the Chinese are so thin,” Jolie grumbled, fumbling with the chopsticks. She almost managed to get four grains of rice to her lips before the chopsticks slipped and the rice fell into her lap. What was the use? “I give up. I’m hopeless at this. I can’t even pretend to be sophisticated and a world traveler.”

“Not to worry. That’s what they make forks for.” Natalie handed her the fork beside her plate.

Jolie held her hand up. “No. I’m going to eat with the chopsticks or go hungry.” She put the sticks together and used them as a shovel, this time getting a line of rice and vegetables into her mouth without too much spillage.

“So what did you think about my brother’s family meeting?”

Jolie shrugged. “I don’t know what to think about the whole situation.”

“Oh, come on. Are you telling me Jolie Carson doesn’t have an opinion? That’s a change.”

Jolie grinned. “Okay, I do, but I didn’t want to speak out against Devin. He’s been taking this all to heart. The man hasn’t slept in days. Probably hasn’t eaten.”

“Oh, so the dinner-to-go you ordered isn’t for your freezer then, is it?” Natalie smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t hold that little lie against you. You’re going by my brother’s condo to make sure he gets a proper meal.”

Jolie’s cheeks burned.

Natalie leaned across the table and grabbed Jolie’s hand. “Have you told him how you feel about him?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Jolie pulled her hand from her friend’s.

“Sorry, I’m not buying it.” Natalie stared hard into Jolie’s face. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Jolie considered lying again but thought better of it. Her friend deserved the truth, no matter how pathetic it was. She sighed. “For six years.”

“Good grief. When are you going to tell him?”

“Never.” Jolie sat up straight and pointed a finger at Natalie. “And neither are you.”

“Not tell him? What good will that do?”

“I work for the man. If he thinks I’m in love with him, he’ll fire me on the spot.”

“And you’d rather work as his executive assistant, secretly in love with him, than work somewhere else. Right?”

Jolie’s lips twisted. “Pathetic, huh?”

Natalie leaned her chin on her palm and sighed. “No, I think it’s romantic. I wish I could find someone I’m completely crazy about.”

“You will. He’ll show up when you’re least expecting it.”

Natalie sighed again. “I hope it’s before I’m as old as you are.”

Jolie tossed her napkin at her. “Thanks. I’m feeling older by the second with you around.”

“Speaking of showing up—” Natalie sat up straighter, her brow furrowing “—there he is again.”

“There’s who?” Jolie twisted in her seat.

“That guy at the table by the door.”

“The one with the menu over his face.” Jolie rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, only he hasn’t always had the menu over his face.” She lobbed Jolie’s napkin back at her. “I swear he’s the same guy who’s been following me for the past few days.”

Jolie looked closer, but the menu remained up, the man studying it intently. A flicker of concern threatened her usual calm. “Have you said anything to your brother?” Devin would want to know if there was any threat to his family.

“No. If I tell him I think I’m being followed, he’ll insist on a police escort everywhere I go.” Natalie shrugged. “I’ll handle it myself rather than be put under lock and key by my overbearing brother.”

“He’s worried about you.” Jolie shot another glance behind her at the menu-covered stranger. “He worries about his family.”

“He’s annoying and overprotective. You’d think he was my father, not my brother.”

“As the oldest, he feels responsible for his siblings.”

“Well, he needs to stop it.” Natalie set her fork aside. “I have work to do at home. Are you sure you don’t mind taking the marketing plan to my brother? I promised I’d have it by the end of the day.” She laughed. “Guess late at night is still part of today.”

“I’ll get it to him.” Jolie patted her oversize purse with the file folder inside.

“Yeah, and make sure he eats that food you bring him. He looks like he’s losing weight.”

“Now who’s the worried sibling?” Jolie laughed. “I’ll stand over him until he downs every bite.”

Natalie grinned. “I can see you doing just that. Like a drill sergeant ready to pounce on him if he doesn’t.” Then her smile faded. “I have half a mind to tell him to wake up and smell the rose he has for an E.A.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“It goes both ways. Don’t tell him I have someone following me unless you want me to tell him that you have a thing for him.”

Jolie already regretted telling Natalie about her secret infatuation for her boss. No matter how good it felt to let it out and confess, she saw it for what it was, a wretched situation of unrequited love.

Everyone, especially her, knew that Devin Kendall was married to his job. What time he didn’t give to the business, he dedicated to the protection of his family. He didn’t have time for himself, much less a relationship. Jolie had known this for a long time and had come to accept it. But having turned thirty on her last birthday, she had heard the beginning ticks of her biological clock. Deep in her heart, she’d always wanted a family … children … a husband who loved her.

She wouldn’t get those things from Devin Kendall. He was in a league way above Jolie’s humble beginnings. If she was honest with herself, she’d accept that and move on.

She gathered her purse, the to-go bag of his favorite Kung Pao Chicken, and bade Natalie goodbye at her car.

The man who’d been at the table with the menu over his face had left before they did so she didn’t get a good look at him. But that didn’t make her feel any better about sending Natalie off on her own.

Despite her promise not to tell Devin, she knew she would. Natalie’s safety was more important than Jolie’s love life.

Or lack thereof.

She dropped her purse and the bag of food on the empty passenger seat, revved the engine of her four-door sedan and then drove toward Devin’s condo, trying to squelch the sudden rush of adrenaline and excitement at seeing her boss outside the office environment.

Chapter Two

Devin jumped to his feet when the doorbell rang, grumbling all the way to the entrance, regretting his decision not to buy a condo with a security guard at the front desk. “Who the hell comes by this late at night?”

He yanked the door open, ready to rip into the salesman on the other side and brought himself up short.

Jolie smiled and held up a bag that smelled of soy sauce and spices. “Hungry?”

“What the hell are you doing here so late? I would think that at least one of us would have a life.”

She snorted and followed him into the living room. “Like I could have a life. With you calling or texting me every hour of the day and night. Any man I’ve ever tried to date never understood.”

Devin frowned. “You date?”

She thunked the bag of food on the counter in his kitchen and shot a twisted grin his way. “I would if I had a day off.”

“What are you doing here?” And why did she look so damned good? Something was different about Jolie, but Devin was too wound up to put his finger on it.

“I brought Natalie’s marketing plan by. You wanted it by end of day. It’s end of day, in case you hadn’t noticed, and here it is.” She pulled the document from her voluminous purse and laid it next to the bag of Chinese food containers.

Devin’s frown deepened. “Why didn’t she bring it herself?”

“She had other plans and your condo is on my way home.”

“That’s right, you had dinner together.”

“We did.”

Devin crossed his arms over his chest. The thought of his sister going home alone bothered him. “I don’t like it that she’s out and about after dark.”

“She’s twenty-six. Old enough to know how to take care of herself.”

“She’s my kid sister.”

“The key word is sister.” Jolie scooped food from the containers onto a clean plate. “You aren’t her parent and she’s a big girl, not a kid. Give her a break.”

“I can’t. This whole murder investigation is eating me alive.”

“Then get a bodyguard for her and quit worrying.” Jolie stared across at him. “She’s had a man following her the past few days. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone to watch her back. Now, here.” She handed him a plate of Kung Pao Chicken and steered him toward the couch. “Sit. Eat. If you still feel like it when your stomach is full, then you can resume your worrying.”

He let her push him toward the living room, her fingers warm on his back. He liked the touch a little too much and growled menacingly, feeling as though his attraction to her was a sign of his exhaustion. He’d be better off escorting her to the door as soon as possible before things got complicated. “I don’t need you telling me what to do. Just so you know, I’d already decided on a bodyguard.”

Jolie grounded her hands on her hips, her stance wide, fearlessly ready to take him on. “When was the last time you ate?” she demanded.

“Lunch.”

She snorted. “You skipped lunch to meet with the board of directors.”

He didn’t like it when she was right, but the color in her cheeks had heightened, a sure sign she was riled. He did like it when Jolie got riled. The unflappable executive assistant was entirely too tightly bound.

What were they arguing about? Oh, yeah. “We had lunch at the meeting.”

“You spoke all the way through the meeting. Bottled water doesn’t count.” With her shoulders flung back, her head held high and the cut of her blouse dipping low over her breasts, she looked more lively than he could remember. And there was something vastly different about her tonight.

Suddenly feeling the need to rub his executive assistant the wrong way, Devin set the plate in front of him. “I’ll eat when I’m hungry.”

“When will that be?” She perched on the edge of the coffee table, lifted a forkful of food and held it out. “I’m under orders to stay until you’ve eaten. So do me a favor and eat this so I can go home.”

He opened his mouth to argue and she shoved the fork in.

His eyes widened and then narrowed. He chewed thoughtfully, emitting a soft moan. “Mmm. This is good.”

That she was perched on his coffee table, leaning forward in a soft ribbed-knit shirt that showed the rounded curve of her breasts didn’t make it easy to swallow. Somehow he managed.

He frowned. “You look different.”

“I’m the same old Jolie who’s been working with you for the past six years. How different could I look?” She leveled another forkful of food and raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to feed yourself or am I going to have to?”

He opened his mouth and let her place the fork between his teeth. She always got his blood flowing and made him feel alive, even when he was half-dead with worry and lack of sleep. “How do you do that?”

“Feed you?” She scooped up another forkful of food. “It’s easy, just like feeding a baby.”

He grabbed her hand, spilling rice onto his lap.

Her eyes widened, her green irises flashing a startling contrast to her pale skin.

“No. I can feed myself.” He pulled her closer until her bottom came up off the table and she teetered forward. “How do you go from being my plain executive assistant to this?” He touched her hair, the soft waves curling around his finger. “Ah. It’s the hair.”

She stared into his eyes, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, her breasts inching dangerously closer to his hand with each breath she took.

If Devin was a gambling man, he’d bet she was as attracted to him as he was to her at that moment.

Holy crap, why hadn’t he seen this before? Why had it taken him so long to really look at her?

Jolie Carson had worked for him for six years and this was the first time he’d seen her with her hair down around her shoulders. It totally changed her appearance from the cool, efficient executive assistant, moving determinedly in the background of his life. She’d morphed from the one-person dynamo he relied on so much at work to a softer, more personable and more … hmm … vulnerable woman he’d swear he’d never met.

And yet he had.

She tugged against the hand holding her wrist, her gaze dropping to his lap. “I’m sorry. I seem to have spilled rice on you.” Her hand reached for the food, brushing against his crotch.

The nearness to his arousal made him suck in a breath, his body on alert, his member jerking to attention.

Jolie wrenched her hand back, her pale cheeks flaming. “I didn’t mean to touch you there … I mean, I’m sorry … well, hell. If I could be more of a clown, I’d be in a circus.” She laughed and backed away so quickly her legs bumped against the coffee table, throwing her off balance.

Devin caught a flailing arm and yanked her forward, her teetering momentum sending her falling toward him, landing hard on his lap.

She scrambled to get up, but Devin’s arm hooked around her waist, holding her still. “Relax. I won’t bite … unless you want me to.” He chuckled, his chest rubbing against her back. A citrusy scent wrapped around his senses. “You smell good.” He leaned into her, his nose tickled by the soft red curls. “Why is that?”

“It’s my shampoo.” She wiggled against him, her bottom grinding into his rising arousal. “I’m fine, really. You can let me up.” She sat in his lap, her body rigid, her brows knitted. “Mr. Kendall. I believe you’ve gone from exhausted to delirious. Let me up.”

“So it’s Mr. Kendall now, is it?” He knew he should let her go, but her body was so soft against his, all the curves, the scent. The way she moved made him relaxed and excited all at once. Most importantly, it made him forget his troubles if for only a moment.

He could imagine how it would feel to have her long, naked legs wrapped around his middle as he drove into her. Heat filled his groin, pooling low and strong. He wanted her in a way that had nothing to do with PDAs or memos. The CEO in him shut down; the man roared to life.

“Why did you come over tonight?” He leaned into her neck, the temptation to taste more than he could resist. He nibbled the tender skin just below her earlobe.

Her back arched against him, her head dropping back until it rested against his shoulder. “I thought you might be hungry.”

“I’m hungry, all right.” He nibbled again, nipping at the pulse pounding away at the base of her throat. “But not for food.”

He turned her in his arms and cupped her cheeks with his palms. “Where have you been hiding?”

She stared into his eyes, her green ones darkening. “I’ve been here all along.” Her gaze dropped to his lips and her tongue darted out, sliding across her own lips.

Mesmerized by that little pink tongue, Devin couldn’t deny tasting it for himself. He pulled her close, capturing her mouth beneath his, his tongue sweeping over the line of her lips until they opened.

He thrust in, conquering her mouth, slanting and sliding in and out, his movements feverish, agitated as if he couldn’t get close enough. The barrier of their clothing frustrated him.

His hands found the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head, tossing it to a far corner.

The lacy white bra beneath held her firm breasts high, the rounded swells enticing him past redemption. He twisted, laying her out on the couch beneath him, his mouth traveling the length of her throat, down over her collarbone to the lovely breasts, rising and falling rapidly to the rhythm of her ragged breathing.

“Devin,” she gasped as his mouth closed over a nipple trapped beneath the lace of her bra. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I would think it obvious.”

“You aren’t delirious from lack of sleep?” she asked.

“I’m deliriously drunk from you.”

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“Never more certain.” He reached behind her, flicked the catch to her bra and slid the straps down over her shoulders, her breasts spilling free into his hands. They were pale like porcelain, tipped with strawberry-colored nipples, puckered into tight nubs, ready for plucking.

His mouth descended on one lush, ripe tip, drawing it between his teeth where he rolled it gently, nipping and licking.

A moan rose in her throat and her back arched off the couch, pressing her breast more firmly into his mouth.

All the tension, the worry, the latent frustration bubbled up inside him, driving a sense of urgency to get naked with Jolie, to take her, to ram into her over and over again until his lust was slaked, his desires sated and his energy consumed.

Pale, slim fingers reached out to flick open the buttons of his shirt, fumbling to push aside the fabric, exposing the skin beneath. He brushed her fingers aside and ripped the shirt off, buttons popping loose, pinging off the coffee table and wood flooring.

Her laughter warmed the air, her smile lighting the room. “I could have unbuttoned that and saved you a tailoring bill.”

“Damn the buttons,” he growled. He leaned on one arm, working the rivet on her short denim skirt. When he had no luck pushing it through the hole, he shoved the skirt up over her hips and ripped her panties down to her ankles.

“Hey, big guy. You may have a tailor on retainer. I don’t.”

“I’ll buy you new ones.” He jerked the fabric, the delicate lace ripping into shreds.

JOLIE LAY AGAINST THE SOFT leather couch, her breathing coming in ragged gulps, her body on fire, her skin deliciously sensitized to the cool air and warm fingers splayed out over her belly.

For six years she’d secretly imagined being naked with her boss. Fantasized about making love to him, his hands smoothing down over her body, his words of adoration and passion igniting her senses.

The reality was so much different than the dream. So much more vibrant, raw and exciting. She pulled at the belt around his middle, slipped the button loose on his suit trousers and slid the zipper down.

He sprang free, his erection long, thick and hot in her palm.

Her fingers curled around him and she stroked him, reveling in the sexy length of steel encased in velvet.

His body stiffened and he withdrew from her hands. “Not yet.”

She transferred her fingers to his torso, sliding up his chest as he moved down over her body, his lips blazing a path from her breasts, skipping over the wadded skirt to her navel and lower still.

Devin’s fingers found the patch of curls at the juncture of her thighs, parting the folds hiding beneath. When he touched her there, she gasped, her bottom rising up to meet his caress, her nerves on fire, her blood burning through every vein.

He flicked a finger over that sensitive nub, diving lower to delve into the warm moisture of her core.

“Oh, yes,” she whispered. This was so much better than any fantasy. So much more intense. All logic fled, the cool, collected executive assistant she’d been for six years dissolved into the seething inferno of molten heat. Her hand cupped his, pressing him deeper.

He stroked in and out, dragging her juices up to the center of her pleasure, gently teasing her to the very edge of sanity, pushing her past any defenses she’d so carefully erected between boss and employee.

She couldn’t remember her name, much less why this wasn’t a good idea. All Jolie could do was live for the next moment, the next touch of his fingers, his lips, the broad length of his erection.

Intense sensations built to a crescendo, spilling from her core to flood throughout her body. She jerked, writhed and called his name aloud as she clung to his arms, her fingers digging into his skin.

Still riding the wave of lust, she wanted him inside her, to fill her, complete her. With desperate hands, she dragged him closer.

He nudged her legs apart and slid between them.

Jolie cupped his staff and guided him to her opening, slick with her juices.

With the tip of his shaft pressing into her, he paused. “We can’t.”

Jolie whimpered, too entrenched in passion to understand what he was saying. “What?”

“Not without protection.”

“Oh.” Her fingers shook against his chest. “Do you have some?” She didn’t, and her body didn’t give a damn about it at this point. Every nerve ending screamed for him to ram into her, damn the consequences.

He lurched to his feet, let his trousers slide the rest of the way to the ground. Finally naked.

Jolie’s mouth went dry. Every fantasy she’d had of him naked didn’t come close to the stunning reality.

He was a Greek god, his body tanned, toned and rippling with muscles.

With her skirt bunched around her middle, her legs open and her hair in wild disarray around her head, self-doubt flooded her. How could a man who looked like that even consider making love to a toadstool like her?

She sat up, drawing her legs together, pushing her skirt down over her crotch. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so carried away.” Jolie pushed to her feet, her arms crossing over her bare breasts, her gaze avoiding his, as she attempted to locate her missing bra.

His hands descended on her shoulders, forcing her to look up at him. “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet now.” He sucked in a deep breath, closing his eyes. “You’re so beautiful that I’m about to explode.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” His fingers slid down over her arms and his hand guided her hand to his member. “I didn’t get this way just because. You’re my inspiration.”

“I am?” For a well-spoken executive assistant, she sounded like a complete idiot. Jolie didn’t care. The words he spoke warmed her inside and out.

His eyebrows drew together. “But if you want me to stop, I will.” He ran his free hand through his hair and dragged in another deep breath. “I don’t know how, but I will. Just say the word.”

She stared up into his eyes, her normal emerald-green gaze as dark as a primeval forest. Then her fingers tightened around his girth and she stepped closer. “Don’t stop now.”

He let out a sharp stream of air, bent and scooped her into his arms.

Caught off guard, she squealed, loving the feel of his naked body against her skin. He strode across the wide expanse of his living room and through a door into a spacious bedroom. Centered against one wall stood a king-size bed. Without pausing, he closed the distance between the door and the bed in five long strides. There he set her on her feet and he reached into the nightstand, removing a strip of foil packages.

His gaze turned feral, his mouth tilting upward at the corners. “I hope I have enough.”

Jolie laughed shakily as she unbuttoned her skirt, her fingers twisting in the fabric, suddenly shy about standing in front of him with nothing on. She was so darned plain and pale, not tanned and beautiful like the rich crowd he hung around with.

His gaze captured hers and he tossed the condoms to the bed. “Lose it.”

“Pardon?” She glanced up at him, her breath caught in her throat.

“The skirt.” He gripped the waistband, his blue eyes darkening to smoky gray. “On second thought, let me.”

Jolie lifted her hands out of the way as Devin slid the skirt down over her hips, dropping to his knees in front of her. He guided her backward until the backs of her legs touched the bed and she sat.

Still on his knees, Devin moved in between her thighs and draped them over his shoulder.

Incapable of breathing, Jolie’s eyes widened and she watched as he trailed kisses along the tender insides of her thighs. When his mouth reached her center, his tongue thrust inside her.

She gasped and fell back against the duvet, a barrage of electrical shocks originating from where he touched her and shooting to every cell in her body.

He licked his way up to the sensitive nub, sucking it into his mouth and pulling gently. Large, warm fingers slid inside her, first two, then three.

Jolie writhed and twisted against the mattress, her own fingers digging into his hair, dragging him closer.

As far as she was concerned, she’d died and floated to heaven, the rise to the top a sharp climb. When she pitched over the edge, she drifted away into an abyss of pleasure so intense the rest of the world no longer existed.

Devin rose to his feet, wrapped her legs around his waist and thrust into her. With his hands holding her hips, he settled into a breath-catching rhythm, riding her until his body stiffened. He threw back his head and roared her name.

Jolie couldn’t remember a man ever roaring her name aloud while making love. The experience was phenomenal and extremely erotic.

As they both returned to earth, Jolie scooted back on the bed until her head rested against the pillows.

Devin slid in beside her, his hand cupping a breast. Within minutes he slipped into a deep sleep.

Her body still quaking with energy, Jolie couldn’t relax. If Devin was awake, she’d demand a repeat performance. But the poor man hadn’t slept in days. She couldn’t bear to wake him just for a little more of the most explosively satisfying sex she’d ever had.

As Jolie lay in the shadows, she studied Devin’s face, tranquil in slumber. In some ways he looked like a little lost boy; in other ways, he could never be mistaken for little or lost, or a boy for that matter.

For six long years, Jolie had dreamed of just such a night with the boss. Now that she’d lived the dream what was she supposed to do? Lie there until morning and suffer the embarrassment of the morning-after? What if he regretted making love to her? What if this brief, powerful interlude ruined their working relationship?

As she lay there with Devin’s hand warm against her breast, every scenario she could imagine pinged around her brain. Each outcome was worse than the last.

Before long, she’d talked herself into a mild panic attack, one thing forging through her tumbled thoughts. She had to get out of his condo. The sooner the better.

With a long look at the man she’d loved since the first day she came to work for him, Jolie slid from the bed and gathered her things. She slung her clothing on in the living room of the warehouse condo, not taking the time to button and zip her jean skirt. Her panties were ruined, so she’d have to go commando until she reached her apartment.

Mostly dressed and eager to leave without waking Devin, Jolie slipped out the door a little after midnight.

At the bottom of the staircase leading up to his condo, she turned toward the parking lot, pausing briefly to zip and button her skirt.

A bright light flashed in her eyes and she squealed, throwing up her hands to shield her face from further attack.

“Thanks, lady!” A man carrying a mammoth camera ran across the road and jumped into a car parked illegally against the curb. Before Jolie’s night vision recovered, he was gone.

Her heart plummeting into her belly, she hurried toward her car. “Damned paparazzi.”

Tomorrow there would be hell to pay.

Chapter Three

Jolie spent the rest of the night pacing the floor of her small apartment, nestled in a tight little community a few miles away from Devin’s condo. Definitely in a lower rent district.

She’d tried to sleep but as soon as she lay against the sheets, she remembered lying next to Devin, curled against his side, his body warm and naked. Her skin heated, her breathing grew unsteady and a rush of lust washed over her. Sleep had been impossible.

Now that she’d done the deed with the boss, she had decisions to make. Normally a methodical person, used to order and structure in her life, Jolie found that she couldn’t focus for ten seconds on anything.

After the twentieth lap around her couch, she stopped in front of the wall and banged her head against the textured paint. “What have I done?”

A simple gesture of concern had turned into one of the biggest mistakes of her life. And yet, she couldn’t totally regret what had happened. She’d always wanted to know what it would be like to make love to Devin Kendall. She just didn’t want to lose her job over it. Losing her job meant never seeing Devin again. She’d rather love him from the distance of his office to hers than from somewhere completely out of sight and mind.

She also liked working for Kendall Communications. The company was headed in exciting new directions and she enjoyed being a part of the growth. Jolie loved the fast-paced environment of managing the CEO’s schedule. She’d made the necessary sacrifices to get where she was, going to school at night, paying her own way through business school and then crafting the winning résumé that landed her with Devin as his executive assistant.

If she left Kendall Communications, where would she go to work? And if word got out that she was fired for sleeping with the boss, who would hire her?

What a mess.

Ten laps later, she checked the clock over the microwave. One hour before she should be getting up, anyway. She might as well get ready for work and start early. Maybe she could get the email, snail mail and the day’s in-box in order before Devin walked into the office.

If their changed relationship didn’t work out, she’d have to move on. She wondered if Devin would give her a recommendation and almost laughed at how it might read. “Very organized, efficient office manager and great in bed.”

God, how was she going to face him this morning?

She strode into the bathroom, stripped and climbed into the shower.

Water sluiced over her body, warm and wet, like she’d been when he’d thrust into her. She rubbed soap over her skin, her hands sinking low to the juncture of her thighs, that sore and achy place that …

Argh! Why couldn’t she block it from her mind? She decreased the flow of warm water until what came out of the nozzle was bone-jarringly cold. By the time she climbed from the tub, her skin had shriveled into a landscape of goose bumps.

Jolie dug through her closet for her most boring and nondescript suit. It didn’t take long for her to find one. They were all boring and nondescript. Soft gray or navy blue, with a classic design that would never go out of fashion or truly be considered fashionable for that matter.

She dug deeper, looking for anything different and came up empty. Why would she care to look better, anyway? Devin wasn’t interested in what she wore, and the sooner they got back to business as usual, the better.

Jolie had worked hard to become the perfect executive assistant. She was all about cool, quiet efficiency. Then why were her nerves frayed and her hands shaking as she slipped her skirt up over her hips? The same hips Devin had slid his hands over while undressing her.…

She ran a brush through her hair and started to pull it back into the usual elegant chignon she wore, but her hands froze as she peered at herself in the mirror.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and she looked markedly different. At the last moment, she decided to leave her hair hanging down around her shoulders.

Devin had noticed her hair. He’d said she looked softer, more personable.

And why should she let that influence the way she wore her hair? With quick, skillful twists, she had her hair up and ready for another day at the office. Looking normal was half the battle when her insides were turning cartwheels.

Ready an hour early, Jolie rationalized that she could get a lot done while no one was there to interrupt. In truth, she didn’t want to run the gauntlet of company staff on her way to the executive suite. She could slip in, hang low and weather this storm.

Jolie smoothed her skirt, breathed in deeply and, as she let the air out of her lungs, opened her front door. As usual, her morning paper lay against the steps, rolled with a rubber band around it. She tucked it beneath her arm and headed for work.

Cool, calm, collected. She could do this.

LOUD BANGING WOKE DEVIN. He blinked his eyes open and stared at the triangle of light shining through the crack in the curtains. It took a full ten seconds to dawn on him that it was morning.

Morning. Not a weekend morning, either. Sweet Jesus, he must have actually slept. His gaze shot to the alarm clock on his nightstand and he leaped out of bed. It was well past time to get up. He’d be late for work by at least an hour.

The banging started again and he realized someone was knocking at the door to his condo. “Hold on, I’m coming,” he yelled, pulling on the trousers he’d worn the night before and zipping as he strode through the living room.

The banging increased in intensity until Devin grabbed the door handle and flung it open. “Where’s the fire?”

Ash slapped something at his chest and brushed past him into the condo. “Shut the door.”

Devin shook his head. “Good morning to you, too.”

“Can the sarcasm. We have a problem.”

“We?”

“Not really we. You.”

“Me?” Devin shook his head in an attempt to dislodge the last remnants of sleep.

Ash kept walking until he reached the kitchen where he rifled through the cabinets, slamming them one at a time. “Where’s your damned coffee? I can’t function without coffee.”

“Next to the coffeemaker.” Devin followed, his eyebrows dipping downward. “What are you talking about?”

Ash sprinkled coffee grains into the filter and poured water into the well. “I take it you haven’t seen the newspaper this morning?”

Devin glanced down at the front page Ash had shoved at him. Jolie’s surprised face stared back at him, her hands poised at the bottom of her open zipper, the smooth flesh of her belly clearly visible to the camera. His breath caught in his chest as if he’d been sucker punched. “What the hell?”

“Read the caption.” Ash switched the coffeemaker on and crossed his arms over his chest. “It gets better.”

Sex Kitten Buttons Up After Leaving Kendall Communications CEO. Devin swore and would have ripped the paper to shreds, but Ash stopped him.

“Keep reading.” He pointed to the second paragraph. “Apparently this guy was there when Jolie arrived and waited until she left. He even noted that she was more disheveled when she left.” Ash pointed to the paragraph and read aloud, “‘Devin Kendall seeks sensual stress relief while the Christmas Eve Murders case smolders. What role did he play in the demise of his parents and what does the CEO really do behind closed doors in his office? Board members have a right to know.’”

Devin shoved a hand through his hair. “Damn.” Jolie would be devastated. She prided herself on her professionalism.

“I can’t believe you weren’t more circumspect. Especially with the ongoing murder investigation. You had to know the reporters would be staking us out even more than usual.”

Devin shoved a hand through his hair. “I know, I know.”

“Then why?”

“I don’t know,” Devin shouted, his head beginning to pound. He slammed the paper on the counter and paced barefoot across the length of the kitchen. “Where is Jolie now?”

“She’s at work. She called me when you didn’t show up on time.”

“Why didn’t she call me?” Devin muttered. “I can’t believe I overslept. I’ll be ready to go in five minutes and we’ll get this mess straightened out.” He headed for the bedroom.

“I don’t see how. The damage is done.”

“I’ll fix it, I tell you.” He had to. Jolie would not be happy about being splashed across the newspaper. The paparazzi would make something sordid out of what had been … well, the best sex he’d had in forever.

Hell, it had been more than that, but right now Devin couldn’t think past Jolie’s reaction to the news. He had to get to her quickly. Together they’d come up with a solution that would keep Kendall Communications from being dragged through the mud.

God, he’d been through enough media trashing to know where this was headed. As one of the most eligible bachelors in St. Louis and the CEO of Kendall Communications, the news reporters jumped at any chance to rake him over the coals.

The last woman he’d had a relationship with had given the media months of fodder. They’d hounded the poor woman, calling her every tawdry name in the book until she’d been forced to leave St. Louis altogether.

Devin’s jaw hardened. With the murder investigation reopened, he couldn’t afford to let the media drag the Kendalls or Jolie down into the gutter.

More importantly, they’d have to do something to keep Jolie from being labeled a gold digger, a kept woman or worse. She deserved better. She hadn’t come on to him, he’d come on to her.

After four minutes in the shower beneath the icy-cold spray, Devin had come up with a plan. His family might not like the suddenness of his announcement, but he had to do it to avoid the media circus an untimely affair would generate.

Ash followed him through the streets of St. Louis in his own car, arriving seconds later as he parked in one of the spaces reserved for executive staff.

They rode the elevator together in silence, up to the twenty-fourth floor.

Heads turned as they walked by office doors where people milled around in the aisles. Devin glared at anyone who dared to speak to him or whisper as he passed.

When he reached his suite of offices, he breezed past Jolie, who didn’t even look at him, or attempt to say good morning as was the usual greeting she’d dished out every day for the past six years.

Yeah, Devin had really screwed things up royally this time. But he’d fix it. He had a plan.

When he reached his office, he turned and barked, “Jolie! In here.” Okay, so that wasn’t exactly how he’d planned to start this conversation, but he was so mad at himself he couldn’t take the edge off his anger enough to be civil.

Jolie grabbed a steno pad and ducked around him into his office, her cheeks flaming a bright pink.

Staff foolish enough to be standing within sight were the recipients of Devin’s harshest glare. “There are a hundred people who want your jobs. I suggest you get to work.” With that he started to slam his door, but Ash got in his way.

“Move it or lose it,” Devin threatened.

“The entire family has a stake in this.”

“Not now. This is between me and Jolie.” If Devin could have breathed fire onto his brother, he would have.

Ash saw it and relented. “Make it quick, we have to conduct some serious damage control. I’m going to get Uncle Craig and Natalie.”

Devin closed the door in his brother’s face and turned to Jolie. His chest tightened as he took in her prim and proper appearance. No one would ever look at her like this again. Especially him. All he could picture was her lying naked across his bed.

The public would forever see the woman on the front page, whose hair had curled around her face and whose lips looked swollen from a marathon of kissing. What had she done to deserve the wrong kind of attention?

She’d been kind to him. That’s what. And he’d taken advantage of her.

“If this is about the newspaper, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that photographer was there when I left last night. I didn’t even think about it. I was in a hurry to—”

Devin raised his hand to stop her ramble. Jolie never rambled. She chose her words with care. Damn, she’d been more disturbed than he’d thought by what had happened. “This isn’t your fault. I don’t blame you for what happened. In fact, all the blame goes to me.”

She shook her head, her mouth forming her next argument.

“Let me finish.” Devin walked across to her and gripped her shoulders. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you when you’d been good enough to bring me food.” His voice sounded formal, stiff and so different from what he wanted to sound like for the next thing he had to say. “I should never have kissed you.” And dear God, he wanted to kiss her again. Another mistake getting this close to her after last night.

She stared up at him, her eyes limpid pools of green. “I shouldn’t have kissed you back.” She swayed toward him, her gaze dropping to his mouth.

Ah, hell, he knew where this was going and was powerless to stop himself. “I can fix this.…” His head dipped and he claimed her lips, his own slanting down over hers, crushing her to him.

His fingers slid up the back of her neck into the smooth twist, loosening the pins until the long tresses fell down around her shoulders.

She didn’t seem to notice, her tongue slipping through his teeth to stroke his. Her hands climbed his chest and circled behind his neck, pulling him closer.

A knock on the door brought Devin back to earth with a jolt. “Just a minute.” He pushed her to arm’s length and sucked in a breath, trying to focus on what he had to say next, not on how much he wanted to kiss her again. “What’s done is done. What I don’t want to happen is for the media to drag the Kendall family down during this murder investigation. Nor do I want them to turn on you and ruin your reputation.”

Jolie raised shaking hands to her hair, pushing it back behind her ears. “I understand. Would it be better if I quit? I could formally announce my resignation if that would help.”

“No.” He said the one little word with more emphasis than he’d intended. The thought of losing a wonderful executive assistant because of his indiscretion made him want to hit someone. Himself, if he could. “I have an entirely different proposal for you.”

She tipped her head, eyebrows dipping low on her pale forehead. “Proposal?”

His lips quirked up on the edges, the irony of his word choice striking him as unfortunately funny. “Since I dragged you into our family troubles, the least I can do is deflect the drama from last night’s … assignation.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“By announcing our engagement.”

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