Claimed By The Boss

With that one thought, reality regained control. All this thinking about Alex and his smile. And the concert. Why would Alex go to an event like that in the first place, let alone go with her? It wasn’t like they had some kind of relationship.

But you’d like to, wouldn’t you?

No, she wouldn’t. She didn’t want a relationship with Alex other than the one they had. They weren’t even relationship material. He was too busy being angry with the whole darn world and she … she was temporary in every sense of the word. In a few more weeks, she’d be out of here, and they’d never see each other again.

Besides, she knew better than anyone that any feeling this good could never last.

“Tell me that cat isn’t eating tuna fish from a plate.”

She looked up in time to see Alex step onto the terrace. Their gazes locked, and he stopped in his tracks. Kelsey’s insides, on the other hand, went into free fall. All of a sudden she felt very shy.

“Morning,” he said, his voice dropping to a honeyed baritone that sent the free fall into overdrive. “You were up and out early.”

“So were you.”

“I couldn’t sleep. The heat.”

“I know. I mean, about the heat.” In the early morning light, his eyes glinted like polished silver.

Unable to hold his stare, Kelsey looked to Puddin’.”I couldn’t sleep either so I went to Farley’s for coffee. Brought back some turnovers.”

“Pastry and tuna. That’s quite a combination.”

“Well, Puddin’ didn’t think humans should have all the fun.”

“Interesting. I didn’t realize you and he were on such intimate terms.” Hearing the word intimate slip off his tongue so easily, Kelsey’s breath hitched. It caught again when Alex grinned. Not as wide or bright a smile as the night before, but every bit as breathtaking.

“He’s a very good listener,” she replied, unable to stop herself from nervously tucking hair behind her ear.

“I bet. Any topics I’d be interested in?”

“I’ll never tell.”

“Ahh,” he said, grinning wider. “You might not, but I know your partner’s weakness.” He leaned down to look at the cat licking his whiskers. “From the looks and smell, I’d say albacore white packed in water.”

“You wouldn’t sell me out for a serving of tuna, would you, Puddin’?”

The glint that had been shining in the sun grew hard. “People will always sell you out, Kelsey.”

Ouch. The lightheartedness began to fade.

She was struggling with how to rescue the atmosphere when Alex turned to head inside. “I have two tickets to tonight’s fund-raiser,” she said in a rush, stopping him in his tracks. “Would you like to go?”

Alex didn’t answer. He simply stared, looking as surprised as she felt.

“Never mind.” Please say her face did not look as shocked yesterday as his did now. Why didn’t she keep her mouth shut as she planned? “It was a silly thing to suggest. I don’t know why I even suggested the idea.” Other than the fact you were getting that forlorn look and were walking away and I wanted to keep you with me.

“What happened to your ‘friend’ from the store? I thought he invited you.”

Who? “Oh, you mean Tom.” She’d completely forgotten about both the invitation and the fact she’d told Alex about it.

“Won’t he mind?”

“He and I aren’t going together.” She left out that he was the source of the tickets.

“Really?” She had to be imagining the interest in his voice.

“No.” Although he wasn’t asking for an explanation, the gleam in his eye, the one she was imagining along with the interest in his voice, compelled her to offer one. Or at least a partial one. “He’s a nice guy, but not really my type.”

“You have a type?”

Yes, you. She chased that thought away as fast as it formed. “Doesn’t everyone?”

Alex nodded. “Sometimes. Other times a person catches you off guard.”

She knew what he meant. “Anyway, never mind my suggestion. I can go alone.”

“I’ll go.”

“You will?” Her voice traveled up at the end of her question, betraying all her surprise and excitement. Never in a million years did she expect him to accept. “Why?”

He went back to staring, this time actively searching her face as if the answer were contained there. “A woman like you shouldn’t have to be alone.”

For the rest of the day, Kelsey tried to keep her enthusiasm at bay. Go alone, she would remind herself whenever she started to get too excited. He meant a woman like her shouldn’t have to go alone. A small slip of semantics, but important nonetheless. One version referred to escort status; the other implied … well, it implied arrangements she already knew weren’t realistic.

Of course, neither version explained why he was suddenly shedding his hermit mode. She decided not to go there. Thinking about that only brought her back to the illusions she knew weren’t possible.

And yet, despite all her self-lecturing, she was a bundle of nerves by nightfall. Sometime during the day, she realized tonight would be the first time Alex had ever seen her truly dressed up. As a result she spent what felt like hours getting ready, lying to herself that the effort was so she wouldn’t embarrass her boss and not because she wanted to impress him.

Surveying her reflection, she offered herself a nervous smile. “Not bad.” Her dress swirled about her calves; the shimmering pink made her look like a bright flower, and her makeup was more dramatic than normal. Nothing excessive, but enough that it played up her blue eyes. Deciding casual was best when it came to her hair, she clipped the front of her curls in a rhinestone clasp and let the rest tumble down her back.

A lot of work for a non-date, she thought with a sigh. And this wasn’t a date.

Another point she spent the day reminding herself.

She headed downstairs to the great room where she found Alex staring out at the garden. That he looked great didn’t surprise her. She’d long ago concluded he would always look great. Tonight, he wore a black suit. Long, lean and simple, the ensemble fit him both literally and figuratively. Even with his sling, the jacket somehow managed to drape seamlessly over his shoulders and down his back, with just enough snugness to hint at the muscles beneath. He looked a million miles away. Regretting his decision?

Softly, she cleared her throat, alerting him of her presence. “Hi.”

He turned and his expression went from thoughtful to something darker but far from somber. His eyes swept the length of her, the appreciative glint leaving shivers in its wake. “Hi back.”

“Are you ready to go?”

“Almost.”

At first, Kelsey couldn’t decide if his immobility was from reluctance or something else. He stood there studying her in that distracted way of his. Behind his eyes, wheels were turning, but about what he was thinking, she had no idea.

Then she noticed the tie in his left hand. Of course. “Need help?” Without waiting for the answer, she moved toward him. “Thank goodness it’s not a bowtie. I’m only good with Windsors.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d tied a tie. But it was the first time the action felt so intimate. Worse, it felt natural. They stood mere inches apart, wood and spice drifting off Alex’s skin. Kelsey struggled not to close her eyes and inhale, same way she struggled not to stare at his tanned skin or the hint of dark curls at the vee of his white shirt. “Can you button the top button?”

Part of her was hoping he’d say no so she could continue seeing his skin as well as touch him further. But, unfortunately, or fortunately, he did as she asked, and a moment later, she was looping the silk around his neck.

“Where did you learn to tie a tie?” he asked.

“School uniforms. In junior high one year, I was in charge of making sure all the kids in the house didn’t look sloppy. Our foster mother—”

“Foster mother?”

Kelsey blushed, feeling the color all the way down her neck. “Grandma Rosie wasn’t much of a guardian, I’m afraid.”

“That’s too bad.”

Too bad indeed. She returned to somewhat lighter subjects. “Like I was saying, my foster mother was a stickler about appearance. She wouldn’t let us leave the house unless we were all knotted and groomed. There was this one kid, Tyrrell, who couldn’t stay neat if he tried. I used to tie his tie for him every morning.”

“We had to wear ties with our school uniforms, too. Wretched things made it hard to do any kind of activity. I hated them.”

Kelsey wasn’t surprised. Men like Alex weren’t made for suits and ties inside. “I imagine Tyrell would agree. That’s probably why his tie never managed to stay put for more than an hour.”

She fished an end up and through. “I always wondered who took over fixing his tie when I left.”

“How long were you there?”

“At that house? Eighteen months or so, I guess. I never really kept track.” Knot complete, she drew it tight against his collar. “There you go. Not my best, I’m afraid. I’m a little out of practice.”

“Good enough for me. Was it difficult?”

“Was what difficult? Tying your tie?”

Surveying her handiwork, she reached up and made a minuscule adjustment. It wasn’t really needed; she wanted an excuse to keep her hands close to him.

“Moving so much,” he replied quietly.

Her fingers paused in midaction. When did the conversation turn personal? “You get used to it,” she answered with a shrug. “After a while, picking up and moving on becomes a lifestyle.” Out of necessity, she added silently.

“Like temp work?”

Slowly, she looked up to find him looking down, his face serious and sincere. “Yeah, like temp work.”

Time stopped for a second. Or so it felt by the way the air grew thick around them. A dull thud vibrated against her fingertips. She realized it was Alex’s heart, that her hands were pressed against his chest. The slow steady beat was nothing like the one racing inside her body.

“You’re good to go.” Needing distance, she backed away.

The radio station wasn’t exaggerating when it said New Englanders were turning out in droves for tonight’s fund-raiser. Celebrities, local leaders and every arts patron with access to the highway was in attendance. For Kelsey, entering the administration building was like entering a summer wonderland. The decorated room wasn’t as colorful as Alex’s garden or as tranquil as the cascades, but it was beautiful and elegant with its tea lights and floral topiaries. She felt like Cinderella on the arm of her handsome prince.

A handsome, silent prince. Alex barely said a word after they left Nuttingwood. He spent the drive staring out the window, his long fingers tapping the armrest. He was still a million miles away now. Although his face didn’t show any expression, Kelsey knew he had to be tense. After all, there was a huge difference between stopping into the local store and attending a crowded gala full of New England’s social elite. The night had to be bringing back memories of the world he thought he’d left behind.

“We don’t have to stay long,” she said to him.

The comment brought him back to attention. “What are you talking about?”

“The concert. I know you’d rather be somewhere else.”

“Then you underestimate me.”

“Are you telling me you’d rather not be hiking in the woods right now?”

His delayed shrug gave her his answer. “We’re a little overdressed for rock hopping in the cascade, wouldn’t you think?”

“Very funny,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What I meant was that I appreciate you coming with me.”

“Well, like I said, a woman like you shouldn’t be alone.”

There it was, that slip, again. Through she tried, the tremors of expectation running down her back made the remark hard to brush off. Perhaps he didn’t know his word choice could be misconstrued. On the other hand, he was a writer so maybe he did.

“I—” Before she could say anything, a waiter approached bearing a tray of fluted glasses.

“Champagne?”

Kelsey shook her head. “Designated driver,” she lied, hoping Alex would follow his usual pattern and not press.

Unfortunately tonight seemed to be his night for behaving out of character. At least he waited until the server moved on before asking, “What’s the real reason?”

“What makes you think there’s a different reason?” She fiddled with the fringe on her shawl. How did he know?

“Your face. The corners of your mouth tighten when you’re being falsely cheerful.”

“They do?”

He nodded. “I noticed your first day, when you kept throwing me those fake smiles.”

Feeling her skin getting hot, Kelsey suddenly regretted wearing a dress that revealed so much skin. The entire fund-raiser had to know she was embarrassed. “You noticed my smiles were fake?”

“I noticed a lot of things about you.”

If the rest of the people in the room didn’t see her blush before, they certainly did now. Alex’s comment shot straight to her toes, its journey assisted by his tone of voice. A rough, gravelly tone that spoke of pleasure and more. Kelsey’s insides turned to warm honey, and her knees threatened to buckle. Through lowered lashes, she watched as Alex raised his glass to his lips. “Wonder if Stuart knew what he’d done when he hired you,” he murmured over the rim.

“Done?” Distracted by how the champagne left Alex’s upper lip shining, she’d missed his meaning. What did Stuart do other than hire a qualified typist? “He simply wanted the manuscript done on time.”

“I wonder,” was all Alex replied, and he took another sip. “Back to my original question, do you feel like explaining the designated driver excuse?”

“Who says it’s an excuse? Oh, right.” At his knowing smile, her fingers came up to touch her mouth. Very well, she might as well tell the truth. “Alcohol was the source of too many bad situations growing up.” Hopefully her shrug looked nonchalant.

“With your grandmother?”

“Rosie had her share of drunken mishaps.” So did one particular foster father, but she wouldn’t go there. Not tonight. “Made me decide that when it came to drinking, avoidance was the best policy. For me anyway.”

Those gray eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? You weren’t there.” She didn’t want to talk about her past right now. The night was too beautiful to think about things she couldn’t change.

Or things she couldn’t have.

She drowned out the warning with a change in topic. “Did you see all these flower arrangements? I think there might be more flowers in here than in your garden.”

“Hmm,” was Alex’s reply.

“You don’t think so?”

“What I think,” he said, leaning in a little closer, “is that you’re an incredibly strong woman for having survived so much and coming out the other side so full of life.”

“No stronger than anybody else.”

“You sell yourself short. And as for the flowers …” He leaned in even closer. “You’re far more colorful.”

The air in the room shifted abruptly, becoming close and intense. Looking at Alex’s expression, Kelsey saw that he felt it too. A bond of silent understanding formed between them. It felt like coming together at a center of a bridge from separate directions. Setting his glass down, Alex nodded toward a nearby exit. “Come with me,” he whispered.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THEY managed to get as far as the exit before a large, blue-jacketed torso stepped in their path.

Tom Forbes smiled like he was greeting an old friend. “Kelsey! I thought that was you in the crowd.” His eyes flickered from her to Alex and back. “And you brought a friend after all.”

Not knowing what else to do, Kelsey smiled back. It was like being stuck in one of those movie moments where the heroine finds herself caught between two romantic rivals. Only she was caught between a guy with a bruised ego and … And she didn’t know how to define Alex anymore. Didn’t matter; the situation was still awkward.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Tom asked. He was still smiling, but the grin had a sharper edge.

“Of course.” She tucked some hair behind her ears and found her manners. “Tom Forbes, this is—”

She didn’t get any further before Tom stuck his hand out, completely ignoring the cast on Alex’s right arm. “Alex Markoff. Big fan. I’ve followed your career for a long time.”

Kelsey half thought Alex would ignore the handshake offer, but he didn’t. He held out his left hand and allowed Tom to awkwardly pump it up and down. “Kelsey mentioned she was typing your manuscript,” he continued.

“Did she now?” Alex slid his gaze toward her. She shrugged, knowing that wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

“I mentioned I worked for a writer, and then he saw you the other day at Farley’s.”

“Can’t wait to read it. Any idea when the book’ll be out?”

“When it’s finished.”

Tom laughed, a little too affectedly for Kelsey’s taste. The guy was trying too hard. “Hopefully that’ll be soon. Been a long time since Chase the Moon. A lot of readers have wondered where you’ve been.”

“Well, you can’t rush the creative process,” Kelsey piped up. Next to her, she could feel Alex’s tension. The night was going well. She didn’t want it spoiled because of Tom’s overeager questions.

Meanwhile, Tom continued smiling that sharp smile. “No, I suppose you can’t. Of course—” this time it was his gaze sliding in her direction “—having the right inspiration helps.”

Okay, now he was definitely pushing his luck. Kelsey waited for Alex to refute him or cut him down with one of his cold stares. To her surprise, he did neither.

Instead, he took her hand. “Certainly does. If you’ll excuse us, Kelsey and I want to get some air before the concert begins.”

He pulled her toward the exit, not forcefully, but decidedly enough that anyone watching would know not to deter them.

“So, that’s your ‘friend’,” he remarked, once they stepped outside.

“That’s Tom.” She knew he had an ego, but she hadn’t expected him to act quite so … aggressive? She didn’t expect Alex’s behavior either. “Sorry about his questions. He really didn’t know I worked for you until he saw you in the store. On the plus side,” she added, “at least you know he wants to read your book.”

“You’re right,” Alex replied.

She was confused. “About what? Him wanting to read your book?”

“Nope.” Giving her fingers a squeeze, Alex leaned in toward the crook of her neck and whispered, “That he’s not your type.”

Kelsey’s pulse skipped a beat.

Outside the concert, on the grounds, organizers had forgone the standard spotlights in favor of lanterns strung from the trees, giving the grounds a romantic, amber glow. The early evening air still held the day’s warmth, and the sky promised a clear, star-filled romantic evening. They walked the grass in comfortable silence. Every so often they would come across another couple who would nod hello as they passed.

Another couple. Kelsey knew she needed to correct her thinking, but with every step found it harder and harder to do. No sooner did she form the thoughts than they would slip away, lost in a haze of romance.

She stole a look at Alex. So tonight wasn’t a date. They weren’t a couple. But would it be so bad to pretend, if only for a little while? No one need know. She took a deep breath, savoring the scent of evening blossoms, and allowed herself a silent fantasy.

“Would you look at the view?” Kelsey said. They were toward the rear of the property, where the grounds overlooked Stockbridge Bowl. “Doesn’t the water look beautiful?” Black and fathomless, with dapples of white, reflections of the lanterns dotting the surface.

She let out a soft sigh. “There’s something very mysterious about dark water, don’t you think? There’s so much that you can’t see. You have to look deep to really know what’s there.” She glanced over her shoulder at the man behind her. “Like people.”

“That so?” His expression was gentle and tender. “And what do you think lies beneath?”

“More than meets the eye, that’s for sure. Light. Beauty. Sensitivity.”

“You sure? It could simply be more darkness.”

“No,” she said shaking her head. “The dark surface is simply camouflage. To protect what’s underneath.”

They both knew she wasn’t talking about the water.

Alex reached over her shoulder to cup her cheek. Instinctively she nestled into his touch. His body drew closer, so close she could feel the straps of his sling through her thin silk wrap. Feeling them brush against her shoulder blades, she trembled.

“Cold?” Alex asked, his lips dangerously close to her earlobe.

Kelsey shook her head. “Not cold at all.” In fact, she’d never felt warmer.

“Good.” His hand slid downward slightly, allowing his thumb leeway to trace her lower lip. “You know,” he murmured, “the same thing can be said about flowers.”

“Flowers?” Her body was too busy reacting to his touch to follow his comment clearly.

“Mmm. At first, all you see is an explosion of color and petals that won’t last. But then they fool you, and you realize the blossoms are far sturdier and do a lot more than distract you with their beauty.”

Gently, he urged her to turn and face him. “You, Kelsey, are a very sturdy flower.”

That slow melting sensation grabbed hold of her spine, turning her insides soft. She could feel herself hovering on the edge of something. A shift between fantasy and reality that, if allowed to happen, might not be reversible. “Sure I’m not more a flowering weed?” she asked, seeking solid ground.

“Oh, but some of the sturdiest, prettiest, sweetest-smelling blossoms start out as weeds. They’re also the ones you can’t shake, no matter how hard you try.”

“So I am a weed.” Why didn’t that sound bad to her?

“No, you’re a completely original flower. One that’s impossible to ignore. God knows, I’ve tried and failed all summer.” He brushed the hair from her cheek.

Kelsey’s mouth ran dry. Alex’s words were touching a place deep inside her, a place she kept locked away from the world. The precipice loomed closer. Another step and she’d be lost to illusion and fantasy forever.

The fingers tracing her jaw reached her chin and tilted her face upward. She looked up and saw Alex’s heavy-lidded eyes, as glazed and lost in the moment as she felt. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?” he asked.

“I—”

She didn’t get the chance to finish.

Alex slanted his lips across hers. His kiss was like him: strong, confident with a hint of arrogant possession. As if he knew she’d readily submit. Doing just that, Kelsey wrapped her arms around his neck, and when she felt his tongue demanding entrance, she gave a soft sigh and complied. He tasted of mint and something more, something she suspected was uniquely Alex. It was heavenly.

The kiss ended far too soon. Alex was the one to break away, resting his forehead against hers. The air filled with the sound of their labored breathing.

“Well,” he said once they’d regained their composure. “That—I—”

He was at a loss for words. Satisfaction filled Kelsey, that she could have that effect on him. “I know,” she managed to whisper. She’d say more if he hadn’t had the same effect on her. Although it was hardly her first kiss, it might as well have been. Her toes were still curling with pleasure.

There was an inevitability to the moment as well. Like they were simply coming to the end of a path they started back in June.

Alex’s fingers were combing lazy lines through the loose hair on the back of her neck. Surrendering to the sensation, Kelsey closed her eyes. I could stay here forever, she thought, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I hear music. Do you think the concert’s started?”

“Don’t know,” he replied. “Possibly.”

“Should we head back?”

He leaned back and looked her in the eye. “Do you want to?”

Something lurked behind his question—something important—but Kelsey was too lost in the moment to give it much thought. “Maybe in a few minutes.”