Hot Boss, Wicked Nights

Opening the door quietly, Kate stepped inside. The team was focused on the dark-suited man talking at the head of the table.

His face was in profile, but he turned and stopped speaking as Kate entered and she was blasted by the full force of his gaze. Pinned in place by topaz eyes.

Oh. No. Her Saturday night’s casual encounter was her new boss? Surely it wasn’t possible. Perhaps he just looked like that guy because he’d invaded her mind.

‘Good morning, Ms…?’

His aftershave wafted beneath her nose. Expensive. Spicy. Familiar.

She clenched her hands together and dared to look straight into those eyes she was already too well acquainted with. She schooled her voice to chilly formality as she said, ‘Kate Fielding.’

‘Ah. Kate.’ He nodded, his eyes imprisoning hers for probably only a second or two, but it felt agonisingly like minutes. ‘Damon Gillespie. You were incommunicado yesterday. Was it an eventful Saturday night?’

When not teaching or writing, Anne Oliver loves nothing more than escaping into a book. She keeps a box of tissues handy—her favourite stories are intense, passionate, against-all-odds romances. Eight years ago she began creating her own characters in paranormal and time travel adventures, before turning to contemporary romance. Other interests include quilting, astronomy, all things Scottish, and eating anything she doesn’t have to cook. Sharing her characters’ journeys with readers all over the world is a privilege…and a dream come true. Anne lives in Adelaide, South Australia, and has two adult children. Visit her website at www.anne-oliver.com. She loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at [email protected]

Recent titles by the same author:

PREGNANT BY THE PLAYBOY TYCOON

BUSINESS IN THE BEDROOM THE EX FACTOR

Dear Reader

It’s always especially sad to hear about the death of someone young. A life over before it’s barely begun. In HOT BOSS, WICKED NIGHTS I wanted to explore how two people who deal with their losses in very different ways can learn from each other and risk falling in love again.

At first glance Damon Gillespie might seem like an irresponsible thrill-seeker. An adrenaline junkie, into extreme sports with no fear of death—not the kind of man who should be taking over his deceased uncle’s ailing travel agency business, in Kate Fielding’s opinion. Kate, on the other hand, is afraid to take chances after a disastrous relationship failure and the loss of a family member. Work is her life, and office romance is definitely off the agenda. But suddenly her new boss is diverting her attention and the office is the last place she wants to be.

Damon can’t resist drawing the take-no-risks Kate out of her shell. After all, he knows there’s a warm, passionate woman inside who’s in need of some fun and loving. And he’s just the man to give it to her—while he’s in Melbourne. Because he has no intention of sticking around longer than necessary. But Damon is beginning to realise his resolve not to get involved is proving more difficult every day. In fact the greatest challenge he faces is not the risk to his life, but the risk to his heart.

There’s something forbidden about office romance, and very appealing. I hope you enjoy my first office romance story, with a side trip to Bali and a BASE jump in KL, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Best wishes

Anne

BY

ANNE OLIVER

Many thanks to Meg Sleighthome

for her invaluable assistance.

CHAPTER ONE

A CONDOM? Kate stared into the organza pouch that the inebriated vestal virgin—aka the bride-to-be—had just dangled on her finger as if it were about to spontaneously combust.

She ignored the other recipients’ smirks—all single girlfriends who appreciated the humour—but her free hand fisted with embarrassment against the filmy skirt of her belly-dancer’s costume. Hen dos and their sexual innuendoes weren’t her thing. How was straight-down-the-line all-work-and-no-play Kate Fielding going to cope with the rest of the evening with a condom burning a hole in her hand? Even if it was disguised as a lavender bag.

Thank goodness most of her face was veiled because she could feel a riot of crimson exploding into her cheeks. ‘Ah…I um…’

‘Go for it, Kate,’ Sheri-Lee told her. ‘You only live once.’ While Kate stood speechless, Sheri snatched the tiny organza pouch from Kate’s fingers and tucked it out of sight beneath the beaded waistband of her friend’s skirt against her right hip. ‘Casually single until you meet Mr Right.’

A chorus of girly giggles broke out as if the idea was absurd. Kate couldn’t help feeling a little hurt. And self-conscious. Was she the only one here over twenty-one?

‘Thanks…I think.’ A strangled laugh escaped her and she looked longingly towards the door. She noticed some of the girls had spilled out of the private room in search of male company and were mingling with hotel patrons near the bar. Escape. Before anyone else could elaborate on the sad status of her life. ‘Excuse me, I just need…’