The elevator dinged, the doors slid open and she stepped inside.
He joined her in the circular enclosure, which provided a panoramic view of the harbor with a few boats still floating between chunks of ice. “Maybe you should worry about your files. There are all sorts of cloning devices for computers and—”
“I’ll have the security guards strip-search you on the way out.”
Just as he’d decided her word choice was accidental, she glanced back over her shoulder, blue eyes glimmering with mischief.
Heat spread and he moved to her side, ducking his head toward hers. “Will you personally supervise the search? Lucky for me I wore my favorite comic-character boxer shorts.”
She arched one delicate blond eyebrow. She’d always had a way of putting a person in his place quietly, succinctly. “You flatter yourself.”
“I dream, oh lady, I dream.”
She tipped her head, her eyebrows pulling together. “I have to ask. Do you treat all business professionals this way?”
“Only the business professionals I’ve already had an affair with. Actually, strike that.” He held up a hand. “Only you. Everyone else at work, it’s all business.”
“A poor choice during one weekend in college is not the same as an affair.” Her hands on her hips accentuated her curves in that killer power suit.
He ached to peel it off her.
Broderick clapped a hand to his chest. “You wound me. That weekend is my benchmark for all other relationships. Every woman falls short after you.”
Had he really said that out loud? It had almost felt like he’d meant it.
He was saved from pondering that uncomfortable thought when the elevator bell dinged. They’d reached their destination.
Glenna surprised him by pressing the button to keep the doors closed. “Your board of directors may buy your bull, but I’m not fooled by your smooth talk.”
She was right. Whatever he was doing with her, it had no place in the office.
But they were in the elevator. Alone.
He was not one to let an opportunity pass by.
He stepped closer, inhaling the scent of her. Almonds... Unexpected. Sensual. “What if I’m serious?”
Her eyes widened before she touched his elbow. “Then I am so very sorry you were hurt.” Her throat moved with a swallow. Then her elegant nose scrunched and she pointed a slim finger at him. “But I’m not buying that line about all women falling short. Now stop playing me and let’s speak to my mother.”
Glenna let the elevator open, then charged ahead of him around a corner to an empty receptionist’s desk. “I’m not sure where Sage is—”
Glenna’s young cousin Sage Hammond rounded the corner just then, smoothing her simple turtleneck sweater dress as she took her place at her chair. “I’ve been away from my desk. I was meeting with your assistant in the tech department. I’m sorry to have left things unattended. Your mother was busy with a call when I left.” She tapped the phone console, strands of her whispy blond hair falling across her shoulders. “But the light’s off now so she must be finished, if you wish to go inside.”
Broderick nodded. “Thank you, Miss Hammond.”
Glenna muttered, “Eyes off my cousin,” as she reached for the door handle of the next office.
Jealous? Interesting. “I don’t pluck wings off butterflies.”
Glenna’s sky-blue eyes shifted with something he couldn’t name, just briefly, then she turned away and walked into her mother’s office.
The interior held more of that Mikkelson charm. Antiques and splashes of light green filled the room, as if to bring life inside. Two walls of windows let sunlight stream into the corner office, and more rays poured through a skylight. Outside, the streets teemed with people, cars and even an ambling moose.
But the office itself was empty.
“Mom? I’m here with Broderick Steele. There’s been a misunderstanding, a rumor we need to clear up.” Glenna looked around. “I know she’s here. There’s her leather portfolio bag and her coat, even her cashmere scarf. She must be getting coffee.”
Or in the powder room? Glenna’s gaze flicked to the private bathroom.
Muffled sounds came from within, like a shower maybe, soft and indistinctive. Steam seeped from under the door as if the water had been running a long time. A moan filtered through. From an enjoyable shower? Or was that a sound of pain? He wasn’t sure.
Broderick backed into the sitting area, away from the line of sight of the bathroom. “I’ll step out so you can check on her. If you need any help, just say the word.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Mom?” Concern laced Glenna’s voice. “Mom, are you okay?”
There was no answer.
Glenna looked at Broderick. “I hate to just burst in, but if she’s ill... If it’s an emergency...”
“Your call. Do you want me to leave?” Maybe health issues might explain the strange business behavior.
“How about you stay back, but nearby in case I need to send you for Sage.” Glenna tapped lightly on the door. “Mother, it’s me. Are you all right?”
He studied the top of his boots, keeping his eyes averted.
“Mother, I’m worried. I don’t want to embarrass you, but I need to know you’re okay. I’m coming in.”
When the doorknob rattled, Broderick glanced up and saw Glenna shaking her head. His concern ratcheted a notch higher.
“It’s locked.” She knocked harder on the door. “Mom, you’re scaring me. Open up. Please.” She reached into her pocket. “I’m going to use my master key to come in.” She opened the door—and squeaked.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, launching Broderick into motion. He rushed forward and rested a palm on her back, ready to help with whatever crisis might be unfolding.
Glenna pressed a steadying hand on the bathroom door frame. “Mom?”
Broderick stopped short. Blinked. Blinked again. And holy crap, he still couldn’t believe his eyes.
Glenna might have been surprised, but Broderick was stunned numb. He even braced his booted feet because his world had done a somersault.
Jeannie Mikkelson stood wrapped in a towel in the steam-filled, white-tiled bathroom, and she wasn’t alone.
An all-too-familiar figure edged in front of her—pushing Glenna’s mother safely behind his broad chest.
Confused, Broderick couldn’t stop himself from asking the obvious. “Dad?”
