nerve ending of her body was rigidly aware of him and his nearness. “And even if some of the people around here think that we sleep together”—his fingers touched the silken skin of her cheek softly—”what’s so bad about that? What do you care what other people think?”
Erin’s lips thinned into a white line. She tried to control her temper and ignore the warm feelings that Kane was commanding from her. She pushed herself away from him in order to think clearly and avoid the compelling magnetism that seemed to surround him. “I’ve worked very hard to get where I am with this bank, and I don’t need the frustration of knowing that coworkers think that I sleep with the boss to promote my career.”
“Would you mind it if they thought you slept with the boss because you wanted to and not for career reasons?”
“You can’t possibly understand!” she whispered, and turned on her heel to leave.
As she pushed open the door to make her exit, she heard Kane’s parting words. “You, Miss O’Toole, are paranoid! And I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty!”
Kane’s voice boomed through the open door. Several of the secretaries looked up from their typewriters to stare openly at Erin. She tried to ignore their curiosity and continued toward her office. She could feel their speculative glances boring holes into her back, but she managed to return to the security of her office with a modicum of poise.
Outwardly she controlled her ragged Irish temper, but once in the sanctity of her own office, she could feel the fumes of anger rising steadily within her. No doubt half of the legal department had already sized up her situation with the new boss, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet! She tried to concentrate on her work, and she told herself not to be childish, but she couldn’t help but feel that Kane had betrayed her trust by announcing that he planned to see her after work. To make matters worse, he had brushed off the subject of Mitch’s dismissal with an arrogant wave of his hand and very little explanation.
During the remainder of the day Erin saw little of Kane. All of his contact with her came via his secretary in the form of interdepartmental memorandums. They had no personal contact. She had seen him only in passing, and he had smiled at her with the same polite but less than enthusiastic smile that he rained upon all of his employees. He showed her no special attention, which was exactly what she had wanted. And yet, a small and very feminine part of her yearned for the vaguest sign of emotion from him. Affection, endearment, friendship—anything that demonstrated that he cared for her in a more intimate way.
For most of the afternoon she attempted to bury herself in her work to avoid any further confrontations with Kane. It also helped her ignore the whispers about Mitch and the speculations about the embezzlement.
It was long after five o’clock when she rose and tucked away the paperwork that was still spread unfinished on her desk. Although she had worked diligently, she had accomplished very little because of her preoccupation with Kane. He had asked her out early that morning, and she had refused, but her mind had wandered relentlessly back to the invitation. What would it hurt? her persuasive mind taunted.
But what good would it do, her more rational nature inquired. Yes, Kane was an interesting man, and yes, she would like to spend some time alone with him, and perhaps she would, if circumstances were different. But as things stood, she couldn’t reconcile herself to live a double life of daytime employee and nighttime lover. No matter how she would try to convince herself otherwise, she was attracted to Kane as she never had been to any other man. Given an alternative set of circumstances, she knew that she could fall deeply in love with him. But, as fate would have it, she couldn’t allow herself the pleasure of falling in love with a man for whom she worked.
It had taken her all day to come to the decision that she would have to explain her position to Kane once and for all. She threw her coat over her arm and clicked off the lights to her office. Most of the staff had left the building, but she knew that Kane was still working. She could hear his voice through the door. Rather than disturb him, she continued past his office toward the elevator.
Before the elevator doors parted, the door to Kane’s office opened. Erin quickly resolved to herself that this would be as good a time as any to have it out with him. She turned to face him and discovered that he wasn’t alone. Olivia Parsons was with him, looking as if she was hanging on his every word. Rather than intrude, Erin whirled and faced the elevator. Just as the doors were opening, Erin heard Kane call out to her.
“Erin, wait!” Kane hurried to Erin’s side. “I’m glad I caught up with you. Do you need a ride home?”
“I’ve got my car,” Erin replied, a little tartly. Why did Olivia always seem to be a part of the conversation? She looked cautiously at Olivia, but the calm expression on the brunette’s face didn’t appear to hold the slightest hint of interest.
“Then I’ll see you at seven-thirty,” Kane rejoined.
Erin looked from Kane to Olivia and back to Kane. “I…don’t think so…not tonight.” Olivia’s eyebrows raised just a fraction of an inch. The gesture was almost unnoticeable, but Erin caught the movement and the silent gleam of fascination in Olivia’s perfect green eyes.
“Going out?” Olivia asked casually. “I don’t blame you. Who wants to cook after a full day at the office?”
Erin couldn’t resist the temptation of disagreeing with Olivia. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve always enjoyed cooking.”
Olivia’s face registered disbelief, but it was Kane who answered. “Good!” he interjected. “I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in ages. We’ll eat at your place.”
Erin was about to reject Kane’s suggestion, but Olivia stilled Erin’s tongue. “That’s terrible!” she sang out sweetly to Kane. “I tell you what. Why don’t you come over to my house for a special dinner? We’ll have fresh seafood from Puget Sound…”
“Thanks, Olivia. I appreciate the hospitality.” Kane seemed to agree, and Erin could feel her heart beginning to shred. Kane shot Erin a questioning look and continued, “But I’ve got other plans.” His response was gentle but firm.
“Some other time…” Olivia persisted, only slightly dejected.
“Some other time,” Kane agreed evasively.
There was a slight pause in the conversation, and finally Olivia broke the silence. “I guess I’d better be running along. I’ll see you in the morning.” Although the farewell was meant for both Erin and Kane, Olivia’s warm green eyes looked directly into the cool gray depths of Kane’s gaze. Erin could almost see the invitation in those emerald pools.
Olivia slipped into the elevator, and it started its descent before Erin began. “Look, Kane. I’ve made a decision. You can’t come over tonight…and I can’t go out with you. It’s as simple as that!”
She pressed the elevator call button and waited for Kane’s reaction. She expected that he would be violent, but when he spoke it was with quiet deliberation.
“You…would deny me a home-cooked meal?” he asked, and there was a mischievous smile in his eyes.
“Of course not, but you’ve got to understand…”
“It’s settled then. I’ll bring the wine.” He slipped his hand beneath her elbow and guided her into the elevator. As the doors shut he wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her feverishly on the lips. All of the warmth and intimacy that had been denied during
