AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s a hell of a request, Mr. Donovan.”
“It’s more than that,” Nathan countered, keeping his voice even. “It’s a demand. I only surround myself with people I can trust implicitly.” Even though he’d seen pictures, read her employment file, knew about her ambitions, heard how intelligent and indispensable she was from Newman, Kelsey Lane was nothing like Nathan had expected.
He’d arrived slightly after five this morning, and later he’d vaguely heard her enter the suite. The way she’d shouted good morning had penetrated the haze he’d been in since he’d started reading through the biographies of all key personnel, from tugboat captains to the CFO, memorizing names and accomplishments, envisioning each person’s role in the success of the company. It wasn’t just the cheeriness in her voice that had gotten to him, it was her tone. It was a bit lower than he had expected, containing a sexy rasp that made him think of anything but business.
The first sight of her when he’d stood in the doorway had momentarily taken him aback. Her hair drifted over her shoulders and teased the middle of her back. In the photographs he’d seen, she’d probably been wearing it up.
She was also considerably taller than he’d anticipated. Her business suit was professional, her slim-fitted skirt finishing a couple of inches above her knee. Her white silk blouse clung to her torso, and her jacket had obviously been tailored.
Nothing about the ensemble was inappropriate, except in his thoughts. She wore stockings that he’d mentally replaced with fishnets.
In his mind, he’d traded in her heeled pumps for stiletto sandals before he’d shaken his head to clear the vivid image.
Then she’d tipped back her head and met his gaze, and he’d been captivated by her eyes. They were more hazel than green, beneath dark, well-sculptured eyebrows.
The absolute most fascinating—and dangerous—thing about this woman was the sexual attraction that walloped him.
Even though he was often surrounded by beautiful women, both at work and at Deviation, it had been a long time—years, perhaps—since he’d had this sort of reaction. And it intrigued him. Kelsey didn’t seem to intimidate easily, was fiercely loyal and, according to Newman, innately intelligent about how the business operated. Nathan respected that. Brains, beauty and no interest in him? He was done for.
His watch vibrated in a way it never had before. Annoyed and curious, he glanced at it.
He saw a hovering pink heart icon. As he watched, it beat even faster.
Fuck.
Had Bonds been serious? The thing could tell when he was attracted to a woman? The damn thing had lines on it when he was working out. How was it possible the watch knew the difference between exercising and lust?
No mistake, though. Lust was a powerful, precise word. And he felt it for this woman. He couldn’t help but picture her on her knees, looking up at him, hazel eyes full of anticipation and trust, and maybe highlighted by a dizzying brush of trepidation.
Determinedly, he shoved aside the thought and pulled his shirtsleeve over the watch’s surface. He continued to remain silent while she sorted through her response, though he guessed what it would be.
She’d brought two coffees with her this morning, which meant she’d thought of Newman on her way in. Nathan was betting that her genuine concern for others would trump her antagonism toward him.
He merely had to wait for her to reach the same, inevitable conclusion.
“Let me be as clear in return,” she said finally, looking across at him. “I can’t and won’t blindly offer you my loyalty. That’s not something I give away. It has to be earned.” She brought up her chin a fraction of an inch. “It’s an extension of respect.”
“Well said,” he acknowledged.
“Until I know more about you and your ethics, I won’t give it to you.” Her voice had dropped and he could hear the emotion—nervousness as well as conviction—mixed in. She was testing him as surely as he was testing her. “If you can’t accept that, Mr. Donovan, then I’m afraid I’ll have to offer my resignation.”
“Do you always speak your mind, Ms. Lane?”
“I figured you were a man who appreciated knowing what I’m really thinking. And the truth is, I’m still sitting here because the Newmans asked me to. Not because of you. Because of them and our employees. I think it’s highly inappropriate that I came in to find a new name plaque on the wall and everything removed from his office. Samuel Newman is beloved here. By everyone, not just me,” she returned.
“So I’ve heard.” And that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Newman Inland Marine often appeared on yearly lists of the best companies to work for in Houston. He knew the man was regarded as a saint, benevolent in ways CEOs weren’t renowned for. But it had come at a cost. Newman accepted excuses when he shouldn’t, forgave mistakes that should have cost a person their job, allowed employees to be paid for working fewer hours than they reported. And finally, he’d sheltered the tugboat skipper who had been involved in a costly accident.
