Deceiving Her Boss (4 page)

 
"What kind of a question is that?  Of course I am."

 
"Good.  Because I don't ever want to think of someone taking advantage of
you."

 
Allie drained her wine glass.  "I don't think you need to worry about
that.  I'm pretty capable of taking care of myself, and I don't really date a
lot."

 
"Why not?"

 
"I'm busy.  What time is our reservation?"

 
"OK, I get it.  Another subject change.  I'm running out of subjects."

 
But Allie shook her head.  "No you're not.  We still have religion,
politics, culture, music, international affairs, domestic affairs, taxes,
Hollywood gossip.....  you name it."

 
"I want to know more about you," Sean said, leaning back in his chair
and pinning her with a piercing gaze.

 
"I'm boring.  Taxes are more interesting.  Talk to me about your musical preferences. 
Or Hollywood gossip.  That would be interesting."

 
"If I were to tell you that I used to be in a band, would you be shocked?"

 
"Like a school band?  A marching band?  A grunge band?"

 
"A marching band?" Sean asked, putting his hand over his heart. 
"What, you think I played the tuba?"

 
"I can kind of see that," Allie teased.  "But seriously, tell
me."

 
The conversation flowed easily after that.  Allie was relaxed in the dark
atmosphere of the bar, less concerned that her boss would be able to see past
her disguise.  And Sean was amazed at how the dim light brought out the
highlights in his assistant's hair, and hid the sallow tone of her skin.  She
really could be quite pretty, he thought.  Without a lot of effort.

 
After they finished their drinks, Sean took Allie to the restaurant he had
chosen, an exclusive steakhouse on the Boulevard.  It was an amazing meal, and
the only thing Allie regretted was that she was here as an employee, dressed in
really hideous clothing, instead of as Sean's date, dressed in something
fantastic and sexy.  But Sean had a way of making her comfortable, and before
she knew it, she felt perfectly at ease, and even flirted a bit with the
sommelier.

 
"Leave the poor man alone, Allie," Sean said with a sigh.

 
"Excuse me?"

 
"That tweed you wear can't completely disguise your figure, Allie.  Poor Daniel
was falling over himself to look down your jacket."

 
Allie flushed, pulling the fabric closer together and sitting up straighter. 
"I doubt that, sir, "she said quietly.  "But I appreciate the
warning."

 
"I didn't mean to embarrass you, sweetheart.  I just don't think you
realize the impact you have on men when you smile at them."

 
Allie just looked down, her eyes anywhere but on Sean.  "I think I'm
done," she said quietly, setting her fork on the plate and resting the
napkin next to her on the table.  "If you'll excuse me, I'll run to the
ladies room."

 
Sean's eyes narrowed as he watched his assistant push away from the table and
head in the direction of the restrooms.  He had embarrassed her.  But he wasn't
sure why.  She was shy, that was clear, but she seemed like she had been less
so lately, particularly around him.  He wondered why she was so sensitive to
compliments, and why she seemed able to flirt with other men, but was so
serious and so self-conscious around him.

 
When she returned to the table, it was clear that she had redrawn her armor,
and she was back to her professional self.  She sat across from him again, and
pulled her napkin back into her lap, though the table had been cleared in her
absence.

 
"Coffee, Allie?  Dessert?"

 
Allie smiled politely.  "That was a fantastic dinner, and I could not eat
another bite. Seriously.   Please take me back to the hotel and send me to my
room and do not let me eat for the next week."

 
Sean leaned back in his chair.  "Are you tired?  Or could I talk you into
stopping at the casino for a while?"

 
Allie's eyes narrowed.  "Casino?  Hmm.  OK, I could do that.  What do you
play?"

 
"Usually blackjack, sometimes poker, but I don't take it seriously.   What
about you?  Are you a slots girl?"

 
"I'm no kind of gambling girl," Allie admitted.  "But I've
always wanted to try blackjack."

 
Sean's eyebrows went up.  He didn't think his little Allie had it in her, but
if she was interested, he was teaching her.

 
Two hours later, Allie was nearly skipping back to the hotel with delight. 
"I won.  Did you see that?  I won."

 
Sean smiled indulgently.  "Yeah, I saw that.  I was right next to you, in
case you didn't notice."

 
"Wow.  $40.  I'm buying drinks tomorrow," she said, but then her
smile died as she remembered that she was with her boss, and he probably had
plans tomorrow night.  Plans that didn't include her.

 
"Oh, wait.  Sorry.  You're meeting your friends tomorrow.  I knew
that."

 
"I think I can fit in drinks with you, Allie.  In fact, if you want to
join us...."

 
But Allie backtracked quickly. "Oh, no.  No.  But thanks.  Thank you. 
I..."

 
"It's OK, Allie.  After our morning meetings, you can just enjoy the
afternoon tomorrow, and Saturday of course.  Go to the spa or the pool, OK? 
We'll head to the airport at about 3:00 on Sunday afternoon, so you have plenty
of time to just enjoy the weekend."

 
"You don't need me?"

 
"I'll call you if I do."

 
When they got back to the hotel, Sean insisted on seeing Allie to the door of
her room.

 
"I had a really nice evening, Mr. Greyson.  Thank you for dinner.  And the
blackjack lesson.  I hope I'm not completely hooked."

 
"It was a pleasure, Allie," Sean said as he took the key card from
Allie and expertly unlocked her door for her.  "Sleep well, and I'll see
you in the morning."

 
Allie smiled up at Sean and reached for the key card.  As her hand touched his,
she felt a surge of electricity, heightened by their closeness, and the subtle
but enticing scent of his cologne.  Clasping the card, she quickly said good
night, then opened the door and slipped in before she could make a fool of herself.
  She was too vulnerable where this man was concerned.  For all of her
watchfulness, and all of her caution, it wouldn't take much for her to throw
all of that away for a moment in his arms.  And that made him very dangerous to
her.

 
Sean watched the door close between them, and turned to head to the elevator. 
He had felt the current between them too.  And it was far stronger than he'd
imagined it might be.  There was something about his mouse of a assistant, he
thought as he stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for his floor. 
Something that made him speculate about what was going on inside of her head,
and what made her tick.  And for the first time, he allowed himself to wonder
what it would be like to find out. 

THREE

 
Weekends were healing to Allie.  She scrubbed her face clean of all makeup,
wore soft well-fitted jeans and t-shirts, and acted like a normal young woman
in the city.  She met friends for brunch, bought flowers from corner vendors,
and stayed up too late watching movies or laughing with Anna about absolutely
nothing.  She cooked, she cleaned, and she let down her guard.  Which was why
she absolutely cringed at the idea of spending a Friday night at Sean Greyson's
home, dealing with caterers and event planners, while he threw a large party to
celebrate the finalization of the Thomson deal.

 
There was no getting out of it, she knew.  She was the only person that Sean
trusted to ensure that the event went off without a hitch, and while she had
not been in charge of the guest list or the entertainment, she knew the
catering plans better than anyone.  But she dreaded the evening, particularly
since her nice evening clothes and shoes would need to stay in her closet. 

 
Now, dressed in an ill-fitting beige dress, with a pair of sensible heels and a
pair of reading glasses with heavy frames, Allie stayed on the sidelines of the
party, working closely with the catering staff to ensure that the event ran
smoothly.  Watching all of the glamorous people moving through the room, she felt
a twinge of regret as she looked down at her own attire.  She certainly was not
dressed to impress that evening.

 
"Allie?  Is that you?"

 
Allie looked up to see her roommate's fiancé standing in front of her.
"Paul!  What are you doing here?"

 
"Believe it or not, I'm on the invitation list."

 
"Seriously?  I haven't seen the guest list, but that's kind of unusual,
isn't it?"

 
"You mean because Sean and I are mortal enemies?" Paul grinned. 
"I guess he decided on keeping friends close and enemies closer.  Nate is
here tonight too."

 
"Oh my.  That is a change.  But I haven't been much involved in this event
-- just in charge of the catering."

 
"Come out back with me for a minute.  I want to talk to you."

 
Allie glanced around quickly, saw that things were running smoothly, and
agreed.  Grabbing a glass of wine from one of the roving wait staff, she joined
her friend on the back patio.  They chatted for a few minutes about the party
and about the abundance of food and well-dressed people, before Allie finally
asked, "So what's up?"

 
"I want to ask you about Anna.  I want to plan a honeymoon to knock her
socks off, and I have no idea what she would like best.  When we talk about
travel, we end up all over the map.  Any idea where she really would love to
go?"

 
"Oh, that's super easy," Allie grinned, leaning back against one of
the stone walls.  "Italy.  Rome, Venice, Florence.....  In college, she
read The Agony and the Ecstasy, and kept me up nights telling me all about the
genius of Michelangelo.  Take her there."

 
"Italy?  Really?"

 
"Really."

 
"So here's where you've run off to," came a deep voice from behind
Allie and Paul.  Allie looked up to see Sean standing in the doorway, a deep
scowl on his face. "Allie, I need you inside -- the caterers are looking
for you."

 
"Oh for heaven's sake," Allie said, letting her exasperation show for
a moment.  "I was just in there.  What trouble could they have gotten into
in five minutes?" she asked rhetorically.  Turning back to her friend, she
said, "Paul, it was nice to see you.  Enjoy your evening."

 
Sean stood to one side, letting Allie move by him into the house, then looked
back out at Paul, standing on the patio.  He and Allie had looked very
comfortable out here together, almost like old friends.  And why had they been
discussing Italy? he wondered.  It was where he was thinking of expanding his
business, but he couldn't remember if he'd mentioned it in front of Allie.  Was
his assistant passing information to his competitor?  He couldn't imagine it,
not really.  Allie might be shy and mousy, but she was smart, and he never had
had reason before to question her loyalty to his company.  The situation bore
watching, he thought.  And it was worth asking her about.   Later.

 
Much later that evening, Allie's feet hurt, she was tired and cranky, but all
the guests had finally left.  She was in the process of settling up with the
caterers when Sean came into the room.

 
"When you're done here, come into my study.  I want to talk with you for a
few minutes."

 
Allie was surprised, but she tried not to show it.  "Sure.  I'll just be a
few more minutes."

 
After helping the caterers load up the last of their gear and locking up the
back door behind them, Allie headed back into Sean's study before calling her
usual cab-driver to take her home.  The door was open, but Allie knocked anyway
to get his attention.  Sean looked up and waved her in.

 
"Have a seat, Allie," he said immediately.  "Would you like a
drink?  A glass of bourbon, perhaps?"

 
Allie shook her head.  The last thing she needed tonight was a nightcap.  One
sip and she'd be sound asleep on her boss' couch.  "No thank you, Mr.
Greyson," she answered.  "It's late.  I should be getting home."

 
Sean shook off the hint.  "In a minute, Allie.  I want to ask you about
something. "

 
Allie couldn't think what he might be asking her about that couldn't wait until
Monday morning.  "If you're concerned about the response to David Foster's
letter, I sent that out before coming here tonight."

 
"I'm not concerned about that.  You're responsible.  I figured you'd get
it out this afternoon."

 
"Then is something wrong?" she asked.

 
"Come in and sit down," Sean ordered, waving at the couch.  Allie
moved forward and perched gingerly on the edge of the seat.  Standing up, Sean
moved out from behind his desk and sat down on the coffee table in front of
Allie.  When he leaned forward, Allie moved back in the chair, not wanting him
to get close to her.