ROMANCE: THE SHEIKH'S GAMES: A Sheikh Romance (42 page)

It made Sandy laugh. “Okay, but we don’t demand that you give your life to Forlanie, understood?”

“Um…”

“What I mean is that you do your best, but you don’t kill yourself over this. I might ask some overtime, but it won’t be a regular thing.”

“Okay I get it. Thanks. I just want to do well here.”

“And that’s what we want too. To be honest, when I heard that I was going to get Bill’s protégée as my assistant, I was worried.”

“Protégée? Mr. McConnell’s protégée? We’ve never even met.”

Sandy seemed surprised. “Ah, well…”

“Does everything think that there’s something going on with us?”

“Oh no, that’s not it at all. It’s just that Bill has a habit of finding talent and making room for them in the company. Donnie was one of his first finds, and I don’t know what we’d do without him.”

Amanda tried to concentrate on the job, but the word “protégée” kept racing through her mind. What on earth did people really think of her? Much as she liked Bill McConnell, she didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. He wasn’t her sugar daddy.

When she spoke to Helen about it that night, Helen said, “Did you go into the job without any expectations?”

“Of course.”

“Then that’s all you have to answer for. Let everyone else think what they have to think to keep their world spinning. Their opinion of you is none of your business.”

“Yeah, but it can make work hellish.”

“You made things clear to your boss, right? And to Donnie?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let it go. Stop over-thinking things. Be brilliant at your job and nobody will have the right to complain.”

It was good advice and Amanda took it to heart. Though she wished she could find out where the protégée rumor began, she tried not to let it bother her. And since Bill McConnell never visited her office, she hoped the rumor would just die.

Then one afternoon she was on her way back up to her office after lunch and McConnell got into the elevator with her. He looked right at her as he entered but there was no flicker of recognition. But of course since they’d never met, he wouldn’t know who she was. She only knew him from the pictures on the Internet, and he was exactly what she’d imagined he would be in person. He was tall and elegant with perfectly barbered white hair, and a suit that probably cost a year of her salary.

Should she speak up? He deserved some thanks, she supposed. “Mr. McConnell?”

He turned, a look of mild surprise on his face. “Yes?”

“I’m Amanda, the operator from HostAssist.”

From his expression she had the impression that he had no idea who she was.

“We used to chat before conference calls.”

“We did?”

“Yes. I just wanted to thank you for any encouragement you gave Mr. Kingman with regard to hiring me.”

His brow furrowed. “Was this recently that we spoke?”

“Yes sir. I was at HostAssist for eighteen months just before I came here.”

Oddly, he chuckled. “You’re not thinking of me, Amanda. I retired two years ago. You’re thinking of my son, Bill Jr. I’ll pass along your thanks.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No, think nothing of it. How long have you been with Forlanie?”

“A month.”

“And Billy hasn’t come down to make sure you’re doing okay?” He clicked his tongue. “That boy’s forgotten his manners.”

“No, no, I wouldn’t dream of bothering him. I was just grateful to have gotten such a good job.”

“What is it you do?”

“Assistant to the Media Relations Director.”

“Oh you’re working for Sandy. She’s tough but she’s fair,” he told her.

The doors slid open on her floor and Amanda nearly flew out. “Thank you, sir!”

“Welcome to Forlanie, Amanda!” he called as the doors closed.

She passed Sandy as she entered the office.

“You’re red as a beet.”

“I just mistook Bill Sr. for Bill Jr.”

“How did you manage that?”

“I’d never met the son, just talked to him on the phone.”

Sandy laughed too. “I bet that tickled him.”

“I’m so embarrassed.”

“Oh don’t be. He’s a good guy. They both are.”

Amanda took that assessment to heart as she got back to work. Everyone here was nice. She was so grateful to have this job, and embarrassed or not, she was glad she’d had a chance to thank at least one of the McConnells.

About three-thirty, as she was winding down on the report she was preparing, there was a knock at the door. “C’mon in,” she called.

A man stuck his head in. Hello?”

She was glad she was sitting down because this guy was so handsome he made her feel all wobbly. He was in shirtsleeves, and had discarded his tie, so she knew he worked in the building and wasn’t a member of the media coming to beg for some inside info. She liked the way his fair hair fell down over one pale green eye.

She had to stop thinking about the way he looked! She stood up without incident. “Hi. I’m Amanda Jensen. How can I help you?”

He was grinning widely. “Amanda, it’s good to meet you at last.”

“Even if he hadn’t said that, once she heard him speak a full sentence she knew that she was talking to Bill McConnell. Her Bill McConnell with the dark, buttery voice.

“Hi! What are you doing down here?”

“I came to say hello and welcome. My father gave me hell for not having done it before this, but I wanted to let you settle in first. How are you liking it?”

“I’m loving it,” she said with complete candor. “Would you like to sit down?”

“Yes, thanks.” He sat down on the sofa and Amanda wondered if she should sit in the chair or beside him. What was the protocol with the big boss? She opted for the opposite end of the sofa.

“Everyone is so nice here,” she told him. “I appreciate the opportunity.”

“I’m so glad we could give it.”

There was an awkward silence, and then they both began to talk at once. It was so odd being in the same room with him. He was so not what she had pictured, having mistaken a photo of his father for one of him. But beyond that, he was so incredibly handsome, friendly, down-to-earth, and yet there was something about him that gave her the sense that he was a chancy man to cross, that his modesty was a natural effect of his strength. Strong people, those who were truly strong, had nothing at all to prove.

Once they covered the basics, how are you settling in? Any questions? Do you need anything? The conversation began to drift back into their familiar patterns. They talked about the company, and then about some of the properties that Amanda was working on. From there, they moved to travel in general, and Bill told her some funny travel stories.

“So there I was, locked in the WC and yelling what I thought was “help!” and it turns out I was shouting… I think someone told me it was “onions! Onions!”

Amanda exploded with laughter, remembered herself, and covered her mouth with her hands.

“Why do you do that?”

“Oh, my mother taught me it wasn’t ladylike to laugh out loud like that.”

“No, it’s wonderful! So much more refreshing than a polite little giggle before the subject gets changed.”

“You’ve been out with the wrong girls,” she told him. “My friends and I laugh like lunatics when we’re together.”

“I’d love to meet them.”

“Maybe one day.” She looked up and saw that it had grown dark while they talked. “Oh gosh, it’s late. I shouldn’t have kept you.”

“No, I enjoyed it. But I’ve kept you. Listen, the least I can do is to drive you home, or wherever it is you’re planning on going tonight.”

“Just home.”

“No Friday night date?”

“Just with my roommate. We order food and binge watch television programs. Though she’s actually got a date tonight.”

“So what were you going to do?”

“Microwave some macaroni and cheese and watch a movie.”

“That sounds good, but could I put a twist on it?”

“Wh— uh, sure.” What was he talking about?

“We hit this little place in Lincoln Square that makes the best mac and cheese ever, and then go to a movie. What d’you think?”

“Uh,” she said again. She was completely flummoxed. Was he asking her out on a date? “It sounds terrific, but wouldn’t it be awkward?”

“Oh! No, no, I’m not asking you on a date. Sorry, I should have been clearer. It’s more of a welcome to the family, and neither of us have anything to do anyway thing.”

She laughed again. There was something boyish and winning about him that she liked instinctively. “Okay sure. I’m a sucker for a good mac and cheese.”

They drove up to the restaurant. It had begun to snow lightly on the way, so when they arrived there was a sparkle of frost on everything. “I’ve never been here before,” she told him.

“I live in the neighborhood, so I come here a lot.”

The place was jammed. Amanda was sure it would take forever to get a table and she resigned herself to sitting in the bar, if getting a seat there was even possible. But they were shown right to a table and treated like royalty.

“I’m impressed.”

“One of the perks of being a regular customer.”

And probably of having money to burn
, she thought. But what the heck? It had been a long time since any guy had shown her a good time. And she kind of liked that Bill’s good time was a neighborhood restaurant, even if the neighborhood was tremendously upscale and the establishment was a bit pricey. She decided to relax and enjoy it. To enjoy him.

“So would it be awkward if I asked why a guy like you doesn’t have a date?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” He grinned at her. I assume it’s for the same reason a woman as smart and attractive as you are doesn’t have one either.”

“High standards?”

“That’s it!” he said gleefully and lifted his glass of good Belgian beer in a toast. “To high standards and impromptu dinners with friends.”

She clinked her glass against his and drank.

It was a lovely meal. He’d been right about the mac and cheese, it was delicious. They took their time over dinner, then over dessert and coffee. It seemed that there was an endless stream of conversation that flowed between them, a wonderful give and take of ideas and funny stories, an exchange of opinions on so many subjects from art to sports, literature to politics, from music to what was going on in the city. It had been a long time since Amanda had met anyone with whom she could engage so easily.

They talked and talked, and at some point between their last bite of dinner and their second cup of coffee, she found herself wishing that this was a date. She was having a hard time not seeing Bill in a romantic way. He was exactly the sort of man she had always dreamed of, smart, funny, and sexy as hell. And his beautiful, velvety voice made her want to throw herself on him shouting “Take me now!”

“Oh man, we’ve talked through the start of the last feature,” he said as he checked his watch. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. The great thing about movies is that there’ll always be another showing, even if it’s only online.”

“That’s true. I should take you home now, shouldn’t I?” It might have been her imagination but he sounded like he was asking something else. She decided to go with it.

“If you like.”

He caught her meaning and asked, “Would you rather do something else?”

“Like see your place? Yes.” She couldn’t believe how bold she was being. But he looked pleased. Not smugly so, just happy. And it touched her heart.

Outside the world had turned white with fallen snow. It glistened and gleamed. Big, fat flakes fell on them, landing on Amanda’s hair and coat and even on her eyelashes, and face. Bill reached out and brushed one off the tip of her nose, and the touch was electric. This had to happen. From the moment they first spoke on the phone, this had been fated to happen.

He tipped her chin up and kissed her softly in the snow, kissed her warmly so that she knew there was more here than sex. Not that sex wouldn’t be enough, but his kiss made it clear to her that what she was feeling was the same affection he felt.

She tried not to think about what the future would be like, but focused on the moment and on how happy she was. If it all went south on Monday morning, she’d deal with it then.

He took her to his place, a modest-looking brick two-flat that looked only a bit nicer than every other building on his block. But when she walked into the apartment she realized that the building was very much like Bill himself. A little more handsome, a little more elegant on the outside, but on the inside, so perfect, a kind of refuge from the outside world.

The building had been duplexed, but what remained after the space had been opened had been restored to a gleaming antique beauty. “I needed it to be as true to its era as possible,” he explained as he switched on the lights, so that Amanda could see the beautifully carved and polished moldings, the Prairie-era fireplace with its golden oak built-ins, and stained glass window above. Amanda touched the lovingly restored brick and smiled.

“I lived in an apartment like this when I first moved out on my own. It was on the far northwest side, and it was a little beat up, but I could see what it had been once. I’ve always loved these old Prairie-style buildings.”

“I do too. This is my third one, and the best of the lot.”

“Oh… you’re not planning on flipping this one, are you?”

“Not unless I find one I like more.”

“Oh, but it’s so beautiful! May I see the rest?”

He showed her around the first floor which was mainly the living/dining room, the kitchen, and a powder room. “There’s a mud room in the back, and a sun porch where I like to eat breakfast,” he said, switching on the light in the back. “It’s not much of a garden,” he admitted. There isn’t all that much room between the garage and the house. But I like looking at it.” He flipped another switch and the garden was filled with warm light, surprising a foraging rabbit who fled into the darkness. With the snow lying heavy on the bare branches, the sight was magical.

“It’s lovely.”

Bill slipped his arm around her waist and Amanda leaned into the embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. “This is a wonderful place.”

He turned out the garden lights and said, “Let’s go upstairs.”