‘Okay. I feel it. It was…good. But it was just a momentary indulgence.’
‘Momentary?’ When she didn’t answer, he said, ‘I want to see you again. Away from the office. And believe me, it won’t be momentary.’
Her heart battered against her ribcage and the hot flush already invading her body intensified. Oh, the way he said that, the desire in his eyes—for her. But she had to think of practicalities. Nothing was going to persuade her from the goals she’d set for herself. Not even Jared Sanderson. Especially Jared Sanderson because she had a feeling he could change those goalposts to suit himself. ‘I’m going overseas, I don’t want to start something—’
‘Honey, it’s already started.’
‘That doesn’t—’
Her phone’s cheerful jangle cut her off. Salvation. She pulled the offending item from her bag and answered, turning away from Jared as she did so.
‘Sophie, it’s Pam. I’m glad I caught you. Can you cover for me for a few more days?’
‘Sure.’ Uh-oh. Definitely unsure, but she couldn’t tell Pam that right now. She’d need to find a replacement herself. ‘You’re still not well? Have you seen a doctor?’
‘You’ll never guess, I’ve got chicken pox.’
‘No way.’
‘Discovered the spots a few hours ago, the doctor confirmed it.’
‘You poor thing. I’ll call in on my way home. Is there anything I can get you?’
‘Thanks, but there’s no need. I’m going to switch off my phone and sleep. Oh, and I tried phoning Jared before I called you but his mobile’s not answering.’
Of course it wasn’t. Pam sounded perplexed about that, as if it was completely out of character. And it probably was if he was as dedicated to his work as Pam said.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll let him know.’ She rubbed at her temple. ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Ring me if you need anything, no matter what time. Day or night.’
Sophie disconnected but remained facing the back of the lift. She didn’t want the sight of Jared distracting her any more than she wanted to be the one who’d distracted him. The memory of the past few minutes burned in her blood. Her lips still tingled with his taste. Her entire body felt as if it were smouldering. How could she possibly cover for Pam now? But that extra income would have come in so handy.
Hearing the tightness in her voice as she disconnected, Jared touched Sophie’s shoulder. ‘What’s wrong? Anything I can do?’ None of his business, but he had to ask. He knew what it was like to deal with family crises.
‘That was Pam.’ Slipping the phone in her bag, she turned, her expression taut, shoulders rigid.
‘And…?’ he prompted when she just stared at him as if he’d turned into some kind of monster.
‘She’s got chicken pox.’
‘Chicken pox? Do adults even catch chicken pox?’
‘They can. Sometimes.’
Before he’d finished saying, ‘That’s unfortunate,’ his mind was already leaping ahead. Sophie. At his beck and call for a week…but not in his bed as he’d anticipated. He didn’t fool around with his staff.
‘Pam tried to contact you just now,’ she continued in a voice devoid of that husky passion he’d heard earlier. ‘I told her I’d let you know.’ She hesitated before saying, ‘Under the circumstances I’ll arrange for someone to cover for her.’
‘No. I want you.’ His body, already pumped, hardened further. He fought it down. Hang on a damn minute. They were talking business hours here. ‘I need a PA and you need the work.’ When she didn’t reply he pressed on. ‘Couldn’t you use the extra spending money?’
‘Yes, but—’
‘So I’ll see you here bright and early in the morning. Sophie, you’re a professional, you can do it. Think of London. That side trip to Paris.’
‘I wasn’t planning a side trip to Paris.’
‘Everyone plans a side trip to Paris.’
‘Not me.’ She chewed her lip a moment. ‘I want to see Rome. And maybe Florence.’ Stepping sideways, she stabbed the elevator button…and this time he let her.
The quiet click of gears was the only sound in the rapidly descending lift but the residual crackle of sexual energy sparking off the walls was deafening.
‘Okay…’ she murmured finally. ‘We’ll give it a try.’
He watched her refusing to look at him. It wouldn’t work if they didn’t talk about it. ‘You don’t want to resolve this unfinished business first?’