Willing Sacrifice (Knights of the Board Room 6) - Page 40

There were physical repercussions to doing all that on a work day, but she knew adrenaline could carry her through until quitting time. What she hadnt expected was how thoughts of the past several hours could utterly destroy her focus. Her skin bloomed with heat whenever she thought of him, her heart rate elevating like a tiny mouse scurrying up her chest wall. Shed laugh at herself about it, but there was a poignant ache in that same vicinity. Shed started down a path from which she couldnt return. She was falling for him, and she was pretty sure he felt the same way.

Her mind kept revisiting the morning in delicious detail. That first touch, curling her fingers in his shirt, moving into his embrace, the two of them simply holding one another. Maxs smile. Him calling her maam in that slow, sexy way. How hed lifted her up so effortlessly against the shower wall, his body flexing inside the clamp of her arms and legs, the powerful urgency in his expression. The unsettling issue of him pursuing the last man responsible for his mothers death.

Shed been in a situation where she couldnt rely on the police to save her from a violent criminal, and shed employed macabre measures to handle it. She couldnt throw stones. Beyond that, she worked for a man who clearly felt the way Max did. If anyone ever harmed Savannah or Angelica, Janet had no doubt the last thought on Matt Kensingtons mind would be calling the police. The perpetrator would die wishing that the police had had time to get to him before Matt had. And every man of his executive team would help him, because they shared that same code.

Janet, can you read back that last point?

Speak of the devil. She shook herself out of her thoughts to find Matt gazing at her from the head of the boardroom table. Though his expression was bland, she sensed something quivering beneath the surface. Amusement? Whatever it was, Peter, Jon, Ben and Lucas seemed to have a dose of it as well, because their body language and expressions were almost identical to Matts.

She glanced down at her shorthand. Production in Costa Rica is up fifty percent. Peter anticipates that trend to continue while handling the Porter account, justifying the equipment upgrade

I win, Ben pronounced. He stretched across the table, collecting the five poker chips that had appeared in the center of the table as if by magic. As he pocketed them, he gave Lucas a grin. You were close, but I hit it dead on. She tuned us out four bullet points ago.

The K&A lawyer glanced over at her, his green eyes twinkling. You completely missed our plans to hire tranny prostitutes for the Johnson reception.

And the policy change that requires all female employees to wear string bikinis whenever the predicted high is over eighty, Peter put in helpfully.

An unprecedented flush climbed up her cheeks. I apologize, she said stiffly. I She cleared her throat. Did I miss any action points? Real ones?

No. We were generally discussing the direction for South America, but it was more brainstorming than anything. Jon offered the information kindly, which was almost worse than Bens teasing. He studied her with his serious midnight-blue eyes, enhanced by the fall of dark, silken hair around his sculpted face. Nothing concrete.

I apologize, sir, she repeated to Matt, but she directed her next words to all of them. It wont happen again.

Matt nodded. Straightening, she put her pen to paper. Now, how many tranny prostitutes will you need?

The men chuckled, easing her embarrassment, though she felt Matts scrutiny lingering. A few minutes later, they concluded the meeting. As the other men rose, heading out of the boardroom to start their respective schedules, she wasnt surprised to see Matt motion to her to stay.

Ben brought her a napkin that held three mini-muffins and a cup of coffee. Since she never ate during the monthly staff meeting, the men always saved her three of the muffins that Ben baked himself. She saw the chocolate chip, blueberry and raspberry flavors she preferred, while Ben put down a fresh black coffee next to it.

Giving her a nod, he added, Go with a bakers dozen on those prostitutes. Itll take that many to give Johnsons attorney an apoplexy, and Im looking for a full-on drop-dead stroke so hes no longer a thorn in my ass. See if you can get us a group discount.

Ill work on that, she said dryly.

He gave her a wink. When he left, he closed the door after him, so she and Matt were alone. Rising, she moved to the head of the table, taking a seat at Matts right. It wasnt unusual for him to have her stay behind to dictate additional notes or correspondence, but she knew that wasnt the case today. She folded her hands in her lap. I am sorry, Matt. I know Im distracted today.

He sat back, his shoe braced on the table leg beneath to rock him on the chairs axis, giving his legs more room. Janet, you could take a nap through every staff meeting we have for the next five years, and only then would it balance out all the times youve been right on top of everything we need, right when we need it. Id be a poor boss to snap at you for taking fifteen minutes. But I know you well enough Im going to ask. Are you all right?

She pursed her lips. She really didnt know how to answer that question, and Matt Kensington was not the type to take a generic fine. How do I seem? she ventured.

Very few things mattered to her as much as how she presented herself when she was representing K&A and Matts interests. If she was in uncharted territory, she trusted Matt to give her an evaluation, direct and to the point. He didnt disappoint, but it still startled her to hear it said aloud so baldly.

You look like a woman falling in love. Happy, anxious, thoughtful. And you have a stubble burn on your lovely jaw. I threatened to skin Ben alive if he brought it up.

Thank you. She thought shed covered that with enough concealer, but apparently she needed clown makeup with these men. She wanted to be horrified, but shed known them too longespecially Matt. I told him. About Mexico.

His gaze flickered. He wont abuse your trust.

I know. Else I wouldnt have told him. Ive also learned that he and I have some things in common. Only that chapter in his life, unlike mine, isnt yet closed.

Not many people could read Matt Kensington, and even she had difficulty at times, but this time she caught it. You know.

Matt nodded. His thigh muscles flexed as he rocked the chair back, his fingers tapping the table surface in a meditative fashion. I do. I wish it was closed, that he would close it, but I also understand enough I cant stand in his way. He wont allow me or anyone else here to help him with it. SEALs share a very close bond. His teammates helped withthe first phase, but hes kept them limited to intel, making it clear they have other priorities he expects them to put first. Theyve had to be satisfied with that, which means not satisfied at all, but it is what it is. Hes one of the most quietly stubborn and unshakably honorable men Ive ever met.

Quietly stubborn and unshakably honorable. The description fit Max well. There was no flash to him, no sense that he ever had to be the center of attention, and yet he commanded confidence, a sense of safety, with the strength of his presence. It was that steadiness that drew her, that perhaps called to something in her shed always sought, a gift for herself. And Max was offering it to her fully, making it irresistible.

Ive never contemplated a long-term relationship with a man whos not a sub.

I dont think youve ever contemplated a long-term relationship with one who is. Matt tapped her hand, winning her smile. Youve been waiting for the right combination. Youd never settle for anything less than everything you want, and women are so intuitive, they often dont know what that is until they feel it, deep in the heart and soul. The day you and Max brought Savannah to the hospital and I thanked himthere are some things about that day that passed in a blur, but others that stand out in sharp relief.

He shifted to an upright position again, lacing his fingers on the table and leveling his hawklike gaze at her. When I walked back up the hall, I saw you, watching us. Watching Max. It wasnt the first thing on my mind, but when I thought about it later, I knew something was going to happen between you. Youve been looking for a man all your life who matches your strength, Janet. One who understands your passion, your occasional savagery and glorious darkness, and your tremendous capacity for love. Most importantly, youve been looking for a man who is not deeply terrified of you. That number is few.

She chuckled at that. Matt smiled. When he rose, a subtle hint their tte-a-tte was over, she gathered her tablet and cup of coffee. Matt picked up the napkin of tiny muffins in his large hand, handling them like a birds nest as he followed her. He deposited them on her desk, but before he turned toward his office, he touched her hand once more, drawing her gaze to his serious face.

Youve earned a great deal of vacation and personal days in the years youve worked for me and K&A, Janet. And Max pretty much lives on the clock. If either of you wants to take some time off these next few weeks, I will support that.

What if he and I want to take the same days off?

His eyes twinkled, appreciating her. Wiseass. Call Rosalind and have her on standby. She always appreciates the extra money, and she knows your job well enough to cover things adequately for a day here and there.

Plus shes not terrified of you. Janet tucked her tongue in her cheek. Also a very small number.

Ill have to work on that. She could spread the word that I dont actually decapitate incompetent employees in my office. Id have to sacrifice one or two to debunk the rumor.

Like you would ever hire an incompetent employee, Janet scoffed. But if you decide to sacrifice Ben to prove the point, Ill pay for the extra roll of plastic to keep the blood off the carpet.

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