Chapter One
Prentice Jones shimmied in the driver's seat of her yellow Rover,
singing along to Robert Palmer's Drive album. She
reached over to crank up the volume when his raunchy version of
Hound Dog started. That was one s*xy man, she thought.
All elegant and GQ one minute, and all sweat and s*x the next.
"Why can't I find one like him?"
The breeze through her open window teased tendrils of hair from
what had started out as a businesslike, up do. The day was
golden – sunny, and even traffic had been light on her cross-Valley
drive that morning. That had to be a good omen.
After taking a turn a little too fast, Prentice glanced over her
shoulder to check on the big coolers stowed in the rear. They were
packed with samples for her newest client, QuireTech.com. If she
had anything to say about it, her catering business, Cucina Diva,
was heading for the fast track, and little Josh Quire was the booster
rocket to get her there. My first shot at a corporate retainer.
Life is good.
As she waited for a light to change, Prentice tapped the steering
wheel in time to the music, inadvertently honking the horn. When
the guy in front of her whipped around in his seat, she grinned
and waved at him. Nothing was going to dampen her mood.
She slowed as she swung into the parking lot where QuireTech had
their offices, then slowed again. Oh, my...babe alert!
Getting out of a shiny, black Lexus SC, black hair with a curly
lock falling forward as he looked down, checking his pockets –
gorgeous. Edging her sunglasses down her nose with one finger,
she gave him a careful once over as she rolled past. And just as
GQ as he could be. Be still my heart.
Then he glanced up and almost took her breath away – deep,
nearly black eyes under arching eyebrows, cheekbones that would
cut glass, nice straight nose, and the mouth! ”Hubba hubba,”
she said. Hubba hubba? Where had that come from? She shook
her head and laughed.
Just before she turned at the back of the building, she checked
her rear view for one more look at Mr. Gorgeous. He was standing
next to his car, one hip cocked and arms akimbo, scowling at her.
Beautiful, but cranky. And that made her laugh again.
Tony Salerno was annoyed. He'd had to park at the opposite end
of the complex from his office, which meant the neighboring company
was using Quiretech's assigned spaces. Somebody would hear about
this. He started toward his building with an angry stride.
Tony Salerno was aghast. When he'd looked up from checking his
pockets for his glasses, he'd seen a slightly blurry, Boticelli
redhead cruising by. And she'd said what sounded like, “Hubba
hubba” to him! The nerve!
Tony Salerno was incensed. Not only had she said something suggestive
to him, at least he thought it was suggestive, but she'd laughed
about it!
Harvard MBA, top of my class. He shoved his black, wire-rimmed
glasses onto the bridge of his nose. GM of the hottest tech startup
in the Valley. He yanked on the hem of his jacket and gave a
jerk at the knot on his tie that nearly dislocated his neck.
He paused to check his reflection in the building's tinted window
– properly dressed and groomed. Hmph. He might as well
be back home in Jersey, posing on a street corner in torn jeans
and a tight t-shirt. He felt so, so...objectified!
He let that idea simmer, then quirked an eyebrow and continued
toward his office with a bit of a swagger, before reminding himself
it was demeaning to be admired in so blatant a fashion.
Waiting to greet Prentice when she walked in the door, was QuireTech's
CEO, Josh Quire – looking like a little geek doll, his diminutive
form clad in spiffy chinos, oxford cloth shirt and a tie. His face
fell when he saw her.
"You didn't bring your samples?" he asked, looking eerily
Oliver Twist-ish.
"Oh." Momentarily disconcerted, she quickly pasted on
a capable-businesswoman smile. "The coolers are in my car.
I'm parked next to the building." She gestured vaguely. "I'll
need something to wheel them in on."
That cheered him up. He showed her the conference room they would
use, while the receptionist rounded up a peon with a cart to help
her. Once Prentice had everything laid out to her satisfaction,
she went back out to the lobby.
"If you want to go get a plate of goodies before the ravening
hordes," she told the little blonde behind the desk, "I
could watch the phone for a few minutes."
Ginnie, young and eager, gave her a big smile. "Do you think
it would be okay?" Prentice reassured her that she'd pick up
if the phone rang and come get her if she needed help.
When Ginnie was back behind her desk, Prentice flipped her a wave
and slipped out to retrieve her briefbag with her caterer's book
and contract forms, from the Rover.
Tony was reviewing a sales contract when he heard Ginnie announce
the tasting in the conference room. He checked his watch –
only three minutes until his scheduled conference call with their
Hong Kong rep. Just enough time. He jumped up and headed for the
food.
Excusing himself to the masses waiting in line, he did a power walk along
the buffet, grabbing roasted prawns, olive salad, and buffalo mozzarella
with grilled red peppers. He made use of the pepper mill and cruets
of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, grabbed a crusty role and a perfect
Bosc pear, then hurried out the door.
Prentice dropped her bag in Josh's office before joining him in
the conference room. From the crowd buzzing around the buffet and
the blissed-out expression on the little CEO's face, it looked like
the sampling was a success.
Catching sight of Prentice, Joshed waved her over. "Wonderful,
Prentice! This Torta is exquisite," he exclaimed with his mouth
full. He took time to swallow, then asked, "What's the green
layer? It's so smooth and mild next to the gorgonzola."
"Avocado Crême." She grinned when he rolled his
eyes in ecstasy.
"No wonder I love it," he said, admiring her generous
breasts and the curve of her derriere as she turned away to answer
someone else's question. This catering contract was definitely going
to be a twofer. Just when he needed a caterer and a woman,
there was Prentice Jones.
They were in Josh's office a few minutes later, and he had just
signed on the dotted line, hiring Cucina Diva to cater a week long
series of investor meetings. Clearly proud of himself for the coup
of getting the VCs to come to him, Josh immodestly told her, "When
you're hot, you're hot."
Prentice smiled. She didn't know whether to pat him on the head
because he was so cute, like a cocky six-year old, or thump him
for addressing most of his remarks to either her cleavage or the
relatively modest length of thigh exposed when she crossed her legs.
But with a contract and hefty advance check in hand, she was inclined
to be tolerant. Besides, she wouldn't have that much contact with
him outside of meetings.
"Well, Josh, if that's everything, I'll start clearing up
in the conference room." She started to rise from the ridiculously
low leather chair he'd seated her in.
"No, wait." He made a patting motion with his hand.
"I'd like you to meet my GM. He'll be liaising with the investors
and coordinating things with you on this end."
"Great." She sank back into the too-soft cushions.
"Just let me give him a buzz."
Prentice took advantage of the pause to tuck the signed contracts
and the check into her brief bag.
"There you are, Tony. I was just about to call you."
Prentice looked up, an automatic smile in place.
"Tony, I'd like you to meet Prentice Jones."
Ohmigod. Mr. GQ. Even in shock, she couldn’t help
but notice that he looked even more delish minus the designer suit
jacket.
Without his glasses, the woman was a little out of focus, but Tony
recognized that blurred image. He couldn't believe it. "You!"
He began patting his pockets looking for his glasses.
Unfolding her statuesque length, she held out her hand. "Me,"
she told him and gave him a bone melting smile.
Appalled to find himself face to face with the red-haired hoyden
from the parking lot, Tony threw a hunted look in his boss's direction.
Josh was frowning at him, so Tony forced himself to accept her hand,
but he gave it the briefest, barest touch he could without appearing
rude.
Then he fumbled his glasses on and got a good look at her for
the first time. When she snapped into focus, he was quite literally
overwhelmed – all soft curves, creamy skin and rampant red
curls. And that smile. He found himself returning her smile. He
couldn't help it. He tried.
He moved the portfolio he held to cover his crotch and the evidence
of his spontaneous appreciation. Embarrassed by his body's reaction
and annoyed with himself for being attracted, he glared at her.
In her heels, the woman was nearly eye-to-eye with him, which made
her a couple inches under six feet. Too tall. He liked them petite.
And demure. Nothing demure about the redhead.
Prentice couldn't resist giving him the once over now that they
were face-to-face on terra firma. Watching the blush rise up his
cheeks, she thought, This guy is s*x in a suit, and I don't think
he knows it.
"Do you two know each other?" an impatient and clearly
testy CEO wanted to know.
Recalling his anger and not ready to give it up yet, Tony tugged
on his already perfectly aligned tie and took a step back, his posture
rigid. "No." Then he seemed to realize that they did,
quite definitely, appear to be acquainted.
While Tony silently opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak,
Prentice turned and answered Josh in the most assured of voices,
"We met briefly in the parking lot on the way in but didn't
introduce ourselves."
Josh stuck his chin out and squinted from one to the other of them.
"Huh." One more quick glance between them, and he continued
with the introductions.
Prentice and Tony nodded to each other, their eyes snagging briefly.
Josh slid copies of the projected menus across the desk to Tony.
"You'll have all of next week to get this set up. I expect
you to work together and keep me posted. I want to know, daily,
that things are on track and on schedule."
Tony stared at his idea of hell – a siren sent to lure him
off the super highway to his lifeplan. Two weeks of working with
the redhead. Dear lord. But Tony Salerno was not a man who gave
into foolish, if incredibly tempting, impulses.
He might not have a choice about working with Prentice Jones, but
he was determined to maintain a completely professional demeanor.
No matter how many times she might smile at him, no matter how voluptuous
her body – he glanced her way and flinched – professional
all the way. I can do this. He drew his eyes and attention
back to his boss.
"Tony will provide any help you need with arrangements, and
we'll rely on you, Prentice, to keep everyone fed and happy."
Josh smiled at them, in turn. Prentice thanked him, exchanged cards
with Tony, and excused herself.
Tony watched her as she bent to retrieve her bag from the chair.
The room shimmered in a haze of heat. For a moment, just a tiny
moment, he saw her naked and had to gasp for air. I can do this.
Yeah, you poor sap.
Once she was out of Josh's line of sight, Prentice couldn't resist
a glance back. Tony was bent forward, hands braced on the desk while
he read over the menus lying there. That man had a butt a woman
could sink her teeth into. Grinning and fanning herself with her
hand, she went to retrieve her supplies.
"So, Tony. What do you think of our caterer," Josh watched
as Tony's head jerked up, "and her goodies."
Tony didn't react to his innuendo, but turned his gaze back to
the papers in front of him. "The menu looks excellent, Josh.
Those investors will be so happy and well fed they'll be throwing
money at us." Then he looked up and smiled, but it looked
a little fake to Josh.
"Hmmm, yes, it all," Josh stressed the word,
"looks very appetizing." Then he gave Tony a broad wink.
When he saw the flash of distaste cross his GM's face, it tended
to confirm his earlier suspicions. I'd better watch Salerno,
or the bastard will be trying to scoop my redhead. He'd better
call Serena to warn Tony off.
Prentice's mind was in a whirl. Being confronted with the object
of her bad behavior, signing a contract for her company's first
really significant gig, and falling seriously in lust, all in under
two hours – it was almost too much to take in.
"I need caffeine." A nice latte sounded like just the
right boost. She was going to have to stop back at her Kitchen anyway
to unload and wash the stuff from the tasting. And she could tell
her friend, Sara, in the neighboring shop, all about her morning.
There was too much good stuff not to tell someone.
The drive was filled with images of Mr. Tony Salerno and all his
parts – lips, eyes, hair, that sterling rear end, and she
bet there was an equally sterling set of abs to go with it. After
a very long, very dry spell, he was the man who just might be the
answer to her prayers. Her fingertips tingled with the need to touch
that body. And he was hot and cranky, too. I love a challenge.
If she'd seen the bulge his portfolio was hiding, she might have
jumped him right there in Josh's office. She had to admit he was
a little uptight...okay, a lot uptight, but just think of the passion
explosion when he finally lets go. She shivered, then felt herself
go hot all over. Two weeks to loosen him up...I can't wait!
Check out the revised
version!
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