Read Eclipse of the Heart Online
Authors: Carly Carson
Eclipse of the Heart
Eclipse of the Heart
by
Carson
Amanda
Thompson is offered her dream job as a junior executive at a Manhattan
venture
firm. The terms are a
little vague, but she has a seriously ill sister to provide for, and her new boss
is a seriously attractive man. Failure is not an option, so she'll keep her eye
on the prize, and her heart and body out of the mix…despite the boss's overly
personal interest in her.
Logan
Winter is a hard-driving business tycoon who likes his sex life hot and his
emotional life cold. His new high-end call girl is a little different from the
ordinary bimbos who fill the role. That's okay, since he's ready for different.
Even discovering the mistake that's been made is okay, because he knows how to get
what he wants…and he wants Amanda.
Amazon
Edition
Copyright 2013 by Carly Carson
Please see extended copyright notice at end of book.
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Chapter 1
"No matter what he
says
,
his
thoughts
will revolve around stripping you
naked and bending you over his desk," Jessie said.
Amanda Thompson smiled as she remembered the silly words her
roommate had teased her with this morning at breakfast. Perhaps they were
effective at reducing her tension a bit.
But when she stepped out of the elevator into the spacious,
elegantly appointed waiting room that guarded her potential boss's inner
sanctum, she felt her insecurities rushing back. This job was too important.
She simply had to get it. Her sister's life was at stake.
Two women stood at a mahogany reception desk with their
backs to her. Money bought silence and Amanda's sensible black pumps made no
sound on the thick gray carpet. She could tell the two women chatting with
their heads together did not hear her approach, but she had no desire to
eavesdrop.
They'd turn around when she got closer.
The shorter one, a redhead, held a hand to her mouth, which
partially obscured her words. "…interview today…
new
mistress…check
her out…"
The leggy blonde had no qualms about being overheard.
"I want that job," she announced, tossing her long hair down her
back.
"Nothing to do but shag him for good money.
Can't you just send me in and pretend I'm the candidate?"
"No way."
Red dropped her
hand and shook her curly head. "The applicants come from some
agency."
"Pooh! He'd never know the difference."
"He knows everything," Red said darkly. "You
try
workin
' for him."
"That's exactly what I want—"
Amanda cleared her throat. Both women turned and surveyed
her as if she'd just beamed down from the overhead lights.
"You're early." A flush stole up Red's cheeks, as
if she were embarrassed to be caught gossiping, but, at the same time, she
nudged her friend.
"I'll wait," Amanda answered. She was fifteen
minutes early, well within the range of acceptable arrival time, but she
believed in making the best impression possible on everyone. No need to
alienate the assistant.
"Shoot." Red held out her hand. "I can never
remember the order of things. I'm Rosie, Mr. Winter's assistant this
week." She beamed with pride.
"Pleased to meet
ya
."
"Amanda Thompson. As you guessed, I'm here for an
interview with Mr. Winter." Amanda glanced around. "I was told to
check in with Ms. Lockwood."
"She's out this week," Rosie announced. "I'm
the company's
revolvin
' temp."
The blonde sniffed while giving Amanda
a
once-over. "As if," she snorted before stomping off.
"Don't pay her any mind." Rosie waved a hand.
"Jealous."
"She wouldn't be if she knew how nervous I was."
Amanda clapped a hand over her mouth. "Whoops. See what nerves do to
me?"
Rosie laughed. "Don't worry. I won't tell." She
leaned forward and lowered her voice. "He can be a little intimidating. Ya
want some advice?"
Amanda smiled. It was impossible not to like the imp, with
her round cheeks, outrageous outfit and easy friendliness.
"I think I'm okay," she said.
"No, see you don't realize, people have been
comin
' in all week to interview for this job.
Lots of competition, y'know?"
"There always is." Amanda wanted to step away, but
she couldn't be rude to this friendly elf.
Rosie nodded. "So what you want to do is loosen up a
bit. Unbutton that blouse." She gestured to the plain, collared blouse
that Amanda had thought looked neat and businesslike.
"You could even," Rosie added in a stage whisper,
"scoot into that bathroom over there, and take it off altogether."
She winked. "Make him wonder what's under that jacket, y'know?"
Amanda laughed. "You've seen women trying to get the
job that way?"
"You wouldn't believe what I've seen." Rosie
leaned forward. "Women
swarmin
' like an
overturned beehive.
And the outfits!"
She rolled
her big blue eyes. "He's rich, he's single, and he's
smokin
'
hot." She fanned her face with an exaggerated motion. "Okay, maybe
he's a little too starched, if you know what I mean. Sometimes I wanna lift my
skirt myself just to see the look on his face."
Amanda laughed again, even as she realized she had to back
off. She shouldn't be gossiping with the office temp. Nor would she be likely
to take fashion advice from someone currently wearing a pink tulle ballerina
skirt topped with a brown leather jacket.
"Thanks, Rosie. I think I'll take my chances the way I
am." She started to walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered
a breathtaking view of Manhattan's Central Park.
Rosie shook her head as she picked up the phone. "Can't
you at least let down your hair?" She pointed at Amanda's neat bun.
Amanda shook her head as Rosie spoke into the phone.
Obviously, Rosie had no idea what kind of professional look would be required
for a Director of Entrepreneurial Services. Probably all that gossip about the
man's mistresses had scrambled her brain.
"Mr. Winter?" Rosie's clear voice carried across
the sitting area. "Your next appointment is here early. Ya want her to
wait?"
"Yes, sir."
Rosie put
down the phone and called across the room. "He said to go on in."
Amanda straightened her shoulders, smoothed down her sedate
gray skirt, and pasted a pleasant expression on her face. She tried to ignore
the acrobats in her stomach. This job was too important for her to make any
mistakes.
Her resolve faltered when she opened the door and confronted
her interviewer across the expanse of an acre of Oriental carpets. A wall of
windows on the far side of the office let in too much light.
Logan
Winter
.
She started across the carpet as he rose to his feet from
behind an enormous desk. His body language was controlled, his face watchful.
He wore his dark hair cut short, his gray eyes were cool enough to match his
name, and his shoulders stretched far enough to block the light now that he was
standing. His firm mouth spoke of a man used to making decisions and ruling his
world. But there was just enough sensuality in his lips—
Stop!
she
hissed to her libido.
You
aren't here for a date.
She walked across the room as he let his gaze flick over
her, down and up, quickly, but he made little attempt to hide it. Her back
stiffened and she held out a hand.
"Amanda Thompson," she said, and it didn't take
any effort for her voice to come out cool. She could see that he was a man used
to getting his way with women, but she didn't intend to be another name in his
little black book.
He grasped her hand, and a tingle buzzed over her palm and
up her arm.
Whoa, no wonder women chased him
. She
saw surprise flicker in his eyes as he held her gaze.
She pulled on her captured hand and he released it promptly.
"Please sit down, Amanda." He pointed to the chairs
positioned in front of his desk. "Thank you for accommodating the change
in schedule." He smiled, but it was perfunctory. "I do appreciate
my…ah…employees having an easygoing temperament."
"Umm…" There had been no change in her schedule.
But was it important to point that out when they were both sitting here ready
for the interview, especially since he'd just implied that he didn't enjoy
arguing?
"I'm very interested in the position," she said,
deciding a positive note was best.
"Good." Another brief smile as he folded his hands
on the desk in front of him. "I assume the agency outlined the duties
involved in this job, and what my expectations are?"
She nodded. "Of course, I do have questions."
"Naturally."
He glanced
at his watch. "I'm a firm believer in on-the-job-training. But if you have
a couple of important questions that can’t wait, I’ll try to answer them.
Otherwise, I think it would be better to go over your duties in more detail
tonight, when we have more time."
"Tonight?"
"The agency did tell you about the travel
requirements?"
"Not specifically." She resisted the urge to
wriggle in her seat. This was the strangest interview she'd ever had. "Of
course, most jobs require travel." She didn't want to be difficult.
"Yes, that’s right. I've been looking for someone for
several months so I'm anxious to start right away."
"I see." She took a deep breath. "Mr. —"
He held up a hand. "Logan, please. Will it be a problem
for you to start immediately?" His tone was a little cooler than it had
been. "I do appreciate availability, given the nature of this
position."
Okay, that was fair. She couldn’t expect that every idea
they’d need to explore would be right here in New York. But—