into his thoughts.
Since he’d agreed it was best that she work on the premises, she suggested that a meeting with his executive team and department heads was the best way to let them know why she was here. It was best to get it out in the open instead of having them speculate. He had agreed. “Around ten. My administrative assistant sent an email out yesterday afternoon.”
“She seems like a nice lady.”
“Who?”
“Your administrative assistant, Melissa Swanson.”
“Yes, and she appears rather efficient. The woman who worked for my grandfather and then for my father for thirty-plus years retired a couple of years ago. That’s when he hired Melissa. I understand she was promoted from a clerical position downstairs.”
He glanced down at her desk. “I see you’re busy already.”
“Yes. I hope to have my first report to you in a week. It will be a preliminary one, but one I feel would be the first step to get Granger back on track.” She paused a minute and then said, “But first, I believe I need to address something,” she said, walking from behind her desk. She strode to the door.
He could tell from her expression that whatever she had to say was serious. But that did nothing to deter him from catching her scent as it floated through the air, or the male appreciation he couldn’t fight as he watched her movements, a natural sway of her hips with every step she took. Inhaling a deep breath, he couldn’t recall when he appreciated a pair of feminine legs more.
After closing the door, she turned on her three-inch heels and walked back to him. She had removed the glasses, and he quickly concluded her eyes were even prettier today. In fact, he thought all of her features were more beautiful. That magnetic pull he’d felt yesterday was back and in full force.
“I believe we need to have a little talk, Jace,” she said, coming to a stop in front of him.
His arched brow rose inquiringly. “What about?”
“Your libido and my hormones.”
At his surprised look, she shook her head. “Don’t look so shocked that I would bring such a thing up, Jace. Normally I wouldn’t, but those two things seem to be working overtime with us and have no place here in the office. And since I have a policy never to get personally involved with my clients, they don’t have a place anywhere.”
Jace figured she couldn’t state things any clearer than that. There was no need to play dumb, since he was well aware of the attraction between them. But Jace hadn’t realized that Shana had been as aware of the pull between them as he was. And he definitely hadn’t expected her to address it. At least now he knew the attraction was mutual. He also knew it was something they needed to work on curtailing since it wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Do I make myself clear, Jace?” she asked with that serious look back on her face.
He nodded slowly. “Very clear. And I promise to try keeping my libido in line.”
Lord, she hoped so, Shana thought, feeling more relaxed and letting out a relieved breath. And she would try to do her part, as well. In fact, she needed to do more than try, because anything otherwise wasn’t an option. But it wouldn’t be easy. No man had a right to look so doggone handsome that early in the morning. In the business suit he was wearing, he exuded power and displayed a male physique that actually made her mouth water.
First, she had glanced up to see him standing there, his tall, well-built, nicely proportioned body leaning against the doorjamb. And then he had moved closer to her desk, and she couldn’t help but appreciate such an impressive pair of broad shoulders and a well-muscled chest. And he walked with an easy grace and style lined with an air of confidence that she found commanding.
She’d known she’d be in trouble if she didn’t address what could become an issue. They were adults, but more importantly, they were professionals. And now that her concerns were out there, together they would deal with them in a way that was satisfactory to both. No need for pretending.
“Now that we’ve gotten that matter taken care of,” she said, moving back around to her desk, “I wonder if I can have a short meeting with you thirty minutes before we meet with everyone else. I’d like to go over the items I’ll be requesting from them.”
“That will