Falling for the Boss by Erica Matthews Read Free Book Online Page B

position and at the same time making it sound so logical. But none of that discounted the fact that he seemed to possess a disdain for the devotion he so effortlessly inspired. His words about hounding females had been enlightening to say the least.
    With a long sigh, Maggie leaned against the door, making no move to do anything. She kept seeing his face as he spoke those hateful words. It was impossible not to compare it to another picture she carried in her head – the way he’d looked at her that evening just before he kissed her. Did it belong to the same person? Could he look like that and feel this way?
    One thing was certain; Maggie would n’t be part of the answer. She could imagine nothing worse than to fall for a man who seemed incapable of giving his heart. It was as well that she was as sensible as he thought. Only a fool would let the tiny spark of liking that had begun to grow inside her go further. A wise person would extinguish it with all speed.
    Walking purposely to her suitcase, Maggie began to unpack once more, but with nothing close to the same anticipation.

Chapter Four
    By the time Maggie finished unpacking, it was almost time to make an appearance downstairs. Deciding what to wear took time since for some reason she didn’t want to examine too closely, it was important not to appear as she always did. So at the last minute she pinned up her hair, hoping for elegance, and gaining a depth and maturity to her features that was equally attractive.
    Her time was n’t wasted. Marcus gave her a long, thoughtful glance when she silently entered the room. Excusing himself with difficulty from a talkative guest, he approached a man stationed near the window, discreetly alerting him to Maggie’s presence. Despite her comments to the contrary, Marcus was certain that her altered appearance was for the benefit of his friend. It was unfortunate that that gentleman hadn’t been able to attend.
    Maggie smiled into the dark brown eyes of Luke Bryant. Here was a friendly face in a crowd of strangers. Noting wryly that his curly red hair was suitably subdued for the occasion, she greeted him with pleasure not unmixed with relief. Luke didn’t possess the pulse-racing attractiveness of Marcus, but his impersonal kindness was just what she desired at the moment.
    “ I’m glad Marcus was able to persuade you to join us,” he said as he came to a halt at her side.
    “ Was there any doubt? He’s a hard man to refuse.”
    “ He has a gift for managing people that beats anything I’ve ever seen.”
    “That must come in handy for his work ,” Maggie quipped with a grin.
    “It has helped him in other situations as well ,” Luke responded wryly.
    “I don’t doubt it.” Her eyes roved over the various groups of people dispersed throughout the room. “I didn’t think there would be so many people.”
    Shrugging, Luke said, “I don’t imagine this conference normally draws this number of participants. I think the fact that Marcus is the host is a large part of the attraction. He’s been an unexpected boon to Charleston’s historical society.”
    Maggie didn’t doubt that either, but before she could reply, her attention was caught and held by a couple across the room. From the back, the man could have been Marcus. When she pointed this out to Luke, he smiled widely.
    “ That’s not surprising – Damien is Marcus’ brother. And the lovely lady with him is his wife, Tiffany.”
    The couple turned to speak to someone else, and Maggie got a better view of both of them. The similarity between the brothers was marked, but Damien wasn’t in the same class as Marcus. It was his wife who drew one’s eyes. Long, wavy hair the color of copper cascaded over one shoulder and framed a face made sensational by a pair of large hazel eyes.
    “She is lovely,” Maggie agreed. “That hair and those eyes make a stunning combination.”
    Luke smiled faintly. “ I agree. I’ve always had a thing for red