From Boss to Bridegroom by Victoria Pade Read Free Book Online Page A

attracted to him was the idea that he might have been attracted to her.
    She didn’t need that.
    Oh sure, it would be a nice boost to her ego. But look what the last boost to her ego had gotten her— Max and raising him alone.
    Only this time she wouldn’t be able to say she hadn’t been warned about what the man was all about. Rand Colton had made himself perfectly clear. No kids. Period.
    â€œSo stop thinking about him,” she whispered to herself in the pre-dawn darkness of her bedroom as if the spoken word would have more impact.
    She really had to stop thinking about how much she’d enjoyed working with him—despite how demanding he was and how high were his expectations.
    She had to stop thinking about how much she’d enjoyed bantering with him, debating the child issue, having dinner with him.
    She had to stop thinking about cobalt-blue eyes and mile-wide shoulders, and thighs that tested the limits of his impeccably tailored trousers and hands that could cup the entire back of her head against the pressure of a kiss….
    â€œStop it, stop it, stop it!” she said more forcefully.
    She honestly did not want to be thinking the things she was thinking. She honestly didn’t want to be attracted to any man. And she honestly didn’t want any boosts to her ego that could make her vulnerable again.
    Yes, Max had come out of that vulnerability and she adored her son. No, she wouldn’t change anything that would mean he wasn’t in her life.
    But she couldn’t afford to risk anything that might make history repeat itself, either. She couldn’t afford it financially or emotionally.
    Max’s father had hurt her terribly. He hurt her all over again every time Max asked why he didn’t have a dad like other kids did.
    Lucy would never willingly open up herself or Max to more of the grief that had already been caused by a man whose life was clearly set on one course. A man who had no interest, no inclination, no intention whatsoever of altering that course to accommodate a woman with a child.
    â€œSo get your head out of the clouds, Lucy,” she told herself as her alarm went off.
    Because getting involved with a man like Rand Colton once was enough. In fact it was absolutely, unequivocally more than enough.
    Â 
    Once again Sadie was taking Max to day care later in the morning and had come to sit with the little boy when it was time for Lucy to leave. But today Lucy made sure to say her goodbyes ahead of time so that the moment Rand’s driver rang her doorbell she was ready. In fact she nearly rushed him in her hurry to get out.
    But this morning when Frank opened the rear car door for her it was to an empty back seat.
    One glance there and another to the tall, stoic driver prompted an explanation.
    â€œMr. Colton had an early breakfast meeting. I’ve already taken him into the city. We aren’t to go directly to the office either. You’ll find a list of things he wants you to do today in the pocket behind the passenger’s seat.”
    â€œHe didn’t say—” Lucy cut herself off, hating the confused, disappointed tone her voice had taken, as if she and Rand had had some sort of private plans he’d changed without telling her, leaving his driver to do the dirty work. In truth, he owed her no explanation and she should have been grateful he’d still sent his driver for her.
    â€œFine,” she amended in her best businesslikedemeanor before the driver saw what she was really feeling. Then she got into the car as if she’d been born to it and didn’t wait for Frank to close the door before searching for the note Rand had left her.
    Not that it was actually a note. There was nothing written on the sheet of paper she unfolded but a to-do list. No warm greeting. No “It slipped my mind Friday night that I had these things for you to do.” No “I’m sorry for not warning you that you’re on