The Job Offer by Eleanor Webb Read Free Book Online

women
began throwing themselves at him, sometimes blatantly, which he could ignore,
and sometimes subtly, which required him taking the time to find out their real
motivations.  Some even had the gall to follow him to hotels or try contacting
him at his home.  After that, he always made sure to use the Carlson name when
he traveled.  At first he was flattered by the attention, but now he was just
sick of the whole thing.  At thirty-three, he was tired of dating women who
only wanted one thing from him.  He wanted a family of his own like his mother
had with his stepfather and with Ben's father before him.  He thought of Anne
again, and throughout the remainder of the afternoon he found himself looking
for her whenever he went downstairs or outside.
    His suite was at the back corner of the
building and overlooked the pool below and the dock and President Channel down
the hill.  The Petrovic's little house sat behind the main building off to the
right mostly hidden in the shadow of several large trees.  Long ago, he learned
that their home was once the caretaker's cottage.  Now sitting on the back
balcony, he looked over at the little house while he sat at his balcony table
and answered emails.  Interviews for the new biochemical scientist were going
well his HR director, Bernie Tomlinson, wrote.  That day, Dr. Jane Conner and
another scientist were interviewed, and two more would be interviewed tomorrow.
 There was also one more interview planned for Wednesday morning.  Bernie gave
her impressions so far, and Ben smiled in agreement.  Ben had reviewed the
candidates resumes a few months ago, and after following up with a few phone
calls to colleagues, he was leaning toward Dr. Conner, too.
    He saw a flash of mint green and white
out of the corner of his eye and looked up just in time to see Anne walk into
her parents' house.  Quickly shutting off his laptop, he waited, watching the
door to see if she would come out again.  When she didn't, he knew that she was
getting ready for dinner which she would likely have in the dining room with
her parents.  He had almost asked her to have dinner with him earlier before
Lily had interrupted.  Then the moment was lost.  As it was, he would be eating
with his family and the rest of the wedding party tonight in the dining room. 
If he played his cards right, though, he would be able to also spend some time
with Anne after dinner.
    She finally began walking up the path to
the back entrance, and his mouth went dry at the sight of her.  Her hair was
down loose over her naked shoulders, curling in that wild mass that he always
loved.  She wore a white halter top dress that clasped around her neck.  The
fabric molded to her breasts and her hips before ending at mid thigh.  The
dress was one step away from being indecent but still maintained respectability. 
She had the best legs, and they were shown to perfection with a pair of heeled
silver sandals.  Each movement she made as she walked aroused him and he
shifted in his chair to ease the discomfort.  Who would have thought that the
brainy girl with the adventurous spirit would also become so damn sexy?  He was
definitely finding her later.
    Ben quickly showered and shaved before
getting dressed in charcoal gray trousers, a dove gray button down silk shirt, and
his black dress loafers.  After splashing on some cologne, he quickly went
downstairs to the dining room where he saw Anne sitting with her parents across
the room from where his party was seated.  Lily and Tom, Lily’s fiancé, were
already at the table talking to his mother and stepfather.  Also sitting there
was Melissa, the matron of honor.  He was the last person to arrive.  Well, he
thought, as long as he was late, what were a few more minutes?  He quickly
crossed the room to the Petrovic table.
    "Ben.  How nice it is to see you
again."  He was greeted by Anne’s mother, Jane Petrovic, as he approached. 
Anne was facing away from him when he