True Faces by Catherine Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

his desk just as he
walked in his door.
    He smiled. “You’re here early.”
    I smiled. “Just being efficient.” I hurried
out of his office and to my desk. I stared at the single red rose
sitting on my keyboard. I could hear Eric sipping his tea and
flipping through one of the files. I set the rose down next to my
computer and started working trying not to think about what the
rose meant. My alarm went off to notify him of his conference so I
walked in to his office and cleared my throat. “Your conference is
in ten minutes.”
    Eric nodded his head. “Thanks.” I turned to
walk away and Eric’s voice stopped me. “Ciara.” I turned around and
he smiled. “You look great today.”
    I blushed and looked down at the dress.
“Thank you.” I hurried to my desk and put my headphones on to
listen to his dictation. He waved as he walked out of my office and
I sighed. Shit. This was going to be harder than I thought. I kept
my head buried in the computer the rest of the day and hurried home
right at six. My night was uneventful as usual and I got to work
early again so that his tea, donuts and files were on his desk when
he arrived. I used the restroom an hour later and when I came back
a red rose was waiting for me on my keyboard again. I smelled the
flower and put it on my desk next to the other one. This I could
get used to.
    At lunch Eric asked me to join him to discuss
a case so I agreed. He took me to my favorite Italian restaurant
and except for the occasional look by me, it was completely
professional. As we walked into his office I realized just how
badly I wanted him. I stopped at his doorway as he continued to his
chair and took a deep reassuring breath. “I’m quitting.”
    Eric stopped in mid-sit and looked at me.
“You’re what?”
    “ Quitting. I’m sorry, but
you’ll find a new secretary.”
    Eric shook his head and stood up. “I don’t
want a new secretary. Is it something I’ve done? Do you want more
money? What is it?”
    I sighed. “It’s…I just can’t work…”
    He walked forward and closed the door to his
office, pulling me inside and pulled down the blinds. “Whatever it
is just tell me.”
    I blushed and the words tumbled out before I
could stop them. “It’s too difficult to work with you when all I
can think about is how much I want to touch you.”
    I gasped and put a hand over my mouth. Eric
smiled and picked my hand up in his. “Then touch me.” He pulled my
hand up to his cheek and smiled wider. “We can make this work. I’ll
do whatever you want.”
    I wanted to step back and stop touching him,
but I couldn’t. “I…secretaries and bosses can’t date.”
    He shrugged. “Then we don’t have to date.” He
bent down and kissed my lips softly. “We can do whatever you want
as long as you stay with me.”
    I swallowed the desire to jump on him and
whispered, “I’ll stay, but no dating.”
    He smiled. “Good.” He kissed my lips and
stroked my cheek. “Don’t scare me like that again. You’re too
valuable to lose.”
    I swallowed and stepped back from him.
“Okay.” I walked out of his room and sat down at my desk. Well that
had worked. Damn I had it so bad. How can one man have this much of
an effect on me?
    I stared at the roses on my desk and the
sticky note on the corner of my monitor and sighed. There had to be
some way to work this out. A tall dark haired woman walked to my
door and smiled. “I’m here to speak to Eric.” I looked at her
naturally tan skin and black hair and long slim body and was
instantly jealous.
    I smiled and asked, “I don’t believe you have
an appointment. May I ask what this is regarding?”
    She laughed and I despised her more for her
bubbly girly laugh. “Oh, it’s personal sweetheart. Just tell him
that Sugar is here.”
    I smiled at her and walked in to his office
partially shutting the door. “Eric, Sugar is here to see you. She
says it’s personal.”
    Eric’s eyes widened a fraction and then he
smiled.