Corporate Groom

Corporate Groom
Linda Varner

Three Weddings and a FamilyOn the road to happily-ever-after, a long-lost family is found!MARRIAGE-MINDED MILLIONAIRE?Reo Sampson was too busy making money to think about playing house. But when his pretty new assistant, Rusty Hanson, accompanied him for weekend negotiations, Reo discovered he liked–a little too much–having the sexy redhead by his side. And for a marriage-shy millionaire like himself, that was very unnerving….Rusty couldn't help but dream when her handsome boss took her in his arms. But she knew Reo didn't share her marriage wishes. Then the "boardroom barracuda" started showing a more husbandly side, and Rusty decided all Reo needed was a little push–straight down the aisle!

“So a spouse is included in your future plans?” Reo asked her. (#uf42b49c1-0578-50be-b658-88c56d4c21f1)Letter to Reader (#ud577b4ee-5aa7-5dfe-be4d-687d65dc9f16)Title Page (#u2c845429-66d8-5ca4-8300-340b6771e2af)Dedication (#u9304b995-c31f-57c9-b67b-d2e2498b24cf)About the Author (#udae1420b-01ef-5a92-ad18-1dc4bada61de)Chapter One (#uc65799cb-df1c-5b11-b1b0-56a9ce28764c)Chapter Two (#ue882f977-3639-5fa3-9fe8-cc2f3e35d9a6)Chapter Three (#u1b0a82b1-6dad-5727-b204-2afbd5ccc734)Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

“So a spouse is included in your future plans?” Reo asked her.

“Of course.” Rusty frowned. “Isn’t one included in yours?”

“Actually, no.”

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t have time for that kind of commitment. I’ve got a business to run.”

“Oh.” She appeared stunned. “But don’t you want children?”

“Can’t say that I do.”

Rusty stared at him as though he were some kind of alien. “I love kids myself. I’m going to marry a wonderful man and have at least four.”

“Four!” Reo nearly choked. “You’re talking years of childbearing, Rusty. I assume you’ve already scheduled your Mr. Right for an imminent walk down the aisle. Otherwise you are going to run out of time.”

“Thanks for the reality check,” Rusty said snappishly, indicating that there was no Mr. Right in sight. But her attitude made one thing clear: she would be a challenge to any man.

And Reo liked challenges....

Dear Reader,

Silhouette Romance is celebrating the month of valentines with six very special love stones—and three brand-new miniseries you don’t want to miss. On Baby Patrol, our BUNDLE OF JOY selection, by bestselling author Sharon De Vita, is book one of her wonderful series, LULLABIES AND LOVE, about a legendary cradle that brings love to three brothers who are officers of the law.

In Granted: Big Sky Groom, Carol Grace begins her sparkling new series, BEST-KEPT WISHES, in which three high school friends’ prom-night wishes are finally about to be granted. Author Julianna Morris tells the delightful story of a handsome doctor whose life is turned topsy-turvy when he becomes the guardian of his orphaned niece in Dr. Dad. And in Cathleen Galitz’s spirited tole, 100% Pure Cowboy, a woman returns home from a mother-daughter bonding trip with the husband of her dreams.

Next is Corporate Groom, which starts Linda Varna’s terrific new miniseries, THREE WEDDINGS AND A FAMILY, about long-lost relatives who find a family. And finally, in With This Child..., Sally Carleen tells the compelling story of a woman whose baby was switched at birth—and the single father who will do anything to keep his child.

I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Romance’s love stories this month. And next month, in March, be sure to look for The Princess Bride by bestselling author Diana Palmer, which launches Silhouette Romance’s new monthly promotional ministries, VIRGIN BRIDES.

Regards, Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Corporate Groom

Linda Varner

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is dedicated to Jean Price,

the best of agents and a treasured friend.

LINDA VARNER confesses she is a hopeless romantic. Nothing is more thrilling, she believes, than the battle of wits between a man and a woman who are meant for each other but just don’t know it yet! Linda enjoys writing romance fiction and considers herself very lucky to have been both a RITA finalist and a third-place winner in the National Readers’ Choice Awards in 1993.

A full-time federal employee, Linda lives in Arkansas with her husband and their two children. She loves to hear from readers. Write to her at 813 Oak St., Suite 10A-277, Conway, AR 72032.

Chapter One

“Hold that elevator!”

Reo Sampson registered with shock the gossamer attire of the red-haired woman scurrying around the corner, calling out to him. He quickly stuffed into his pocket the ID badge he’d just found on the parking deck of his building, then threw out a hand and caught the doors that had been about to close.

So what if he was running a bit late today? No man could resist an elevator ride with an angel—assuming, of course, that’s what this woman was supposed to be. The white ankle-length gown that swirled about her with every movement could just as easily costume a fairy, now that he thought about it.

The angel-fairy rewarded Reo’s quick action with a smile of thanks so dazzling he wished for his sunglasses. He noted that the color of her long, curly hair exactly matched the coat of an Irish setter who’d once owned him, and for one brief second he was a lonely tenyear-old again with only a dog for a best friend.

“Thanks... a... million,” she said, panting even as she stopped and turned her back on him, beckoning to someone still out of sight. “Hurry, kids. Quick as bunnies.”

Kids? Reo watched in horror as two...four...six...oh, God, ten preschoolers dressed for Mardi Gras immediately filed around the corner and into view. The woman, who looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, herded them into the elevator, while Reo instinctively flattened himself against one wall of the too-tiny enclosure.

Suddenly they were everywhere, those kids—giggling, whispering, staring as if he were the one in a costume. Reo dragged his gaze from the motley group to the angel-fairy who led them. She met his look unblinking, her emerald eyes glowing with what could only be amusement. So she thought this was funny, huh? Well, Reo didn’t and coolly redirected his gaze to the doors, which slid shut with an ominous thump. At once the elevator began to ascend. Since the woman didn’t punch a destination button, he could only assume hers was the same as his: the twenty-third and topmost floor.

Interesting. There was nothing on that floor but Reo’s own suite of offices and a large conference room.

“Miz Rusty?” A miniature soldier, who sported camouflage war paint and gear, tugged at the angel-fairy’s exotic attire.

The appropriately named Rusty looked down to give the young warrior her full attention. “Yes, Preston?”

“Can we stop on the way and visit my dad?”

- “I’m afraid not.” Her hair swung when she shook her head. “He’s working, you know.”

“How about my mommy?” chimed a pint-size princess with big blue eyes and a glitter-encrusted tiara.

“Oh, she is, too, Amy,” Rusty assured her. “All your moms and dads are. Sampson Enterprises is a very busy place. We’re lucky that the man who owns it is going to let us borrow his conference room for a little while for your Mardi Gras party.”

So that’s it, Reo thought. Miz Rusty was no angel or fairy, but one of the workers in the new day care located in the basement of his building. Reo had heard nothing but good about the place since it opened four months ago. According to Angie, his personal assistant and mother of a precocious three-year-old, the children who spent their days there enjoyed a wide range of special celebrations, one of which must be this Mardi Gras party.

Instantly regretting the whim that had prompted him to give in to Angie’s pleading and loan out the conference room, Reo imagined how it would look once these rug rats finished with it. The plush beige carpet would never be the same, not to mention the walls and drapes. He closed his eyes and pictured cherry punch spills and chocolate handprints.... It would cost a fortune to have the room cleaned and fumigated.

“It was kind of you to let us share your ride. The elevators have been a nightmare today. I think this one is the only one working.”