An After-Hours Affair

An After-Hours Affair
Barbara Dunlop

With no warning, Mitch’s quiet assistant suddenly has become captivating. And one night Mitch gives in to this new temptation and instinct takes over. But he knows Jenny’s heart needs protecting from his bachelor ways; it’s the right thing to do.If he has to, he’ll set her up with someone more suited to her. And then he’ll pretend that he’s not jealous…

“You think I didn’t notice how you’ve changed?”

Jenny wasn’t sure how to answer that. If he’d noticed, he’d done a darn good job of hiding it. “You didn’t say anything,” she pointed out.

“What, exactly, was it that you wanted me to say?” He leaned closer still, and a few beats of silence ticked past. “That your eyes look like emeralds without your glasses? That you have unbelievably sexy legs?”

Jenny couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.

His fingertips fluttered against her temple, touching her hair. “Or that your red lips look soft, smooth, delicious.” His hand eased around to the back of her head, fingers splaying into her hairline, as he drew her forward, his mouth coming down on hers in slow motion.

What was happening? What was going—

And then he was kissing her.

He was kissing her.

Dear Reader,

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in The Millionaire’s Club continuity series for Mills & Boon

Desire™. I’ve long been a fan of multi-book, multi-author series. I love cowboys, and I have some very dear friends in Texas. This project was great fun on so many levels, not the least of which was a visit to Texas while I was writing!

Mitch Hayward’s professional football career has been interrupted by an injury. While he recovers, he’s taken on the role of President of the club. There, he’s reunited with office assistant Jenny Watson, who’s had a crush on Mitch since school. When Jenny undergoes a makeover, Mitch sits up and takes notice, and the sparks fly between them.

I sincerely hope you enjoy An After-Hours Affair, along with the rest of the continuity. I’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to drop me a line through my website at www.barbaradunlop.com.

Barbara Dunlop

About the Author

BARBARA DUNLOP writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canada’s far north, where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website at www.barbaradunlop.com.

An After-Hours

Affair

Barbara Dunlop

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

For Marcelle

in honor of our final writers conference

One

Jenny Watson knew a bad idea when she heard one.

“It’s not a date,” she tartly informed her best friend, Emily Kiley, kicking off her shoes and curling one jean-clad leg beneath her on Emily’s bed.

Emily called from the depths of her closet. “Just because he doesn’t call it a date, doesn’t mean you can’t look your best.”

“He’s my boss. And it’s a business function.”

“It’s a wedding.”

“A Texas Cattleman’s Club wedding,” Jenny corrected. “And he was invited in his capacity as Interim President.”

Emily emerged from the closet carrying something made of dark burgundy chiffon. “I was thinking this one.” She draped the dress along her body, revealing a one-shoulder, sleeveless creation with a wide-fitted waist, and a two-layer, A-line skirt that dropped to midthigh.

“Ha, ha,” Jenny mocked, leaning back against the oak headboard.

Emily knew full well that Jenny would never touch a style that was so off-the-runway sophisticated, and she’d definitely never wear a color that bold.

“It’ll look great with an updo.” Emily swirled around to the corners of the room as if she was waltzing. “You can borrow my black rhinestone sandals. And I’ve got those fabulous teardrop earrings and the matching necklace. The diamonds are synthetic, but there’s no way to tell.”

“I’m not wearing that dress,” Jenny insisted.

“Why not?”

“Do you need me to write you a list?”

“Come on,” Emily cajoled. “Live a little, girl. You’ll look gorgeous, and Mitch will absolutely sit up and take notice.”

“I’ll look foolish.” Jenny wasn’t showing up in front of her friends and neighbors in Royal, Texas, looking like some kind of Manhattan diva. “There’s nothing wrong with my black dress.”

It was her perennial favorite—a sleeveless, square-necked jersey knit that flowed to her knees. She combined it with a short, sheer black cover that fastened at her throat. It was the perfect combination of classic and chic.

“And how many times has Mitch Hayward seen you in that?”

“A couple,” Jenny admitted, seeing no need to do the math.

Mitch didn’t care what she wore. He wanted an uncomplicated woman on his arm, someone to help him work the event. Her boss liked to keep tabs on the members of the Texas Cattleman’s Club. He prided himself on recalling details of everyone’s lives, and Jenny knew she was a big help in that department.

“You’ve had a crush on him since you were twelve,” Emily pointed out.

“‘Crush’ being the operative word,” Jenny put in. And it had been over a long time ago. “The man left town when I was only sixteen.”

Quarterback Mitch Hayward had gone to college in Dallas on a full football scholarship. He’d come back to work in Royal for the first two summers. But after that, his successful sports career had kept him on the road. Up until last year, when a shoulder injury had brought him back home.

“He’s been back for twelve months,” Emily pointed out.

“That long?” Jenny plucked at the bedspread, pretending she didn’t remember the exact date, the exact hour, the exact minute Mitch Hayward had returned to Royal. “I guess time flies.”

Emily plunked down on the bed beside her. “You are such a bad liar.”