Engaged with the Boss

Jolie’s gaze collided with Devin’s intense blue eyes.

He stared into her face, his forehead wrinkled as it did when he was working out a problem in his head.

“What?” She crossed her eyes in an attempt to view the tip of her nose. “Do I have a smudge on my face?”

“No. It’s just …”

“Having second thoughts?” Her heart stuttered to a stop and she held her breath. Not like the engagement was real or anything. “That’s bad when you’re having second thoughts about a fake engagement. Does the thought of a Kendall marrying a lowly executive assistant go against the grain?” She tried to laugh, failing miserably.

“Huh?” He shook his head. “No, don’t be silly. I was thinking we should seal this deal in some way.” His frown lifted and he leaned closer, his hand rising to cup the back of her neck, drawing her closer. “Perhaps with a kiss.”

Jolie leaned forward, memories of the night before rushing in to fuel the flames building inside. Her breasts touched his chest, the hardened tips rubbing deliciously against the inside of her lacy bra.

Her arms crept up and around his neck, pulling him closer.

Devin’s lips crushed her mouth, his tongue sweeping in to tangle with hers, thrusting and tempting her to forget everything but that moment.

A professional down to the sensible shoes she wore, Jolie had been thrown into the deep end. Kissing the boss in his office wasn’t something a woman did, unless that woman was completely out of her mind in love.

A sound penetrated the back of her thoughts, the creak of a door opening, the light squeal of a hinge.

“Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Jolie jumped back, her eyes wide, her heart thumping against her ribs.

Natalie stood at the door, her face flushed, her green eyes dancing. “I can come back when you’ve concluded your … er … meeting.”

“Bull on that.” Ash pushed his way through the door, followed by the owner and one of the original cofounders of Kendall Communications, Craig Kendall. “We have some serious damage control to conduct and you two aren’t helping by playing tonsil tango on company time.”

Her face burning, Jolie attempted a dash for the door.

Devin, anticipating her move, grabbed her arm and pulled her against him, his hand slipping around her waist. “I’m glad you were all able to join us on such short notice. I’m certain you have seen the morning newspaper?”

Every head nodded.

He stood straighter and faced curious eyes. “Well, I have an explanation for that.”

“I’m glad someone does.” Craig crossed his arms and waited. “Go on.”

“Jolie and I have an announcement to make.”

Natalie’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open. “No way.”

Devin glared at her. “I haven’t even said what it is and you’re already saying ‘no way’?”

“No way!” Natalie clamped her mouth shut and slapped a hand over it. Through her fingers she muttered, “Okay, I won’t say a word, oh, my God, hurry up with it.”

A chuckle rose up in Devin’s chest. “How old are you?”

Natalie dropped her hand. “Twenty-six, will you tell already?”

If Jolie didn’t have a knot the size of a sweat sock lodged in her throat, she’d have laughed out loud at Natalie’s enthusiasm. But the whole situation was surreal, as though it was happening to someone else. Not plain Jolie Carson.

Devin smiled down at Jolie and winked.

Immediately, her world lit and her nerves calmed. She could handle just about anything if Devin Kendall looked at her like that all the time.

“Jolie and I are engaged.”

Natalie squealed and rushed forward to hug Jolie. “I knew it. I knew it.”

“How did you know?” Ash asked, his gaze on Devin, not Natalie. “None of us knew until now, unless you had some inside information.”

“Oh, Ash, relax.” Natalie hugged Jolie and turned back to face her detective brother. “I could tell by the look on Jolie’s face.”

“What, the look of stunned disbelief?” Jolie pressed a hand to her burning cheeks. “I can barely believe it’s true.”

Natalie hugged her again. “I get another sister. I won’t be outnumbered by men anymore.”

Ash frowned at Devin. “That’s the way you’re going to play this?”

Devin met his frown with a clear and steady gaze. “We’re not playing. Jolie and I are getting married.”

“When?” Ash shot back at him.

Fighting to keep irritation from rising into his voice, Devin answered, “We haven’t set a date.”

“Ash.” Natalie glared at her brother.

Ash refused to be quieted. “I want the truth.”

Jolie’s arm slipped around Devin’s waist and she smiled up at him. “Devin just asked me to marry him. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ve been pinching myself, thinking I’m still sleeping.”

“I just don’t want you two walking into something you’ll both regret because of a picture in the newspaper.”

“We should give the couple a little space.” Uncle Craig winked, saving Devin from a response. “They have some … er … celebrating to do. Aunt Angela and I will help you with the wedding preparations. We can shop for two since Rachel and Ash will be getting married soon, too.”

“Why don’t you two get started?” Devin said.

Jolie chimed in, “Just because we’re engaged doesn’t mean I’m commitment free. I have a job to do and a very demanding boss.”

Ash smiled for the first time since Devin’s announcement. “I think you’ve met your match there, brother. How are you going to live without her managing your office?”

Devin frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Because he’s not going to live without me managing his office. At least not until I find a suitable replacement.” Her arm dropped from around his waist and Jolie stepped back. “Now I have work to do.”

Devin grabbed her hand to keep her from going too far. “You’re officially off the clock at three this afternoon.”