Bachelor Boss

He was so much more striking in person than in print, or oil and canvas for that matter, that Madalyn was startled. She’d heard the expression chiseled to define someone’s features before, but he was the first person she’d met who truly fit the description. European royalty was all she could think of to conceptualize the thoughts whirring through her head, but from what she knew through her extensive reading, she doubted such fiercely proud Americans as the Ambercrofks would appreciate the analogy. In fact, they were just as fiercely Texan.

He was almost on top of her before he pulled up short. He gave her a quick glance and turned toward the desk, his jaw snapping shut when he didn’t find the person he so obviously expected to be there.

“Just have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

Without another word, he entered the elevator and punched a button, leaving Madalyn with the lingering trace of his crisp, clean cologne.

When she finally remembered to breathe, she took a seat as instructed. She didn’t have much choice. Her knees had just given out.

Not five inches from her. Philip Ambercroft had been not five inches from her. She’d been close enough to see the light-colored flecks in his blue eyes. She could have reached out and touched the lock of midnight-black hair that had fallen rakishly over his forehead and discovered if it was as velvety soft as it looked. Her fingertip could have traced the slight bow of his strong, upper lip—

“Get a grip, Madalyn!” She said the words aloud to give them more impact. The fact that her fingers trembled as she swiped them across her forehead didn’t give her much confidence. She had to get herself together before she blew it completely.

Praying Mr. Ambercroft would stay gone for a few minutes, she worked on composing herself. The open position was with Gene Ambercroft, not Philip, so that was two mistakes she could thank the pseudo-receptionist for—me wrong floor and the wrong Ambercroft, but there was no sense in getting frustrated. She could just chalk it up to a day full of frustrations.

Now that she’d seen him, in the flesh, she couldn’t get her mind off Philip Ambercroft. She could admit in the privacy of her own mind that she—along with about ten million other Americans—had an intense curiosity about the Ambercrofts. They were American royalty, and the press treated them accordingly.

Unlike the female population of America, though, she was fascinated by the business tycoon Philip, not his playboy brother. She wouldn’t mind working for Gene, but it was the oldest Ambercroft brother who had captured her imagination from the first article she’d ever read on the famous family.

There was something about him, something intriguing, that was so much more interesting than mere sex appeal. While definitely as sexy as his baby brother, Philip was the one who exuded confidence and grace, not mere raw testosterone—at least in her opinion. She decided that wasn’t really fair to Gene. It was the reporters who concentrated on his dating life. She doubted anyone really wanted their every move cataloged in a magazine, although Gene knew how to play the paparazzi and keep them among his adoring throng. They didn’t seem to bother him here at home, but loved to follow him abroad.

Reporters did their fair share of cataloging Philip’s dates, but Philip didn’t have the patience Gene seemed to have. He considered it an infringement on his privacy and often said so. While Madalyn admitted that she envied the tall beauties pictured on his arm, she had the feeling an evening with Philip would be as absorbing intellectually as it was stimulating, and would be worth a hassle with the press.

Reminding herself she needed to get out of there before Philip returned, she picked up her purse and folder and prepared to find the personnel office. This was a chance of a lifetime, and she didn’t intend to blow it. If she had the choice, she’d work for Price Manufacturing forever, but that wasn’t possible so the issue was moot. Mr. and Mrs. Price were like surrogate parents to her, and surrogate grandparents to Erin, and her concern for them was just one more reason she wanted this job. She didn’t want the Prices worrying about her when they had enough troubles these days. The Prices had a whole company of loyal employees they were about to have to let go, while she only had Erin to worry about.

Just thinking about Erin made Madalyn smile. She still wasn’t sure how just three years ago she’d been positive she never wanted children. Now, of course, she couldn’t imagine life without her precious daughter.

But now was not the time to be reflecting on the not-quite-two-year-old pixie who took up her every spare moment. Now was the time to be concentrating on getting a job that would provide the little pixie with a home and day care and clothes and food....

Just as Madalyn reached for the elevator button, the bell chimed and the doors opened. She stepped back with renewed aplomb.

“Mr. Ambercroft,” she said, acknowledging him as she prepared to slip by. “Excuse me.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Where are you going?”

“Going?”

“Yes. Isn’t that file for me?” he asked, nodding toward her arm.

She knew from her contact at the employment agency that Philip would be making the final decision on the applicants, which seemed a bit odd to her, but maybe it was because Gene was out of the country. In the end, it wasn’t something to worry about. Yet she hadn’t expected Philip to be quite so involved at this stage.

“Well, I...suppose it is, in a way....”

He reached for the file, his fingers brushing her arm as he took it from her grasp. The sensation flustered her, making her forget what she was going to say.

She watched, speechless, as he opened the folder and read for a moment. Another frown crossed his forehead.

“What’s this?” he asked, glancing up. “Where’s the Ashton Hills report?”

“Ashton Hills?”

“Aren’t you from Denham’s office?”

“Um...no, I’m—”

“If you’re not from Denham’s office, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here about the executive assistant position open for Mr. Ambercroft.”

His whole demeanor changed instantly. His back straightened, the hint of a smile that had been playing at the edge of his mouth disappeared and he gave her a once-over that bordered on offensive. He seemed to catalog every inch of her bust, the narrowness of her waist and the exact flare of her hips—as if he could see through the boxy cut of her fashionable but reserved suit His eyes made a slow sweep of her legs before coming back to her face.

“I’m sorry, Miss—” he glanced at her résumé again “—Price.”

“I currently work for Price Manufacturing. My name is Madalyn Wier.”

The man stopped short again, but Madalyn couldn’t begin to guess what he was thinking. She had the distinct impression he’d just done another mercurial shift, but she was clueless as to why a bit of the warmth returned to his face. Now he was reading her résumé as if he hadn’t seen it before.

This time, when he looked up, the smile was back, but she would have bet her last nickel that something significant had changed. It wasn’t in the curve of his lips; it was in his eyes, eyes that said he missed little.

“Ms. Wier, I apologize for the mix-up. Would you come into my office? I’d like to get this straightened out.”

He didn’t give her a chance to waver. He came closer and took her elbow, ushering her politely toward his door.

Madalyn’s breath caught again at his touch, and she had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other without tripping. She could only hope she appeared calm and professional on the outside, because her insides were a wreck. She had no choice, really, but to go along with Philip, and she offered a quick prayer that this impromptu interview would be just the break she needed.

Philip’s mind was already whirling as he walked around his desk and took a seat while he studied her file with more care. When he was finished, he stalled for a bit more time by shuffling a pile of papers. He hadn’t gotten where he was by being slow on his feet, and if he played this right, he might just salvage a week from hell and get some information on a company he had his eye on, to boot.

Philip didn’t question the marvelous opportunities that had come to him over the years, events he could never have planned or predicted. He was, however, smart enough to act on them...immediately.

He’d been about to dismiss Ms. Wier out of hand—after all, she was much too attractive to even consider interviewing for Gene’s position—when a plan started coming together. There were those who didn’t think he had a heart, much less a libido, but Ms. Wier had already proven she could raise both his pulse and his... imagination. Feeling that instantaneous reaction, that unexpected response, hadn’t happened in so very long, he couldn’t help but be amazed. And it had certainly never happened with an employee.

But Ms. Wier’s attributes weren’t the point. The fact that she met so many needs at one time made her beauty serendipitous.

Number one, his secretary was on an extended leave, and he hadn’t kept a temp for more than a day for the last week. One had walked out at lunch and never returned. One had been pregnant and gone into premature labor. One had taken ill with the stomach flu. He wasn’t sure why his luck was running so sour in this area, but it was becoming a bit annoying.

Number two, Ms. Wier had an impressive résumé, including a tenure with a company he had his sights on. Price Manufacturing would make a nice addition to the Ambercroft portfolio of companies.

Number three, he wanted more information before he made a move on Price Manufacturing, and who knew more about a company than an executive assistant?

Hell would freeze over, however, before he let his little brother hire a secretary like Ms. Wier. Gene had used Ambercroft, Inc., as his personal procuring service for the last time. When he came back from Europe with his latest secretary-turned-lover, he was going to find an efficient, talented and decidedly matronly secretary waiting for him. Philip had already thought of a few words to describe Ms. Wier, but matronly wasn’t even in the same dictionary.

So, his most urgent needs were met in the attractive little package sitting patiently across from him with her hands folded in her lap. He’d have to do all the sensitive letters himself since his secretary wouldn’t be back for at least a month, but he could get a mountain of correspondence on other matters dictated and off his desk. Surely, in the weeks remaining until Mrs. Montague returned, he could get caught up and possibly discover some interesting information about Price Manufacturing. Then, with Gene’s secretary firmly replaced by a Mrs. Montague clone, he’d find a slot for Ms. Wier in one of Ambercroft’s many departments, and his life would return to normal.

What more could he ask for?

A glance at the stockinged calf revealed beneath Ms. Wier’s proper navy skirt gave a hint at exactly what more he could ask for—in the privacy of his own mind, of course. He’d never fraternized with an employee in his life, and he wasn’t about to start now. That was Gene’s department....

Yet, Philip doubted it would be a hardship to dictate to Ms. Wier’s delicate, oval face. Mrs. Montague was a handsome woman, no doubt, but she was almost as old as his mother and not exactly his type. He respected Mrs. Montague a great deal, and valued her as an employee, but the sight of her ankle had never even come close to making his pants seem tighter.