Manhattan Millionaire’s Cinderella

She peered at him above her thick lenses, a hint of a smile on her mouth, her fingers never missing a beat. Maybe if he focused on the dimple on her cheek, he could go through with the transaction.

“Take a moment, Ms. McLowsky.” The smell of caffeine gave him a boost, and latching onto his own mug, he shot her his killer smile.

“Sir?”

“Well…uh…” he began, words sticking in his throat. “Drink up.”

“Yes, sir.” She picked up the steaming cup, blew on the liquid and took a sip, fixing her gaze on him over the rim.

Was that a glint of amusement in her eyes?

She blinked and it was gone. “Is that it, sir?” She set the cup on the desk.

“No.” He lifted his mug to his lips, took a gulp of the black brew and scorched his tongue. He swore, a muffled sound.

She heard, andraised that well-defined eyebrow again.

“There’s a new position in the company.” He stepped closer and hitching uphis jean-clad leg, propped his hip on the corner of her desk. “You’re the best match.”

“What is it?”

“A merger, of sorts.”

At thirty-three, Cade was not averse to a challenge; it was the coercion tactics his uncle still used that he abhorred. His uncle. His lifelong nemesis, whom he’d booted from the boardroom, now tossed him a curve to the tune of three million—problem was the deal included a stipulation to muzzle…er… marry him off.

Cade was under no illusions that his uncle’s offer was iced with ulterior motives, but, in no position to refuse, he had to take the bait. A pittance, but it’d swing him from the red into the black, and buy him some time. He’d expand his global holdings, complete the mega development in Cyprus, triple his profits and—his heart turned to determined stone—catch the hacker embezzling company funds.

The con was about to demolish Cade into a heap of rubble. He had to do something.

He scrubbed the stubble on his jaw, and his gaze swerved to her. He’d racked his brain for the perfect candidate, and Ms. Straitlaced, now staring up at him with half parted lips, best fit the bill—no complications.

She licked her lips, and then nipped the bottom one with her teeth.

His gut got unhinged with that strange feeling again. He yanked his gaze away from her mouth and plummeted into the ocean of her eyes. He bounced off, aimed lower and got socked in the belly. Beneath her colorless dress, her breasts rose and fell with every breath she took, and he imagined—

Get a grip, man. Oh yeah. Freud would get a big chuckle outta that.

Cade cleared his throat. “A marr—” He coughed, and forced the words out. “A marriage proposal.” A noose around his neck.

“What?” She gaped at him as though he’d gone bonkers, then her stiff discipline kicked in. “A market proposal, sir?”

“Nice try.” Somehow, he’d outmaneuver his uncle’s ploy to get him hitched, but first, he had to get his hands on the dough.

Matrimony.” He scowled. “It’d be a promotion. Higher salary … perks … company car … me.”

She laughed, but there was a nervous tingle in it. “I don’t qualify, sir.”

“Indeed, you do.” He’d checked her out and she came out squeaky clean. Lived with her cat, bicycled in Central Park on weekends, no boyfriend, a mother in Los Angeles. Her father, a former employee of the company before Cade’s takeover, unaccounted for. He curled his lip in distaste. Divorce, no doubt.

“Marry…you?!”

Heck, did she have to sound so shocked? Plenty of sophisticates would snatch at his proposal. He palmed his nape. But this business model called for specific criteria—and he was looking at her. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because—”

“I don’t even like you.”

That cut through his thick hide and pricked his pride. He shrugged.

“You don’t have to.”

She giggled, and the sound booted him with a delicious zap.

“Strictly a business transaction.” He pointed to himself then to her.

“Mutually beneficial.”

“No, thank you.”

Aww, man, there she went barricading herself behind her prim and proper façade. He had to knock her defenses down and clinch the deal.

“Would a percentage of three million change your mind?”

“Very funny.” She shifted in her chair and resumed typing.

“Okay.” He slid off the desk. “If you change your mind—”

The phone rang.

Nina picked up the receiver and sized him up over the rim of her glasses. Sexual energy vibrated from him, a catalyst to her own. Good reason to keep her distance. “I’ll see if Mr. Sloan’s avail—”

He grabbed the phone from her so quickly, a whoosh of hot air singed the back of her hand.

“Sloan,” he barked, making the room shrink. “No way in hell.” He paced the floor, the muscles in his back contracting. A scowl creased his otherwise handsome features. It was a face that had women lining up and gossip hounds salivating after him.

A shiver shimmied up her spine.

Cade Sloan gobbled girls like her for appetizers, spat them out and moved onto the entrée. Breath whipped from her lips, and she twitched her nose.No way would she be another notch on this stud’s belt.

Nina had her life mapped out. And it did not include her sexy boss who had just propositioned her. She fiddled with her pearl earring, and her gaze strayed back to him.

“Not my type,” she murmured beneath her breath.

He heard and cocked a brow, his eyes shuttering.

Heat—his searing hot attraction – grabbed hold of her. Perspiration dampened her skin and a droplet meandered between her breasts. She pulled a tissue from the Kleenex box and dabbed her upper lip.