Miami After Hours

He blinked rapidly, refocusing. “So? How’d it go?”

A large grin spread across her full lips, showing even white teeth. “Slam dunk,” she replied. “The Harrisons want to make an offer on the penthouse. I’m putting together a comparative market analysis so we can negotiate the price.”

“Excellent,” Daniel said. “I knew I made the right decision in hiring you.”

To some, he’d taken a risk. On paper, Angela Trainor was relatively green. With only one year of college and a varied work history, Angela might appear flighty to some. But since obtaining her Florida real estate associate’s license a few years ago, it seemed as though she’d found her calling. She was just the breath of fresh air he needed to ensure the firm stayed relevant.

“Was there ever any doubt?” she asked boldly.

He liked her confidence and tenacity. She would need it in this business. “Don’t get too cocky. This is only your third high-value sale.”

“But it won’t be my last.”

“Ambition is good,” Daniel returned. “You’ll need it because this business can be rather cutthroat, dog-eat-dog, if you know what I mean.”

“I do. This isn’t my first rodeo, Daniel,” Angela responded. “Working at one of the largest firms in the country taught me that I’ll have to make my own luck.”

“Good to hear,” Daniel said. “Now you just have to seal the deal and get to closing.” He knew that just because an offer had been made didn’t mean the sale was a foregone conclusion. Deals could fall apart before closing. Not that it ever happened to him. Daniel took every precaution to ensure that it didn’t.

“Of course.”

“Speaking of deals, I’ve recently signed a new client, a developer that has tasked me with selling out the eighty condos in his building in downtown Miami.”

Angela’s eyes grew large. “Sounds amazing.”

“It is, but it’s a challenge. The lower-end condos go for a thousand a square foot, and the penthouse is fifteen hundred a square foot.”

“Well, if anyone can do it, you can.”

Daniel appreciated her ego boost. “Thank you, but praise is not the reason I’m mentioning it.”

“No?” She quirked a brow and he couldn’t resist returning with a grin.

“I want you to work on the project with me.”

“You do?” Astonishment was evident in her voice.

“Why do you think I plucked you away from that other firm? It was to give you the opportunity to grow and to learn under my tutelage.”

“I’m ready for whatever you want to offer me.” She blushed as soon as she said the words, no doubt because he could certainly take it to mean something other than work. Something like what he could offer her in the bedroom.

Where had that thought come from?

It was his cardinal rule to never date any woman in the workplace. Angela would be no different. He didn’t mix business with pleasure.

He banished the thought and finally replied, “I’m sure you are.” Then he walked over to his desk, procured a folder and handed it to her. “Read this. It’ll fill you in on the development. Let’s plan on putting our heads together on a marketing strategy tomorrow after you’ve had time to digest it.”

Angela nodded and walked toward the door. “And, Daniel?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

* * *

When Angela returned to her desk, she was still on cloud nine despite Daniel Cobb’s stern warning not to get overly confident. This was her biggest sale and a chance to impress him.

Over the last six months Angela had watched every move Daniel made. Though he was charming and suave on the outside, she knew he was cutthroat on the inside. He couldn’t have gotten to the top without being a little ruthless. She’d seen him pulverize buyers’ and sellers’ agents alike to get what he wanted. That’s why he was a transactional broker. He worked as a facilitator between the buyer and seller to close the transaction. He didn’t owe either party his undivided loyalty. Nonetheless, she’d seen him use the utmost skill, care and diligence in all his transactions, dealing honestly and fairly with all the clients he represented.

He was recently featured in Miami magazine as an industry star. Everyone knew who Daniel was, including lots of women. Since she’d arrived six months ago, Angela had seen lots of wannabes sashay into Cobb’s offices trying to meet Daniel or have him show them property personally. She was sure most of them were either in the market to be a Mrs. or looking for a good time, and Daniel certainly fit the bill.

Angela tried not to notice how handsome Daniel was, but she’d failed miserably. Not only was he irrepressibly charming, but he had killer features: chiseled cheekbones, a broad nose, a strong chin and sumptuously full lips. And those eyes...

His eyes dared any woman to look into them and not get burned by their dark brown intensity. Angela always made sure not to stare too closely at him for fear she’d get tangled in the web of attraction like so many women before her.

And then there was the body. She was sure there was a vast expanse of steel-toned chest, rock-hard abs and powerful thighs underneath those designer suits he wore. They were enough to make any woman’s knees wobbly at the prospect of a passionate encounter with the man. Angela shook her head. She mustn’t think that way.

Daniel was her boss and he would remain only her boss, even if he was wearing the heck out of a Tom James suit.

“Angela.” Myrna snapped her out of her musings.

“Yes?”

“You interested in going to lunch? Daisy will cover me while we go out.”

“I just got back to the office,” Angela responded.

“C’mon,” Myrna pleaded, “I’ve been stuck in here all day and I need a break. I can’t wait until the day when I can get out of the office and start showing houses.”

“All right,” Angela conceded, and grabbed the Prada purse that was hanging over her chair. She tossed it over her shoulder and followed the statuesque blonde out of the office, uncaring that she had the attention of the owner of the establishment.

* * *

Once they were seated at an open-air bistro facing the bay and enjoying the warm day in early May, Myrna wasted no time getting to the real reason she’d asked Angela to lunch.

“You have to tell me your secret,” Myrna stated.

“What secret?”

“How you got Daniel to notice you,” Myrna said, sipping on her iced green tea. “I’ve been trying for months, but he just looks right through me as though I’m not there.”

Angela laughed. “As if that were possible.” Myrna was gorgeous and she knew it. Every man sitting outside was giving her sideways glances. Was she really so disturbed that Daniel wasn’t one of them?

“It is,” Myrna said, pushing her Asian salad around on her plate. “I want to be an agent same as you one day, but the state test is god-awful. I’ve failed twice.”

“I’ve heard it can be difficult,” Angela responded, though it hadn’t been for her. She’d passed on her initial try and never looked back. Why? Because she’d finally found what she wanted to do in life after floundering in endless jobs for close to a decade. A career that would showcase her brain for business.

“You have no idea,” Myrna said. “And when I finally pass, I want Daniel to give me a shot, a real shot at working for him. To see me as something more than just a pretty face to wow clients when they walk through the door.”