Sex By The Numbers
Marie Donovan
Dear Esteemed Clients, Please disregard any minor discrepancies in your holdings. We are working diligently to discover which of our trusted executives has his hand in the till. Sincerely, the Management.Accountant Keeley Davis has been hired to find out who's been bilking money from the well-respected Bingham Bros. investment firm. To do so, Keeley will have to don a disguise and work closely with tastier-than-homemade-cherry-pie controller Dane Weiss!As Keeley tramps herself up as Dane's personal assistant Cherry Smith her calculations start paying off big dividendslike when she serves up a hot plate of Dane ? la mode. But as things start to really sizzle, Keeley wonders whether she can keep her eyes on the bottom line. . . when all she can think of is keeping Dane in her bed?
I think I have an idea of what you need
Dane sincerely hoped not.
Ill leave first, Keeley said, picking up her raincoat. We dont want to be seen together.
Good idea. Dane felt foolish about the cloak-and-dagger stuff, but that didnt keep him from admiring her ass as she strolled away. She paused and looked over her shoulder to catch him staring. He gave a feeble little wave and her lips curved in a small smile.
Then she pushed out the cafs door and disappeared.
Dane exhaled loudly. Had Keeley tried to arouse him on purpose? If so, shed done a good job. He did have big appetites, and not just for fine food, but for fine women.
And now he had the sneaking suspicion that he could eat a whole can of cherry filling off another womans body and it wouldnt have the same impact on him as the earlier sight of Keeleys pink tongue licking her finger clean thanks to that cherry tartlet.
Dear Reader,
Keeley Davis, the heroine of Sex by the Numbers, popped onto my computer screen as I was writing my previous book, Bare Necessities. One of the exotic dancers says she needs a costume receipt for her accountant, a former exotic dancer herself.
A stripper-turned-accountant intrigued me. I had no name, no physical description, only that she was a small-town girl determined to lift herself out of a difficult background. But I had just the man for herambitious, brawny Dane Weiss, a farm-raised, world-traveling business consultant.
Keeley is all those girls we vaguely wonder about after we leave high schoolthe girls of whom little is expected, except to drop out of school and work unskilled jobs. What if one of those girls surprised everyone by getting her education and a great career? A surprise to everyone except herself, because she always knew she was tough enough, smart enough and brave enough to succeed.
Heres to all the girls who make it and the people who help them!
Marie Donovan
P.S. Im delighted to hear from my readers. Visit www.mariedonovan.com to enter fun contests and learn more about my upcoming books.
SEX BY THE NUMBERS
Marie Donovan
TORONTO NEW YORK LONDON
AMSTERDAM PARIS SYDNEY HAMBURG
STOCKHOLM ATHENS TOKYO MILAN MADRID
PRAGUE WARSAW BUDAPEST AUCKLAND
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marie Donovan, an award-winning author, is a Chicago-area native who got her fill of tragedies and unhappy endings by majoring in opera/vocal performance and Spanish literature. As an antidote to all that gloom, she read romance novels voraciously throughout college and graduate school.
Donovan has worked for a large suburban public library for the past nine years as both a cataloguer and a bilingual Spanish storytime presenter. She graduated magna cum laude with two bachelors degrees from a Midwestern liberal arts university and speaks six languages. She enjoys reading, gardening and yoga.
Books by Marie Donovan
HARLEQUIN BLAZE
204HER BODY OF WORK
302HER BOOK OF PLEASURE
371BARE NECESSITIES
To my mother, a self-made woman,
whose bravery continues to this day,
and to all the girls shes helped.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
1
ARE YOU SURE my breast implants arent tax-deductible? The blond bombshell sitting across from Keeley Davis tapped her acrylic nails on the rich brown maple desk. That exotic dancer in Indiana got hers deducted and they werent that much bigger than mine.
Keeley turned away from her laptop screen, where she was reviewing Sugars tax return. Tax season was finally wrapping up, and none too soon for a poor, worn-out accountant. Sorry, Sugaritd be a long shot. The tax court is cracking down on what they regard as frivolous deductions and I doubt we could get it past them. We can write off your costumes and the tinted latex nipple makeup, but thats about it. No personal care like tanning, manicures or hair extensions.
And we cant appeal? I only got the implants for professional reasons, you know. Sugar pursed her pink glossy lips.
Keeley had known her friend and client too long to fall for her act. She peered over the tops of her glasses. And you get no personal benefits from them?
Sugar smacked her arm playfully. Oh, all right, you naughty girl. I didnt lose any nerve sensation from the surgery and my last boyfriend and I did enjoy them.
Thought so. Keeley pushed her glasses back up her nose to focus on the computer again. And if we make an issue over this, the IRS might want to look in to how much of your cash tips youve been reporting as income. Keeley wasnt a novice to IRS audits, but didnt exactly enjoy them, either.
Hmmph. Sugar backed down, like Keeley thought she would. As a certified public accountant, Keeley couldnt take part in tax evasion in the form of under-reporting garter or G-string tips, but she had a good idea that Sugar salted away her own personal cash stash, and who could blame her? Keeley would do the exact same thing in the same situation.
But Keeley was on the straight and narrow, just taking the figures Sugar gave her and plugging them into the tax program, although sometimes she raised an eyebrow at an obviously low figure. Sugar would revise it upward without blinking.
Keeley added in a couple of last-minute expenses Sugar had brought over today. Sugar, not one to sit still for any period of time, paced around the small office. Her long legs took her rapidly from one terra-cotta faux-painted wall to the other, the beige Berber carpet muffling her sneaker-clad steps. Like some dancers, Sugar had foot problems and only wore high heels onstage and on dates.
Keeley rotated her own brown-pump-clad foot under her desk. Her shoes matched her hair, her eyes, her jacket and her skirt. She was a big brown wren in comparison to her flashier blond friend, but accountants couldnt exactly sport cleavage T-shirts and midthigh denim miniskirts.
Sugar stopped to eye a pair of watercolor prints of Florence, Italy. Keeley had never been there, but the red tile roofs matched the whole rich, Tuscan, trust-me-with-your-finances theme she wanted to emphasize. After all, accountants working in Renaissance Florence had invented double-entry bookkeeping.
Keeley printed the return and eyed it one last time before passing the pages to Sugar. Read these over before I file electronically.
Sugar sat and speed-read through the papers. She looked as if she was skimming, but Keeley knew she was tallying every number to the penny. She finally raised her blond head and smiled. I suppose thats as good as it gets without writing off the breast implants.
Keeley shrugged, palms upward. If you really want me to try
No, I guess not. After all, pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered. Sugar signed the bottom page for her own records.
Thats right. Keeleyd heard that saying more than once growing up in downstate Illinois. Not that there had been enough to even get slightly plump on. Off it goes to Uncle Sam. Since youve made your quarterly payments, you dont owe any more than usual.
Whoopee. Ill have to schedule myself at Friskys a couple more nights to make up for it.
If any of your clients work for the IRS, charge them double. And now that Keeleys highest-earning season was almost over, shed have to save her money to make it last as long as possible until next winter.
Sugar passed the papers to Keeley. By the way, Keel, I recommended your accounting services to an old friend of mine.
Oh, who? That might help tide her over while she built her client base.
Sugar grinned. Binky Bingham.
Boy, when you said old, you werent kidding. I thought he croaked last fall after hot-tubbing with that dancer from Chicago Gentlemens Club. And why on earth would Binky Bingham, billionaire, need accounting services from her fledgling business?
Alive and kicking. Hes still one of her regulars, in and out of the club.
Keeley made a face. Binky fancied himself quite the ladies man and had the money to make it so. Sugar was Binkys occasional arm candy, especially when he wanted to scare his children and grandchildren into thinking he was going to leave his money to her. He was lucky they hadnt had him declared legally incompetent and locked him up somewhere.
Sugar laughed. Dont look at me like that. Aside from dancing for him at Friskys, I sure never spent any time naked with him, hot tub or no.
Thats a relief. Binky Bingham was older than dirt and twice as ugly. Keeley was glad to hear Sugar hadnt slept with the old goat.
Youre telling me. Not even all of his money would be enough. For such a financial genius, he sure wasnt thinking with the right head. Viagra, a hot tub and a previous heart attack? Why didnt he just step in front of a bus? Potentially less fatal and definitely less embarrassing.
You know Binky is incapable of embarrassment.
Sugar raised a perfectly French-manicured finger. Personally, no. But professionally, yes. Thats why your name came up. She leaned over the desk. You absolutely cannot tell anyone what Im going to tell you. Promise?
Keeley narrowed her eyes. I cant be party to anything illegal, you know that.
Her friend shook her head. Not illegalnot so far.
So far? Sugar, this doesnt sound good at all.
Its about Binkys company. He thinks one of his executives is stealing money from the trust funds.
Keeley gave an astonished whistle. Bingham Brothers was the granddaddy of Chicagos financial companies, managing hundreds of millions of dollars since before the 1929 stock market crash. Its possible, of course, but there are so many safeguards to theft. These huge companies have hundreds of people overseeing the books.
Binky grew up with those books, and he has a gut feeling theyre bad. He went into the office several times to poke around and says the atmosphere is pure poison.
Hmmm. Keeley turned over possibilities in her mind. Why doesnt Binky call for an audit?
And flush his companys reputation down the toilet? Not to mention his familys reputation. Hot-tub hijinks are one thing, but missing money is unforgivable.
Keeley nodded. A whiff of scandal and the company would bottom out. It had happened before to Chicago financial firms, usually involving bankruptcy, corporate dissolution and prison terms. So what does Binky think I can do? I cant exactly walk in off the street and look at the books. It would take months for a whole team of auditors to examine everything.
He has a smaller, specific group of accounts to audit first. When I told him youd completed a certificate in forensic accounting, his wrinkly little face just lit up. He said his representative would be in touch to get you inside for a covert audit.
A covert audit? Despite her misgivings, Keeleys investigative antennae perked up. She loved digging for money, ever since she was a kid checking the couch for loose change.
So youll do it? Binky knows absolutely everybody and can get you on the fast track if he recommends you to his friends. And you know you can bill him a bundle.
Binky would probably expect her to bill a respectable hourly consultant fee. She wouldnt gouge him, but she could legitimately bill more for doing the audit on the sly, and probably expert witness fees as well if it became a matter for the courts. Although shed worked her way through school and had no student debt, she did have obligations. Ill listen to what his representative says. Did he say who that is?
No names were mentioned, just that he was one of Binkys protgs and totally trustworthy.
Keeley snorted and Sugar giggled. Men were so naive. Nobody was totally trustworthy, especially when large sums of money were concerned.
I WOULD HAVE BEEN happy to come to your office, Binky. Dane Weiss leaned over the small table to shout into his elderly friends ear over the pulsing rock music. Or your condo. Penthouse, rather, overlooking Lake Michigan and the rest of the city. Binky had an entire floor in Lakenheath Towers, one of Chicagos most exclusive buildings.
But Binky preferred a different kind of penthousethe kind with naked women in it. And miss the lunchtime show at Friskys? At my age, I cant stay awake for the evening show. He cackled and gestured expansively to the nubile chicks cavorting above them on the runway. One flipped over and slid down a pole using just her thighs, and Dane winced. Hed never figured how they did that without friction burns, but probably some trick of the trade involving baby powder.
It wasnt as if he were a stranger to these places, having worked his way through grad school as Binkys driver/personal assistant, but he did his best to ignore the buffet of female flesh literally spread in front of him. He wasnt there for a lap dancenot that Binky would mind if he did partake.
Although the lunchtime dancers werent quite the A-string team in their G-strings, Binky didnt care. With his overtipping, he was the life of the party. Here, sweetheart, this is for you. He slipped a fifty into the nearest girls garter.
Dane tried to stop him, not because Binky had to watch his pennies, but because the other girls spotted Ulysses S. Grants bearded scowl and flocked to Binky like seagulls on a leftover sandwich. The other customers grumbled as all the entertainment clumped around the oldest and richest patron in the club.
Binky passed each of them a fifty, accepting their coos and cheek pinches. Of course the old reprobate knew them all by name.
Dane checked his watch. Hed do about anything for Binky, but sitting in a titty bar wasnt the best use of his time. Besides, Danes fashion designer sister Bridget still occasionally made costumes for her stripper friends here and would give him hell if she caught him. Something about being a hypocrite for complaining how she had put herself through school sewing specially designed outfits for the dancers. Time to move this meeting along.
Dane raised his voice and gestured at the disgruntled mob across the runway. Okay, girls, thanks for visiting, but we have business to discuss.
His meaning was clear. Dane figured his blond bulk helped put the point across. The dancers slinked off, Binky staring wistfully after them, his white hair mussed and cheeks marked with five different sets of lip prints.
Dane, Dane, Dane, my boy. There is no business so urgent that one must disappoint the ladies.
Dane wanted to say that the ladies were only disappointed by not getting another fifty in their garters, but kept his comments to himself. On the phone, you said this was urgent.
Binky sighed, his shoulders drooping. I did invite you here for a reasonbesides the entertainment. This was one of the only places I go where I am reasonably certain that none of my staff attend.
Dane nodded in agreement. Bingham Brothers was, to put it charitably, a traditional financial organization. Hidebound and stuffy were other less charitable descriptions. But despite its moldy-oldie air, it had an impeccable reputation. Binky was still the chairman of the board despite his semiretirement. Whats up, Binky?
His friend leaned in. I think one of my executives is stealing from the funds entrusted to us by some of our oldest and most vulnerable clients.
That jolted Dane out of his complacency. The trust funds? Bingham Brothers managed money for the richest families in the nation, not just Chicago.
Binky nodded, misery apparent on his quivering lip. It might even be Charlie.
Charlie? Your Charlie? Charles Andrew Bingham VI was Binkys grandson and a total prick, but Dane had never figured him for a thief. But hes the chief financial officer. Why would Charlie steal from his own company? Doesnt he make over ten million a year?
It may not be the money, Dane. Charlies always blamed me for his fathers death. Binky sighed. As if I ever had any control over Quint. Reckless, foolish boy. I thought having a son of his own would settle him, but sadly that was not to be.
Dane blew out a long breath. For Binky this wasnt only professional, it was personal. Damn. Who else knows about this?
I asked a friend for advice. Shes very savvy and gave me the name of a forensic accountant who can audit the accounts, if it comes to that.
Can you trust this friend of yours not to blab?
Of course. Sugar Jones and I have been dear, dear friends for years. Despite his low mood, Binky managed to leer convincingly.
Sugar Jones? Dane fought back a groan. Sugars mind was one giant business plan. She probably knew to the penny how much money Binky had stuffed into her garter over the years. Plus compounded interest.
You know her? Whoops, now Binky was getting territorial on him, like a miniature white poodle protecting a favorite squeak toy.
Dane held up his hands in a gesture of appeasement. Purely business. She models for my sisters lingerie company.
Lovely! Binky beamed, his face crinkling into a map of wrinkles. Friends again. Ill have to get her to model for me.
Dane figured modeling lingerie was more clothing than Sugar usually wore. Binky, what do you want me to do?
Welcome aboard, youre my new controller-in-training.
Danes jaw dropped. But you already have a controller. Do you think hes involved in the missing money?
Glenn? No, of course not. Hes wanted to retire for some time now but hasnt found a successor to his liking. Now he has.
Dane nodded. Glenn would do whatever Binky wanted. After all, Binky was still the boss.
Youre between consulting jobs, correct?
As usual, Binkys sources were accurate. I do have some downtime. But he planned on sleeping in for once in his life, seeing the sights of Chicago and getting laid. Not necessarily in that order.
A pretty brunette swiveled by, her legs going for miles and her long hair playing peekaboo with her firm brown nipples. She caught Danes eye and tossed her hair back to reveal a killer pair of high, round tits.
Binky nudged him and passed him a fifty. On me, dear boy.
Dane demurred but Binky insisted, and Dane found himself offering the bill to the stripper, who wiggled her hips to sit on her high heels. He slipped the money into her garter, his finger skimming across her firm thigh. She ran her tongue around her lips and blew him a sultry air kiss. Later, she mouthed and moved off when no more tips were forthcoming.
I think she likes you! Binky crowed.
Dane rolled his eyes. Of course she liked him, or rather liked Binkys money. He shifted uneasily on the chair and adjusted his pants. Dammit, the naked girls were finally starting to get to him.
He gave the brunette strippers ass one last wistful gaze and turned to Binky. He owed the older man a great deal, and now was the time to pay him back. Maybe it would be a quick task to find the thief and then Dane could get to his personal business. Okay, Binky. Tell me everything you know and how to get in touch with Sugars friend.
Binkys shoulders slumped with relief and his brown eyes misted over. Thank you.
Dane sighed and flipped open his BlackBerry. You might not thank me if it turns out to be Charlie.
Binky shook his head firmly, the fun-loving rou replaced by the hard-nosed businessman. No one steals from Bingham Brothers and gets away with it. Especially not a Bingham.
KEELEY ANSWERED her ringing phone. Good thing Sugar hadnt convinced her to play hooky after treating her to lunch at the bistro around the corner. Hello?
Keeley Davis, please.
Speaking. But just barely. The deep masculine voice on the other end of the phone was making her speech processes a bit fuzzy.
My name is Dane Weiss, and some mutual friends suggested we get in contact.
Ah, yes, Binkys lieutenant. Geez, he was making it sound like a blind date setup. Although if he looked as good as he soundedback to the cloak-and-dagger stuff. How sweet of them. She leaned heavily on the word sweet to see if he was quick enough to understand.
Sweet as Sugar, if you can afford it.
She smiled at his dry tone. Hed probably met Sugar before, especially if he was a personal friend of Binkys. And you cant afford it?
There are certain things a man doesnt need to pay for.
Keeley sat back in her chair and fanned her face. How true. She was about ready to give it up for this guy and shed only been talking to him for thirty seconds. For the sake of her now-staid, CPA self, she hoped he was married, twice her age or gay. Or bald. No, bald would be fine as long as he kept talking. Well, somebody needed to keep talking. She realized their conversation had tapered off into a long, awkward pause while shed been panting over him.
He seemed to realize the sensual bent of his words and hastened onward. Id like to meet with you to discuss this project. Where would be good for you?
She could think of several places where Dane Weiss might be good for her but shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind. Youre more than welcome to come to my office.
Id rather we met in a social setting. This is quite sensitive material and I dont want to be seen visiting an accountants office.
Sure, I understand. Lets meet at the coffee shop a few blocks from my office. She gave him directions to her favorite place.
Sounds great. How about three oclock?
Today? It was already past one.
Definitely. I want to meet you as soon as possible.
Woof. Down, girl. All right, three oclock. How will I know you? Now it really sounded like a blind date.
I have a white shirt and red tie on today.
Yawn. So did every other businessman in the city. What, no rose in your lapel? Oops, her smart mouth went off again.
No, Ill have it between my teeth. His deadpan comeback startled her into laughter. How will I know you?
I have brown hair in a bun, a brown suit and glasses. Boy, that sounded boring. She frowned at her outfit. No time to go home and change. Oh, well. She was near the end of tax season and didnt have much clean laundry anyway.
Okay, Keeley. Ill see you at three.
See you, Dane. She hung up and drummed her nails on the desktop. No time for a manicure, either, noting her buffed natural fingertips.
Oh, well. It wasnt as if she needed stripper nails like Sugars anyway.
2
KEELEY PUSHED through the bakery door and dangled her wet umbrella over the mat. A spring squall had broken over the city after her intriguing phone conversation and had driven rain under her umbrella, spattering her glasses and pulling damp strands of hair loose to straggle along her cheeks.
She probably looked like something the cat dragged in, but after all, accountants didnt get paid for their hairdos, just what was under it.
The teenage girl behind the counter greeted her with a slight Polish accent. Yum, she loved Eastern European bakeries. None of that low-fat, high-fiber, no-taste nonsense.
Maybe one treat. Since she was sitting at her desk more and more, she had to be careful of her carb intake. Hmm, chocolate chip cookies, donuts, sweet rolls, apple crisps andooh, cherry tarts. With a delicious sense of irony, she ordered the tart and a skinny latte.
She put her change in the tip jar and carried her coffee and sweet to a table on the side wall, where she could watch the door without being in its direct line of sight. A tall potted plant blocked her a bit, but shed manage.
She placed a napkin on her lap and carefully bit into the tart, the flaky crust breaking apart on her tongue. The cherry filling was better than the usual canned pie filling, with vanilla and almond extracts mixed in. Delish. She really needed to treat herself more often. After all, a few extra minutesor hourson the elliptical trainer would take care of it.
Not quite three oclock. Keeleyd have time to finish her tart and get down to business with Binkys buddy, Dane. The bell over the glass door chimed, and she peeped though the leaves like Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, sizing up her prey.
Rowrrr. A big blond guy walked in, black trench coat dripping on the floor mat. He flipped his wet hair off his forehead and wiped his eyes. Keeley couldnt exactly tell at this distance, but she guessed they were probably blue. He had the total Nordic-god, lusty-viking-raider look going on, probably several inches taller than her own five foot eleven and three quarters.
He ordered a drink and took his change with a ring-free left hand, promptly dropping the coins into the tip jar. Not a cheapskate. Then he smiled at the girl behind the counter, and dimples popped up in his cheek. She blushed and stammered, and Keeley shifted in her seat. Come on, open that trench coat. She wanted to see if he had a gut like other big guys often did.
As if hed heard her mental begging, he undid his coat buttons. No way. No way. The trim blond hunk wearing a white shirt and red tie couldnt be Binky Binghams right-hand man. Shed imagined some older guy in his forties or fifties who just happened to have a voice as sexy and sinful as dark chocolate. This guy was some coffee junkie popping in for his afternoon fix.
As if hed felt her astonished stare, he turned to meet her eyes. Keeley froze, hunter becoming the prey as he stalked toward her through the coffee shop. For a big guy, he moved easily through the maze of tables with a loose-hipped stride.
He stopped next to her table and stared at her. His eyes were blue, after allcool blue like a spring sky. Is this seat taken?
As one final test, she raised an eyebrow. I dont know. Do you have a rose?
He grinned. Sorry to disappoint, but its impossible to drink coffee with a stem between my teeth.
Bingo. Dane Weiss? She stood and had the unusual sensation of looking well up into a mans face. A welcome change from having short guys staring into her cleavage. Keeley Davis.
Pleased to meet you. He set his coffee on the table and enfolded her hand in his own large one. Her fingers, almost always chilly, tingled as he warmed them. I hope you havent been waiting long.
Just long enough to get herself all hot and bothered. Not at all. It was nice to get out of the office for a break. I usually push myself pretty hard.
Me, too. He released her hand, and she missed his warmth. Mind if I sit?
Be my guest. She nodded at the seat across from her. He sat on the small wooden chair, testing his size on it first before settling all the way. It looked like a childs chair under him.
Cherry tart?
What do you mean? Sugar hadnt told Binky about her, had she? She promised she wouldnt.
He gestured at her pastry. I see you like cherry tarts.
Oh. Yes. No reason to get defensive. Theyre my favorites.
Mine, too. I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, and we have several cherry trees in the orchard. My mom makes the best cherry jam, pies, tarts, you name it.
I dont think Ive ever had fresh cherry pie. Shed mostly grown up on snack pies her mother had brought home from the convenience store.
You dont know what youre missing. The fruit explodes on your tongue, a bit tangy at first, but then mellowing into pure sweetness.
Keeley tried not to gape at him. My God, the man should be narrating erotica audiobooks. Cherries exploding into pure sweetness on his tongue? She really, really wanted to see that tongue in action. You sound like you miss it. Would you like some of mine? She pushed her plate toward him.
Oh, no, I couldnt eat your sweets on you.
Oh, yes, he could. Really, go ahead. Its a big tart. And so, apparently, was she. Old habits died hard.
He smiled at her the way hed smiled at the teenage counter girl. Friendliness, but nothing more. Just a small taste.
She didnt want friendliness. She wanted him to feel the same achy awareness that he was stirring in her. And during tax season, of all times. Take as much as you want. Big men like you have big appetites.
He gave a quick blink at that statement, but broke off half the tart and took a bite with white teeth that had obviously received above and beyond the recommended daily allowance of dairy products. Mmmm, not as good as Moms, but still delicious.
Isnt it? She swirled her finger through the cherry filling and slowly sucked it clean. He sipped his coffee, the only hint of interest a slight flaring of his nostrils.
Good grief, the only way she could be any more obvious was if she unbuttoned her boring, off-white blouse and flashed him her rack. But she did admire self-control. Such a rare quality in a man.
DANE DRANK his coffee, hoping his rain-dampened hair would mask the fact that hed started sweating at the sight of Keeley sucking cherry filling off her finger. So about the project.
Yes. She flipped open her leather-bound notepad, all business now. Tell me whats going on.
He quietly filled her in on Binkys suspicions of his grandson and she nodded as she took notes. I see, she began. The subject of your investigation is the chief financial officer who has access to pretty much every account in the company, but other people obviously have access as well.
Yeah, thats right.
And you? Do you have access to those accounts? She gave him a hard stare. Any girlfriends who work there and have access to those accounts?
He grinned. She was no fool. But if he were the thief, he would never hire a sharp cookie like her. No, no girlfriends who work there. Ive never worked there before and have had absolutely no access to any of their funds. I will as soon as I start as acting controller, but if you take the job youll be able to look over my shoulder and keep me on the straight and narrow.
I was wondering how you were going to get me in. Or can you download the accounts for me to look at off-site?
No, youll have to do the audit on-site. It might tip the thief off if I come on board as controller-in-training and start taking specific account information home right away.
So Ill come in after hours and audit?
Not exactly. Dane took a deep breath. Binky suggested you work at the company as my executive assistant.
She looked as if shed swallowed a cherry pit. You want me to be your secretary?
My executive assistant, he corrected, knowing semantics were futile.
Ha. Big difference. She crumpled her napkin and tossed it on the table.
Not good. If she turned him down, hed have to find another reputable accountant, delaying Binkys peace of mind even further. The audit is your first priority. Believe me, Im not going to send daily memos or write the companys annual report.
That would be fun. Dear esteemed clients of Bingham Brothers, please disregard any minor discrepancies in your holdings. We are working diligently to discover which of our trusted executives has his or her hand in the till. Sincerely, the management.
He laughed. Sure, it was an awful situation, but her humor helped lighten things.
Keeleys regretful expression was obvious. Id really like to help you, but I dont think it would work. Ive met Charlie Bingham several times at financial networking events. I doubt hed recognize me immediately, but he would if I spent all day in his office for several weeks.
Damn. Dane frowned. He hadnt considered that. Leaning back in his chair to give the situation some thought, he immediately straightened when one of the legs creaked ominously. Coffeehouse chairs were either made for skinny city guys who subsisted on caffeine alone or women like the one sitting across from him.
Hmm. Under that bulky brown jacket, her tucked-in white blouse revealed a slender waist and her long skirt showed some firm calves, if not her thighs.
She cleared her throat and his gaze flew to her face. Instead of the demure blush he expected at his less-than-subtle examination, she merely looked sardonic. Did you get a good look?
Not hardly, but he wasnt going to say that. Dont take this the wrong way
Oh, I love it when men start a sentence with that disclaimer.
Okay, okay. He backed off. What I was going to ask, have you usually worn outfits like that when you met Charlie Bingham?
No, he took me to prom. Of course, hes seen my work clothes. She peered over her glasses at him as if he were an idiot, but he forged onward.
What if you had different clothes?
What?
Not accountant clothesyounger, lighter outfits.
Morerevealing? Her voice dipped into the husky range. She brushed her fingers over her blouses top button and unfastened it. She crossed her legs under the glass-topped table and hiked her skirt to her knee. Shed uncovered maybe three inches of skin in total, but Dane still found it arousing. She leaned forward, her attention totally on him. Dane, do you want me to play dress-up for you?
More like a makeover, he managed to say, wondering where the sex-kitten persona had come from.
Just as quick as he wondered, she switched back to frowning CPA. A makeover? Who do you think you are? Pygmalion? Professor Henry Higgins? The guys from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?
Hey! I meant disguise, not makeover.
Uh-huh.
You know, like wearing contacts instead of glasses, maybe letting your hair down, wearing less brown His voice trailed off into a silent sigh. Hed handled this situation with all the finesse of the farm-fresh hayseed he used to beor even worse, his dads bull Caesar. Look, Im sorry. I understand if you dont want to take this job after this awkward beginning, but if you do want it, its yours, disguise or no.
Her eyebrows pulled together. You dont know me, and youre trusting me with such a big project.
I did check you out.
You did? And what did you find?
I verified your credentials, lack of criminal record, the basics.
Ah. She nodded, relaxing the tiniest bit.
Had he missed something? His P.I. had done a routine check on her. Then he looked at her calm expression and decided to drop it. Maybe shed gotten into trouble as a teenager, records he didnt have access to. Unless shed done juvie time for embezzlement, he didnt really care. And Sugars recommendation carries a lot of weight. That woman is a walking financial calculator.
Instead of reassuring her, she frowned again. How do you know Sugar?
Ah, she was probably wondering if he was one of Sugars lap-dance clients. Not from her work, at least not directly. She models for my sister Bridgets lingerie line.
She grinned. Oh, yes. Bras by Brigitte.
Yeah. Thats it. Silly fake-French marketing ploy, but sales were taking off.
Ill have to look for some of her designs when Im shopping. For my makeover.
It took him a second. You mean youll do it? Thats great!
She raised a slim hand. Dont get all excited yet. Binky Bingham is going to pay me big-time.
Hey, he wouldnt expect anything less. Binky was used to paying women lots of money.
Her next words proved she knew Binkys habits as well. I dont accept cash, especially tightly rolled fifties. He can write me checks at the beginning, middle and end of the audit, with additional billing if I get involved in legal proceedings.
And hell pay for any clothing you may need to do the job.
She raised an eyebrow. A clothing allowance? Maybe I will get one of your sisters pricey bras. Sugar says theyre so comfortable, you practically feel naked.
A naked Keeley? Images of Keeley undressed like the brunette stripper from Friskys tumbled around his head. He never mixed business with pleasure, and Binkys business was important. Dane didnt need to ask himself what was wronghe already knew.
Dane? Her questioning voice broke into his confusion. Here, take a napkin before your pants get stained.
What? He looked in horror at the paper napkin she offered him. Sure, she was turning him on, but he wasnt even close to staining anything.
With an exasperated sigh, she dropped the napkin on the table in front of him and soaked up a puddle of coffee. Your cup is leaking.
Oh. He didnt realize hed crumpled his paper cup while imagining her naked. He grabbed more napkins and mopped the mess. Lucky hed almost finished his coffee. So, Keeley. Tax season is almost over. When can you start working at Bingham Brothers?
April fifteen is next Wednesday. After that, I need a couple days off to shop and catch up on my sleep. Ive been getting by on four or five hours a night, and I want to spend all day in bed if I feel like it.
Boy, did he feel like spending all day in bed with her. He nodded brusquely. Will the following Monday work for you?
Monday, it is.
Good. Ill courier over a check for your advance and clothing allowance, and Ill expect you at 8:00 a.m. sharp at Bingham Brothers. Wear your new clothes.
She raised an eyebrow. Yes, sir, Mr. Weiss. Ill practice my shorthand over the weekend in case you want to give me your dictation.
Man, did she have to use that word? Not necessary. He passed her his business card. My cell numbers on the front. Call me with any questions.
I think I have an idea of what you need.
He sincerely hoped not.
She stood, shimmied her skirt to midcalf and picked up her raincoat. He rose and they shook hands again. Ill leave first. We dont want to be seen together.
Good idea. He felt foolish about the cloak-and-dagger stuff but that didnt keep him from admiring her ass as she strolled away. Her plain brown pumps had enough of a heel to add just the right amount of wiggle, and the watery sunlight lit the strands of caramel-colored hair that escaped from her bun. She paused before opening the door and looked over her shoulder to catch him staring. He gave a feeble little wave and her lips curved in a small smile.
Then she pushed out the door and disappeared among the busy pedestrian traffic.
Dane exhaled loudly. Had Keeley been trying to arouse him on purpose? If so, shed done a good job. Talking about his big appetites hadnt helped any, either. He did have big appetites, and not just for fine food, but for fine women.
But now he had the sneaking suspicion that he could eat a whole can of cherry filling off another womans naked body, and that wouldnt have the same impact on him as the sight of Keeleys pink tongue licking her finger clean. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
3
CONTROLLER-IN-TRAINING for Bingham Brothers? Danes best friend and future brother-in-law Adam Hale drank his dark Guinness beer and raised a black eyebrow.
Yep. Binky Bingham offered me the job a few days ago and I accepted. I moved my stuff into one of their corporate apartments until I find a permanent place. Or until the audit was finished and Dane could move on. He gestured to the bartender to bring him another bottle of W?lfbr?u, a Wisconsin beer brewed not too far from his parents farm. He was drinking the original brew because that was what the bar carried, but his favorite variety was Wolfies Honey Weiss, a honey-flavored pale ale.
Adam shook his head. I have to admit, I cant see you working permanently for any company, much less them. I thought Charlie Bingham tried to punch you once. Adam was a financial analyst for another big Chicago company and knew the local heavy hitters.
Yeah, the keyword is tried. Dane drank some beer and they both laughed. Charlie Bingham was a health club monkey, good for swinging off the bars but not much else. I was attending the same charity function as his grandfather and Charlie made a drunken crack about Binkys date.
Probably younger than Charlie, Adam commented. Still, not the thing to do to your family, especially in public.
He was upsetting Binky, so I said something to him and he took a swing at my jaw. He missed by a mile, so I pinned his arm behind his back and poured him into his limo to go sleep it off.
Gee, Dane, I can see why youd jump at the chance to work there. Sixty-hour weeks in some bland office, fossilized business practices and a chief financial officer wholl stab you in the back with his secretarys letter opener if you drop your guard. A real dream job compared to your last few months freelancing for that up-and-coming Asian firm. Adam rolled his eyes. Come on, whats up?
Dane munched on some peanuts and considered what to say to Adam, who was part of the same industry and not uninterested in such an eminent company. Family or no, Binkys confidentiality came first. Binky asked me to come aboard. Hes not getting any younger, you know.
Hes not, but his dates are! Adam caught Danes warning glance and grinned. Okay, okay. I know Binky took you under his wing when you were a broke MBA student.
I owe him a lot, and now its time to pay him back. His tone indicated it was a closed subject.
Okay, Dane. Adam reached for some pretzels and gazed at the baseball game on the TV. They were in a bar where the guys from the neighborhood stopped for a few brews before heading home. Despite Adams polished city-boy appearance, he came from a similar blue-collar background. Geez, would you look at that? The Brewers are losing to the Cubs again. Pathetic. He turned to Dane. Well, Binkys lucky to have someone like you at his side. Men in his position often dont have any allies without their own agendas. Youre a loyal man.
Loyal? Dane supposed he was, although hed never thought of it that way. Loyal, dependable Dane. Not the most exciting description, but it beat being a rude jerk like Charlie.
What kind of man did Keeley like? Over the past several days since their coffee meeting, hed caught himself looking forward to seeing her tomorrow morning. He hoped shed bought some outfits that showed off her body a bit more. If Charlie thought she was only working there because Dane was interested in her, Charlie would have even more reason to drop his guard.
As long as Dane didnt drop his. Problem was, he could instantly imagine Keeley taking his dictation naked and flat on her back on the conference table. Or maybe in the copier room against some paper cartons. Or sitting in a big leather office chair, her ankles draped over the arms.
He didnt know why he was so attracted to her, considering he usually went for women who were obviously sexy and not afraid to show it. Maybe it was those flashes of sex-kittenhood popping out from her buttoned-up accountant persona. And the way she swung her ass from side to side when she absolutely had to know he was watching her. He rubbed his hand across his face.
You okay? Adam nudged his elbow. Youre all red.
Am I? He knew he was, judging from the heat in his cheeks. Kind of warm in here.
If you say so. The bars air-conditioning was turned to frigid temperatures thanks to a mid-April heat wave. Fortunately, his friend let it drop. Bridget will be glad youre going to stay in Chicago for a while. You can help us plan the wedding.
Oh, goody, can I? Dane gave him a sidelong glance. It had taken some getting used to that his baby sister was living with and would be marrying Adam, Danes former bar buddy and champion chick-scoring wingman.
Adam cleared his throat. After all, we want you to be my best man. You and your brother, that is.
Colin and me? Are you sure you want me? After all, I did try to strangle you when I learned you were dating Bridget. More than just dating actually, but those events were better left unmentioned.
Hey, whats a little strangulation between brothers? Adam joked, but his dark eyes were serious.
Adam, ever since you and Colin were roommates at college, Ive always thought of you as a brother. Marrying Bridget just makes it official.
Adam swallowed hard and clapped him on the shoulder. Thanks, buddy.
No problem. Dane nodded and slapped him on the back in return. Okay, big emotional moment over. Maybe they could catch the end of the ball game.
You know, this engagement and marriage thing is pretty cool.
Dane gave a quiet sigh. Back to the emotional stuff. Yep.
I mean, after all these years of knowing you guys and knowing your sister and having it all come together so were all togetherits pretty cool. Adam grinned like a goofball.
Cool, he agreed. Cool, if incoherent. What inning was the ball game in, anyway?
Now that youre staying put for more than one week, maybe you can meet someone, too.
That got his attention. Geez, Adam. Dont go all squirrelly on me. Im glad for you two, but now is not the right time in my life to go looking for anyone. Adam would soon know that Danes time in Chicago would only be long enough to finish his investigation and move on. Dane already had some feelers out for his next consulting job.
Love comes when you least expect it, Adam intoned, the beige Guinness foam on his upper lip ruining the sentiment.
What are you, a greeting card poet? Dane shook his head. Adam had to be drunk to spout such sappy crap.
His friend smirked. Laugh if you want, but you know the old sayingthe bigger they are, the harder they fall. And you are one big guy.
That refers to being punched in the jaw, not falling in love.
Adam grinned and socked him in the shoulder. Take it from me. You wont be able to tell the difference.
WHAT SHOULD WE DRINK TO? Sugar hoisted her butterscotch-vanilla martini high in anticipation.
Keeley lifted her limoncello cocktail in response. To the end of tax season!
To the start of a new tax year with lots more money! Sugar slugged back her drink and Keeley followed suit, the tart liquor puckering her lips. Yum. The trendy bar they were drinking in made the coolest cocktails. Since it was Sunday night, the crowd was a bit lighter, but more casual than Friday or Saturday night. The weekend was basically over, so people were more relaxed and not trying so hard to hook up with each other.
Thanks for treating me to dinner and drinks, Keeley. Its fun to get dressed for a girls night out. I got stuck working Friday night and last night, so I could use a break before my Monday morning class.
Thanks for suggesting we come here, and youre welcome. Its the least I could do after you treated me to lunch last week. After getting Binkys first check, she had a bit of breathing room.
But that was lunch, not dinner and drinks. You must have had a great tax season. Or maybe Binkys gig panned out and youre doing his audit? Sugar swiped some butterscotch sauce off the rim of her martini glass and licked her finger.
Keeley hesitated, client confidentiality keeping her from spilling her guts.
Oh, come on, Keel. You know Binky tells me everything. She dug in her purse and held up her cell phone. I can call him to give you permission if that would make you feel better.
If you want to know that badly, go ahead.
Sugar pressed a couple buttons, and Binkys name popped up on her phone screen.
Hes on your speed dial? Keeley whispered.
Anyone with eight or nine zeroes in his bank account is on my speed dial, Sugar whispered. Hello, Binks, sweetie, how are you?
Binky was apparently fine and wanted to tell Sugar all about it. Keeley slugged back the rest of her limoncello while Sugar made appropriate cooing noises. That was the trouble with dancers seeing customers outside of the club. They got way too involved with each others personal lives, and things could get messy. On the other hand, Binkys fraternization with strippers had landed Keeley a job with him, so who was she to complain?
Binky, Im here with my good friend Keeley, but shes superprofessional and wont tell me a thing about your situation until you give her the green light. She listened and handed the phone to Keeley. He wants to talk to you.
Hello?
Binky Bingham, here. Please feel free to take Sugar into your confidence, my dear. She has one of the best business brains Ive run in to. In fact, on that unfortunate day when she steps down from her entertaining career, Ive told her she can have carte blanche of positions at Bingham Brothers.
Thank you, Mr. Bingham. I take my clients confidentiality very seriously
Of course you do. Could you ask Sugar when shes next scheduled to perform at Friskys?
Keeley rolled her eyes but did as he asked.
Wednesday. Ill be looking for you, Binky! she called into the phone.
Excellent. Goodbye, and good luck, Kelly. Binky hung up.
Close enough, as long as his check cleared.
So who is Binkys mysterious protg? Sugar leaned closer over her glass.
You know himDane Weiss. I start working with him at Bingham Brothers tomorrow.
My, oh, my, Bridgets brother! Sugar whistled. And how is the very virile viking these days?
Keeley wondered if Sugar had ever been close to Danes virility. You know him well, then?
Ive met him a few times at Bridgets functions, but never outside that. She giggled and wiggled her perfectly groomed eyebrows. Dont worry, sweetie. Hes not a regular of mine. In fact, he thinks Im a bad influence on his sweet little sis. She came to Chicago fresh from the family farm and fell in to designing stripper outfits for rent money. Of course, thats how she got her big break, but thats neither here nor there to him. He disapproves of the whole business.
Dane doesnt like strippers and hes a friend of Binkys? Keeley asked skeptically. Binky does enough business at Friskys to list their address on his tax return.
Yeah, considering how much money he spends there, Tony the manager would offer Binky a lap dance himself to keep him happy.
Keeley shuddered at the idea of short, fat Tony gyrating above Binky in his shiny gray suit and open-neck black shirt, his gold chains glittering. I need another drink to get that picture out of my mind.
Sugar hailed the waiter, who practically vaulted over three tables to get to her. He took their reorder and galloped back with their drinks.
Keeley took a sip of her limoncello cocktail. She loved the fresh lemon liqueur, a grown-up version of the el cheapo powdered lemonade she and her sister drank on hot summer days when they were kids. Lacey used to set up elaborate lemonade stands for the neighborhood kids while Keeley kept a protective eye on her. At least the lemonade stand had never been robbed, unlike the convenience store where their mom worked.
Dane Weiss had grown up on a dairy farm. She bet he never had to worry if his dad was going to come home from the barn or if a cow would pull a pistol on him.
That was a pretty heavy sigh, Keel. Sugar, an expert at reading peoples moods, eyed her over her martini rim. Dont worry about this gig with Dane. Hes a real straight shooter.
Keeley shook her head. If hes such a straight shooter, I dont know how this will all turn out. She leaned over the table. Im going in undercover as his secretary.
Undercover or under the covers with Dane? Sugar whooped.
Ha, ha. Although she had definitely considered the second possibility. Dane was so big, so strong and handsomeShe drank most of her limoncello to try to cool off.
If you dont want him, Ill give him another try. Maybe he likes blondes.
Hands off, honey, Keeley snapped without thinking.
Sugar giggled. Well, well. I havent heard that tone of voice from you in a long time.
Just slipped out, she mumbled. And she couldnt even blame the cocktails, since it was only her second.
Keeley, darling, please put yourself first for once. Ever since weve known each other, youve been all work and no play. Helping your sister, putting yourself through school and finally taking that dreadful CPA examhow many hours was it?
Fifteen long, torturous hours sitting in front of a computer terminal.
Ugh. Sugar shuddered. And I thought my MBA classes were bad. So when was the last time you got any?
Any what? Sleep? Sugar was right. She had been going nonstop for months.
You know what.
Oh, that. Thats been kind of low on my priority list lately.
Well, rewrite your priority list with that at the top. You could do worse than Dane Weiss to have some fun with. Hes single, handsome and really strong from that clean, dairy-farm upbringing. Hes built like a bull.
And probably hung like one, too, Keeley answered without thinking. Shed seen a bit of a wiggle under his zipper during her double entendres at the bakery.
There you go! Sugar patted her hand. Thank goodness, a sign of life after all.
I dont know, Sugar. Ill be working with him for several weeks and it could be awkward bringing sex into the equation.
Nonsense. Itll add to the spice. Fear of discovery is a major turn-on for men. You know that.
Keeley did know that. Could she put herself first for once? And would Dane even be receptive to her? I dont know. Maybe he wont be interested in me. Maybe Ive lost my touch.
Puh-leeze! Once youve got it, you never lose it. Ditch those boring brown dust rags you call clothes and lighten up. Just because youre an accountant doesnt mean you have to dress like a manila file folder.
Thats what Dane said. In fact, Binkys paying me a clothing allowance to disguise myself so Charlie wont recognize me from previous networking events.
Clothing allowance? Sugar straightened. How much?
A bundle. But I havent had time to spend it since I got stuck filing a bunch of tax extensions this weekend. I do have enough old outfits to get me through a few days at Bingham Brothers.
Your old outfits? Sugar raised her eyebrow.
I still fit in them, you know. Geez, it wasnt as if shed porked up.
Not exactly office wear.
I know that. Nobody will suspect the newest bimbo secretary of auditing the accounts, and besides, Dane told me to wear more revealing clothing. He had no idea what he was in for tomorrow.
Danes the boss. I know youll knock his socks off.
Keeley drained her glass. Maybe Ill knock his pants off instead.
KEELEY UNLOCKED the door to her second-floor walk-up apartment and hung her waist-length brown leather jacket on a hook in the narrow foyer. She walked into the small kitchen with its metal 1950s cabinets and tossed her keys on the gold-speckled Formica counter.
Her vintage 1905 greystone was one of the few buildings left untouched by the renovation bug sweeping through the Ukrainian Village neighborhood. Her landlady lived downstairs and had successfully resisted her sons attempts to move her into an assisted living home and sell out to a rehabber. Of course, once everything was overdeveloped, Ukrainian Village would lose the qualities that made it a fun place to livereasonable rents, decent parking and a laid-back, yet hip atmosphere.
Keeley grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed into the bedroom to decide what on earth to wear on her first day as an undercover bimbo.
She opened the tiny closet and reached past the white-and-cream high-neck blouses, brown, black and gray suits, and the sensible neutral pumps and subdued silk scarves, to the clothes she never wore anymore, but hadnt been able to let go of.
She pulled out skintight sleeveless tops in fuchsia, red and lime-green, skirts so short they were illegal in certain jurisdictions and the literal kicker, four-inch high stilettos and platform heels in black, white and clear plastic Lucite.
If bimbos ever got together and wrote a dress code, she could comply perfectly. She stripped off her khaki pants and cream-colored blouse and exchanged them for a low-cut white top, black miniskirt and black open-toed heels with rhinestone ankle straps.
She took a few experimental steps across her bedroom, her old sashay falling into place. The heels were higher than she was used to, but the rhinestones still sparkled nicely, if not as much as they had under the stage lights.
She stopped in front of the mirror. Something was out of place. The clothes were okay, her bod still fairly decent, but it was the hair. Too brunette.
She reached up to the top shelfeasy to do in her platformsand picked a round white box. Blowing the dust off, she set it on her bed and studied her emphatic hot-pink printing on the top. Property of Cherry Tarte!!! She shook her head at the juvenile writing. At least she hadnt drawn hearts to dot the exclamation points.
She removed the lid and lifted out her absolutely favorite red-haired wig, its luxuriant waves cascading over her hands. Brenda Starr-red. Rita Hayworth-red. Ann-Margret-red. And of course, stripper-red.
Pulling the wig on, she tucked her hair under it and stared at her reflection. Hello again, Cherry, she said to herself. Bet you thought youd never come out of retirement.
For it had been the infamous Cherry Tarte, Keeleys alter ego, who had paid for her accounting degree by baring it all for the boys at the Love Shack. It was ironic, to say the least, that shed use Cherrys persona for what could be the biggest accounting job of her career.
And it was all thanks to Dane Weiss and his need for a bimbo forensic accountant. She couldnt wait to see his face when his new executive assistant started work tomorrow morning all tarted up. Or rather, Cherry-Tarted.
4
RUNNING LATE WAS not the way Dane wanted to start his pseudocareer at Bingham Brothers, but hed stayed awake late going over the background materials from Binky. Probably a whole lotta nothing, but he always needed to know about the major players before he walked into a new place.
Dane paid the cabbie in front of the LaSalle Street skyscraper that housed Bingham Brothers and punched the elevator button to take him to the offices on the upper floors.
It was a long elevator ride, and he yawned, partly to pop his ears and partly because he needed to. Even after he went to bed, hed dreamed of the brunette stripper from Friskys. Not particularly unusual for a guy whod been celibate for a few months, but the part that had really woken him up sweating and hard was when she turned to face him. It had been Keeley Davis looking at him with a sexy, come-hither look.
And he was the guy who had asked her to dress sexier for the office? Granted, it was to fool Charlie Bingham, but Dane was the one who would be working with her fifty or sixty hours a week.
The elevator doors opened and he stepped into the cool gray lobby of Bingham Brothers and approached the middle-aged receptionist with her apricot helmet of hair. No teenage, nail-filing receptionists for them. This lady had probably been the companys telephone operator since the age of plug-in switchboards.
May I help you, sir?
Dane introduced himself and quickly found himself in possession of a photo ID badge and directions to his new office. She showed him how to swipe himself in through the security system and, presumably, the time clock as well.
He thanked her and passed into the offices, threading through several columns of cubicles and pushing through the door marked with his name. He stopped in surprise.
A mob of guys stood around the desk where, he surmised, Keeley sat. Judging by the way their backs were to him, he guessed they werent waiting to greet him with a rounding chorus of For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow. Unless she was running the office betting pool, Dane would gamble that they were all chatting her up.
Good morning. His loud tone cut through the noise. The men jumped away guiltily, parting like the Red Sea to reveal a redhead. And what a redhead she washer long, glorious waves falling over her shoulders and her breasts, brushing the edges of some Grand Canyon-deep cleavage flashing from a tight, white blouse.
Where was Keeley?
Good morning, Mr. Weiss, the redhead purred.
Oh, dear God, it was Keeley. Shed made her hazel eyes look wider and greener, her coy brushing of eyelashes dark on her cheek. She even had a little Cindy Crawford mole near the corner of her mouth. Real or drawn on, he didnt care. It was a point on a map, leading the way to her full, red lips.
She smiled at the men flanking her. Sorry, boys, playtimes over. Looks like the boss is here.
Her husky tones rolled over the male crowd, pulling them further into her spell. He had to clear his throat and glare pointedly at the outer door. They straggled out, some giving him nasty looks, some gazing longingly at her. He was sure to be one popular guy at Bingham Brothers.
He grabbed Keeleys elbow and steered her into his inner office. Holy cow, where was the rest of her skirt? She had to have at least twelve inches of visible thigh. Her black micro-micro mini barely covered her ass when she was standing. If he started at her knee and stroked upward on those firm, toned thighs, he could slip his hand under that skirt with room to spare.
Good morning, Mr. Weiss. Im your new assistant, Cherry, she singsonged. How do you take your coffee?
Ice-cold and down his pants, thats how. What the hell is this getup?
Exactly what you asked foryounger and lighter. Nonaccountant clothes.
He sat on the edge of his desk, flabbergasted. Yeah, hed asked for it, all right. But what had he gotten? Youre so far from accountancy, youre not even the same species. Where on earth did you get that outfit?
A little something I had in the back of my closet.
Yeah, right. Whered you go shopping, the stripper store?
You mean the store where your sister gets her design ideas? Her tone was syrupy sweet.
He rubbed his jaw. She had him there. Okay. But attracting attention wasnt what I had in mind. He lowered his voice and leaned over to her. How are you supposed to conduct a covert audit when nobody can take his eyes off you?
Thats the plan. She gave him a sly smile. Its like a magicians sleight of hand. You distract the audience with flashy stuff on top while the serious business goes on below.
Flashy stuff on top? His gaze was drawn to the low-cut vee of her blouse. Her cleavage had some kind of gold glitter lotion highlighting the full curves of her breasts. The lotion was perfumed, too, as he greedily inhaled her warm, sexy scent.
The base of her throat moved as she swallowed hard. Dane? She snapped her fingers in front of his line of sight and pointed to her face. Up here.
He grudgingly looked up and eased away from her. Sorry about that. Your plan worked too well on me.
Yeah, well, youre a man, arent you?
Her deprecating tone rubbed him raw. Some men, like me, for example, can think of other things besides flashy stuff on top. He could, couldnt he?
Funny, Sugar didnt mention you were gay. Not that theres anything wrong with that. She gave him a sympathetic look.
He was speechless for several seconds. Gay? She thought he might be gay? Then he saw the corners of her full red lips pull into a tiny smirk. Ah, playing games with him. Well, he could play, too. No, Im not gay. I just go for a different type of woman. No offense to you, of course.
None taken. Her smirk disappeared as quickly as her clothing in his imagination. So what type do you go for? she asked.
Um He couldnt very well tell her the truth, which was that he liked tall, leggy brunettes. And tall, leggy redheads. Petite blondes. That would get her good. According to his sister, tall brunettes always hated short blondes, especially when short blondes took all the tall guys. And he was tall.
She curled her lip delicately. And you dont get a crick in your neck bending over those petite blondes?
He shrugged. Not everything is done standing. But anyway, time to get to work, Cherry. See if you cant find a pad of paper so we can make some notes.
Keeley didnt quite stomp off to her desk, but her gait was definitely stiff. He eased into his chair so she couldnt see how her tight ass in the tiny skirt was making him stiff, too.
PETITE BLONDES, my ass. Keeley yanked open her desk drawer and found a yellow legal pad. Not everything is done standing. That big ox would squash one like a blond bug. She hoped he stayed awake long enough after sex to let the girl roll clear. She bet Dane liked being on top. Bossy guys often did, until they were shown the advantages of being on bottom.
Her nipples tightened under her thin white top and her black thong was becoming suspiciously moist. Hmm. Maybe thinking about how Dane liked to have sex wasnt the best way to spend her first morning at the office.
And he was waiting for her. She grabbed a felt-tip pen so as not to leave indentations in the paper below. The old trick of rubbing pencil over the pressed-in marks still worked, and she didnt trust anyone here.
She closed the drawer, but before she could return to the office, trouble arrived in a two-thousand-dollar suit.
And you are? Charlie Bingham raised a black brow.
Good morning to you, too, creep. I am Cherry Shoot, shed forgotten to think of a last name for her alias. Shed never needed one before. Cherry Smith.
Cherry? Howinteresting. His tone implied that Cherry was the goofiest name ever. As if he hadnt lost his virginity to some snooty broad named Buffy, Muffy or Trixie. And you actually work here? At Bingham Brothers?
Yes, indeed. Im the executive assistant to the new controller-in-training.
Dane Weiss. He said that with the same lip curl as someone would say dog doo.
Dane moved next to her, his presence an instant comfort. How long had it been since anyone had backed her up? Good morning, Charlie. I see youve met my executive assistant, Cherry.
Binkys grandson gave her an insolent once-over. Rude little shit. She took a great deal of pleasure in looking down at him from her towering Lucite high heels.
Why am I not surprised, Weiss? Trust you to find the flashiest assistant possible. He laid on the word assistant with a snotty tone.
Keeley fought the urge to roll her eyes since shed heard it all before, and from nastier specimens than him, but what was interesting was Danes reaction. A flush roiled up his neck and onto his face, the tips of his ears reddening. Was he embarrassed?
Then she saw his clenching fists. Nope, angry. Really angry.
This young lady is my executive assistant. You may call her Miss, uh
Smith, Keeley supplied.
Or better yet, dont call her anything at all. If you have something to say, you tell me, instead of bothering her with your bad attitude, Charlie.
Keeleys eyes widened so fast her fake eyelashes popped loose at the edges. Dane was defending flashy, trashy Cherry. How sweet.
Dont call me Charlie! The dark-haired man was turning a matching shade of red. My name is Charles Andrew Bingham the Sixth, and you call me Mr. Bingham, dammit!
Mr. Bingham is your grandfather, Charles Andrew the Sixth. Maybe Ill call you Chuck.
Keeley smothered a grin at the outraged expression on Charlies face. Chuck was even worse than Charlie.
Im on to you, Weiss, he said, hissing Danes last name. You think you can waltz in here and con my senile coot of a grandfather, but you cant fool me. Youre up to something, and Ill keep my eyes on you until I find out exactly what. He shot his fancy French cuffs and strode out of the office.
Keeley laughed. Way to fly under the radar, Dane. I thought for a second the two of you were going to have a real honest pissing contest here in the office.
Dane spun back to her, the blood sinking from his face and returning it to his normal color. Weve had words before.
No! She pressed her hand to her bosom in mock surprise. And here I thought you had a special gift for making friends and influencing people. Or didnt they teach you that in business school?
He motioned her into his office and closed the door. Chuckles was rude to his grandpa and his grandpas lady friend. I gave him a brushup on the rules of etiquette.
Probably Binkys date was Sugar or one of her friends. Good grief. How many stitches did he need?
None.
X-rays?
None.
Clean pairs of underwear once he got home?
Dane burst out laughing. None. Really, he took a poke at me and I shoved him into a limo.
Too bad. Im sure he must have deserved a butt-kicking at various points in his life.
Sorry. He extended his palms upward. Hes still Binkys grandson.
And our only suspect at this point, she murmured.
Yep. Dane quirked a corner of his mouth. Yikes, the mans dimples were lethal.
She brandished her felt-tip pen. Despite your reservations, my disguise worked. Theres no way Charlies going to think Im anyone but some bimbo secretary youre boffing.
True. Youre no bimbo secretary.
Keeley waited for him to respond to the part about boffing, but he just gave her a slow, lazy smile. Lets get to work, shall we? Well leave the boffing discussion for another time.
DANE WEISSS office, may I help you? Keeley stuck out her tongue at the sultry female voice on the other end requesting a lunch meeting with Dane. It was yet one more female upper-management type panting after him. Over the past week, Dane had enough lunch invitations to eat seven times a day.
Im sorry, Mr. Weiss is tied up with meetings the rest of the week. She had no idea whether or not he was, but there was no way he was going for three-hour lunches while she was stuck in the office.
She and Dane had been in Bingham Brothers orientation for several days with no access at all to the accounts. If she had to sit through another PowerPoint presentation on company culture, shed throw one of her lethal shoes straight through the projection screen.
When she hadnt been pinching herself to keep awake, shed surfed the companys intranet to familiarize herself with the antiquated accounting systems, policies and procedures.
Who was that? Dane leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest. Today he had on a navy-blue shirt that really brought out his eyes.
She hadnt bothered to note the womans name and had forgotten it as soon as the receiver clicked. Shell call back if its important.
He laughed. Suzanne in accounting and Barbara in human resources each told me they wanted to have a lunch meeting with me when my schedule cleared. I didnt know my schedule was that full.
Thats why Im here, Mr. Weiss, so you dont need to worry your important self about your schedule. She threw back her shoulders in her low-cut black blouse and shook her fake red mane.
He closed the outer office door. Some people might think youre trying to keep me all for yourself.
Was she? Despite her big talk to Sugar, Keeleyd had reservations about getting involved sexually with Dane Weiss while she was working for him. Maybe her disobedient subconscious was butting in again. And some people, like me, want to get started with other important projects. Some people are tired of getting air-conditioning drafts blown up their office-inappropriate clothing.
He shook his head and smiled. I hope your clothing allowance is enough to hold you over.
Like I told you, I got these from the back of my closet.
Right, right. He winked, obviously not believing her. Well, if you need more shopping money, let me know.
Im good, thanks. She probably had another six or eight outfits she hadnt worn yet. Hope you like lime-green and fuchsia.
Together? He looked confused.
Hardly. Im dressing a bit flashy, not like a circus clown.
The sacrifices we make for our careers. And heres another one. Now that Glenn, the current controller, feels Im up to speed, Ive been cleared to have account access. Were going to have some late evenings this week, starting tonight.
Working late with Dane? A little shiver ran through her. Here at the office?
Yep. We need to start with your bean-counting magic.
What if I have a hot date tonight? She didnt, but wanted to keep him on his toes.
I wouldnt be surprised, considering the way you look. He leaned down. I knew youd be a distraction the second I saw you sitting behind this desk.
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