The Executive's Decision
Page 5

“I’m sure I’ll see you again.” He turned and walked away with the blanket tucked beneath his arm.
Regan stood still for a moment and watched him. It seemed as though he was leaving in a hurry. She wondered who had been on the other end of his phone call that would be waiting for him tonight, and guilt weighted her innocent lunch in her belly.
Tears began to burn her eyes as she wondered if she’d been betrayed again. Was there a wife innocently calling her husband and there he sat with a woman he’d only met? No, he was
a nice, honest man, she told herself. Nothing had happened. It was lunch. The flowers were generous, and she’d set them on her desk as a gift for her first day at a new job.
Regan started toward the building that housed the offices of Benson, Benson and Hart. Perhaps her new acquaintance simply had a meeting to rush off to and everything was okay.
Then again, he’d interrupted her before she get his name and she’d forgotten to ask again.
Chapter two
Then Regan returned to the office after lunch, Mary Ellen’s fingers were flying at the keyboard. “How was your lunch?” she asked without diverting her eyes from the letter at her side.
“It was very nice.” She placed her hand on her stomach, feeling the discomfort that had surfaced. It wasn’t so much the food as the phone call and her date’s speedy departure.
“Just nice?” Finally, she looked up. “I thought maybe there would be dinner plans?”
“No.” She shook her head fiercely. “No dinner plans.”
“Let me finish this up.” Mary Ellen sent the document to the printer. She stood with her hands on her back and let out a long, uncomfortable sigh. “He brought you daisies?” she asked, but her manner was more of concern than delight.
“Yes.” Regan smiled, looking down at the bouquet in her arms. But when she looked back up, Mary Ellen’s jaw had set and there was a pulse throbbing in her neck.
“Nice.” She shook her head and pulled the letters from the printer. The daisies had set her off, and Regan hoped it was a hormonal reaction. Mary Ellen showed her the papers. “Changes in the conference call.” She noted the letter. “I just have to put these on his desk.”
“Let me. You should sit. You don’t look very comfortable.” Regan took the letter from her and headed back to the office.
The door was open, and Regan strolled in and laid the letter on the desk, atop the unread newspapers. She turned quickly to leave, still not comfortable in the space.
A man was sitting on the leather couch, his feet propped up, and an enormous grin on his face.
She screamed, recognized him, and muffled the sound with her hands. He was stalking her. The last time a man appeared out of nowhere, he’d beaten her nearly to death. Now here was this stranger who had never introduced himself, and she was paralyzed.
“God, what in the world?” Mary Ellen ran through the door as quickly as she could. “You’re not supposed to sneak up on us like that. That’s the rule. That’s your rule.” Then she reached for her stomach, and that brought him to his feet.
“Mary Ellen, I’m sorry. Sit down.” He took her by the arm and helped her to the couch.
“Well, I guess you’ve met the elusive Mr. Benson,” she said, wincing as she rubbed her stomach.
Zachary looked up at Regan and smiled. “Yes, we’ve met.”
“You!” It was all she seemed to be able to blurt out. “You!”
“I knew I recognized those daisies.” Mary Ellen struggled to get comfortable on the couch. “I assume this is your handsome mystery date?” She nodded in his direction.
He laughed. “Please, handsome? She said you thought I was a hottie.”
“You told him that?” Mary Ellen looked at Regan.
Regan stood with her mouth open. Her professional demeanor had taken a nosedive. “Well yes, but I didn’t know…”
“Really, you think I’m a hottie?” He looked back at Mary Ellen, who rubbed the side of her stomach.
“Get over yourself.” She laughed as she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.
Regan watched the banter. She’d seen it before, been part of it even. It was like the relationship she had with her brothers and her sister.
The two of them continued. She knew they weren’t related, but they had obviously been together long enough that there was a line between professionalism and friendliness, and it could be crossed at any time.
When silence fell between them, they both looked at her. She was still stunned into paralysis. The handsome stranger from the bus sat before her. He was her boss. He was a multi-millionaire. He was a liar.
She turned to leave the office, but he stood and reached for her arm. “Regan, please don’t be angry.”
His hand held hers, but his fingers didn’t hurt her. He wanted her attention, but he wasn’t causing her pain. She relaxed, but only slightly. “Angry? Do I look angry?”
“Yes, you do.” There was that handsome smile on his lips, and it infuriated her.
“I think I need to get my things and go.” She tried to move from him, but he blocked her way.
“It was just a misunderstanding.” His eyes were soft, and so was his voice.
She wanted to believe that he was a good man, but she couldn’t trust her judgment. She had leave. It was best to forget the job and the new beginning and just leave.
“Misunderstanding? You lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie.” He took a step back, a big concession for a man with such power. “I just didn’t tell you who I was when you confided in me who you were.” He let out a breath. “Okay, when I say it that way, it does sound pretty lousy.”
“Why were you riding a bus? Saving money?”
“How about the environment? One less car…” he offered.
“Great. I feel so much better.” She walked past him and out of the office.
She had already put on her coat and pulled the few items from her locker when Zachary Benson found her. The talking in the break room died down to a murmur the moment he walked through the door.
“Could we talk before you walk out?” He kept his voice low and leaned against the locker next to hers.
“I don’t think so.”
“Regan, I’m sorry. I should have told you who I was on the bus. Mary Ellen picked you just for me, and I need you.” Regan held up a finger to stop him, but he continued. “Professionally, that is.”