Eclipse of the Heart

Chapter 1

"No matter what he says, his thoughts will revolve around stripping you naked and bending you over his desk," Jessie said.

Amanda Thompson smiled as she remembered the silly words her roommate had teased her with this morning at breakfast. Perhaps they were effective at reducing her tension a bit.

But when she stepped out of the elevator into the spacious, elegantly appointed waiting room that guarded her potential boss's inner sanctum, she felt her insecurities rushing back. This job was too important. She simply had to get it. Her sister's life was at stake.

Two women stood at a mahogany reception desk with their backs to her. Money bought silence and Amanda's sensible black pumps made no sound on the thick gray carpet. She could tell the two women chatting with their heads together did not hear her approach, but she had no desire to eavesdrop.

They'd turn around when she got closer.

The shorter one, a redhead, held a hand to her mouth, which partially obscured her words. "…interview today…new mistress…check her out…"

The leggy blonde had no qualms about being overheard. "I want that job," she announced, tossing her long hair down her back. "Nothing to do but shag him for good money. Can't you just send me in and pretend I'm the candidate?"

"No way." Red dropped her hand and shook her curly head. "The applicants come from some agency."

"Pooh! He'd never know the difference."

"He knows everything," Red said darkly. "You try workin' for him."

"That's exactly what I want—"

Amanda cleared her throat. Both women turned and surveyed her as if she'd just beamed down from the overhead lights.

"You're early." A flush stole up Red's cheeks, as if she were embarrassed to be caught gossiping, but, at the same time, she nudged her friend.

"I'll wait," Amanda answered. She was fifteen minutes early, well within the range of acceptable arrival time, but she believed in making the best impression possible on everyone. No need to alienate the assistant.

"Shoot." Red held out her hand. "I can never remember the order of things. I'm Rosie, Mr. Winter's assistant this week." She beamed with pride. "Pleased to meet ya."

"Amanda Thompson. As you guessed, I'm here for an interview with Mr. Winter." Amanda glanced around. "I was told to check in with Ms. Lockwood."

"She's out this week," Rosie announced. "I'm the company's revolvin' temp."

The blonde sniffed while giving Amanda a once-over. "As if," she snorted before stomping off.

"Don't pay her any mind." Rosie waved a hand. "Jealous."

"She wouldn't be if she knew how nervous I was." Amanda clapped a hand over her mouth. "Whoops. See what nerves do to me?"

Rosie laughed. "Don't worry. I won't tell." She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "He can be a little intimidating. Ya want some advice?"

Amanda smiled. It was impossible not to like the imp, with her round cheeks, outrageous outfit and easy friendliness.

"I think I'm okay," she said.

"No, see you don't realize, people have been comin' in all week to interview for this job. Lots of competition, y'know?"

"There always is." Amanda wanted to step away, but she couldn't be rude to this friendly elf.

Rosie nodded. "So what you want to do is loosen up a bit. Unbutton that blouse." She gestured to the plain, collared blouse that Amanda had thought looked neat and businesslike.

"You could even," Rosie added in a stage whisper, "scoot into that bathroom over there, and take it off altogether." She winked. "Make him wonder what's under that jacket, y'know?"

Amanda laughed. "You've seen women trying to get the job that way?"

"You wouldn't believe what I've seen." Rosie leaned forward. "Women swarmin' like an overturned beehive. And the outfits!" She rolled her big blue eyes. "He's rich, he's single, and he's smokin' hot." She fanned her face with an exaggerated motion. "Okay, maybe he's a little too starched, if you know what I mean. Sometimes I wanna lift my skirt myself just to see the look on his face."

Amanda laughed again, even as she realized she had to back off. She shouldn't be gossiping with the office temp. Nor would she be likely to take fashion advice from someone currently wearing a pink tulle ballerina skirt topped with a brown leather jacket.

"Thanks, Rosie. I think I'll take my chances the way I am." She started to walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of Manhattan's Central Park.

Rosie shook her head as she picked up the phone. "Can't you at least let down your hair?" She pointed at Amanda's neat bun.

Amanda shook her head as Rosie spoke into the phone. Obviously, Rosie had no idea what kind of professional look would be required for a Director of Entrepreneurial Services. Probably all that gossip about the man's mistresses had scrambled her brain.

"Mr. Winter?" Rosie's clear voice carried across the sitting area. "Your next appointment is here early. Ya want her to wait?"

"Yes, sir." Rosie put down the phone and called across the room. "He said to go on in."

Amanda straightened her shoulders, smoothed down her sedate gray skirt, and pasted a pleasant expression on her face. She tried to ignore the acrobats in her stomach. This job was too important for her to make any mistakes.

Her resolve faltered when she opened the door and confronted her interviewer across the expanse of an acre of Oriental carpets. A wall of windows on the far side of the office let in too much light.

Logan Winter.

She started across the carpet as he rose to his feet from behind an enormous desk. His body language was controlled, his face watchful. He wore his dark hair cut short, his gray eyes were cool enough to match his name, and his shoulders stretched far enough to block the light now that he was standing. His firm mouth spoke of a man used to making decisions and ruling his world. But there was just enough sensuality in his lips—Stop! she hissed to her libido. You aren't here for a date.

She walked across the room as he let his gaze flick over her, down and up, quickly, but he made little attempt to hide it. Her back stiffened and she held out a hand.

"Amanda Thompson," she said, and it didn't take any effort for her voice to come out cool. She could see that he was a man used to getting his way with women, but she didn't intend to be another name in his little black book.

He grasped her hand, and a tingle buzzed over her palm and up her arm. Whoa, no wonder women chased him. She saw surprise flicker in his eyes as he held her gaze.

She pulled on her captured hand and he released it promptly.

"Please sit down, Amanda." He pointed to the chairs positioned in front of his desk. "Thank you for accommodating the change in schedule." He smiled, but it was perfunctory. "I do appreciate my…ah…employees having an easygoing temperament."

"Umm…" There had been no change in her schedule. But was it important to point that out when they were both sitting here ready for the interview, especially since he'd just implied that he didn't enjoy arguing?

"I'm very interested in the position," she said, deciding a positive note was best.

"Good." Another brief smile as he folded his hands on the desk in front of him. "I assume the agency outlined the duties involved in this job, and what my expectations are?"

She nodded. "Of course, I do have questions."

"Naturally." He glanced at his watch. "I'm a firm believer in on-the-job-training. But if you have a couple of important questions that can’t wait, I’ll try to answer them. Otherwise, I think it would be better to go over your duties in more detail tonight, when we have more time."

"Tonight?"

"The agency did tell you about the travel requirements?"

"Not specifically." She resisted the urge to wriggle in her seat. This was the strangest interview she'd ever had. "Of course, most jobs require travel." She didn't want to be difficult.

"Yes, that’s right. I've been looking for someone for several months so I'm anxious to start right away."

"I see." She took a deep breath. "Mr. —"

He held up a hand. "Logan, please. Will it be a problem for you to start immediately?" His tone was a little cooler than it had been. "I do appreciate availability, given the nature of this position."

Okay, that was fair. She couldn’t expect that every idea they’d need to explore would be right here in New York. But—

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. "Are you offering me the job?"

"You’re not the type I usually hire for this position." His eyes flicked up and down her torso, in another once-over she thought was fairly crass, all things considered. She wasn’t a heifer he was planning to purchase.

"But," he continued, "I’m ready for a change, so let’s give it a try."

A try? Sweat trickled down her back like a cool warning. She needed a permanent position.

"You haven’t asked me anything about my background, or my qualifications." She stuttered to a stop under his sardonic gaze.

"That’s why I employ an agency," he said. "Of course I wanted to meet you, to make sure we’d suit, but other than that—" He shrugged. "It’s not a complicated job."

It wasn’t? A job with the rather vague title "Director of Entrepreneurial Services" seemed fertile ground for complexities in her mind.

"I assume the salary is satisfactory," he added coolly.

She nodded, afraid to open her mouth. Clever guy, reminding her of what was at stake. The salary was double what she’d expected to earn just a few years out of business school. But the generous amount, especially if combined with insurance benefits, would make all the difference in the lives of her family. Most importantly, it would give her mother the financial freedom to leave her job and accompany her sister Julie to the hospital in Denver that specialized in treating her lung disease.

"Good." Logan caught her gaze and a slight curve of his lips hinted at amusement. "I think you’ll find that if I’m pleased with your…abilities, I’ll be more than generous with bonuses and things of that nature."

Things of that nature? Weren’t bonuses always in cash? She bit down on her tongue. No sense looking a gift horse in the mouth with stupid questions. On the other hand, she absolutely needed to clarify some things, no matter how dictatorial he was.

"I do have some questions," she said firmly. Really, it was hard to believe he was the mogul everyone gushed about when he was so casual about hiring employees.

"Human Resources." He waved a hand. "They’ll tell you everything you need to know."

"Fine." She pursed her lips over the word, knowing she looked ridiculously prim and proper. But there was something overly personal in his appraisal of her. Not that he'd said anything she could complain about. But his relaxed attitude somehow made her stiffen up, as if she needed to rein him in, as if one of them had to maintain the formality necessary between boss and subordinate.

She touched her hair to be sure it was still in place. For some reason, he kept glancing at it. "I do need to know," she said, "who I'll report to."

His black eyebrows rose. Now why did that question surprise him?

"Why me, of course," he answered. "Who else?"

She lowered her eyelids, afraid he'd see her distress. It could only be a good thing, career wise, to report to the Chairman. Though she’d have to get her heart rate and her nerves under control if she were going to spend a lot of time in his presence.

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "I do have one unusual request." In a private company like this one, he’d be the only person who could grant it.

"You do?" His dark eyes gleamed with sudden speculation. What in the world did he think she was going to say? She tightened her hands on her purse, her mom's purse actually, and the soft leather bolstered her, reminding her of why she would do whatever it took to get and keep this job. Her mom was counting on her.

"I need my sister and my mother to be included on my health insurance."

"Ahhh." Somehow, the drawn out phrase said she’d finally explained something he’d been wondering about. But she couldn’t imagine what it was.

"That is an unusual request." He leaned back in his chair. "May I ask why this is so important?"

"My sister is ill. She needs some specialized treatment at a hospital in Denver and, well–" It was hard to continue with what she knew was an outrageous request. Now he'd start quizzing her about her parents and other insurance plans and who knows what. Things that didn't matter. She was determined to provide the best private insurance possible for Julie. If her mother quit her job, their insurance would end and they'd be thrown into a bare bones plan.

Amanda eyed the man before her. Despite his rather forbidding appearance, his company offered some of the best benefits available in New York.

"This is important to you?" he said.

"I'm my sister's legal guardian, and she needs health insurance. I can’t take the job without this benefit."

He nodded. "Done then." He leaned forward and picked up his phone.

She tried not to show her shock. She'd expected to be grilled mercilessly and then turned down flat. Instead, she'd seen the first glint of humanity in his eyes when she'd mentioned her sister.

"Letty." He spoke into his phone. "Those twins haven't managed to kill you yet?"

Letty must have said something because he laughed suddenly.

Amanda’s heart stuttered. That laugh transformed him from a tough-looking, no-nonsense businessman into a genuine, grade-A stud. The kind who could snap his fingers and get any woman he wanted. She had to tell herself to close her mouth.

"I have a new employee here, Letty." His cool eyes flicked over her. "I’m going to send her down to do some paperwork. But I’ve authorized her to add her sister and mother as family for health insurance purposes."

He stood, the phone held to his ear, and turned around to look out the window behind his desk. But he made no effort to lower his voice. "The sister has a preexisting medical condition, a serious one. Be sure you let them know."

Amanda tensed on her seat while her new boss rubbed the back of his neck.

"I realize they won't be happy," he snapped. "But if they’re happy to have my business, they’ll cover it."

He nodded in response to whatever Letty was saying. "Oh, and listen, Letty, this one goes on my personal account."

He punched a button on his phone to end the conversation.

"Your personal account?" Amanda spoke up. What did he mean by that?

"Tax stuff." He turned around to face her and dropped his phone on the blotter. "I don't mess with the IRS."

She hadn’t thought of that. Was it against some tax law for siblings to be given health insurance? That was the reason her mother had transferred legal guardianship, since Amanda had the better chance of getting a corporate job.

"You don’t have to pay for my insurance out of your own pocket, do you?"

"Amanda." His thighs pressed against his desk as he looked down at her. "I own this company. Everything comes out of my pocket in one way or another. But I keep things orderly for the tax guys. You don’t need to worry about that."

"Now—" He stepped around his desk, walking with a controlled grace. His perfectly tailored wool slacks hinted at muscular thighs and, well, she couldn’t help herself. Her eyes went straight to his crotch as he came around the side of the desk.

He caught her.

Just that one fleeting glance, but he saw.

His gaze met hers and she flushed.

He flashed her the ghost of a wink.

"Don’t look so worried," he said. "We’ll be good together."

"Good together?" What did that mean?

His eyes narrowed. "Nothing personal. This is a job, nothing more. It's important for you to accept that fact." He gestured toward the door. "Let's go get the paperwork done."

Annoyed that she'd added a personal element to the interview, and further annoyed that he thought she might pursue him romantically, she followed him out to his assistant's desk.

"Rosie," he said, "please take Ms. Thompson down to HR. Tell Felipe to be ready to drive her home in about an hour so she can pack a bag and then come back here to meet me. We’ll ride to the airport together."

Rosie swiveled toward him in her chair. "Yes, sir, Mr. Winter, I'll get right on it. But your pilot, Jack, called and said to tell you a storm is comin' in. If you can leave a couple hours earlier, he thinks that would be good."

Logan paused. "Amanda, is it all right with you to postpone the visit to HR until Friday? We're only taking an overnight trip."

"Of course." The way her head was spinning, all she really wanted was a few minutes out of his overwhelming presence so she could collect her thoughts.

"Thank you." He turned back to Rosie. "Ask Felipe to pick up Ms. Thompson immediately, and take her home to pack a bag. Then call Jack and tell him we'll be at the airport at three."

"Okay." Rosie had her head down as she concentrated on taking notes.

"Amanda." Logan nodded at her. "I'll need to work on the plane, but we can discuss your duties in more detail when we get to the hotel."

He took two strides toward his office and turned back once more.

"Oh, and Rosie, call the agency and tell them I’ve filled the position."

"Your next interview is waiting." Rosie pointed to a voluptuous redhead sitting in front of the windows. Her long legs were crossed, and slanted sideways to show off their form and length. Amanda understood instantly what Rosie had meant about women dressing provocatively to get the job. The woman's mini skirt barely covered her butt, and her shirt was open almost to the navel.

Logan glanced at the woman. "Cancel all the other interviews," he said to Rosie. But he stopped to watch as the redhead strutted across the expanse of gray carpet in response to Rosie's summons.

The elevator appeared silently and swooped her away. Logan disappeared into his office.

"Miu miu skirt." Rosie sighed. "Jimmy Choos."

"Didn't get her the job," Amanda pointed out.

"No," Rosie agreed. "But you saw the way he was lookin' at her. Remember what I said about your clothes when you go home to pack."

Amanda laughed. "I really don't think I can play the femme fatale." But her fingers crept to the button closing her blouse firmly at her neck. Maybe she could loosen up a little. She didn't date much because she'd always had to work hard, not only to help her mother financially, but also to help with the care for her younger sister. When she'd moved to Philadelphia to get her MBA, she'd also worked part-time in the school library. Full-time studies and a part-time job kept her too busy to focus on being sexy. That kind of behavior was for women more interested in a marriage license than a career. At least, that's what she told herself.

She got asked out enough to keep her ego in relatively good shape, but she preferred to socialize in small groups of friends. That way, she didn't have to worry about some individual guy getting too attentive. Even those group outings had to be limited, as she didn't have the funds for a big entertainment budget.

Yet here she was, after only a few minutes in the company of Logan Winter, wondering if she'd missed out on a big part of the fun in life. Maybe she could take a lesson from that redhead and learn how to be a bit sexier. Not to attract Logan, of course, because she was going to be working for him. But there were plenty of other men in the world.

"You want the job?" Rosie pointed a red marker at her, drawing her back to the here and now.

"I need this job," Amanda said firmly. She had a sudden urge to confide in this cheerful elf. Rosie seemed straightforward, friendly, and helpful. "I have a sister who's really sick," Amanda said, the words slipping out. "I have to support her and my mother. So this job is really important."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Rosie leaned forward, her eyes going even rounder in sympathy. "You want to talk about it?"

"No," Amanda said. Her fingers worried the button, as if it could attach her firmly to the job. Logan wouldn't renege on the job offer if she were too uptight for his tastes, would he? That would be ridiculous. It wasn't like he was marrying her.

"Okay." Rosie interrupted her thoughts. "I'm here if you ever need a listener."

"Thanks, Rosie. My sister has a lung disease." The words spilled out of Amanda, without her permission. "She's going to Denver to stay in a hospital there that specializes in lung issues. My mother needs to go with her."

"Of course." Rosie fixed her gaze on Amanda. "You need to do whatever it takes to help them. I get it."

"Yes." Amanda's fingers slipped the button out of its hole. She breathed a little easier. "I'll take any tips you've got."

Rosie tilted her head. "Keep goin' with those buttons. He likes his women hot and sexy."

Amanda stiffened. "I am not going to be 'his woman'."

"Course not." Rosie laughed, as if to say that idea was completely ridiculous. "But you know what I mean. Other women don't mind flirtin' and showin' their sexy side. He likes that."

"Are we back to the 'take off your blouse' line?" Amanda tried to sound amused. But the reality was, she'd had a strong urge to start removing her clothes while in Logan Winter's office. She hated to think she was just like all the other women who melted in his presence.

Rosie shrugged. "Hey, just tryin' to help. Clothes are my thing, ya know?" She gestured to her outfit.

"Thanks, Rosie. I appreciate it. But I think I already have the job."

"Hey, congrats!" Rosie beamed at her. "That was quick work."

"I didn't have to get naked either." Amanda smiled with relief. She liked Rosie, and she'd need a friend now that she was going to be working here.

"You will," Rosie muttered as she picked up the blinking phone.

Amanda decided to pretend she hadn't heard that. She feared it was too close to the truth.