Chloe gave a rueful shrug while she mentally shook herself. “There’s something about seeing a man barefoot that makes you look past the suit and the giant desk. He becomes human.” And capable of feeling pain. She remembered his face after he received his father’s wedding invitation. There had been shock and anger, but there had also been hurt. She felt a flutter of concern. This was treacherous territory she was venturing into. First she jumped to Trainor’s defense, and now she was feeling sorry for him.
Judith stared at the ceiling for a moment before she brought her gaze back to Chloe, saying, “Here’s some advice. Whenever you start to think he’s just another man, remember the size of his penthouse and the fact that he has a doctor on call twenty-four/seven and the choice of six cars with a driver. The very rich are different because they are insulated from all the normal wear and tear of life. People like Nathan Trainor don’t consider other people’s needs because their own are met without any effort on their part. He’ll just assume yours are too, so he’ll run right over you without a qualm.”
Chloe thought about Trainor saying he’d find a way to persuade her to stay overnight, proving that Judith was right. Chloe wanted to be adamant in her refusal, yet she found herself longing to share the strange intimacy with him a little longer. Once he and his regular executive assistant recovered, her presence wouldn’t be necessary and she’d never see him again. The thought left her with a hollow feeling. Not good. She needed to shore up her resistance to this unhealthy attraction.
“I’d offer to send someone else in your place, but it’s been made clear that you are the only person Trainor wants,” Judith said. “And you would not believe what you’re making an hour now.” Judith quoted a number that made Chloe’s eyes go wide. “You’re getting triple the usual rate, and I expected only double, so I’m giving you all the extra.”
“That’s not right,” Chloe said. “You should take your percentage from the total.”
“Sweetie, I know you need to sock away money for when Grandmillie needs a companion, and you were the one who negotiated the increase.”
Chloe sighed. “I wasn’t trying to get more money, although I really appreciate what you’re doing. I was trying to make Trainor send me home because I was too expensive and demanding.”
“He likes expensive, demanding women. He dates models and actresses.”
“Really?” Chloe was disappointed in her temporary boss. “I’m pretty sure the woman he just dumped wasn’t either of those things.”
“He dumped her, didn’t he?”
Chloe slumped back in her chair. “You are such a cynic.” And she would absolutely not spend another night with Nathan Trainor.
“I thought you came here for a dose of reality.” Judith’s computer pinged. “Sorry, I have to leave for a client meeting. I’ll walk you out. I want to check out the Rolls.”
CHAPTER 8
Nathan massaged his forehead, trying to stop the jabbing pain. “I think it’s time to take a break.” It was four o’clock, and they’d been working steadily since he’d woken up at noon.
Chloe looked up from the computer screen. Her expression went from focused to concerned. “Can I get you some pain meds?” she asked.
He hated his weakness. Despite slogging through his e-mails and sending out a few memos, he could feel the pressure of undone work piling up. But his mind wasn’t clear enough to handle the larger tasks. Like the disaster of the Prometheus project. “Do I look that bad?”
“You look like a man who’s still recovering from a nasty flu,” she said, pushing her chair back from the desk and standing up. “I’ll get you the medicine.”
Nathan watched her walk to the table where Ben had lined up his various medications. She had a nice swing to her hips, probably created by the high heels she was wearing. She’d changed her wardrobe since the first day she’d worked for him, taking it up a notch with the straight skirts and silk blouses. He gave her credit for understanding the nuances of the workplace. She was one smart cookie, Chloe Russell. He suspected that he’d barely scratched the surface when it came to her abilities.
She’d already proven she made a good nurse, and she was more fun to look at than Luis. Ben had agreed to do without the private nurse since Nathan’s fever had not risen again. Although Ben’s staff was carefully vetted and bonded, Nathan felt uncomfortable discussing confidential business matters in front of Luis or any other nurse.
Yet he didn’t worry about the same issue with Chloe. She was bonded as well, of course. Judith Asner at Flexitemps had assured Roberta of that. He examined Chloe’s face as she came back toward the bed. What made him trust her without question?
“What? Do I have spinach stuck between my teeth?” she asked as she handed him a glass of water and two tablets.
“No, you look immaculately professional, as always.”