Page 22 of A Night To Remember

She wished Jake didn’t persist on making things harder than they had to be. All he had to was pretend that they didn’t know each other and they would get along just fine. When she reached the president’s suite, Charlie took a deep breath before entering, trying to calm her jittery nerves.

“May I help you?” asked a curious older woman, sitting at the desk in front of Jake’s office. She was obviously his personal assistant. The woman had a kindly enough face, which made Charlie relax. Nothing bad could possibly happen with her around, right?

“I need to drop off this report from Brian Shaw. He asked me to deliver it here.”

“Oh yes, Charlie Brown. Jake is expecting you. I’m Jennifer Collins, by the way. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.” She smiled warmly at Charlie.

“They’re all lies, I tell you,” Charlie teased, feeling totally at ease with Jennifer.

“I highly doubt that, my dear.”

Charlie wondered from whom Jennifer had heard all these “wonderful things” about her. “What should I do about this report? Should I just go in or can I just leave this here with you?” Charlie asked hopefully.

“Hold on, let me check first.” Jennifer buzzed the intercom.

“Yes?” Jake’s sensual voice came over the speaker.

“Charlie Brown is here,” Jennifer announced.

There was a slight pause, and Charlie could have sworn she heard him taking a deep breath. “Okay. Send her in.”

“You may go in now, Charlie… Umm… That’s a rather, famous name.” Jennifer blushed. “I’m sorry, that was rather rude of me.”

Charlie laughed. “No worries. I get that quite a bit. Charlie is short for Charlotte actually. I was teased a lot when I was growing up, but in an ironic twist of fate, the man I ended up marrying also had the last name of Brown. I think I’ll be cursed with this moniker for the rest of my life.”

Jennifer laughed at Charlie’s self-deprecating tirade. “Oh dear, how awful for you, but I think Charlie suits you very well.” Jennifer assured, wiping a tear of laugher from her eye. “Did you say you were married? I understood you were single.” Jennifer turned slightly red. “There I go again. I didn’t mean to pry.”

Charlie shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m a widow.”

“I’m sorry, dear. You know how office gossip is.”

She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of being fodder for office gossips, but what could she do about it? “Yes, I know, but don’t worry about it.” Charlie smiled to show there was no harm done.

“Is she still there, Jen?” Jake poked his head out of his office.

“She’s right here, Jake,” Jennifer answered.

Jake swiveled his head to look at the object of his inquiry. “Charlie, please step into my office.” He beckoned her to him.

Charlie looked at Jennifer for reassurance, but Jennifer was already busy pecking away on her keyboard. Once in the office Jake closed the door behind him. To Charlie’s dismay, he locked the door.

Her throat went dry at his nearness. She didn’t remember him being quite so sexy and smelling so good. She gulped nervously.

“Is that the report you’re holding?” he asked.

Charlie could only nod.

“Good.” He took it from her seemingly boneless fingers. “Have a seat.” Jake gestured to the huge black leather couch in the corner of his office. Charlie stood in awe for a moment. Jake’s office was nearly the size of her living room.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to stand.”

“Please sit. I won’t bite.” He gave her a lopsided grin that nearly made her knees give out. “Unless you want me to.”

She had to stay strong and not let him get under her skin. “I came to drop off the report and I have. Now, if you don’t mind, Mr. Fox, I have a lot of work waiting for me at my desk.” She turned to leave, but Jake was quicker.

“I do mind. I mind very much.” He placed his palms against the door on either side of her head.

“Please move,” she said through clenched teeth, her body tightening with awareness. She could feel his body heat. Good Lord, had the temperature just increased in here?

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