Page 5 of One Hot Deal

He salutes."Yes, ma'am."

Derek pivots on his heels and saunters out the door, closing it behind him.

An hour later, I walk into my office at the international headquarters of Sommerleigh Sweets.Derek had the courtesy not to mention my dream again, but I never expected he would mention it.Hugh will be in his office already, I'm sure.But I don't need to speak to him.I have only one meeting in mind for today, and it will be off the record.Derek Hahn doesn't even know I want to see him today, but he'll find out soon enough.First, though, I need to take care of a few business matters.

Once I've done that, I reach for my desk phone.My hand hovers over it, but I can't seem to make it respond to my mental command to grasp the handset.This is ridiculous.I am not anxious.I retract my hand, fist my fingers, and then snap them straight.Yes, I feel much better now.So I grasp the phone and dial the extension.

"What can I do for you, Ms.Sangster?"

Derek's deep, sensual voice makes my nipples tighten.Maybe there's a draft in my office.I sit up straighter, and for some reason tug my suit jacket down, though he can't see if my clothes are straight or unkempt.

"Are you still there?"he asks."Or have you fallen asleep again?"

"Don't be ridiculous."I take a deep breath and exhale it slowly."Please come to my office, Mr.Hahn.I need to speak with you in person."

"Sure thing.Just let me finish up this paperwork first.I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Excellent."

I hang up the phone and wait.

And I try not to think about his body.But commanding myself not to think about that only serves to increase my desire to fantasize about what might happen once I share my plan with Derek.I might have him inside me this morning, if I handle my proposal correctly.Will he take me on my desk?Oh, how I've fantasized about that over the past three months.

I straighten my jacket again—and wait.

Chapter Three

Derek

The boss lady has summoned me to her office.She likes to do that, but not usually to me.I've watched countless people trudge through her door, expecting to get fired or at least chastised.Hugh doesn't like dealing with stuff like that, but Diana takes it all in stride.That's what makes them a good team.Their strengths and weaknesses mesh perfectly.

I think Diana and I could mesh perfectly too, in a different way.The naked way.But I won't jeopardize my contract with Sommerleigh Sweets just to get laid.Other people are relying on me for their livelihoods.

Since I know Diana values punctuality, I knock on her office door precisely ten minutes after I spoke to her on the phone.She tells me to come in, and I shut the door after me, then take a seat in the chair across the desk from her.She has a huge desk.Five people could sit side by side behind that big mahogany monstrosity and still have room to spare.I don't understand why she has a huge desk, since Diana doesn't seem like the type to show off.Maybe it's an intimidation tactic.If so, it doesn't work on me.

I set one ankle on the other knee and relax into my chair."So, what's up, Ms.Sangster?"

"This morning you called me Diana.And last night in the limo too."

"Oh.Ah, sorry.Sometimes I forget my manners."

"No, you never do that.I don't mind if you want to call me Diana."She rolls her chair closer to her desk, folding her arms on its surface."I like it, actually.Everyone finds me intimidating—except for you."

"I've been a bodyguard for too long to let anybody get under my skin."Though I'd love to crawl under her skin.Or maybe just crawl under the covers with her.This morning, I swore she offered to suck me off, and I don't think that was a weird British saying."What can I do for you this morning, Diana?I assume there was a reason you wanted to see me."

"There is indeed a reason."She fiddles with the papers on her desk, seeming almost nervous.But Diana does not get nervous.Finally, she clears her throat and looks straight at me."I would like to discuss a personal matter with you."

"Okay.Shoot."

Diana just watches me for a moment.Then she leans back in her chair and shifts her hands to her lap."It is a sort of business proposal, though it's personal business rather than company related."

Am I hallucinating, or is she delaying?Nah, it can't be that.This woman can deliver a speech to an audience of a thousand without batting an eyelash.I know that because I've escorted her to big conferences and stood at the back of the hall waiting for her to finish.

"What sort of personal business?"I ask."Are you sick or something?"

"No, no, it's nothing like that."

I fidget in my chair.Now I'm suddenly feeling anxious."Just tell me your proposal."

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