boyfriend, Austin McBride.”
Louden turned his attention back to the man at her side, and Austin extended his hand toward her boss. Their hands clasped in a firm handshake, and Teddy caught an undercurrent of silent rivalry. Austin was clearly staking a claim, and Louden was sizing up the competition.
“Nice to meet you,” Austin said, his tone cordial.
Louden didn’t return the sentiment. “So, we finally get to meet the man in Theodora’s life. Can’t say I’ve heard a whole lot about you. Other than that ring on her finger, Teddy’s been keeping you a secret.”
“Well, she certainly hasn’t kept you a secret,” Austin replied meaningfully.
Something dark sparked in Louden’s gaze, but he didn’t respond. “You must be very proud of her. Theodora has proved herself to be quite a valuable asset to Sharper Image in the nine months that she’s been working for the company.”
“The woman constantly amazes me with her talent and dedication.” Austin slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close in an open display of support and tenderness. “I’m hoping to see her promoted to that senior graphic design position, where she can really exercise that creative mind of hers.”
Teddy discreetly nudged Austin in the side. The man was pouring the praise on a bit thick.
“I’d really like to see her promoted, too, but I have the difficult task of weighing both candidates’ proficiency for the position and convincing my superiors of their competence.” He sighed, as if the selection process was a burdensome one. “Needless to say, it’s been a tough decision.”
“I’m sure you’ll select the most qualified person for the job.” Austin’s words were cool, but very calculated.
Louden’s expression was just as shrewd. “Without a doubt.”
The band announced that dinner was about to be served, and for everyone to find their seats before the buffet began.
“If you’ll excuse me, I see a few people I’d like to say hello to before I sit down,” Louden said. “You two enjoy the evening, and I’ll see you in the office Monday, Theodora.”
Once they parted ways with Louden and headed toward their designated table, Austin asked, “Is there a reason why he calls you Theodora when everyone else calls you Teddy?”
“To annoy me, and to make sure I keep in mind his position of authority.” The only other person who used her formal name on a regular basis was her prim-and-proper mother, and her brothers when they wanted to antagonize her. “Speaking of which, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t directly challenge Louden like that.”
Austin clasped Teddy’s elbow to escort her through the throng of people. “Yeah, well, someone needs to knock that guy down a peg or two. He’s too cocky for his own good, and I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
She bristled, feeling her defenses rising. For too many years she’d endured coddling and protecting from three older brothers who’d treated her as a weak, vulnerable female. She’d despised every minute of it. That Austin felt compelled to shelter her as well provoked a bit of rebellion, especially when she’d struggled for so long to break free from her family’s stifling habits.
“Being my bodyguard isn’t your job, Austin,” she said emphatically. “All I need you to do is back up the ring on my finger. I’m more than capable of fighting my own battles in the boardroom.”
His mouth thinned ruthlessly. “Are you?”
“Yeah, I am.” She resented the insinuation that she couldn’t look after the situation herself. “I want this promotion on my own merit. My work record proves I’m qualified for the job, more so than my opponent.”
Austin didn’t look convinced. “Do you honestly believe that introducing your boyfriend is going to stop this slime-ball from making future moves on you? Guys like Louden don’t stop at minor obstacles like boyfriends. He wants to be in control, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants, which seems to be you. The only way he’ll leave you alone is if you press charges.”
Teddy’s stomach churned as she sat in the chair Austin pulled out for her at their table, but she refused to dwell on his accurate assessment of Louden. “Don’t worry, he’ll leave me alone,” she said, wishing she felt more confident than she sounded.
Austin let the subject drop as they joined the others at the table. Teddy made introductions to the people who hadn’t yet met Austin, and valiantly tried to shake off the black mood Louden had cast over them and the evening.
Minutes later, they stood in line at the buffet table, plate in hand. Dinner was a selection of salads, rich side dishes, fancy breads, chicken in a mushroom-and-wine sauce, and prime rib. A quarter of the way down the buffet, Teddy glanced up to find Janet, a buxom redhead who worked in her department as Louden’s secretary, staring purposefully at Austin from the opposite side of the smorgasbord. Janet was extremely loyal to Louden, and that alone made Teddy mistrust the woman.
Austin must have sensed the intensity of the other woman’s gaze, because he looked up, too-which was all the invitation Janet needed to launch into conversation.
“You look so familiar,” she said, tilting her head so her thick mane of curly auburn hair tumbled over her shoulder and lay enticingly just above the breasts straining the too-tight bodice of her spandex dress. “Have we met before?”
The question was harmless, yet an awful premonition made Teddy’s stomach dip.
“I don’t believe so,” Austin replied with a smile, and pressed his hand to Teddy’s spine to keep her moving along the buffet line.
Janet managed to stay aligned to them, eyeing Austin with too much interest as she put a croissant on her plate. “I keep imagining you in a police uniform. Are you a cop?”
The spoonful of scalloped potatoes Teddy scooped up missed her plate and would have landed on her shoes if it hadn’t been for Austin smoothly intercepting the entree with his own plate.
“No, I’m a broker,” Austin said to Janet without missing a beat. Taking the spoon from Teddy’s unsteady fingers, he ladled a small portion of the potatoes onto her dish and murmured, “Be careful, honey, or we’re going to have a mess on our hands.”
The meaning behind Austin’s words wasn’t lost on Teddy. She struggled to keep a cool composure when all she could envision was the possible scandal should Austin be exposed. Her reputation at Sharper Image would be tarnished, and no doubt she’d kiss that promotion she’d coveted goodbye.
Austin’s answer didn’t seem to appease Janet. Ruthless determination gleamed in her eyes. “I was so certain you were a cop.”
“You must have him mixed up with someone else you’ve met,” Teddy interjected quickly, desperate to end the interrogation.
“Maybe, but I’ve got a memory for faces.” Janet’s gaze flickered dismissively from Teddy, to Austin, scrutinizing him one last time as she waited for the chef to place a slice of prime rib on her plate. “It’s going to drive me nuts until I place where I’ve seen you.” The slight curve to her mouth suggested she found Austin a mystery she intended to solve.
Teddy let out a tight breath as they finished their trek through the buffet and headed back to their table. “Tell me she wasn’t a Fantasy for Hire customer,” Teddy said, knowing her wish was a futile one.
“Unfortunately, I do remember her, though she’s not the one I fulfilled the fantasy for,” Austin replied wryly. “It was at a bachelorette party a few months ago, and the bride-to-be was marrying a cop, thus my costume. That redhead was more enthusiastic about my performance than the bride.”
Teddy groaned at her bad luck. “Hopefully, Janet won’t figure out the connection.”
“I think as long as I keep my clothes on, we might stand a chance,” he said, winking at her.
A burst of dry laughter escaped her throat, but his playful remark didn’t completely reassure her.
Clothes or no, Austin McBride had a body and face that most women wouldn’t soon forget.
THE CHRISTMAS PARTY was winding down, and Austin loathed for the evening to end, especially since he had Teddy right where he wanted her-in his embrace, dancing close to a slow Christmas ballad that comprised the band’s last set.
Despite the fantasy of playing Teddy’s lover, he’d enjoyed being with her and wondered if he’d see her again after tonight-no pretenses, just as a man and a woman strongly attracted to each other. The thought appealed to him immensely.
It went against his work ethics to pursue a client, but he’d thrown that restriction out the window the moment he’d agreed to accompany Teddy to her party. The stakes had somehow turned personal for him, his interest in
