A Physical Affair

wringer and not sure she wasn’t still trapped in one. ‘You just missed him.’

‘Good.’

Keira sighed. ‘Look, Daniel, if this is going to be long and involved I haven’t got the time to listen and commiserate, so could you be brief or preferably save it for tomorrow?’

‘Did he rub you up the wrong way again?’ asked Daniel sympathetically, and Keira frowned.

‘No. Not that it’s any of your business, but your uncle didn’t rub me the wrong way. I simply have stacks of work to get through. A point I’ve been fruitlessly trying to make all day.’

‘Cat was here,’ Daniel said with high drama. ‘I’ve told her all about you and I wanted her to meet you. You see, we’d arranged to have lunch today and then Eden turned up just when I was expecting Cat. I nearly had a heart attack.’

‘If you brought it all out in the open you wouldn’t have to sneak about,’ Keira told him tiredly. ‘You should have taken the opportunity to introduce them.’

‘Not likely. But at least once I knew Eden was in the building I knew where he’d be.’

Keira raised her eyebrows.

‘Well, if he was in the building and you were in the same building then I reckon it would be a fair bet that he would be somewhere near you.’

Keira was unable to prevent warm colour flooding her cheeks. ‘You’re being ridiculous,’ she stated, and made a slash on the page with her red pen.

‘Not as I see it. The penny dropped a while ago when I was watching you two together. So, what happened between you and Eden at the weekend?’

‘What makes you think anything happened?’ Keira asked without looking up.

‘The fact that you’re both trying to pretend nothing happened. I only mentioned you at dinner last night and Eden nearly snapped my head off. This morning I said something about Eden to you and you were almost as bad.’ Daniel sat down, looking seriously into Keira’s eyes. ‘Eden didn’t make a pass at you, did he? When I left you alone with him on the patio? You seemed a little distracted after that.’

Keira felt her flush deepen. ‘Daniel! Enough already! I was tired, that’s all.’

‘Ahh!’ Daniel nodded knowingly.

‘Ahh nothing.’ Keira looked pointedly at her wrist-watch. ‘It’s after five. I hope you won’t have the nerve to claim overtime.’

‘Overtime? I’m deeply offended. You know I’m not a clock-watcher, Keira.’

‘No. You’re a real little trouper, Daniel. Now, would you please buzz off and let me get on with my work?’

‘OK. I understand you don’t want to talk about it but I kind of feel responsible, you know. If I hadn’t talked you into going with me at the weekend-’

‘Daniel,’ Keira appealed, and he stood up.

‘All right. I can take a hint. But I think I should sort of-you know, warn you.’

‘Warn me?’ Keira gazed at him levelly. ‘Warn me about what?’

‘Well, about Eden. Over the years he’s had more than his share of women.’ Daniel grimaced. ‘But none of them have lasted for long. Except for Megan, I guess,’ he added with a frown. ‘But you’re different, Keira. I just wouldn’t want you to get hurt.’

Keira drew herself up in her chair, ignoring the pain inside that told her she knew what Daniel was saying was true. ‘I’ve no intention of getting involved with your uncle,’ she said through clenched teeth, and Daniel had the grace to look a little disconcerted.

‘I just wanted to say there’ve been plenty of women in his past.’

‘Everyone has a past, Daniel.’

‘I know. But earlier I thought you and Eden were- you know, aware of each other.’

‘Your imagination must have been in overdrive.’ Keira made a show of shuffling the pages in front of her.

‘Well, you have to admit he’s good-looking. And he’s rich. Women drop like flies around him.’

‘Charming, Daniel. You have a way with words.’

‘You know what I mean, Keira.’

‘All I know is that a moment ago you were warning me off and now you’re singing his praises.’

‘I have this theory that maybe all he needs is a good woman to save him from himself, or whatever it is good women save a man from,’ he added with a grin.

‘I’ll let that remark pass, only because I sense a deliberate provocation.’

‘So why not you and Eden, Keira? Seriously. I think you’d be great together.’

‘Daniel-’ Keira glared at him and he backed off a few paces.

‘OK, I know. Subject closed. So I’ll see you tomorrow.’

You and Eden. Keira shook her head quickly as Daniel left her. It was pointless weighing up the pros and cons of a prospective relationship with Eden Cassidy. She knew exactly what it would involve. A physical fling, undoubtedly exciting, and then the uncertainty as he cooled off before the painful parting when he tired of her. No, if she’d needed any reminding then one of Daniel’s comments had jogged her memory.

Eden Cassidy had had a lot of women. And Keira wasn’t going to add herself to the list. She wasn’t interested in just an affair.

Apart from that, he was her boss, a boss who’d just offered her the job of a lifetime. And as she’d accepted the position she had no intention of jeopardising it in any way. Especially by becoming involved with the head of Cassidy-Ford Publishing.

To do that she’d have to be out of her mind. And the last thing she needed was complications in her private life, earth-shatteringly exciting complications though they might be. Right now she would need to focus all her attention on making the magazine’s resurrection a success.

And as attractive as Eden Cassidy undoubtedly was, well… Keira sighed and passed her hand tiredly over her eyes. Attractive? He was the most magnetic man she’d ever met and she couldn’t deny she was physically aware of him, that the feelings he stirred within her she’d never felt quite so strongly before. The fact remained that he would always be out of her league. She’d just have to keep reminding herself of that.

Unable to prevent herself, Keira picked up the job structure list Eden had left with her and she began pencilling in some suggestions. Glancing at the time, she shook her head and began to tidy her desk. She knew she’d never get any more work done this evening so she might as well go home, begin early in the morning when she was fresh and, hopefully, had regained her concentration.

It took a full two days for word about the new magazine and Keira’s promotion to become common knowledge around the office.

However, at least Keira had been able to discuss it with her editor before the rumors began. Dianna had sought Keira out and they’d talked about the upheaval of Keira’s subsequent replacement and how it would affect Chloe. Although the meeting hadn’t been overly painful, that Dianna was not pleased about the changes was obvious.

This morning Eden and Denver Clarkson were coming to see Keira to discuss some of the more pressing arrangements regarding the staffing of the new venture.

When a knock sounded on the door Keira took a steadying breath before responding. Daniel strode purposefully over to the desk and leaned across to take Keira’s hand.

‘Take me with you, Keira,’ he beseeched earnestly. ‘You know I’d do anything for you, I’ll work like a slave. Anything.’

‘For heaven’s sake, Daniel. Don’t you know that walls have ears? You don’t know who could be listening.’

‘Everyone knows Eden’s due to arrive so they’re all at their various desks making industrious working noises.’

‘Yes, well, let’s just say I’m over-sensitive. I’ve suffered more than enough repercussions since that party I should never have let you talk me into attending. And trying to explain why I went with you…’ Keira expelled an expressive breath and Daniel laughed.

‘It was the good old Cassidy charm.’

Keira pulled a face at him and he grinned delightedly.

‘Anyway, so what do you say?’

‘About what exactly?’

‘About the new magazine. Can I work with you on Natural Life! You said you were