A Physical Affair

pleased with my work, that I showed promise.’

‘I am and you do,’ Keira acknowledged shortly. ‘But I thought you liked it here on Chloe?’

‘I do, but I want to stay on your team.’

Keira regarded him thoughtfully.

‘Want me to go down on bended knee and beg?’ Daniel made to carry out his threat and Keira held up her hand.

‘Don’t you dare, Daniel Cassidy. There’s no need for any theatricals. And before you waste any more of my time, I’ve already decided to have you with us.’

‘You have? That’s great.’ Daniel beamed. ‘Can’t live without me, huh?’

‘You’re pushing your luck,’ Keira replied wryly. ‘Now, we’ve both got work to do. How about showing me what a willing slave you are instead of talking about it? And close the door as you leave.’

‘For you, boss lady, I’d climb the highest mountain. Walk across the desert.’ He turned and gave her a salute. ‘And swim the deepest ocean,’ he added with a laugh, closing the door before Keira could retaliate.

The door opened again almost immediately and, an easy smile still lifting the corners of her mouth, Keira looked up, expecting to see Daniel again, but in his place stood a tall, now familiar figure filling the doorway.

‘Do you elicit such great loyalty from all your staff or is it just peculiar to the Cassidys?’ Eden asked softly as he leant one broad shoulder against the door-jamb.

‘Your nephew has a strange sense of humour,’ Keira replied, his sudden appearance setting her thoughts scattering like leaves in an autumn wind.

‘So it would seem,’ Eden said caustically, and straightened. ‘And it appears he spends a considerable amount of his day in your office.’

Keira lifted her chin. ‘No more than anyone else does,’ she stated firmly, and Eden’s lips thinned.

‘From memory, he’s been here every time I have.’

‘And he usually has a valid reason for being here. He does work on this magazine, you know.’

‘But he’s not supposed to be working exclusively for you.

‘He doesn’t,’ Keira bit back, and he gave an exclamation of disbelief.

‘Anyone would think-’

‘No,’ Keira broke in on him. ‘Anyone wouldn’t. Only you seem to read evil intentions into it when there’s really nothing there. Unless there’s something about Daniel I don’t know.’

‘What are you talking about?’ he demanded tersely.

‘Well, you must have some reason for your unfounded suspicions. Does Daniel make a habit of pursuing older women?’

He eyed her coldly. ‘Not until now,’ he said levelly.

‘And, as I’ve told you before, he still isn’t. Look, can we leave this? I’m beginning to find the whole subject distasteful and if you persist in bringing it up every time we meet then I’ll begin to suspect there’s something else behind it all.’

‘Like what?’ he snapped, and Keira shrugged.

‘How about plain out-and-out jealousy?’ she suggested, surprising herself with her frankness.

‘Jealousy?’ he repeated ominously. ‘Are you implying?’ He bit off an expletive and his lips compressed. ‘I am not jealous of my nephew.’

‘And I’m not so sex-starved that I’d be driven to chasing a teenage boy to engage in what, in my opinion, is a highly over-rated activity.’

As the words came out of her mouth Keira wished she could draw them back inside. But before Eden could make what Keira expected would be a disparaging comment there was the sound of footsteps in the hallway and he turned slightly.

‘Morning, Denver. Come on in.’ Eden stood aside for the other man, his expression now devoid of its previous displeasure. ‘You know Mrs Strong, of course.’

Denver Clarkson was a slightly built man on the wrong side of fifty, his sandy hair thinning on his head. Although Keira had been aware of him since she had joined the staff of Chloe, she had rarely come into contact with him. His dealings had usually been with Dianna. Now he pushed his steel-framed glasses up his sharp nose and held out his hand.

‘Nice to see you, Mrs Strong. I believe congratulations are in order.’

‘Thank you.’ Keira had regained some of her composure and managed to smile at him before motioning for the two men to sit down.

‘All your diligent work has paid off,’ Denver commented easily enough as he seated himself, but Keira felt a small sense of disquiet in the pit of her stomach.

‘I suppose it has,’ she replied reluctantly, wondering if she was imagining the almost imperceptible disapproval in his light tone, in his ingratiating smile.

‘We’ve had our eye on Keira for some time,’ Eden put in, and Keira did not miss the sudden pursing of Denver Clarkson’s lips when Eden used her Christian name.

‘Yes, she’s always shown promise,’ Denver agreed affably enough. ‘Well done, my dear.’

For the next couple of hours they discussed various aspects and policies of the new magazine and by the time the two men stood to leave Keira’s head was spinning. But she had to admit she hadn’t felt so elated in ages. She really was looking forward to this new project, and the faint feelings of lethargy she’d been experiencing of late had totally disappeared.

Setting aside her notes, she stood up, moving around her desk to see the two men to the door.

‘Congratulations again, Mrs Strong, and good luck with this new enterprise.’ Denver held out his hand again. ‘No doubt we’ll be interacting far more often in the future. I’m sure we’re going to get along just fine.’

‘Thank you. I’m looking forward to it,’ Keira said politely, suspecting Denver Clarkson was thinking nothing of the kind. She hoped he wasn’t going to be the drawback in this otherwise ideal opportunity.

Denver looked at his watch. ‘I have a progress meeting with some of the union reps in ten minutes.’ He pulled a face. ‘Perhaps you’d like to come along, Eden, try to talk some sense into a couple of the young hotheads. I think Doug Craigie and I would both appreciate it.’

‘Sure. You go along, Denver. I’ll join you presently. I have a couple more things to discuss with Keira.’

‘Of course.’ Denver smiled, his pale eyes going from his boss to Keira before he left them, closing the door quietly behind him.

What could Eden be thinking about, singling her out like this? Keira coloured in embarrassment. Couldn’t he see the speculation in the other man’s eyes? Now he was only adding fuel to what was obviously Denver Clarkson’s misconception about their relationship.

Was that what everyone in the corporation would think when they heard, what those who knew were already thinking? Perhaps this was the real reason for Dianna Forester’s coolness towards her. Because Keira now realised she hadn’t misinterpreted Denver’s earlier veiled disapproval of her. Denver and Dianna, and who knew how many others, thought she’d slept her way into the job.

Keira almost groaned. And Eden Cassidy wasn’t helping the situation.

Agitatedly she walked across and opened the door Denver had closed. ‘I really don’t want to keep you from the meeting,’ she began in a rush as Eden’s cool gaze went pointedly to the door she still held open.

Silently he reached out and just as casually closed the door again, bringing another rush of embarrassed colour to Keira’s cheeks.

‘What’s the problem, Keira?’ he asked, his level gaze holding hers.

‘I…I know you must be busy and I thought…Mr Clarkson said… The meeting sounds important,’ she finished quickly and took a deep breath, valiantly trying to steady her now racing heartbeat. Eden must know what was going on. How could he help knowing?

‘Denver’s handled countless similar negotiations on his own before.’ Eden relaxed back against the now closed door, one hand in the pocket of his grey trousers, his suit coat open to reveal the tailored matching waistcoat that hugged his broad chest. ‘I’m in no hurry.’

Keira’s eyes slid quickly over him, her flush heating her already warm face as a small smile played around the corners of his sensual mouth. She straightened, drawing herself together. There was obviously no point in beating about the bush. ‘I just don’t think this is a good idea, that’s all. You must see that,’ she added in a rush.