Lee stared at her for several seconds before leaning in and whispering something in her ear. I couldn’t hear what he said from where I was standing, but I did see Karla swallow nervously. Giving her one final heated smile, he strode off with that confident swagger.

I let out a long breath. “Sorry about that.”

She shrugged me off. “It’s no problem. Was Stu out there?”

“Uh-huh.” I let my eyes wander to the shelves as I scanned the items.

“How’d that go?”

“As aggravating as expected. What did Lee whisper to you?”

Karla looked away, embarrassed, before replying quietly, “Something a little too risqué for this time of the morning.”

I finally decided on a box of cereal and picked it up before tossing it in the trolley. “Yep. Those Cross boys have some dirty mouths on them.”

“Hmm,” said Karla, and I didn’t like the contemplative look on her face.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned, wagging a finger at her. “Lee might be a hot little slice, but believe me, he’s not worth it.” I didn’t mention that I was ninety-nine-percent positive he was involved in some pretty dodgy dealings. I didn’t need to. Karla had been in her line of work long enough to recognise a criminal when she saw one. Don’t get me wrong, Lee had a heart of gold. In fact, alongside Stu, he’d cared for his younger brothers from the time he was fourteen and his parents died. So yeah, he had a good head on his shoulders. Unfortunately, his circumstances in life had pushed him to channel his brains in the wrong direction.

Karla scoffed, but I could tell by the brief expression that crossed her face that she had been tempted, even if she’d never allow herself to admit it. “I’m not stupid, Lexie. I wouldn’t touch that boy with a ten-foot bargepole. And I shudder to think what my dad would say if I did.”

I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Karla’s father was a superintendent and had raised her hard. It was where she got her tough side from. In any case, she was right when she said he’d disapprove. In fact, he’d see right through Lee the second he met him. Not that it was ever going to happen. Unless, of course he was arresting him for something.

The rest of the weekend passed, and before I knew it, I was waking up on Monday morning for work. I’d just slipped into a black pencil skirt and a purple blouse when my phone began ringing. Seeing it was Eleanor, I picked it up.

“Alexis, I’m glad I caught you before you left for the office. I won’t be around today. Keith and I are seeing our estate agent about the house we’re buying in France. You know Mr King’s morning schedule well enough by now, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I said, nodding even though she couldn’t see me. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry about me.” I had to use a little of my confidence-faking skills for that one. Sure, I knew King’s routine, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to mess it up.

Eleanor let out a relieved breath. “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow,” I said, and hung up.

Rubbing my suddenly sweaty palms on my skirt, I began quickly throwing everything I needed into my bag. My hair looked a bit wild, so I twisted it into a bun and off I went. I managed to make it to the office a half-hour early, grabbed the credit card Eleanor used for office expenses, and then dashed out to the nearest newsagents. And okay, I might have gotten a little distracted chatting with the portly old fellow who was working the counter. It’s a problem. When people start talking to me, I tend to get sucked in. This was why I took longer than planned to get the papers. I had ten of them tucked under my arm as I dashed into the elevator, only to be met with the icy blue gaze of Oliver King.

“Alexis, good morning,” he said, nodding to me in greeting and grinning a little at my efforts to keep hold of all the papers. Then he gestured for me to hand him some. “Here, let me help.”

I silently allowed him to relieve me of half the load, our fingers grazing as I explained, “Eleanor’s not coming in today. Also, I have to confess, I haven’t had a chance to read any of these.”

King’s lips twitched. “Well, given that you’re new, I’ll go easy on you. And don’t worry, I’ve already been informed of Eleanor’s absence.”

“I’m sorry. I would have made a start earlier if I’d known, but I’m going to try my best not to screw up your day.” Oh, God, if my hands were free, I would have face palmed at that. Way to show him I was a nervous wreck.

King’s expression warmed. “I have every faith that you won’t.”

A few seconds of silence ticked by before the doors pinged open. As I walked alongside him, he commented, “You know, I hardly recognised you today without the leopard print.”

I shot him an amused scowl, but strangely enough, his friendly teasing managed to ease some of my nerves. “Very funny, Mr. King.”

It was nice to know that just because he was my boss, it didn’t mean he was a slave driver. I was sure if I made a mistake today, he wouldn’t berate me for it. And God, speak of a mistake and watch it appear. We walked into the office, and Gillian shot up from her seat.

“Good morning, Mr King,” she greeted her boss brightly before her gaze came to me and her eyes flared meaningfully. King continued into his office. “Alexis,” she whispered, “you forgot his breakfast.” I swear, by the look in her eyes you’d think she was about to have a coronary at the horror of a breakfastless Oliver King.