Page 41 of Enchanted Hero

“Of course!” Chloe chirped. “You know me. I’m a klu–”

“Ladies.” Alexander strode from his office, dressed in a crisp Armani suit. As usual, he was temptation defined, his gorgeous visage torn from the magazine covers he’d graced in real life. They still hadn’t talked about that night – or the kiss – but its consequences, ramifications and meaning loomed like an impending storm.

Now his chiseled features hardened. “Miss Pendleton, I’d like to see you in my office immediately.”

Chloe paled. “I-I–” she stammered.

Everleigh stepped forward. “Can I help you, Alexander?”

Alexander turned to her, and she nearly stepped back at the raw fury blazing in his expression. “This is personal.” He gestured the assistant toward his office. “Miss Pendleton?” With one last wary glance, Chloe obeyed. The door closed.

Everleigh returned to her work, yet the words blurred into a blotted, angry cloud. Five minutes passed, then fifteen, thirty and an hour as frustration melted to anger, and anger to fury. A fulltwohours later, the door opened. Alexander was cool and collected as always, but Chloe’s cheeks were tinged pink and her eyes bright as she gazed at Alexander with pure adoration. “Thank you so much,” she whispered to Alexander.

She needed something to throw.

“You were wonderful.”

It would have to be heavy.

“I can’t believe how long you spent.”

And big.

Alexander put a hand on Chloe’s back. “You know what to do?”

Like a bookcase.

Chloe nodded. “How will I find the reservation in Puerto Vallarta?”

An entire row of bookcases.

“Just look for A. Stone,” Alexander replied.

Everleigh gaped. They were taking a vacation? To a resort? Together?

There had to be something heavier than a row of bookcases.

Chloe walked out with a soft wave, and Alexander turned to her. “Chloe is taking a little time off.”

“I see.”Do not scream. Do not yell. Do not throw furniture.

“She deserves it, don’t you think?”

Actually, why not?“Would you mind removing the books from the bookcase? I have to throw it at someone.”

He smiled widely. “In the interest of self-preservation, I’m going to deny that request.” He strode back to his office. “I have to attend to a few business matters, but I’ll see you soon.”

I’ll see you soon!?Her fingers twitched, but she managed not to commit assault by bookcase. If he wasn’t going to explain, she wouldn’t go chasing after him.

She returned to work, yet accomplished little as the hours passed. Why had Alexander called the secretary into his office? What had they discussed – or done? Why were they going on vacation together? The last question and its almost certain answer had her clenchingeverything.

“Good afternoon.”

Everleigh looked up from the page she had read and reread four times. She relaxed, even managed a slight smile for Tony Collins, sales manager and all-around nice guy. With an Ivy League degree, excellent work ethic and never-ending charm, he was considered quite the catch. Yet somehow, he didn’t inspire a spark compared to the inferno of the man next door. “How are you?” she greeted warmly.

“I’m great.” His voice was deep and sultry, and it used to give her tingles every time she heard it. Now, nothing. “And you?”

“I’m doing fi–” Her smartphone beeped. She grasped the silvery device off the desk and frowned. “It shows a meeting with Alexander, but I’m certain it was tomorrow. It must be a mistake.” She deleted the event. “So how was your–”