Page 437 of The Donovan Dynasty

“I know this is a little unusual.Your name was on a list that crossed my desk.”Lara paused.“We’re hiring for the CEO position for one of BHI’s oil and gas holdings.”

Momentarily, Kelsey’s heart stopped, and she was certain she had misinterpreted Lara’s meaning.Feeling as if she were doing something she shouldn’t, Kelsey looked at Nathan’s still-closed door.“I’m afraid you’ve caught me off guard.”

“You’re certainly someone I’m interested in talking with,” Lara went on.“We’d have to make sure we’re a match.And of course, we are considering other candidates.”

She couldn’t begin to understand the ethical ramifications of this conversation.Nathan’s sister-in-law was reaching out to his executive assistant, someone he’d identified as key personnel, and yet…

Lara was talking about a C-level position, something that had been on Kelsey’s goal list since she’d started college, the motivation that got her through.The first time she’d spoken with Nathan, she’d told him her long-term plan was to run a company.If she left, he wouldn’t be entirely surprised.Annoyed, perhaps, but not surprised.

“Ms.Lane?”

“I’m here.”Her first instinct was to ask Lara if she was sure she’d called the right person.Her second was to show cool interest and give herself some time to think.“Is the job in the Houston area?”

“It is.”

“And pay range?”

“Commensurate with experience,” they said simultaneously.

Lara laughed.“I see why Nathan likes you.”

It jolted her to realize Lara had heard positive things about her.“Does he know we’re talking?”

“No.And it’s up to you whether or not you say anything.In fact, unless you make the shortlist—in this case, top three candidates—I won’t be mentioning this conversation to my husband.”

“I’ll admit to being a little uncomfortable.”

“I can understand that,” Lara agreed.“Donovan Worldwide, and now BHI, believes each division should be run by the best possible person.We don’t intentionally poach from each other’s companies.But it happens.”

“So if I went to work for you?”

“Under the organizational structure, you’d be accountable to BHI’s board of directors.”

The entire conversation was so unexpected that she was having a difficult time processing it.“When do you need an answer?”

“Take the weekend,” Lara suggested.“How about you call me on Monday and let me know if you’re interested in being considered as a candidate?”

Still stunned, she agreed, then wrote down Lara’s office and cell phone numbers before ending the call.

Her mind going a million different directions, she sat back to let the conversation sink in.

Had she received this call on Monday morning, the decision would have been easy.She would have immediately accepted Lara’s invitation and set up an appointment.

But now… Kelsey had seen other sides of Nathan.She might not agree with him on everything, but this morning she’d thought they’d made a good team, every bit as good as she’d been with Mr.Newman.

Then she wondered if the fact she’d slept with Nathan, submitted to him, had affected her rational-thinking skills.She shifted, highly aware she had no underwear on.This wasn’t a typical boss and employee relationship.

Getting away, establishing herself as a leader in her own right, could give her much-needed distance from Nathan.

He wouldn’t be running Donovan Logistics indefinitely.There was no guarantee she’d be considered for the job.If she stayed, she could potentially be stuck in her current position for a very long time.

She wondered if she should discuss the call with Nathan.Then she reminded herself they weren’t in a committed relationship.How much did she owe him?He’d asked for her loyalty, but did that extend to telling him about her potential career moves?

Kelsey gave herself a mental shake.Lara hadn’t extended a job offer.She’d only suggested they discuss it.It was very likely Kelsey was worrying about things that would never happen.

The phone rang again, and she leaned forward to answer it.

After she hung up, she glanced across the room to see Nathan watching her.