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33 : Innocent Bride
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The Boss: A Cozy Romance 34
But it was a challenge and it could be really interesting.And there was Simon and his company to consider, not to mention the coming baby …‘I guess I could give it a go,’ she said, ‘although—’ she shrugged ‘—I didn’t that long ago leave my convent, for what it’s worth, Mr Goodwin, only about a year ago.’Something like amazement touched his eyes. ‘You were a nun?’‘Oh, no. But my parents died when I was seventeen and a boarder at the convent, so I stayed on. The Mother Superior was related to my father—my only living relative. And I boarded with them during my time at university. She died last year.’‘I—see. Well, I was going to say that explains it, but what does it explain?’ he asked himself rhetorically and smiled whimsically.‘It probably explains why I’m a bit of a plain Jane, why I’m used to a simple, useful life,’ she told him gravely. ‘It doesn’t mean to say I can be imposed upon.’He stared at her. ‘You’re worried that I might be tempted to take advantage of you, Miss
The Boss: A Cozy Romance 35
AT FIVE minutes to siX that evening, Alex barrelled into the foyer of Goodwin House with her hair and scarf flying and a variety of shopping bags hanging from her arms.She looked around breathlessly for the penthouse buzzer and was intercepted by the commissionaire. She gave him her name and told him who she needed to see. He looked doubtful for a moment but led her to the penthouse lift—he had the grace to look apologetic when her name was received in the affirmative and the lift doors opened on cue.‘Thirty-fifth floor is what you need, ma’am. Have a good evening!’Alex pressed thirty-five and prepared to part company with her stomach—she didn’t like lifts, but this one turned out to be painless. And on the thirty-fifth floor it opened directly into Max Goodwin’s penthouse.It wasn’t Max who greeted her, however, it was a man of about forty who said pleasantly, ‘Miss Hill, I believe? I’m Max’s domestic co- ordinator, Jake Frost. I’m afraid he’s running a few minutes late. Would
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‘You don’t—you don’t,’ he said as his dark blue gaze roamed over the very au naturel girl he’d hired as an interpreter—actually ratherrefreshingly natural, he found himself thinking suddenly, ‘need to go overboard.’Alex hid a smile. ‘Mr Goodwin, since I have it on good authority I would feel like Cinderella otherwise, I intend to do what is necessary not to feel that way. But I don’t intend to go overboard. If anything, I was a restraining influence.’It dawned on Max that this girl had turned the tables on him, that, far from being crushed by his makeover request, she was even laughing at him. ‘How so?’ he queried with a tinge of foreboding.‘I kept reminding your Mrs Winston, who is a dear actually, and the wardrobe co-ordinator, that, while I didn’t need to look like Cinderella, I didn’t need to outshine the guests either. And it’s only the clothes you’re paying for.’He narrowed his eyes. ‘That’s not necessary, Alex.’She shrugged. ‘It is to me. That side of it is rather pe
The Boss: A Cozy Romance 37
Alex had quailed inwardly at the prices, but Margaret had confided that they’d be but a drop in the ocean for Max Goodwin.The result was beautiful materials, linen, silks, fine wools and crêpes.There were three pairs of new shoes and sets of exquisite underwear.But a frown grew in her eyes as she stared down at it all. Very lovely, but quite different from her normal attire. Would the flair to wear them come from them? she wondered.Then a strange little thought struck her. How would Max Goodwin view her in these elegant clothes?To her amazement she felt her pulse beat a little heavily at the thought, and she had to take several deep breaths. She had also to remind herself that she needed to be very, very professional in her dealings with him …The next day seemed to fly past.The cocktail party was to be held in the penthouse, starting at siX p.m. but Margaret Winston had asked her to be there by five-thirty. In themeantime, she did have a bevy of appointments and there’d
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IT WAS Margaret Winston who saw Alex freeze with a trapped look in her eyes like a deer caught in headlights.ItwasMargaretwhoprotested,‘But,MrGoodwin,shelooks wonderful!’‘Wonderful?’ Max Goodwin grated. ‘She looks—’He didn’t get to finish because Alex came alive and whirled on her heel and ran for the lift.He caught her with her finger on the button and took hold of her elbow. ‘If you’ll allow me to finish, Alex,’ he said tersely, ‘I was about to say you look drop-dead gorgeous.’Alex’s head came up and she looked at him incredulously. ‘You’ve just made that up,’ she accused huskily. ‘Please let me go.’‘No. Come with me.’ The pressure on her elbow increased and he steered her out of the foyer into a side room, a smaller, more informal sitting room with comfortable armchairs done in restful shades of green. He closed the door behind them. ‘I meant it,’ he said.‘But that doesn’t make sense.’ Alex clasped her hands in front of her and prayed she wouldn’t burst into
The Boss: A Cozy Romance 39
It was mostly introductions as the South Pacific back-ground enchanted many of the guests and obviously melted a lot of constraints. So it was a success, the opening cocktail party, a lively throng that was a blend of Chinese businessmen and the top management echelon from Goodwin Minerals, also, in many cases, accompanied by their stylish wives.But as the last guests departed Alex looked wordlessly at Max Goodwin and drew a deep breath she let out very, very slowly.His eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘That was quite a performance, Ms Hill. I salute you. But would I be right in thinking you’re exhausted?’‘I feel as if I’ve been through a wringer,’ she said candidly.‘Then go through to the green room,’ he instructed. ‘I’ll bring a restorative.’Alex hesitated. ‘I should be going home.’‘In a while. Here we go.’ He scooped two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress. ‘After you.’She hesitated a moment longer, then did as she was told. This time, her second visit to the gr
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The woman he’d called Cathy raised her voice in emotional frustration. ‘Max, you know as well as I do, if there’s anything we like to do better than love each other, it’s hate each other.’‘That didn’t alter my right to know,’ he said savagely. ‘And now you want to leave him with me, a complete stranger! How’s that going to affect him? Surely you must have some other back-up!’‘My mother’s always been my back-up, she’s been wonderful, but she’s going into hospital so I need to be with her and my nanny’s walked out on me. But, Max—’ Cathy’s voice changed again, to husky with strain ‘— somehow—somehow—we had to break the ice, you had to meet him. And Nicky’s, well, he’s a very well-adjusted child and I’ve always told him his father is a wonderful person. Anyway, he’s got Nemo.’Alex shook her head as she absorbed all this and the words started to make sense. Then she flew up as she heard Max Goodwin sweargraphically, and, without bothering about her shoes, ran out of the green room
The Boss: A Cozy Romance 41
THE Sovereign Islands sat in the Gold Coast Broadwater and were, Alex knew, arguably one of its most prestigious addresses. Houses that weren’t mansions only fell short of it by a small margin; the rest were. All of them had waterfront access either directly onto the Broadwater or linked to it by a series of canals.The Broadwater itself was protected from the might of the ocean by South Stradbroke Island and was a boating paradise. It shared its bounty, its white beaches, its slate-green mangroves and darker casuarinas, not only with sailors and fishermen, but a rich tapestry of bird life from pelicans and oystercatchers to migratory whimbrels. To Brahminy kites, sea eagles and even, although rarely, the black and white, long red- legged jabiru, big birds that looked as if they were dancing through the shallows as they fished.There were dolphins in the waters and wild wallabies on shore on South Stradbroke.The City of the Gold Coast to the south was a high-rise Mecca of sophisti
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