“Thanks for your help, Bette.” The efficiency expert I hired before I walked into Out & About Apparel offices because I needed to know what I was up against, had just given me a preliminary report. The one thing I knew about corporations was that they thrived on waste. Used a lot of money on unnecessary things, usually at the top. I needed an objective opinion, one I could trust, before I could make any real decisions about OAA.

“No problem. So far things look like what you’d expect, but I’ll keep you up to date.”

“Once a week is plenty until you’ve finished your report,” I assured her. I’d spent the first six or seven weeks getting to know every one and every department as best I could which meant everyone was nervous around me, worried about their jobs. They didn’t need to worry, though because the company was performing well. Better than well and with minimum waste once you moved away from the executives.

The board members, were just plain assholes. At least some of them, which was weird because I was under the impression that they only cared about the money in the bank each quarter.

One member in particular, a woman with an affinity for pink suits, had been very nasty. Apparently, she didn’t appreciate my hair or my clothes. Or my ideas, though I suspect she hated the source more than the content. Not that I cared. Much. With majority stock in the company there wasn’t much they could do, individually. But the threat of Blake Sayers loomed over me like a damn black cloud.

It didn’t help that he showed up at the office whenever he pleased, with one board member or another in tow. The move was meant to intimidate me, make me worry about what he was plotting. But I already knew and I had an appointment with Mr. Hargrave just to straighten a few details out. Just in case. There was no reason why I should feel so proprietary of the company already, but I did. It was mine and while I had it, I would make sure the place was the best it could be. If I decided to sell, it wouldn’t be to Blake Sayers and it wouldn’t be before the year was up.

“Hey Poppy, what do you think if we make these thermal shirts reversible?” Reggie was the assistant lead designer and eye for color that helped Out & About Apparel rebound after two consecutive quarters below average.

“I like it. What if we invert the threading on the logo on one side? That way it looks like two different shirts.” He contemplated a moment and smiled.

“I think I like it. I’ll show you the finished product,” he said and raced off while I walked around just getting a glimpse of what’s going on. This was my favorite place in the whole building, always buzzing with energy.

“Are we in trouble or something?” April, the tall thin blond who ran design asked with nervousness. She was beautiful and capable and kind, a killer combination that was as rare as a unicorn.

“No, why do you ask?”

She looked over her shoulder and back at me. “You’re down here a lot and people are…worried.”

“Shit.” That was the last thing I wanted. “No, I just like the energy in this department, the colors and sketches all around.” But if it was making them uncomfortable, I would stop. “I, uh…I should…I’ll just go,” I told her and turned to leave.

“No, it’s okay, really.” April looked uncomfortable again and Blake Sayers’ words popped up in my head. Running OAA wasn’t the same as running my small design firm that was me and two other freelancers. I didn’t have the skills to deal with all these personalities. I ran my own business more casually.

“I really would like to see the new thermals when they’re done. Reggie did a good job.”

“Sure thing,” she smiled politely. “And Poppy?”

“Yeah?”

“We’re happy you’re here. The board wants to run this place like it’s the seventies,” she rolled her eyes. “And not the feathered hair and bell bottoms seventies. I’m talking shag carpeting and avocado linoleum.”

I laughed. “Thank you for saying that, April. You guys are doing great,” I called out so the rest of them could hear and then made my way back up to the executive offices.

“I tried to find you Poppy, but you left your cell in your office,” Talia was my best friend who was also acting as my assistant while I figured out if I would be CEO or former CEO. “Sayers is back.”

I groaned. “What now?” She shrugged but I didn’t have to wait long to find out because he stood, like a far too good looking Phoenix rising from the ashes, and grinned. “Did you think of more ways to insult me?”

His skin flushed pink and he shook his head. “I did not.”

“Then why are you here, Mr. Sayers?” I crossed my arms and Talia disappeared silently.

“I was hoping we could do something, maybe have a meal together, get to know each other a little better.” He flashed a smile and I won’t lie, it was a killer smile complete with dimples and those tiny little lines that said he enjoyed life when he wasn’t chained to a desk. His blond hair was just on the wrong side of tame, but somehow, he made it look perfectly groomed. That hint of wave made him look more charming than intimidating.

Too bad I no longer went for charming. I didn’t go for anyone or anything really, where relationships were concerned, but I especially stayed away from the ones who oozed charm. They were dangerous. Blake was hot and I would probably have a dirty dream or a dozen about him tonight, but those kinds of fires burned hot and left lasting scars. I had enough scars to last a lifetime. “I don’t think that’s necessary, but thank you for the offer.” There, that was polite and courteous.

“Why not?”

His sister was right, he wasn’t used to hearing the word no. “Because I don’t want to, Mr. Sayers.”

“Blake. My name is Blake.” He shook his head. “Can we have some privacy?”

With a sigh, I nodded and let him follow me to my office. “Privacy.”

“I want to buy your business and we both know you’re going to sell it,” he said confidently. I had to laugh because I had no idea what I would with this company. So far, I enjoyed it and I had a year to run it and fall in love with it.

“You seem to know so much.” He was arrogant as hell and didn’t seem to mind.

“I know business and I know people. You don’t want the hassle of running a large company. Sell me the company and you can get back to running your little design business.” He sat back with a satisfied grin, like he was proud he’d said what he had to say and convinced me to do exactly what he wanted me to. Like I was some damn puppet and he was the master.

“Again, I see you know very little about which you speak.” He moved to disagree but I cut his words off with a flick of my wrist. “I have no plans to sell, Mr. Sayers and certainly not to you.”

“If you’re so sure, let me try to change your mind. Either you’re right and I get to spend some time with a beautiful woman or you’re wrong and I get your company.” He thought he was so clever.

“Sure,” I told him because I was cleverer. He wouldn’t be the first man to think they could seduce the chubby girl into doing their bidding. Many guys had found out in college and beyond, that pretty words did very little to get me out of my clothes.

“Tonight. Seven.”

So presumptuous. He probably had a restaurant and even a meal he picked out for his first seduction. “I have plans tonight, but I plan to hike Cimmaron Trail tomorrow, if you’re interested. I start at eight if you want a shot, if not, have a nice life.”

He looked disappointed and if he didn’t have an ulterior motive, I might feel something like sympathy for him. His lips curved seductively. “Scared to have dinner with me?”

“Not even a little bit. But you feel the need to prove something to yourself, so here we are.” It was a challenge and we both knew it. His blond brows rose curiously, and then he smiled and it was sexy and flirtatious and mischievous. “See you bright and early tomorrow, or not.” I held the door open and waited for him to exit before I went back to work.

And thought of anything, hell everything, other than those bottomless blue eyes.