Ocean of Fire (23 page)

Lydia and Stephanie worked with eight other people for a small employment agency in the busy southern Sydney suburb of Hurstville. Lydia had secured the position soon after completing her welfare studies. She liked working with people, and found nothing more satisfying than matching her clients to jobs, and hearing how happy they were when successful. It didn’t happen all the time, and occasionally things got stressful, particularly when dealing with clients suffering from emotional problems or those who received knock back after knock back.

Her current client was returning to the workforce after many years at home looking after her children. She’d recently undergone training in pathology imaging, and wanted work at one of the many labs in the area. Lydia checked through her agency’s database and found several suitable positions.

Less than half an hour later the woman left with four interviews to attend, along with the names of several other labs she could approach.

As soon as the woman had gone, Stephanie appeared beside Lydia’s desk. Like all the interview booths, it was set up behind a partition, but with enough space around it so that other people in the office could see one another should a problem arise.

“Me? What for?” Did she really have to ask? Obviously he had decided to come and make her life hell for a second time. Lydia couldn’t believe her dirty rotten luck. As if it wasn’t bad enough coming across him in the coffee shop, he had to follow her to her office.

“That’s what I’d like to know, miss I wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and introduce myself. He clearly knows who you are, so you must know him.”

“What does he want?” Lydia demanded, knowing she sounded harsher than she’d meant to. A police warrant for stalking would be a good start, she decided angrily.

“He said; I’ve come to talk to Lydia Hargraves if she’s available please. Very polite and professional, I might add,” Stephanie replied, adopting a rather posh sounding accent.

Lydia sprung to her feet. “Did he give his name?” She didn’t really need to ask that either. She might not have found out his first name, but she would never forget his sister; Janelle Moore, the cattiest, bitchiest, and most beautiful girl in school.

“Er… no. But since he knows you I didn’t bother to ask him his.” Stephanie frowned at Lydia, obviously wondering why she was suddenly so uptight.

“Never mind. I’ll deal him.” If he plans on humiliating me a second time, he has another thing coming, she thought vehemently. Lydia wasn’t that impressionable teenager anymore. She could give as good as she got.

Stephanie trailed after her as she approached the waiting area. She didn’t see him at first amongst the other clients, not until Stephanie motioned towards the bank of windows, and then returned to the reception desk. The man from her past had his back to them and was standing, gazing out into the street.

As she approached him Lydia became conscious of how much taller than her he was, which wasn’t difficult since she was only five foot three and rarely wore heels.

Her steps slowed as she neared him, her eyes fixed on the back of his head, at the way his cute ponytail curled over his collar. What she really felt like doing was getting one of her burliest colleagues to march him straight out the door.

How dare he show up here after all this time to harass her! And why would he want to? It wasn’t as though that incident had meant anything to him.

Finally she was close enough to touch him, but still she refrained from making her presence known, continuing to hope he’d notice her of his own accord. After a few more moments of silent unease, she reached out and tapped his upper arm.

“You asked to see me,” she said as he turned around to face her. Once again she was struck by his eyes, so green and sensual, the eyes of a lover she couldn’t help thinking, despite herself. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked down at her, but he didn’t say a word.

Typical, she thought. Try and unnerve me with your sultry charm. Well, it isn’t going to work. I’ve seen and heard it all, so I’m completely immune to gorgeous men like you. Behind her back she crossed her fingers.

Deciding to maintain complete professionalism, she went on; “How can I help you?” If she thought to wipe the grin off his face it didn’t work. “You asked to see me. The least you could do is tell me who you are and why you’re here.”

“You don’t remember me, do you?” he said at last. She really shouldn’t have been surprised that his voice was as sexy as his smile, deep, resonant, and definitely posh.

“I went to school with lots of people,” she said, knowing she’d played the right card. If she continued to pretend she’d forgotten, he’d get the message and leave. He couldn’t hurt her this time. They were standing in the middle of a waiting room, if not filled to capacity, there were enough people within hollering distance should she require their assistance.

“I’m sure it will come to you…” he said after a moment. “Now, I have a position with my company I would like to fill. Can we go inside to discuss it?”

She hadn’t expected that, and wondered if he was making it up. Lydia glanced pointedly down at her watch. “Well, I have an appointment due any moment. You really should have called first… I could check if one of the other officers is free to see you.” It would also save her from having to deal with him.

“I came here to see you, Lydia.” The way he said her name made her shiver. He made it sound almost exotic with his soft, yet compelling voice.

“And why is that, may I ask?”

He smiled that quirky smile again. “I was told you were one of the best, so you’re the person I want to find me a secretary.”

“All right,” she relented, knowing she had a good reputation. But how had he found out about it? “Follow me, but should my appointment turn up I won’t want to keep her waiting too long.”

“She just might be the secretary I’m looking for,” he said, flashing her another debonair smile.

Lydia turned away and marched back to the reception desk where she stopped to ask Stephanie if her two-thirty had arrived.

Stephanie shook her head, and smiled sweetly, no doubt to attract the attention of Lydia’s unwanted visitor. Lydia pulled a face at her, which only succeeded in making Stephanie giggle like a school girl.

Gritting her teeth, Lydia said; “Ok, follow me, Mr Moore.” As she glanced over her shoulder at him, she noticed he had a rather lop-sided gait, as though he might recently have sprained his ankle. He sat down in the chair indicated beside the desk, and drew his brief case up onto his lap with his right hand.

Lydia slipped into her own seat and turned to her computer. “So what’s this job all about?”

He rummaged around inside his case before holding up a single sheet of paper. “I have the details right here.” He passed it to her, and Lydia took it, ensuring their fingers didn’t accidentally touch, but she did notice that his hands were as nice to look at as everything else about him seemed to be. Having studied piano for a number of years, she liked nothing more than to watch a deft set of long tapered fingers dance across the keyboard. His would look beautiful gliding over the ebony and ivory, she decided.

Lydia tore her gaze away and focused her attention of the sheet of paper he’d given her, inwardly cursing herself for letting her mind wonder.

As she read it, she saw that it outlined the requirements for a secretary with his firm, Moore and Associates, Chartered Accountants. The letterhead looked official, with address and business numbers. She’d easily be able to verify if it was a genuine company. As she read the job description, her downstairs neighbour, Nicole West, came to mind. The position would suit her to a tee, but Nicole was as desperate as Stephanie for a man, meaning she’d probably spend more time drooling over her hot new boss than getting any work done.

“Well?” he prompted from beside her. “Can you help me? Is there any more information you need?”

“No, you’ve been quite thorough in your job description, Mr Moore. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble filling your position. Will you be interviewing the applicants yourself?” she asked, sitting back in her chair since he’d leant further across the desk to regard her over the edge of the page.

“Yes, I have Friday free to interview. If you send five of your best secretaries, I will see them then.”

“But today is Wednesday. That only leaves tomorrow for people to respond,” she protested.

“Then you’d better start ringing around,” he asserted. “And another thing, tell them we’ll be relocating to the CBD in a few months. Make sure they’re prepared to travel into the city each day. I’m planning on moving out of the area so I’m moving the business to a more central location.”

The conceit of the man, Lydia thought in ire, but if he was anything like his sister, arrogance was probably his middle name. Why couldn’t he have shifted himself and his business
before
coming in here to throw his weight around? she thought crossly.

Just then Maureen sauntered past, and even though Lydia didn’t think she was cut out for the job, she
was
the supervisor, so she motioned her over.

“You have a problem, Lydia?” the five foot ten, five foot wide keg on legs wheezed down at her. Maureen always wore clothes that emphasized her bulges; whatever was fashionable for eighteen year old size eights.

Yes, I have an overbearing male problem I want to make disappear, she though grimly. But of course she didn’t say that. “Mr Moore, this is my supervisor, Maureen Lynch.”

He flashed Maureen one of his sexy smiles, and to Lydia’s amazement, Maureen actually blushed. Now for the killer blow, Lydia thought. Let’s see how Maureen responds to being told to do some work. “Mr Moore wants us to find him a secretary by Friday.”

“Um, that’s not very long for us to get the best,” Maureen hedged.

“Oh, I’m sure someone as capable and professional as Lydia here could come up with the goods for me if she works on it tomorrow,” Jayden told Maureen confidently.

I so want to kill him, Lydia thought, clenching her hands into fists. “I’d really like to Maureen, but I have a full schedule of appointments.”

“I’ll get Stephanie to rebook them. She’s not doing anything much on reception this afternoon. Have no fear, Mr Moore. I’ll make sure Lydia finds you that secretary,” Maureen reassured him.

Just then Stephanie approached Lydia’s work station. “Your three o’clock appointment’s here, Lyd,” she announced, before sashaying off again, her hips swaying. Of course the accountant’s gaze followed her. You’re welcome to him, Steph, Lydia thought crossly. Run your fingers through his multi-coloured hair all you like. I’m sure it will make you both very happy. Argh, she thought, first I admire his hands, and now it’s his hair.

“Nice to meet you, Mr Moore,” Maureen said sweetly, before she too sashayed off, her hips wobbling.

Lydia placed her head in her hands, and tried not to laugh. It didn’t work. A little snigger escaped nevertheless. When she looked back up again, Jayden was grinning too, making him look more handsome than ever. There was warmth in his eyes she wouldn’t have associated with the man who’d said such nasty things to her seven years ago. His dreamy green eyes melted into hers, urging her to lean forward and kiss his beautifully shaped lips... No, damn it. She blinked and tore her gaze away, realizing she was no more immune to a good looking man’s charms now than two years ago when Laurie had swept into her life.

“Well, if that’s all I’d better call in my appointment,” she announced. If she refused to look at him, she was in a much better position of ignoring the effect he had on her.

If he smiles at me again, I’m going to strangle him, she thought, but he merely picked up his briefcase and got to his feet. Perhaps he’d finally gotten the message that she wasn’t going to respond to him the way he wanted. She sighed with relief when he finally disappeared around the partition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOUR

Emma Daniels lives in Sydney Australia, with her husband and two young children.

Emma wrote her first romance novel when she was sixteen, typing it up on an old manual typewriter. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

She is also a jewellery designer, selling do it yourself jewellery project kits.

She loves reading romance and fantasy novels, and works part time in a government office.

Emma can be contacted on email address; [email protected].

OTHER TITLES BY EMMA DANIELS ALSO AVAILABLE ON LULU

THE PRISONER WITHIN

HEARTBREAK HIGHWAY

THE DREAM SPELL

THE INDIAN ROSE

THE CRYSTAL ROSE

GHOST OF A CHANCE

GIVING UP THE GHOST

ENTWINED

GOLD FEVER

LORD OF MY DREAMS

BLACK ROSE

JUDGING JAYDEN