One Night Forever (The Cinderella Chronicles) (6 page)

Chapter Seven

One Year Later

Lauren approached the
subway entrance as a cool breeze blew through her hair, sending a
chill across her skin. Suppressing a shiver, she rushed down the
stairs as she pulled her jacket tighter around her body.

She stepped into one of
the cars, trying to focus on the importance of what lay ahead.
Today was her first day of work at The Carlson Group. After only
one year with a smaller firm, a headhunter had found her and placed
her with the major firm. It had happened so fast, her head was
still spinning. Oblivious to the rumble of voices and shuffling of
bodies in and out of the car, she slipped into a reverie. When Cat
had suggested a celebration night, this time she’d flatly refused.
Besides, she’d worked straight through her notice at the old firm,
without so much as a breather. Lauren knew not to burn bridges. If
she ever needed to return, she wanted an open door.

And she didn’t need a
repeat of her fantasy night anyway. Not that she thought any man
could duplicate what Matt had done to her. Matt had driven her
crazy with desire but he’d also touched her deep inside. Why, she
didn’t know. Maybe she never would. And he lingered in her mind
like a permanent fixture. That one night had virtually ruined “Red
Hot Secrets” for her. Watching Tara get all hot and bothered just
didn’t do it for Lauren anymore.

Mentally, she kicked
herself for even thinking of Matt again. He’d been a one-night
stand, and nothing more. Today was an important day. Matt didn’t
belong in her thoughts. Her new job did.

The subway car came to a
screeching halt, yanking Lauren abruptly out of her reminiscing.
This was her stop. Pulling her shoulders back, she resolved to
focus on her career. Making a good impression at Carlson could take
her life to that next step forward.

A few minutes later, she
entered the lobby of the building housing her new employer,
absorbing the elegance all around her. Marble, glass, and expensive
art adorned the walls. Despite prior visits, she found herself awed
by the unique architecture that rounded the corners of the walls.
And the difference between her new employer and her old screamed
night and day. Quaint and homey but very low-key, her old firm had
a limited budget, which showed in their décor and even choice of
buildings.

Carlson was on the top of
their game and they displayed it boldly.

Lauren signed in with
security and made her way to the elevator. Butterflies fluttered in
her stomach as she watched the flash of each floor number light up.
By the time, the elevator opened, she’d talked herself into
calmness.

She could do
this.

The first thing she saw
as she stepped into the lobby elevator was a massive desk. It was
shaped like a half-circle and glistened of polished mahogany. Eager
to make herself a welcome addition, she quickly marched up to the
reception desk and the receptionist she’d met during her interview
visits. “Hello, Lori. I’m Lauren Reynolds. Remember me?”

Lori, who Lauren guessed
to be about fifty, peered over the rim of her sliver glasses. “Yes,
I remember you.”

Lauren extended her arm
across the desk to offer the woman a handshake. “Nice to see you
again.”

With a curious look in
her eyes, Lori removed her glasses and laid them on the desk. She
placed her hand in Lauren’s. “Welcome, Lauren.”

Before the handshake
ended, a familiar voice sounded. “You’re here.”

Lauren turned to find
Celia Ward, a rather round and overtly friendly woman who happened
to be the secretary to the Vice President. “Yes, I’m here. I can
hardly believe it.”

“
Well, we are
thrilled to have you,” Celia said, a blonde curl bouncing out of
the clip that had held her hair neatly in a bun. She swiped at it
with her hand. “I’m falling apart already,” Celia said. “See how I
need you?”

Lauren laughed. She’d
already figured out Celia had the ears of the company. She knew
everything about everyone. “Somehow I think I’m going to need you a
whole lot more than you need me.”

Following Celia down a
long hallway, Lauren soon found herself in a small office. It was
bare except for a desk, several chairs, and a few miscellaneous
office supplies, all of which appeared to be brand-new. The room
smelled of new leather.

“
It’s all
yours,” Celia said with a smile and a wave of her hand.

“
I love it,”
Lauren said with a genuine smile. “Now I just need to earn it.”
Basic tools sat on top of the shiny desktop—computer and printer,
tape, a pencil holder, and several large notebooks.

“
I’m quite
sure you will, Lauren.” Celia gave her a wise smile. “I know
people, and you will do well.”

“
Thank you,”
Lauren said, touched by her confidence. “I hope you’re right. I
certainly appreciate the support. I need all the people in my
corner that I can get.” Unable to help herself Lauren walked around
the desk and sat down in the high back chair. Very comfortable, and
not cheap. She swiveled around to face her window. “Wow. What a
great view!” Lauren peered out at the view, thrilled to see the
towering skyline of Manhattan.

“
You should
see it at sunset,” Celia said. Lauren swiveled back around to face
her. Celia continued, “I’ll help you through the first few days.
Anything you need, just say the word.” Celia winked and perched her
hip on the arm of a visitor’s chair. “Including the insider
scoop.”

“
Thank you
very much. I have to admit, I’m nervous.”

“
Don’t be.
You’ll do great.”

For the next forty-five
minutes, Celia settled into a chair across from Lauren and covered
basic orientation material. She finished with, “You should have a
phone list, access cards and codes, a general run-down of the
staff, and who does what with explicit details.” Celia sighed.
“I’ll leave you to study up and get settled. Buzz me if you need
help with anything.”

She started toward the
door, but stopped a moment, turning back to Lauren. “Coffee is in
the kitchen by the reception area. Make yourself at home.” Then,
she left.

The minute she was alone,
Lauren searched through her drawers and found a pair of scissors.
She quickly hopped up and cut off the tags dangling from the
visitors’ chairs. She preferred to forget her newness. She didn’t
need any reminders that she was the new kid on the block. Her
nerves were doing that job quite well without any extra
help.

Before Lauren could even
get through a small portion of the staff rundown, Celia poked her
head back into Lauren’s office. “Lauren you need to be at a meeting
at nine o’clock, and it is already eight-forty-five. You’ll have
these meetings every Monday. Sorry, I didn’t tell you sooner, but I
honestly didn’t think they would have you join them your first
day.”

Lauren sat stunned. “Me
either. Are you sure?” There was nervousness in her voice she
couldn’t hide.

“
Tyler
specifically asked for you by name,” she said with a shrug of her
shoulders.

Grabbing a legal pad and
a pen, Lauren followed Celia to the meeting location, adrenaline
rushing through her body and making her heart beat double time.
Moments later, she stood at the door of the gigantic conference
room, silently sizing up the six men and four women who sat around
the table. All eyes went to Lauren.

Tyler sat in a seat
directly to the right of the head of the table. That seat remained
open. Lauren looked at the empty chair assuming it belonged to the
new president of Carlson. The industry was abuzz about the
retirement of the former executive of the firm. His son Matthew was
now taking over, having relocated from another state.

And when she had heard
his name, she’d desperately searched for a picture of him with no
results. Though she knew this new president had just relocated from
Los Angeles his name was familiar and a hint of fear had grown to
near panic. What if? After all, he had ties in New York. It could
be her Matt. Her stranger. Still, what were the odds?

Tyler pushed to his feet,
and waved Lauren forward, a warm smile on his lips. He spoke to the
group even as he focused on her. “This is Lauren Reynolds, team,
our new associate. Please make her feel welcome.”

Tyler was in his
mid-forties, with red hair and fair skin, and confidence he wore
like a second skin. Lauren liked him from the moment she’d met him
in her interview. He came off highly professional but also
approachable. Not too full of himself.

People nodded and
murmured greetings.

“
Grab a seat
and we’ll get started,” Tyler said motioning to some open chairs at
the opposite side of the long table. Before Lauren even found a
place to sit, Tyler was talking. “Team, we have terrific news. We
have landed a chance to pitch to BG Clothing.”

There were whispers
around the table. Lauren wasn’t sure why.

“
I know we
thought we couldn’t get heard on this campaign, but Matthew’s
presence has opened doors. He pulled some strings, and the outcome
is a win for Carlson. We have one shot and one shot only to prove
we can handle their business line of clothing. Let’s make it a good
one.”

The conference room door
opened and a man appeared in the entrance. Tall and broad with
raven hair, he stood there, taking in the room, dressed in a
tailored suit, and an aura of power. His presence transformed the
mood of the group, electricity suddenly darting around the
table.

Lauren couldn’t breathe
because there was no question this was her one-night stand. Her
stranger. Her Matt was Matthew Monroe and her new boss. This
couldn’t be happening. It was an absolute nightmare. She softly
inhaled and then discreetly exhaled.

Even more potent than she
remembered, his presence wrapped around her like a tight glove. A
comparison came to mind… He reminded her of a tiger on the prowl, a
businessman with money and purpose. His fluid movements were both
confident and menacing. Everyone in the room seemed to sit up an
inch higher in their chairs.

And she remembered their
difference. Though she was a competent businessperson, they were
from different worlds. If he was caviar, she was a sardine. Tyler
greeted him with a smile. “We were just talking about this great
opportunity you maneuvered for us.”

The room filled with
cheers but Lauren couldn’t participate. She felt like melting into
the ground or bolting. Yet, escape without recognition simply
wasn’t possible. As if driving the point home, Tyler focused on
Lauren. “Matt, let me introduce you to our new associate. This is
Lauren Reynolds.”

The moment of truth had
arrived.

For what felt like a
lifetime, Matt stared at Lauren, yet, his face showed no emotion.
Her chest tightened as a flash of memories played in her mind. Of
him touching her. Pleasing her. Tasting her. His eyes darkened and
she knew he was thinking the same things. Destiny had played a
nasty trick on her. Really, on both of them. Her one night of
pleasure had come back to haunt her. Like a punishment for living a
little.

Then, abruptly he walked
toward her, a predatory gleam in his eyes. Without any options, she
turned in her chair to watch as he stopped beside her. And damn if
her nipples didn’t tingle with the memory of him suckling and
teasing. It made this her biggest test of composure to date. He
held out the hand that had touched her so intimately. So hotly, and
a smile played on those far-too-full and sensual lips.

Tentatively, preparing
herself inwardly for the impact, she slid her palm against his. And
just as expected a spark of electricity surged through her body,
and then landed with a hard aftershock right between her legs. And
as her eyes locked with his, the words he’d spoken that night
played like a soft whisper in her mind…

I’m going to kiss every
inch of you so perfectly you will never, ever forget me.

She hadn’t forgotten him.
Lord help her, she thought about him far too often. And now, he was
here. “Welcome, Lauren Reynolds,” he said in a soft, sultry voice
that played on her nerve endings like a seductive harp.

She swallowed. His voice
evoked even more memories. Hot, burning moments with naked bodies
entwined. With effort, she managed a steady voice. “Thank
you.”

He was still holding her
hand, and she wondered if anyone thought he held it too long. It
was as if he was telling her he remembered. Like a secret
acknowledgement of the intimacy they’d shared. But, then he
released her hand and abruptly turned away.

Lauren struggled to shake
of the impact of his touch as he took his seat at the head of the
table. Reality began to ooze into the thick blanket of arousal this
man evoked. Her career had just taken a sudden, definitive
nosedive. Her body was alive and pulsing over the man who was now
her boss.

She needed this
job.

She wanted her
boss.

Could things get any
worse?

Chapter Eight

Matt sat at
the conference table amidst the people who considered him their
boss. Their future. Their new leader. And his attention was on just
one person. On Lauren. For her to be here, a new employee,
in
his
conference room, seemed impossible. All his
efforts to find her after that night she’d disappeared had come up
empty-handed.