Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon

her dressing gown gaped open a little before she moved back to perch on the old armchair by the gas fire.
    Either the heating in her flat was up too high, or the brief flash of Jenni's bare skin had made him feel quite hot. She looked so different without her glasses, and she did have beautiful eyes. Deep ... sparkling ... blue...
    He realized he hadn't answered her question. "I came to ask if you could come into work early on Monday. A delegation is coming over from New York to meet us and discuss the project. They're flying in early, so we'll need to organize meals, accommodation and travel for them. They plan to stay one night, then they're going to London to see the opposition bid."
    She leaned forward to pick up her mug. He thought his heart would stop.
    "That's okay. I know how important the bid is. I'll be there."
    He picked up his coffee and sipped it. Jenni had been right.
    He was hungry. His mother hadn't sounded too pleased when he had phoned to cancel his lunch date with his parents, pleading pressure of work.
    "You'll have to let me know all the details. How many to expect, diets, flight times and so on." A small frown puckered the creamy smooth skin of her forehead.
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    The Cinderella Substitute
    by Nell Dixon
    Even her face looked different. More sophisticated. With professionally applied make-up, she had acquired an air of glamour alien to the Jenni he knew. He had to stop staring.
    "That's no problem. I can drop a file over to you tomorrow." He set his mug down and started on his sandwiches. "Thanks for these. I didn't have time to eat lunch today."
    She looked disapproving. "You should make time, Nate.
    This was supposed to be your weekend off."
    As Jenni grabbed a sandwich, her long furry gown slipped open to reveal a great deal of her legs before she swished it back into place. He choked on a crumb. Jeep, he would have to go home. He didn't think his libido could stand many more tantalizing glimpses of Jenni's bare skin without him wanting to do something they both might regret.
    "I have to go." He placed his empty plate on the table and stood up abruptly.
    She looked up at him. He could see her bewilderment at the sudden change in his behavior.
    "I'll fetch your coat." Jenni left to collect his jacket from the bathroom. "It's dried out pretty well, so you should be okay." She handed it to him.
    "I'll drop that stuff off for you tomorrow then, if that's alright?" He slipped into his jacket. The sensible voice inside his brain told him to get the hell out of there now, before he did something stupid. The problem was his body didn't appear to be connected to his brain. All he could see were Jenni's moist, pink lips parted as if anticipating his kiss. Even then, 58
    The Cinderella Substitute
    by Nell Dixon
    he might have resisted if it hadn't been for her startled little gasp when she read his intentions in his eyes.
    She tasted the way he thought she would, as sweet as honey. His arms slipped around her slim waist to hold her closer. The soft, slight curves of her body molded against him, as if she had been meant to fit.
    The tinny little tune from his inner jacket pocket wasn't loud enough to disturb his concentration. It took Jenni's startled response to the vibrator setting on his phone to break them apart.
    He grabbed the phone from his pocket. His twin sister's phone number flashed up on the display.
    Jenni stood before him, her blue eyes wide with mute distress. He felt a complete heel as he pressed the talk button on the phone and brought it to his ear.
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    The Cinderella Substitute
    by Nell Dixon
    CHAPTER FIVE
    Jenni folded her arms tight across her chest and hugged herself. Dazed, she stumbled into the bathroom to splash some cool water onto her face, hoping it would wash away the delicious taste of Nate from her lips. He'd rushed off after answering his phone as if he couldn't stand to be near her a moment longer. So much for her make-over. It was supposed to make her more attractive, not more