Kiss Lonely Goodbye by Lynn Emery

apprehension.
    â€œI’ll look over it and, uh, get back to you.” Nicole reached out for it. She moved back when Marcus took a step forward.
    â€œSomething wrong?” he said quietly, still gazing at her intently.
    â€œNothing. Everything is just fine.”
    As he came closer, Nicole stiffened her spine mentally. His cologne cracked through her effort to think of him as her employee. She tried to identify the fragrance. The hint of citrus mixed with a musky undertone tickled her nose in a pleasant way.
    â€œI included a three-year projection as well. We might want to reconsider the whole idea. On page ten…” He opened the folder and stood close to her.
    His body heat seemed to snake out and wrap around her. “I’ve got a few calls to make,” Nicole said as she escaped to the other side of her desk. “Leave it. I promise to read every bit and call you.”
    Marcus looked at her for a second, then nodded. “Sure. Talk to you later?”
    Nicole felt another zing at the promise in that question. Damn! Everything the man did seemed to send her mind on the most unbusinesslike path. Ruffled, she picked up her phone.
    â€œYes, yes. I’ll go over the report and get back to you. Thanks,” she replied.
    His expression tightened at the seeming curt brush off. Without another word, he turned around and left. The door shut behind him with a solid thump. Two minutes later, Cat went in.
    â€œThis isn’t your day, huh?” she said, and jerked her head in the direction Marcus had just gone. “You butt heads with Marcus, too?”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Nicole put the telephone receiver down. “Did he say something?”
    â€œNot Marcus. He’s the original strong silent type. Once you two get to know each other, I’m sure you’ll click.”
    â€œUh-huh. You’ve got something for me, I see.” Nicole gestured to the stack of files in Cat’s hand.
    They spent two hours poring over client feedback surveys, contracts and government forms the company had to fill out. All the while Nicole kept hearing the words “You’ll click” in the back of her mind. The scent of citrus and musk seemed to linger in the air.

five
    N icole glanced around the lobby of Caldwell Protection Agency. She admired the tasteful, elegant décor. Tall plants were arranged in terra-cotta pots all around, giving the place a tropical look. When she’d discovered that Marcus had a conflicting meeting, she’d insisted on coming alone. Grateful for a break from fighting his magnetism, Nicole had insisted that he not change his schedule. Despite getting lost twice, she’d made it only fifteen minutes late. A short, shapely woman in a navy pinstriped skirt and white blouse spoke to the receptionist briefly, then walked toward Nicole.
    â€œMs. Benoit, I’m Kelli Caldwell.” She stuck out her hand and gave Nicole a firm handshake.
    â€œNicole, please. Good meeting you, Kelli.”
    â€œMy office is right this way. I’ve got coffee, glazed donuts, and soda. I say early morning meetings require good fuel to make them productive.” Kelli walked rapidly as she spoke. She waved away two staffers. “Later, guys. I promise.”
    Nicole almost skipped to keep up. “Seems like you’ve got enough energy already.”
    â€œI like to keep moving.” Kelli rounded a corner that led directly to an open door. “Here we go.”
    â€œGood.” Nicole took a deep breath and let it out. “I was afraid we’d take a jog while we talked.”
    Kelli laughed. “Have a seat, Nicole. I’ll serve you a nice cool glass of anything to make up for that little fifty-yard dash.”
    â€œA real cola would be nice.” Nicole sank into a tan leather chair facing Kelli’s desk.
    Kelli glanced at her sharply. “I assume you mean with the bad stuff, sugar and caffeine?”
    â€œI know, I know.