Man with the Muscle by Julie Miller Page A

and familiar.
    But she needed to make her own decisions—captain her own victories and suffer her own mistakes without her father’s money or influence to either make them happen or go away. Audrey needed him to know that she was smart enough, capable enough—that she was the necessary element to build her own career and find her own happiness, instead of accepting that her life was the result of whatever her father’s doting yet misguided love for his only daughter allowed it to be.
    Not wanting to tax what energy either of them had left tonight, Audrey wisely changed the subject. “So, are we a rousing success?”
    Rupert pulled back the front of his tux and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his tailored wool trousers. “Everyone is interested in giving this time of year. I think Clarice earned her money with this event—pulling it together so quickly and bringing in a lot of donations. She knows how to throw a party.”
    Did she detect a hint of admiration when her father mentioned the event planner’s name? Audrey felt a smile curve her own lips. Her father had been widowed for nearly three years now. If the right woman turned his eye, she wasn’t against him seeing where things might lead. A new girlfriend might even distract him fromhis fixation on her. “Are you and Clarice planning on staying up late tonight to, um, go over some numbers after our guests leave?”
    â€œI may have invited her to stay for a brandy to congratulate her.” Rupert took her elbow and helped Audrey to her feet once she was cinched in and ready to report for duty again. He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger and smiled. “But you just put those matchmaking thoughts away, missy. We’re only discussing business.”
    â€œDoes Clarice know that?” As much as she hated the nickname he’d given her as a toddler, she loved her father even more, and let that argument slide, as well. She laid her palm over his heart, brushing over the bulge of his pacemaker to feel the strong beat of it beneath her hand. “I just want you to know, that if business turns to pleasure, I’ll be locked up in my office upstairs, and I won’t hear a thing that might go on in your study—or anywhere else on the first floor.”
    â€œYou’re wicked, missy.” He scooted her out of the kitchen and Audrey was instantly assaulted by the noise and colors and pressure to be the perfect hostess again. As one of the tallest men in the room, it was easy to spot Harper Pierce when he excused himself from a conversation and headed into the foyer. Harper strode toward them, and Rupert whispered against her ear.
    â€œSpeaking of matchmaking, I noticed Harper has been sticking close to your side all evening. He knows the board is considering him for a partnership at the firm. Do I give him credit for wanting to date you, or hold it against him?”
    â€œDaddy!” Audrey swatted his arm for teasing her.“Harper was engaged to Gretchen. Don’t start throwing him at me before he’s done mourning her loss.”
    He arched one of his silvery-red brows in a paternal warning. “Harper’s an ambitious man. I don’t know that he’d let grief stand in the way of getting what he wants.”
    â€œI don’t care for him in that way anymore. He’s just a friend—one who’s co-hosting this evening’s fundraiser with me. That’s why he’s been so attentive.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œSeriously.” Audrey reached up to straighten her father’s bow tie. “I’m looking for a man who’s a little more into me than he is my daddy’s law firm or bank account.”
    He caught her hands in his and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “I want that for you, too.”
    Audrey grinned. “And he has to have a personality, support my career, be a good kisser and treat me like a princess.”
    Rupert