Her Not-So-Secret Diary(24)

That she could be as sophisticated about last night as he.

Because he didn't mention it. Not a word, not even a hint, for goodness'  sake …  How awkward. No wonder they said office affairs were mistakes.  She turned away, poured herself a mug of coffee and had only taken the  first sip when Jared informed her they were leaving in five.

Fine. Be a pain in the proverbial. 'Okay.' She set her mug on the bench with a sharp chink. 'I'll get my stuff.'

She was tempted, so tempted, to demand he tell her what his problem was,  but they had no time to spare and she didn't want to get into something  they might have to stop in the middle of, which in turn could make the  situation even more awkward. Later, after hours, they were going to have  a conversation about this. What did he think-that she was going to jump  his bones in front of the client? That she didn't know what the word  professional meant?

Or that he'd changed his mind and one night was enough.

An iron band tightened around her stomach. Please, not that. She knew  they only had a short time but she wasn't ready to let him go yet. She  wanted more. She needed to get him out of her system before she left  Australia.

Jared turned the car radio's volume up and scowled at the road in front  of them as they covered the few minutes it took to drive to their  destination. He hadn't given Sophie time to eat breakfast. He should've  woken her. His idea to go to the meeting without his PA was  unprofessional. His usual clarity of mind was this morning a jumble of  confusion. She was getting to him in ways that weren't supposed to  happen. Making him indecisive. Making him look a complete incompetent.                       
       
           



       

Cameron met them at the front of the building. With his dark  surfer-streaked gold hair and ocean-blue eyes, even Jared could see why  women would find him attractive. He introduced Sophie.

'Welcome to Noosa, Sophie.' He shook her hand. 'You're a new member of Jared's team?'

'Just filling in for Pam for a few days.' She looked about her, took out  a small pad and pen in favour of high tech. 'You have a lovely position  here. Great potential.'

'I reckon so. I want Jared's opinion on it.'

Jared nodded. 'Okay, let's take a look around outside first and get a feel for the place.'

Perched on the hillside with breathtaking views of the beach and ocean,  it had definite potential. Jared noted that Sophie returned their host's  casual charm with a smile and professional courtesy as they inspected  the premises. Jotting notes, asking pertinent questions of the two of  them. If she found Cameron irresistible, she showed absolutely no sign.

On the other hand, neither did she show any sign that she found Jared  even the tiniest bit irresistible. Busy with her notes, she barely  acknowledged him at all, unless it was to clarify something, and then  she did so with politeness and professionalism.

As it bloody well should be. Exactly what he expected, no, demanded of his PA. Why the hell should this time be any different?

Downstairs in a makeshift office, she set up her laptop on a small desk  and worked on her own while Jared and Brett discussed the proposal and  possible contractors.

Over coffee, she asked a question of Cameron. He leaned over to study  her screen and met her eyes as he spoke. Sophie seemed to be riveted to  her chair, those big amber eyes of hers looking up at him.

And Jared felt something uneasy and unfamiliar scratch across his skin  and bury itself in his solar plexus like a hot blunt knife. The scrape  and burn of possessiveness.

'What's your opinion, Jared?'

Jared blinked, aware they were both watching him and expecting some sort of reply. Sophie raised her eyebrows at him.

'Jared was only talking about that yesterday on the way up,' she said  smoothly. 'Didn't you say you preferred to use local labour where  possible?'

'Yes,' he replied. What's your problem? her expression said. He wished  to hell he knew. Thank you, was his wordless reply. He shifted his gaze  to his client. 'Did you have someone in mind … ?'

When they were leaving, Cameron turned to Sophie and said, 'If you're  looking for work and want something more permanent, my organisation has a  vacancy at present. I'm sure you'd fill it more than adequately.'

His organisation? Not bloody likely, Jared thought. If she decided to stay, she'd be staying at Sanderson's.

Did she hesitate? He wasn't sure, but his breath caught in his chest.  Then she smiled up at the other man. 'Thanks, but I'm going overseas  soon.' Jared's relief, and a certain smugness, was short-lived.

'When you return … ' Cameron pulled out a business card ' … the offer will  still be valid.' He wrote something on the back then handed it to her,  trademark blue eyes twinkling. 'If circumstances change … '

Jared frowned. Was that an invitation in his tone? Was it business? Was  it social? Was it pertinent to the message on the card? Damn it, from  his position opposite Sophie he couldn't see what the guy had written.

Sophie glanced at the writing, smiled, nodded then tucked it into her purse. And then they were shaking hands. Smiles all round …

Paranoia. Jared clenched his fingers then very deliberately relaxed  them. He extended his hand the moment Cameron relinquished Sophie's.  'Brett. Thank you for thinking of Sanderson's. You can expect our  written proposal by next Wednesday.'

Cameron nodded, his grip firm. 'Look forward to it.'



Sophie wandered the Noosa Marina with Jared late that afternoon. Lots of  cool blue-blue sails, blue paint, blue sky. There was a casual holiday  atmosphere with tourists and locals alike eating at the variety of local  cafés on the wharf, strolling the decking, poking around the  one-of-a-kind stores from high-end fashion to fishing tackle.

Jared had suggested it as a good place to unwind after a day's work and  he was right. Trouble was, Sophie noticed, he never seemed to completely  switch off. Not healthy.

The strong smell of the water pervaded the aroma of fresh-cooked seafood  and the exotic fragrances emanating from the local day-spa shop. She  rubbed a slight stiffness at the base of her skull as they passed the  open door.

'Did I work you too hard today?'

She dropped her hand from her neck, shook her head. 'But I'd kill for one of those day-spa pampering packages.'                       
       
           



       

'According to Crystal, they're heaven-sent.'

'Actually I've never had one.' Sophie shrugged. 'The money never seems  to stretch that far. But it's definitely on my to-do list.'

'Good idea.'

'Yes.' She glanced at him. 'They're good for men too, you know.'

His response was a mere rumble that sounded suspiciously like disagreement. Typical macho man.

There was a band playing in one of the restaurants; the wooden decking  vibrated with the sounds of countless feet. A plethora of boats bobbed  on the water; ferries and cruising restaurants all jostling for space in  the popular marina, their gentle putter and the sound of water washing  against their hulls filling the air.

Jared slowed as they approached a small cruiser tied up at the jetty,  its paintwork gleaming red-gold in the late afternoon sun. A sunset  dinner cruise by the looks of it, Sophie thought, admiring the little  white-cloth-covered tables on board.

'You like sunsets and tonight looks like we might be in for a good one. How would you like to see it over the water tonight?'

'I'd love to. But if you're thinking this boat, it doesn't look like  it's ready to sail for a while. There's no one else here. And you  probably have to book.'

'Let's see.' Jared walked to the gangway where one of the crew, dressed in whites, was laying out cutlery on one of the tables.

He looked up as they approached. 'Good evening.'

'Good evening.' Jared nodded to him. 'I made a booking earlier.'

The guy smiled. 'Mr Sanderson?'

'Yes.' Jared turned to Sophie. 'Feeling hungry yet?'

Her stomach fluttered but it wasn't with hunger. He'd remembered a  throwaway comment she'd made last week about sunsets. Macho and romantic  was Jared Sanderson. And she had the perfect dress to wear-a soft  floaty sea/tea green that she'd popped in her bag at the last  moment … back at their house. Right now her navy skirt and cream blouse  were limp with a day's wear and humidity. 'Now?'

'Why not?'

'I'm in my work gear … and I've been in it all day. I'm hardly dressed for eating out.'

His gaze smouldered down her body like slow-moving lava. She'd never get  used to that look and how it made her feel. Desired, dreamy,  distracted.

Hot.

'Relax, Ms Buchanan, it's just you and me and a couple of crew. And you  look as fresh as you did at ten o'clock.' He held out his hand to her,  palm up. 'What do you say, is it all aboard?'

'And anchors away.' She had to smile because who could resist that roguish grin? Those scorching eyes? She laid her palm on his.

A cool breeze drifted across the river. They stood on the tiny deck  upstairs and drank pink champagne from tall crystal flutes. She  discovered a wild hibiscus flower in syrup at the bottom and enjoyed its  delicious raspberry and rhubarb flavour on her tongue almost as much as  she enjoyed the kiss Jared gave her the moment they were alone.