Chapter One
Chapter One
“What do you mean, a new marketing director?” Lara jumped from the chair, tapped her foot, and waited for an explanation. Pressure built in her chest. Angry bees buzzed in her ears. All warning signs of a panic attack of epic proportions. Or it could simply be heartburn, lack of sleep and forgetting to eat breakfast.
“I think someone with more experience would help our numbers,” Peter said. Egotism shone from the newly minted vice president of the small class ring company. He adjusted the cuff of yet another shimmering suit, the latest addition to his wardrobe.
“Well, you thought wrong.” Lara stormed out of the room, slammed the door, and strode down the hall. So angry she could spit.
Walking into her own office, she slammed that door too. After carefully hanging her suit jacket on the hook by the door, she smoothed her skirt and sat at her desk. She took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes and pictured her happy place. Sitting atop a large granite boulder, warmed by the sun. Soft waves washing the shore under a clear blue sky. There wasn’t another soul within sight.
There, life was good again.
She eased off her new black leather pumps and questioned her sanity. They’d looked good in the store but after only a few hours they were killing her feet. Lara leaned her elbows on her desk and propped her chin in her hands.
Was it time to start job hunting?
She and Peter had been at the company for almost ten years, Peter six months longer. They worked well together, filling in for each other’s weaknesses.
Had all that changed? True, they didn’t interact every day, but Lara thought they had an unshakable bond.
Coming to the office wasn’t always a joy, and sometimes she had a headache by the end of the day. But she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She didn’t want to work anywhere else.
Another company would snap her up. Her class ring and memorabilia knowledge alone made her worth her weight in—well, in gold. A hell of a lot in today’s volatile market. Add in her contacts in the east coast region and she became a key player in the industry. One that Treasured Memories couldn’t afford to lose.
Dammit, she didn’t want to start over in another place. She was comfortable here. Her office was arranged and decorated just the way she wanted. The best coffee house in town was around the corner.
How much of a threat was this new hire? Different departments. Different responsibilities. If Peter let her finish the new university account on her own, she could get away with not seeing the new guy more than once or twice a week.
After a brief knock, Peter sauntered in and perched on the edge of a chair. He made sure the crease in his deep purple slacks was straight, examined the shine on his alligator shoes, and sighed with satisfaction.
“Lara, let’s talk.” He dabbed at his forehead with a small lilac square of linen, then carefully folded and tucked it back into his breast pocket.
“Talking is something we should have done before you hired the guy.” She fluffed her blouse away from her damp chest, and hoped like hell she was just nervous about the upcoming changes in the company, and not experiencing the change. No frigging way was she old enough for that kind of fun.
“I had to jump at the chance,” Peter said. “Ryan was looking for a new challenge. I grabbed him before the competition could. He drove a hard bargain. I didn’t want to lose this opportunity to strengthen our team.”
Lara hated to admit he had a point. They had to show a profit the next quarter because the Board of Directors was expecting great things. Deep down she knew she was in over her head trying to run both the development and marketing departments of Treasured Memories.
“Why didn’t you discuss it with me?” she asked.
“Because I know you too well.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Look in a mirror, Lara. You like being in control. You need to be in control. I hoped to avoid a long discussion or argument.”
“It didn’t work.”
“It’s a done deal, get used to it. What you need to do now is figure out how to work with the man.”
She detested relinquishing control. Had done so since third grade when Mrs. Wrench forced her to let someone else be director of the class play.
The bitch.
Exasperated, she leaned back and looked at Peter. Despite her desire to stay angry, her scowl was replaced with affection. They knew each other better than their families did, and she loved him like a brother. He hadn’t graduated magna cum laude with an MBA for nothing. She had to listen to his reasoning. It burned her ass, but it made sense.
“So convince me. Who is this Ryan you’re so hot about?” It had better not be the man she was thinking of. She had met a Ryan Patterson at a Chamber of Commerce event several months earlier. But it couldn’t be the same guy. She refused to believe Peter would hire a shark.
My dreams are my destiny.
Yes, nothing to worry about.
“My Stephan met him at the gym, got his number, and I called.” Peter bounced out of his chair, his face wreathed in a smile. He roamed around the small office, straightening the few knick-knacks while surreptitiously checking for dust. “We had to keep the meetings hush-hush until the deal was done, because of his former employer. But it’s all straightened out. He’ll be here today. We’re meeting in my office around two.”
Lara groaned. The same thing had happened before. Peter fell in love with the new guy, put him on a pedestal, and had his heart broken. Having him work in the same office would be a major complication. Maybe the problem would take care of itself.
“Is this another one of your crushes? Are you screwing me over just to get screwed?”
“Please give me some credit. Ryan Patterson has a ton of experience, did some amazing things at his former company, and has the connections we need. Besides, he’s not gay.” He buffed his fingernails on his sleeve and tried to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
“Turned you down, did he?” Lara smiled for the first time that day. The hangdog look on Peter’s face was priceless.
“I didn’t ask him out, I could tell he was straight. I Googled him and found society-page pictures of him with several young lovelies.”
“Maybe they were his beards. There may be hope for you yet.”
“Trust me, if he was gay I’d know.” He cleared his throat. “There are several things we must discuss.”
Well damn, it was the same guy. The one who charmed everyone he came in contact with. The tall, dark, gorgeous hunk who had taken her breath away at the Chamber dinner simply by saying hello. The same one who took charge in a company and made great things happen, then left slaughtered bodies in his wake. Or so she’d heard. No way did she plan to be the first casualty.
“Bad news? Or good?” she asked, while wracking her brain for another affirmation.
“Hmm, neither. First of all, he’s going to be taking over the new university account, and—”
“What! No, no, and no. That is my project. I’ve already put a ton of hours into it.” She pushed her chair back, sorely tempted to dive across the desk and wrap her hands around Peter’s recently exfoliated neck.
“The project was given to you only because you were temporarily heading up the marketing department.”
“Temporarily. Sure, but—”
“You knew we would look.”
“Yes, but I’m almost finished. You could at least let me launch the new catalogue. My department has busted its butt.”
“Now we have a permanent replacement so he’s taking over.”
“That’s not fair. My team has worked weekends. I can’t pull this out from under them."
“You will be assisting him.”
She gritted her teeth. Why did it feel like they were having two different conversations?
Not only did she have to step aside for the new guy, now she was expected to hold his hand? Deep breath in, exhale the negative energy…
“Before you bite my head off,” Peter said with a grin, “I’m sure you can work out the details with Ryan, perhaps divide the work evenly. Now the second item—”
“Oh god, there’s more? Honestly, Peter, I’m about ready to jump out the window.” Besides, she wanted to be alone to think, to plot.
“We’re only on the second floor, lovey.”
“Maybe I’ll get lucky and be in traction for a few months.” She slumped in the chair and massaged her temples, attempting to hold the headache at bay. “So tell me already, it can’t get much worse.”
“Okay, but his job performance shouldn’t be affected. He has great references.”
“What? Does he have bad personal hygiene or something?” Oh please let it be that! I can buy air fresheners or a nose plug. Drop subtle hints about the health benefits of bathing.
“No, he smells great, actually.” Another blush spread up from his starched collar, clashing horribly with the daffodil yellow shirt.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll hurt you. And you know I can.”
“Well, he’s a little younger than you.”
“And? Honey, I’m used to seeing youth everywhere I turn. He might bring some energy to the office, that’s a good thing. Thirty-something’s are the new establishment.”
The guy at the dinner might have been in his early thirties, maybe. Was that all Peter was concerned about? Hadn’t he heard the rumors about mass firings and resignations that followed Ryan around?
She sat up straight and tried to formulate a plan for dealing with her new co-worker. This may all work out for the best. The new guy could take over some of the more mundane and, let’s face it, boring duties in both departments. Leaving her more time to shine.
“Um, a little younger.”
Lara stared at Peter, trying to figure out what he could mean. Younger than thirties meant twenties. She swallowed and thought about taking an acid reflux pill.
“Why don’t you tell me the guy’s age?”
“Twenty-nine.”
Lara sucked in a breath. Damn, she could be the guy’s older sister. As near as she could remember, what she’d been thinking the first time she laid eyes on him had nothing to do with sibling rivalry.
She had no problem working with younger people. Hell, at her age most of her co-workers were younger. But she had seniority over them, in age and experience. This time would be different. She would be under Ryan’s supervision on an important account; her insecurities were raising their ugly head. What if he tried to take over the development department? Throw his weight around and make her life miserable. Just like the jerk two years ago who sabotaged her work after she’d ended the office romance.
“What exactly is his job description?”
“That’ll be ironed out as I come up with a new organizational chart. Rest assured that your position won’t be cut.”
“Other than losing control of the biggest account the company has ever won.”
“If we’d found one sooner you would have been working with another department head all along.”
“So, instead I’ve done all the leg work and this Ryan guy swans in and takes all the glory.”
“I said you’d be working together.”
“Can you guarantee he won’t steal the whole thing?”
“For heaven’s sake, grow up. You’re both adults. I’m sure he’ll act like one. You’d better too.”
Sure, Ryan had been polite enough at the posh dinner. But he had been most attentive to a few of the younger businesswomen present. Not surprising, but it still hurt her pride that she no longer made men’s heads turn like she used to. To compensate for her shrinking social life, she had thrown herself into the job, working hard to rise in the ranks. And working harder to stay at the top.
Having to share the position of power was not an attractive possibility.
“Remind me, when do I get to meet this piece of perfection?” Her back teeth clenched so tightly she could barely get the words out. God, the week had just started and it already sucked. Her regular night out with the girls couldn’t get here soon enough. She had some serious tension to work off. And she knew the perfect way to get a much-needed release. Hitting a few clubs, showing off dance moves, maybe even hooking up with a guy. It had been a few—several months since she’d had a man in her bed.
Time to get laid.
“He’ll be here at one to meet with personnel. Then he’ll come to my office. I can handle the rest if you’d rather wait until—”
“I’m not that much of a basket case. Has he met the owners yet?”
“Not yet, but they’ve been informed and are thrilled he’s working for us.”
“Does Ryan realize he’s joining a small family business? And the owners are involved in all the decisions?”
“I’m sure he does,” he said, a slight frown marring his usual perfect complexion. “What are you getting at?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure he’ll work out fine, and we’ll all benefit, yada, yada, yada. I sure hope you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew with him.” She managed to produce a smile and waved him out of her office before slumping in her chair.
Lara retrieved her journal from the bottom drawer and flipped through the pages until she came to that date. Her birthday, the big four-o, the day she officially became middle-aged. She continued to flip backward, looking for any clue that she was happy with the way her life was going. Sure, there were the regular girls’ nights, a couple of movies with Peter and Stephan, his latest squeeze. But nothing remotely resembling a relationship for the past year. Or three.
She liked her independence, and the freedom to come and go as she pleased. Staying out late with friends, hooking up with a cutie for a night or two, that’s how life had been since college. Perhaps she had sacrificed something for that freedom, something she now missed, something she had secretly yearned for.
Pfft, she wasn’t dead yet.
If only she’d had a few more weeks to get the marketing department to run more effectively, she might have been allowed to absorb the more interesting aspects of marketing into her own department. Now she would be forced to work closely, and daily, with a Young Turk who was already at the top of his game, well respected and sought after at the ripe old age of twenty fucking nine.
Lara drew a frowny face on the page and threw the journal back in the drawer. It wasn’t Ryan’s fault she’d had to claw and scheme her way to the top of her profession. Nor was it his fault she’d had to scramble over roadblocks thrown up because of her sex and age and looks. A few men and women had called her beautiful, but on her best days she only felt moderately attractive. There were certainly prettier women out there. Prettier and younger, with all their girly bits firmly in place. She tugged at the waistband of her Spanx, and thanked God for spandex.
She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t told Peter about Ryan after the business dinner. She and Peter had often enjoyed discussing the merits of various men.
Maybe because she’d have to acknowledge to Peter that she was feeling uncomfortable about working with a man who was too young for her, romantically speaking. One she’d fantasized about several times. She still remembered feeling incredibly alive when he shook her hand. Staring into his dark brown eyes had pulled her into a deep pool of warm, lazy lust.
Lara shoved her feet into her pumps and winced as she walked to her private bathroom. A quick fluff of her hair and a gloss of lip color and she was ready to face the world. She’d concentrate on her job, and Ryan had better keep his hands off. She wasn’t afraid to throw her weight around.
Lara popped a couple of antacids and strode out of her office. It was time to circle the wagons.
Chapter One
“What do you mean, a new marketing director?” Lara jumped from the chair, tapped her foot, and waited for an explanation. Pressure built in her chest. Angry bees buzzed in her ears. All warning signs of a panic attack of epic proportions. Or it could simply be heartburn, lack of sleep and forgetting to eat breakfast.
“I think someone with more experience would help our numbers,” Peter said. Egotism shone from the newly minted vice president of the small class ring company. He adjusted the cuff of yet another shimmering suit, the latest addition to his wardrobe.
“Well, you thought wrong.” Lara stormed out of the room, slammed the door, and strode down the hall. So angry she could spit.
Walking into her own office, she slammed that door too. After carefully hanging her suit jacket on the hook by the door, she smoothed her skirt and sat at her desk. She took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes and pictured her happy place. Sitting atop a large granite boulder, warmed by the sun. Soft waves washing the shore under a clear blue sky. There wasn’t another soul within sight.
There, life was good again.
She eased off her new black leather pumps and questioned her sanity. They’d looked good in the store but after only a few hours they were killing her feet. Lara leaned her elbows on her desk and propped her chin in her hands.
Was it time to start job hunting?
She and Peter had been at the company for almost ten years, Peter six months longer. They worked well together, filling in for each other’s weaknesses.
Had all that changed? True, they didn’t interact every day, but Lara thought they had an unshakable bond.
Coming to the office wasn’t always a joy, and sometimes she had a headache by the end of the day. But she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She didn’t want to work anywhere else.
Another company would snap her up. Her class ring and memorabilia knowledge alone made her worth her weight in—well, in gold. A hell of a lot in today’s volatile market. Add in her contacts in the east coast region and she became a key player in the industry. One that Treasured Memories couldn’t afford to lose.
Dammit, she didn’t want to start over in another place. She was comfortable here. Her office was arranged and decorated just the way she wanted. The best coffee house in town was around the corner.
How much of a threat was this new hire? Different departments. Different responsibilities. If Peter let her finish the new university account on her own, she could get away with not seeing the new guy more than once or twice a week.
After a brief knock, Peter sauntered in and perched on the edge of a chair. He made sure the crease in his deep purple slacks was straight, examined the shine on his alligator shoes, and sighed with satisfaction.
“Lara, let’s talk.” He dabbed at his forehead with a small lilac square of linen, then carefully folded and tucked it back into his breast pocket.
“Talking is something we should have done before you hired the guy.” She fluffed her blouse away from her damp chest, and hoped like hell she was just nervous about the upcoming changes in the company, and not experiencing the change. No frigging way was she old enough for that kind of fun.
“I had to jump at the chance,” Peter said. “Ryan was looking for a new challenge. I grabbed him before the competition could. He drove a hard bargain. I didn’t want to lose this opportunity to strengthen our team.”
Lara hated to admit he had a point. They had to show a profit the next quarter because the Board of Directors was expecting great things. Deep down she knew she was in over her head trying to run both the development and marketing departments of Treasured Memories.
“Why didn’t you discuss it with me?” she asked.
“Because I know you too well.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Look in a mirror, Lara. You like being in control. You need to be in control. I hoped to avoid a long discussion or argument.”
“It didn’t work.”
“It’s a done deal, get used to it. What you need to do now is figure out how to work with the man.”
She detested relinquishing control. Had done so since third grade when Mrs. Wrench forced her to let someone else be director of the class play.
The bitch.
Exasperated, she leaned back and looked at Peter. Despite her desire to stay angry, her scowl was replaced with affection. They knew each other better than their families did, and she loved him like a brother. He hadn’t graduated magna cum laude with an MBA for nothing. She had to listen to his reasoning. It burned her ass, but it made sense.
“So convince me. Who is this Ryan you’re so hot about?” It had better not be the man she was thinking of. She had met a Ryan Patterson at a Chamber of Commerce event several months earlier. But it couldn’t be the same guy. She refused to believe Peter would hire a shark.
My dreams are my destiny.
Yes, nothing to worry about.
“My Stephan met him at the gym, got his number, and I called.” Peter bounced out of his chair, his face wreathed in a smile. He roamed around the small office, straightening the few knick-knacks while surreptitiously checking for dust. “We had to keep the meetings hush-hush until the deal was done, because of his former employer. But it’s all straightened out. He’ll be here today. We’re meeting in my office around two.”
Lara groaned. The same thing had happened before. Peter fell in love with the new guy, put him on a pedestal, and had his heart broken. Having him work in the same office would be a major complication. Maybe the problem would take care of itself.
“Is this another one of your crushes? Are you screwing me over just to get screwed?”
“Please give me some credit. Ryan Patterson has a ton of experience, did some amazing things at his former company, and has the connections we need. Besides, he’s not gay.” He buffed his fingernails on his sleeve and tried to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
“Turned you down, did he?” Lara smiled for the first time that day. The hangdog look on Peter’s face was priceless.
“I didn’t ask him out, I could tell he was straight. I Googled him and found society-page pictures of him with several young lovelies.”
“Maybe they were his beards. There may be hope for you yet.”
“Trust me, if he was gay I’d know.” He cleared his throat. “There are several things we must discuss.”
Well damn, it was the same guy. The one who charmed everyone he came in contact with. The tall, dark, gorgeous hunk who had taken her breath away at the Chamber dinner simply by saying hello. The same one who took charge in a company and made great things happen, then left slaughtered bodies in his wake. Or so she’d heard. No way did she plan to be the first casualty.
“Bad news? Or good?” she asked, while wracking her brain for another affirmation.
“Hmm, neither. First of all, he’s going to be taking over the new university account, and—”
“What! No, no, and no. That is my project. I’ve already put a ton of hours into it.” She pushed her chair back, sorely tempted to dive across the desk and wrap her hands around Peter’s recently exfoliated neck.
“The project was given to you only because you were temporarily heading up the marketing department.”
“Temporarily. Sure, but—”
“You knew we would look.”
“Yes, but I’m almost finished. You could at least let me launch the new catalogue. My department has busted its butt.”
“Now we have a permanent replacement so he’s taking over.”
“That’s not fair. My team has worked weekends. I can’t pull this out from under them."
“You will be assisting him.”
She gritted her teeth. Why did it feel like they were having two different conversations?
Not only did she have to step aside for the new guy, now she was expected to hold his hand? Deep breath in, exhale the negative energy…
“Before you bite my head off,” Peter said with a grin, “I’m sure you can work out the details with Ryan, perhaps divide the work evenly. Now the second item—”
“Oh god, there’s more? Honestly, Peter, I’m about ready to jump out the window.” Besides, she wanted to be alone to think, to plot.
“We’re only on the second floor, lovey.”
“Maybe I’ll get lucky and be in traction for a few months.” She slumped in the chair and massaged her temples, attempting to hold the headache at bay. “So tell me already, it can’t get much worse.”
“Okay, but his job performance shouldn’t be affected. He has great references.”
“What? Does he have bad personal hygiene or something?” Oh please let it be that! I can buy air fresheners or a nose plug. Drop subtle hints about the health benefits of bathing.
“No, he smells great, actually.” Another blush spread up from his starched collar, clashing horribly with the daffodil yellow shirt.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll hurt you. And you know I can.”
“Well, he’s a little younger than you.”
“And? Honey, I’m used to seeing youth everywhere I turn. He might bring some energy to the office, that’s a good thing. Thirty-something’s are the new establishment.”
The guy at the dinner might have been in his early thirties, maybe. Was that all Peter was concerned about? Hadn’t he heard the rumors about mass firings and resignations that followed Ryan around?
She sat up straight and tried to formulate a plan for dealing with her new co-worker. This may all work out for the best. The new guy could take over some of the more mundane and, let’s face it, boring duties in both departments. Leaving her more time to shine.
“Um, a little younger.”
Lara stared at Peter, trying to figure out what he could mean. Younger than thirties meant twenties. She swallowed and thought about taking an acid reflux pill.
“Why don’t you tell me the guy’s age?”
“Twenty-nine.”
Lara sucked in a breath. Damn, she could be the guy’s older sister. As near as she could remember, what she’d been thinking the first time she laid eyes on him had nothing to do with sibling rivalry.
She had no problem working with younger people. Hell, at her age most of her co-workers were younger. But she had seniority over them, in age and experience. This time would be different. She would be under Ryan’s supervision on an important account; her insecurities were raising their ugly head. What if he tried to take over the development department? Throw his weight around and make her life miserable. Just like the jerk two years ago who sabotaged her work after she’d ended the office romance.
“What exactly is his job description?”
“That’ll be ironed out as I come up with a new organizational chart. Rest assured that your position won’t be cut.”
“Other than losing control of the biggest account the company has ever won.”
“If we’d found one sooner you would have been working with another department head all along.”
“So, instead I’ve done all the leg work and this Ryan guy swans in and takes all the glory.”
“I said you’d be working together.”
“Can you guarantee he won’t steal the whole thing?”
“For heaven’s sake, grow up. You’re both adults. I’m sure he’ll act like one. You’d better too.”
Sure, Ryan had been polite enough at the posh dinner. But he had been most attentive to a few of the younger businesswomen present. Not surprising, but it still hurt her pride that she no longer made men’s heads turn like she used to. To compensate for her shrinking social life, she had thrown herself into the job, working hard to rise in the ranks. And working harder to stay at the top.
Having to share the position of power was not an attractive possibility.
“Remind me, when do I get to meet this piece of perfection?” Her back teeth clenched so tightly she could barely get the words out. God, the week had just started and it already sucked. Her regular night out with the girls couldn’t get here soon enough. She had some serious tension to work off. And she knew the perfect way to get a much-needed release. Hitting a few clubs, showing off dance moves, maybe even hooking up with a guy. It had been a few—several months since she’d had a man in her bed.
Time to get laid.
“He’ll be here at one to meet with personnel. Then he’ll come to my office. I can handle the rest if you’d rather wait until—”
“I’m not that much of a basket case. Has he met the owners yet?”
“Not yet, but they’ve been informed and are thrilled he’s working for us.”
“Does Ryan realize he’s joining a small family business? And the owners are involved in all the decisions?”
“I’m sure he does,” he said, a slight frown marring his usual perfect complexion. “What are you getting at?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure he’ll work out fine, and we’ll all benefit, yada, yada, yada. I sure hope you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew with him.” She managed to produce a smile and waved him out of her office before slumping in her chair.
Lara retrieved her journal from the bottom drawer and flipped through the pages until she came to that date. Her birthday, the big four-o, the day she officially became middle-aged. She continued to flip backward, looking for any clue that she was happy with the way her life was going. Sure, there were the regular girls’ nights, a couple of movies with Peter and Stephan, his latest squeeze. But nothing remotely resembling a relationship for the past year. Or three.
She liked her independence, and the freedom to come and go as she pleased. Staying out late with friends, hooking up with a cutie for a night or two, that’s how life had been since college. Perhaps she had sacrificed something for that freedom, something she now missed, something she had secretly yearned for.
Pfft, she wasn’t dead yet.
If only she’d had a few more weeks to get the marketing department to run more effectively, she might have been allowed to absorb the more interesting aspects of marketing into her own department. Now she would be forced to work closely, and daily, with a Young Turk who was already at the top of his game, well respected and sought after at the ripe old age of twenty fucking nine.
Lara drew a frowny face on the page and threw the journal back in the drawer. It wasn’t Ryan’s fault she’d had to claw and scheme her way to the top of her profession. Nor was it his fault she’d had to scramble over roadblocks thrown up because of her sex and age and looks. A few men and women had called her beautiful, but on her best days she only felt moderately attractive. There were certainly prettier women out there. Prettier and younger, with all their girly bits firmly in place. She tugged at the waistband of her Spanx, and thanked God for spandex.
She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t told Peter about Ryan after the business dinner. She and Peter had often enjoyed discussing the merits of various men.
Maybe because she’d have to acknowledge to Peter that she was feeling uncomfortable about working with a man who was too young for her, romantically speaking. One she’d fantasized about several times. She still remembered feeling incredibly alive when he shook her hand. Staring into his dark brown eyes had pulled her into a deep pool of warm, lazy lust.
Lara shoved her feet into her pumps and winced as she walked to her private bathroom. A quick fluff of her hair and a gloss of lip color and she was ready to face the world. She’d concentrate on her job, and Ryan had better keep his hands off. She wasn’t afraid to throw her weight around.
Lara popped a couple of antacids and strode out of her office. It was time to circle the wagons.